If you are planning to visit the islands of the Caribbean for a vacation or a business trip and you have a limited budget, there is no better destination than Palawan, Puerto Princesa, and the other small but stunningly beautiful island of Palawan. The trip will be memorable, enjoyable, cheap, and well-coordinated if you choose the best dive sites during your trip. Two recommended ways of achieving this are detailed in the next paragraphs.
Full-day trip, multiple dives in the Ocean, island hopping. There are two main ways to enjoy island hopping in Palawan: either driving around the island on an open-top bus where you can see the sights and hear the sounds of the people living their lives in their surroundings, or taking a small boat that crosses the vast underground river. Either way, you will see and do many spectacular things in this beautiful island. The journey begins at the Marine Park adjacent to the town center; here, you’ll find several dive shops and several restaurants where you can eat and dive at your leisure. You can also hop onto the Palawan ferry that leaves from the marina; it leaves from San Juan del Monte, the closest airport to Palawan.
Island hopping is typical for dive travelers who want to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of their chosen dive sites in a natural setting; there are several boats in the region that offer this service. One of the more popular day trips is to the Lagoons. The Lagoons lie at the southern end of the Grand Cayman Sea and contain many pristine islands sheltered by the lagoons. The islands include Cayman Brac, Crooked Tree Cay, and Little Cayman and feature beautiful crystal clear water, clean beaches, lush tropical gardens, and white sand. Because the water in these islands is so clear, snorkelers often find the water so calm that a simple boat ride across it is enough to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds.
Another typical day trip is to the Lares de Mara. This dive center lies about twelve miles south of Puerto Plata, the capital of Palawan. In this area, you will find a clear lake surrounded by dark rocks that are sheltered by a massive volcano. The waters here are very deep, and visitors often dive hundreds of feet into the water. The Lares de Mara is open from May through September, and is well-known for its excellent diving opportunities. Many divers from around the world reserve the Lares de Mara as their favorite spot to explore the wonders beneath the waters of the Caribbean.
Of course, divers love the opportunity to explore another one of the best dive sites in Palawan: Corcovado Island. Like the Lares de Mara, Corcovado is open all year around; in fact, the only time the island is closed is on the Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In November, however, the island is opened again, and visitors can explore the three underwater tourist spots – Corcovado mound, Upper Point, and the Lighthouse – that remain virtually untouched by humans.
In the heart of the eastern Pacific, just west of Manila, is Cayo Coco. Cayo Coco is the perfect place for scuba diving, as it has plenty of great dive sites – including an enormous wreck site that boasts more than five hundred unidentified shipwrecks. Among these shipwrecks, there are a number of wrecks that offer opportunities for coral growth, and many have been found to contain treasure including gold, silver, aluminum, and rare coins. The water in this area is clear, clean and safe, and there are also plenty of dive centers and snorkeling options available. Cayo Coco is also a popular spot for diving during the Christmas/New Year period, as thousands of travelers from different countries come here to visit the floating village of Tiepo.
