| Diving in Puerto Galera is a must for any serious | | | | Diversify |
| SCUBA enthusiast as well as for those just about | | | | There are over 40 dive sites in Sabang, PG alone. |
| thinking of taking on the underwater sport. With its | | | | Each of them offers a unique diving thrill ranging from |
| awesome dive sites teeming with excellent coral | | | | sea life colors to drifts, caves and underwater hot |
| reefs and excitingly vibrant marine life, Puerto Galera, | | | | springs. Talk to the dive masters/guides and tell them |
| dubbed the Pearl of Mindoro, is also part of the | | | | you'd like to try out something different every dive. |
| "center of the center of marine biodiversity in the | | | | It has been my experience that they would be |
| world" according to Environmental Biology of Fishes. | | | | extremely happy to take you around. |
| Underwater photography and videography find | | | | Another way to diversify is to take day and night |
| subjects in several wrecks, colorful Nudibranchs, | | | | dives. Avid water adventurers know for a fact that it |
| sponges, and sea fans, and the main attraction of | | | | a different wonderland at night and during the day. |
| South East Asia's Coral Triangle. | | | | And don't limit yourself to just diving. Remember, it's |
| But diving in Puerto Galera (PG) is not only about the | | | | your whole stay that would determine whether you |
| experience of "getting wet." The whole package is | | | | had a great time or not. That said, try out other |
| what counts. Here are a few tips that would make | | | | activities. |
| your diving vacation a truly memorable experience. | | | | Explore Other Activities in Between Dive |
| Book in Advance and Plan your Trip | | | | While PG is clearly a SCUBA diver's paradise, there |
| There is truth to the saying that "He who fails to | | | | are quite a number of other activities available to |
| plan, plans to fail." No matter how much promise a | | | | make your stay filled with a variety of experiences. |
| trip or a destination gives you, there is much more to | | | | Take, for example, snorkeling. A special pleasure on |
| be gained from a well thought out venture. Read | | | | its own is to have a banca take you around a small |
| about PG from travel books and travel resources | | | | area of water to witness marine life with a different |
| online. Search the web for travel reviews. Ask friends | | | | perspective a lot of divers may have already |
| who've actually gone diving around these parts. | | | | forgotten. |
| Map out the trip down to the smallest details from | | | | All the other activities will be listed in a separate |
| the best places to stay in, the best dive shops to | | | | article but here's an overview. In PG, one can do |
| dive with, and all your booking options. You may be | | | | nature tripping to Tamaraw Falls, go golfing at |
| surprised to learn how much discounts you can get if | | | | Ponderosa Golf Course, go island hopping to the |
| you book in advance. While knowing the best dates | | | | many tropical islands around, experience the night life |
| to book for your vacation could mean either you'll | | | | of Sabang, and lots more. In between dives, taking |
| have the whole place almost exclusively to yourself | | | | on other activities would in turn be a great way to |
| or there will be a lot of other divers you could | | | | network with other divers. |
| network with. Any of the two would be good, | | | | Network with Other Divers |
| depending on your overall plan. | | | | There's no best resource to information than |
| Go with the Best Dive Center Possible | | | | personal experience. So I should say, whenever you |
| Once you're done planning your trip and reading | | | | can, talk to the regulars of PG. If a great time is |
| about PG, you'll have a list of some dive centers you | | | | what you're looking for, they'd know what to |
| can go with. Some of the best dive shops in PG can | | | | suggest. There are many ways to network with |
| be found in Sabang. Most often than not, they are | | | | them. Of course, it already happens in the dive |
| the ones that really look good. That is, those with | | | | centers. Another would be in day bars where you |
| new equipment, a clean compressor room, equipment | | | | can have beer with all sorts of diver folk. One more |
| cleaning areas, and well kept interiors. If it feels and | | | | way would be at the resort, while having coffee or |
| looks great, you'd know the shop actually invested to | | | | having meals. |
| provide quality service. | | | | Stay at the Best Resort |
| The centers to go with are those with clear | | | | And it goes without saying that the whole diving |
| information ready all over. These are the ones that | | | | experience is pretty much affected by where you |
| have printed material on dive sites, rates, courses | | | | stay. Waking up in the morning with a backache |
| and those critical to the day such as tide and | | | | because of a bad bed, or getting really bad customer |
| weather information. Also consider their extras. The | | | | service from a hotel staff could very much define |
| best often provide towels, hot and cold showers, | | | | your mood the whole day thereby affecting your |
| and beverages. In addition, go with the SCUBA shops | | | | diving experience. It is highly advisable to stay at a |
| that can actually handle several guests all at the | | | | quality resort and you'll be very happy to see |
| same time. This ability comes in handy when it comes | | | | everything else fall into place. |
| to the next tip, which deals with diversification | | | | |