Newbie to SCUBA and Philippines

[h2odragon1]

hello April;
how are you? you will enjoy the Philippines. If you are going to work in Manila yoyu can dive Anilao, or Mabini every weekend, they are about two hours away, south of Manila. For an extended weekend you can go to Puerto Galera on nearby Mindoro Is.
Look up Scuba World, they have several shops in and around Manila and some of the better dive locations, they are online.
My wife and I recently returned from the Philippines and did dive in Puerto Galera through Action Divers, they are also online and offer transportation to and from Puerto Galera. My wife also dove in Dumagete, Scuba World has a shop there also, and can arrange that dive trip for you.
You can look before you leap, to see what equiptment is available, and serviceable at aqua-one.com . pogopus.com/chockoy/godiveadive.htm .
you can also try the Philippine Divers (part of this general board), some of them have already responded. You can make new diving friends before you meet them.
Good luck, you'll enjoy the Philippines.

 

[paolov]

the 3mmm is only the norm because they were the only ones available fron north america and europe.

BUT 0.5mm is appropriate for the philippines. also, here there are lots of plankton which includes stingers such as comb jellies, jelly fishes and alot more stuff. and to prevent such itchiness and skin irritation the following will prevent them experiences;


1. 0.5 mm wetsuit (you even need to carry MUCH MUCH LESS lead weights. Support the 0.5 mm with two rash gurads underneath and you will have more than what you need for temperature protection.

2. light material gloves

3. booties (light material as well)

4. HOOD - preserves 70% of your bodyheat and protects your neck, forehead, ears, cheeks from STINGERS !!!!

and thaqt comes from experience from stingers !!!! trust me you wouldn't want to experience inflammed lip, inflamed ears, inflamed hands it is so d a m n e d irritating ang NASTY !!!

but i love to DIVE !!!! everyweekend actually......


.

 

[boljakool]

....and if there are no dives, you're guaranteed to enjoy hanging-out online here @ PPD! these guys here are such great companies, you'll even want to meet with them just to talk about any topic.

welcome to the Philippines!

 

[shugar]

....and if there are no dives, you're guaranteed to enjoy hanging-out online here @ PPD! these guys here are such great companies, you'll even want to meet with them just to talk about any topic.

welcome to the Philippines!

great company??? i thought hanging around here guaranteed you free beers... darn it!

i wonder if the conch divers have an opening

Jag

 

[aprils0909]

I am certainly in the right place. Glad to hear everyone has such a great sense of humor... and excellent advice! I am telling you, the days don't go by fast enough. I want to get to Manila NOW. I have patience and am looking forward to a few trips to Florida and the Caribbean before I get to the Philippines. Glad to hear I can go diving so often once in Manila. I certainly do plan to take advantage.

I would like to buddy up with a group and out out with the same people. We can't decide if we're bringing the Jeep (4pax) or the Durango (7pax). I guess I have some time to think about it, eh?

 

[paolov]

Durango for the capacity. seriously you don't need a 4x4 to dive in anilao. the roads are paved well... with POT HOLES nothing worst than citie potholes. and a short stretch of small pebble road if you are going to the end of Anilao Mabini Area.

A pick-up with shell cover would be ideal to haul your stuffs. Don't bring those large pickups..... it gobbles toomuch gas in the city traffic.

make sure your airconditioner is in tip tops shape.

I am certainly in the right place. Glad to hear everyone has such a
great sense of humor... and excellent advice! I am telling you, the days don't go by fast enough. I want to get to Manila NOW. I have patience and am looking forward to a few trips to Florida and the Caribbean before I get to the Philippines. Glad to hear I can go diving so often once in Manila. I certainly do plan to take advantage.

I would like to buddy up with a group and out out with the same people. We can't decide if we're bringing the Jeep (4pax) or the Durango (7pax). I guess I have some time to think about it, eh?

 

[aprils0909]

That helps a lot. Sad to say that the truck thing has been our only main uncertainty. I guess thats a good thing!

Cheers!

 

[chip104]

I am certainly in the right place. Glad to hear everyone has such a great sense of humor... and excellent advice! I am telling you, the days don't go by fast enough. I want to get to Manila NOW. I have patience and am looking forward to a few trips to Florida and the Caribbean before I get to the Philippines. Glad to hear I can go diving so often once in Manila. I certainly do plan to take advantage.

I would like to buddy up with a group and out out with the same people. We can't decide if we're bringing the Jeep (4pax) or the Durango (7pax). I guess I have some time to think about it, eh?

I'm with Pao, bring the durango. Although it'll be a pain in the a-hole to drive in the city but if you hire a driver, problem solved!

 

[aprils0909]

Great advice Chip. I can't say "I CAN'T WAIT" enough. I just finished SCUBA class and am doing a dive in Florida this weekend (nothing like waiting a whole week before trying out the new skills). Will be doing the Gulf coast off an island DH knows about. Should be interesting! I've only done freshwater, so not sure how much more weight I'll need. Don't want to be floating around all afternoon. Kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[pakman]

I'm with Pao, bring the durango.

bring the Durango, especially if its got a Hemi under the hood!!!