#ShareDavao: The diving lifestyle

DAVAO, Philippines – Exploring the sea is not an activity reserved just for risk takers. For beginners, a good place to start is in Davao. 

Nikki Luna shows us why.

There’s a great destination in the south for getting up close and personal with marine life.

I try scuba diving for the first time in Davao. But before jumping into the water, I learn the basics.

CHICLET GEROCHI, DIVE INSTRUCTOR, DAVAO OCEAN DIVERS: All divers all over the world have 1 language… okay. not this okay. Up, down, left, right, trouble.

Diving can almost be a spiritual experience.

It reminds us there’s a whole different world underwater.

Divers can chose from are around 25 dive sites scattered around Samal island and Talikud island. Getting into it is as easy as leaping into the sea.

Albert Yusay-Pingoy, owner of Wind and Wave Dive shop is one of the pioneers of diving in Mindanao. He says what makes diving in Davao different is accessibilty.

ALBERT YUSAY-PINGOY, WIND AND WAVE DIVE SHOP: Diving is a lifestyle. Here its more of mini weekends. If you have 3 hours of 3 hours you go diving. Santa Ana Wharf is in the middle of the city 5 10 minutes, you’re here. The rates are very competitive, some dive shops here about a third of the prices in Manila. Not only diving but snorkling kayaking, windsurfing, basically what you have in the North, we also have it here but you throw in convenience, the price is a little bit lower.

Being able to breath underwater is an experience diving could give you. But the best part of this experience is learning to understand value and respect marine life.

It’s not everyday you get to swim alongside the fish in vast blue sea. It’s the opportunity to appreciate what’s just beneath the surface.
Nikki Luna, Rappler, Davao. 

For more on Davao city, watch Rappler’s new travel show, #SharePH. – Rappler.com