A few years back when I took my first Scuba dive, I never thought I would continue this fun activity for years, let alone complete my advanced open water dive certification.
As now, I feel more confident going into the depths of the sea with less support of others, I seek noval dive experiences.
In September 2024, I had to travel to Singapore for a conference, and since there are some amazing dive sites in the Philippines (PHP), which is 90 minutes away from Singapore, I decided to extend my trip to PHP as well.
My last dive was almost nine months back, and my heart and body were itching to meet my friends who live below the sea.
I looked for some of the best dive options around September-October, and as per PADI Site Malapascua in Cebu province of Philippines is one of the ideal options.
I also used an online forum for Scuba divers to get more recommendations, and Malapascua was one of them. I checked Tripadvisor to find the best diving center in Malpascua, and to my surprise, I found a Diving resort called Evolution.
I have heard of diving resorts but have never been to one. I called the number given on the Tripadvisor website (You need to be logged into your Tripadvisor account to see the contact numbers) and enquired about the weather and other details. In a few hours, Nick from Evolution was in touch via Email, and we moved the conversation to WhatsApp. I asked about the weather and other details, and after handling all basic logistics confirmed the booking.
As I was availing on-arrival VISA (available to Indians who have an active visa from USA, UK and other countries), I had to reach Manilla first. Otherwise, if I had gotten a visa in my resident country, it would have taken about 14 days, and after that, instead of landing in Manilla, I could land directly at the Cebu International Airport.
Note: If you have ample time to plan the trip, it’s better to get a visa from your home country instead of traveling to Manila and taking another flight to Cebu. This will save some time, if not a lot.
I arrived in Cebu around 6 PM and decided to stay at a hotel nearby. I found an affordable option on Booking.com, and being a genius member of Booking.com is often more rewarding in terms of price and extras one can get.
The next morning, my cab was waiting outside my hotel at 8 AM, and we went to the port which took almost 3 hours by road. There we used a boat to get to Malapascua island.
Refresher dive –
I scheduled a refresher dive which turned out to be highly beneficial for the future dive at Malapascua. It lasted for about 50 minutes and I with the trainer touched upon all the essentials to remember. I realise, if I have this option in future, I will opt for it as I’m still fairly new.
Diving with Thresher Shark –
The next day, we all gathered at 4.30 AM and after briefing, went to the boat for an hour long sailing to the cleaning station.
The cleaning station is the place where Thresher sharks come to get themselves cleaned by the small fish. As we reached the diving location, my dive master and I jumped and started ascending while equalising.
And as we spent about 15 minutes, my dive master signaled to pay attention and I saw a big Thresher Shark nearby. The shark left quickly and we kept searching for a better sighting.
About 10 minutes after the last sighting, we saw two more sharks and then another shark, and it was so mesmerising. Whenever Shark turned and approached us, I could feel myself grasping for breath and my heart pumping faster. I experienced fear once in a while and also saw it leaving. The sighting was an experience to store in the memory and share with a company of good people. I do miss not taking a GoPro to record this, as in the second dive, I found a great spot to witness the cleaning of sharks at one of the cleaning stations.
After the second dive, we returned back to the Dive resort by 10 AM. I took a shower, breakfast, and then took a nap. After my nap, I felt refreshed for the next dive, and I decided to do the night dive. I have done a dive in Thailand many years back in a tunnel and one in El-Nido (Palawan, Philippines) where I had to use Torch, but in complete darkness it was going to be a new experience.
Night dive –
At 5.30, two of us and one dive master gathered for briefing and straight went to the boat. The dive site was near by (5-7 minutes from boat), and within minutes we were ascending in the water.
As I dive more, I realised that gearing up and descending in water is now becoming effortless. Now the focus is more on improving techniques such as buoyancy and others, which I will touch upon in a moment.
When we went inside the water, we had enough light and as the night appeared it was dark, but 3 diver with the torch was enough to light the space we were in. We saw many creatures that we wouldn’t have otherwise and after about 50 minutes of dive, we planned to ascend slowly.
The Air in my tank was about 50 bar, and as I was ascending, I ascended too quickly. It was later I realised that I was not releasing air properly from my BCD (One has to hold the Nozzle for a few seconds and should leave after hearing the air coming out).
Less air in the tank and BCD not completely empty made me ascend quickly, and I could not make the safety stop.
Gato Island Dive –
My 3rd day on the island, and this time I picked the Galeto island which is roughly 50 minutes by boat and we planned two dives. One of the dive location was tunnel dive and it was a great adventure.
After the two dives, we wrapped up and reached Malapascua island by evening 5.
About Evolution Dive Resort –
The resort was one of the best on this island. I hardly got the opportunity to explore the rest of the island, but from what I heard, I was at the best location. They have a good restaurant with plenty of vegetarian meal options.
This is what the room looks like:
Other good options to stay on this island are:
Ocean Vida and Blanco.
You can check the listing on Booking.com.
Goodbye Malapascua-
On the 4th morning, after breakfast, I and a scuba buddy left at 9 AM and reached Cebu by 1 PM. My flight was in the evening, and I reached Cebu International Airport, and within 30 minutes, I was inside.
I was so glad to discover a multi-religion prayer room, where I spent one hour meditating, which recharged me for the rest of the trip.
Things that I learned:
Every dive teaches you something, and here are some of the notes and thoughts from this dive trip to Malapascua.
Discovered some new dive sites and live aboard for future dives –
(Notes from my journal)
Preparation
As I was diving today in Malapascua, Philippines. A beautiful dive location, and witness the sharks.
I realised the importance of practising regularly. Doing even the minute of things with complete awareness as it all prepares one for time when you need it the most.
Things as simple as how to breathe properly, and keep the regulator properly or clean the fog of your glasses, all these simple habits (programs) help to run a better self (computer). A superhuman (supercomputer) is one that runs many habits (program) together without throwing many or any error.
Simple things in life, such as keeping your surroundings clean, taking only enough that you wish to eat, setting clear intent before everything, and having your day or week aligned with your values, all of these sets your life for a joyful ride.
Witnessing:
Sitting at the edge of a standing boat in the middle of the sea, it may seem like we are moving. However, we are just witnessing, and there is no movement of the boat. It’s the wave, with its nature, that is moving and making the boat float while giving the impression that we are moving.
The only time that the boat will move is when the captain decides to go from one location to another. Then the will is applied and now the boat moves with courage and strength, along or against the waves (life). When it is along the wave, it reaches its destination with ease, and when it’s against the waves, the ride seems bumpy and needs little more strength but then also it reaches its destination.
And that’s how life is, always moving, and we could witness it with equanimity or may not be aware and be deluded that we are the doer.
Until next time! 👋