Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
M
ANILA
& A
ROUND
ANILAO
Diving
This is where the Philippines' first scuba-diving operators started back in the 1960s. Famed
for its colourful corals and rich species diversity, there are good dive sites scattered around
Balayan Bay and the Sombrero and Maricaban Islands. The most famous dive site here,
and arguably in the country, is Cathedral Rock, a marine sanctuary just off shore.
PAGSANJAN
Rafting
Paddle upriver for 1½ hours through a dramatic gorge hemmed by towering cliffs, before
heading under 10m-high waterfalls on a bamboo raft. From here you let the water do the
work. The trip downstream is fast and exhilarating. The height of the wet season (August to
October) is the best time to ride the rapids.
SUBIC BAY
Wreck Diving
Of the seven wrecks commonly visited by divers, the USS
New York
is probably the most
impressive. The battle cruiser was built in 1891 and was scuttled by American troops in
1941 to keep it out of Japanese hands. Other wrecks in the harbour include the
El Capitan
and the
San Quintin
.
