Recently we had a chat with Roni Ben Aharon from Atlantis Dive Resorts. Roni has an abundance of knowledge about the Philippines, which she shared with a few lucky divers coming along to our Philippines Macro Underwater Photography Expedition in December! For those of you who missed it, we’ve recorded the details here for you!
Here's what she had to say:
Hi everyone, I'm Ronnie! For the past eight years, I've called the Philippines home while working with Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards. My journey in the dive industry spans about 15 years, starting, like many others, as a Divemaster. From there, I explored the underwater world, gaining experience in the Caribbean and then spending a couple of years in Southeast Asia. About ten years ago, I began integrating my background in corporate America with my passion for diving, shifting my focus to running operations, primarily sales and marketing teams. I've been with Atlantis for eight of those years, and I've truly fallen in love with the Philippines.
Our good friends from Dive and More have decided to come back and visit us, which is incredible. We absolutely love having them, and they've been with us before – I think it was back in 2019, pre-pandemic, when they ran a photography workshop at our Puerto Galera location. This time around, the plan is for them to explore both of our stunning destinations. Without further ado, let me take you through where you'll be visiting…
Our Philippine adventures will take us to two distinct locations: Puerto Galera and Dumaguete.
But first...
About the Philippines:
The Republic of the Philippines consists of 7641 islands of various sizes, of which only about 2000 are inhabited. With just over 100 million inhabitants, the Philippines is the 12th most populated country in the world. The archipelago is named after Philip the II, king of Spain, who was ruling at the time the Spanish arrive to the area and took over, in the 16th century. Meanwhile, the capital of the Philippines is Manila, one of the world’s largest and most populated cities, residing on Luzon island, the largest island in the country.
The Philippines is wealthy with natural resources, gorgeous beaches, hiking trails, incredible diversity of birds, plants, animals and of course, marine life and
dive sites! Mountains cover most of the country’s islands, with plenty of volcanos, some of them still active to this day.
This is one of the most exotic and beautiful countries in the world, both above and under the water. Even though it consists of islands as far as 1000km off the continent, Manila is still surprisingly easy to reach from North America, with plenty of flights available, including non-stop flights from LAX, SFO and Vancouver.
Diving in the Philippines:
The Philippines are located in a unique area called the Coral Triangle. The Triangle is considered among the most diverse places in the world for marine life. Water temperature runs from 75-84°F (24-29°C) throughout the year, visibility is excellent, and the currents are mostly mild. Over 500 species of corals can be found there, 76 percent of all known coral species, as well as over 3,000 species of fish. Due to the high importance of marine life to the region, ocean and marine life conservation are regarded very highly in the Philippines, which keeps the reefs healthy and the dive sites spectacular!
The Philippines offers a very wide variety of dive sites; from muck diving to glorious reefs, drift dives, large animals and more. Perhaps the most well-known reason to dive the Philippines is the abundance of critters. Bizarre, alien-like, tiny creatures which you probably
can’t find anywhere else in the world. Hundreds of different types of strange, colorful Nudibranchs including the adorable “Shawn the Sheep”. Sea Horses, Ghost Pipefish, Pygmy Sea Horse, Mantis Shrimp, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Frogfish no longer than a fingernail and many more incredible critters!
Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera, located on the island of Mindoro, is easily accessible from Manila. After landing in Manila, it’s about a 1.5-hour van ride south on Luzon Island, followed by a short 30-minute ferry crossing through the Verde Passage. The total travel time from Manila to our beachfront resort in Puerto Galera is roughly 3-4 hours.
Puerto Galera is known for its incredibly vibrant reefs, thanks to the nutrient-rich waters flowing through the Verde Passage. The underwater topography is incredibly diverse for such a small area, featuring walls plunging to 200 meters, sandy bottoms, sloping reefs, canyons, and swim-throughs. This diversity makes it a haven for marine life, including a plethora of nudibranch species. With over 900 of the world's 2,000 nudibranch species found in the Philippines, Puerto Galera is a nudibranch lover's paradise! You might even witness the mesmerizing mating ritual of the mandarin fish at sunset – a truly unique sight.
From Puerto Galera, we'll also take a day trip to Verde Island, a truly special destination. Imagine pinnacles rising 150 meters from the ocean floor, with only the tips, covered in vibrant corals, visible at the surface. Beneath the surface lies an aquarium-like world, teeming with thousands of red-tooth triggerfish and anthias.
Our resort in Puerto Galera is located in Sabang Beach, giving us easy access to over 30 dive sites within 30 seconds to five minutes by speedboat. The resort itself has a unique, almost “Flintstone-esque” design, with 40 rooms nestled into the hillside. Amenities include a pool with a waterfall, a spa, and a restaurant and bar. Our restaurant features three-course, chef-prepared meals with a menu that changes daily, catering to all dietary needs. The 50 Bar is a popular spot for divers to relax and share stories after a day of exploring the underwater world.
The diving in Puerto Galera is simply spectacular. Think of incredibly healthy corals, vivid reefs, and an abundance of macro life. You'll find everything from banded sea kraits and nudibranchs to jacks and barracudas. The water temperature in early December, when Dive and More will be visiting, is comfortable 27-28° Celsius (around 80° Fahrenheit), with air temperatures around the same. This time of year, offers a great opportunity for underwater photography, allowing you to capture both wide-angle shots and macro images. Keep an eye out for flamboyant cuttlefish, various octopus species (including mimic, wonderpus, and blue-ringed), as well as the adorable "Shaun the Sheep" nudibranch.
Dumaguete
After five nights in Puerto Galera, we'll head back to Manila for a one-hour domestic flight to the island of Negros, known as the "Island of Sweet People." Negros is famous for its critter diving, or muck diving, with sandy slopes and volcanic black sand creating a dramatic backdrop for incredible macro encounters. Here, you'll have the chance to see seven different species of frogfish, including the elusive hairy frogfish!
From Negros, we’ll visit Apo Island, a small, community-led marine protected area. Despite being dynamite fished in the past, Apo Island boasts stunning reefs, teeming with marine life. The visibility here is exceptional, often reaching 20 meters (60 feet) or more.
Our resort in Dumaguete is a secluded beach resort, offering a tranquil escape. The spacious rooms were recently renovated, and the resort features a pool, spa, and even a coral nursery. The restaurant offers stunning ocean views, and the menu features delicious, chef-prepared meals.
The diving in Dumaguete focuses on macro life, with 18 dive sites just minutes away by boat. The black volcanic sand creates excellent contrast for photography, making it easier to spot and capture the fascinating critters that inhabit these waters. You’ll find frogfish, seahorses (including pygmy seahorses), nudibranchs, flamboyant cuttlefish, and much, much more!
The main difference between the two resorts is that Puerto Galera is a bit of a busier dive town with vibrant reefs, while Dumaguete is a secluded beach resort with a focus on macro diving. Both locations offer extraordinary day trips – Verde Island from Puerto Galera and Apo Island from Dumaguete.
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Join us as we team up with Atlantis Resorts for an immersive diving experience in the Philippines! Explore diverse underwater landscapes, encounter a rich variety of marine life, and enjoy the hospitality of top-tier dive resorts. Whether you're an experienced underwater photographer or simply love being in the water, this trip offers incredible diving and stunning scenery. With crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, and fascinating macro and wide-angle photography opportunities, you'll have the perfect setting to capture your best underwater images.
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