Aqua-Adventure in the Philippines

Nearly any water sport imaginable can be done in the beautiful waters surrounding the 7,000 Philippine islands. From coast to coast, you’ll be blown away with one adventure after another and the thrills you will find—whether quietly kayaking, challenging the surf, or plunging down the death-defying rapids—will be the ones you’ll never forget!

When Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese seafaring explorer, was asked to find a route to the Spice Islands and instead bumped into the Philippines, it was history in the making. Something lured him to these tropical islands and compelled him to stay. One can only assume that there was so much more to the beauty of this Paradise which enticed him and his men, persuading them that they had found a jewel of the ocean like no other.

Situated in the Pacific Ring of fire, you get the feeling you are always living on the edge.

…The dazzling sea sparkles under the Philippine sun, and when that light glistens off its beaches, it will charm you with the same compelling force that bade the foreign explorers to make their home in its sands. With over 7,000 islands sprinkled in this cluster which make up The Philippines, you know that first thing you should do when you get there is, of course, head to the coast.

Water, water everywhere, and so much adventure to be had!

Among the water activities you can look forward to enjoying there are surfing, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, white water rafting, fishing, and much more! You’ll find both the public, tourist-filled and crowded beaches contrasting the private strips of nothing but virgin-white sands. Yet one thing here is certain: there is little Aqua Sport that can’t be done in this Tropical Paradise.

And whether you choose to ride above the waves or dive and soar down below, like the explorers of history, you’ll be in for the discovery of a lifetime! In these tropical islands, there is something for everyone. The Philippines is your ideal destination!

We start off with a tranquil water sport which can be done by anyone—amateur or professional, because of its easy nature. …Depending of course, if you’re steering through the lake, or riding the rapids. And that’s Kayaking--perhaps the most peaceful, unobtrusive water sport.

Perfect for nature lovers as well as city dwellers, this calm form of peeling through the crystal blue waters will remind you of the first native Filipinos, who, for survival and exploration, probably did their island hopping and cave spelunking like this. Negotiate your way through the sea in this pristine spot: The Hundred Islands of Alaminos.

If ever you wanted to feel the serenity of being surrounded with nothing but pure, raw earth, sea and sky, then this legendary place should be your first destination. Its home, Pangasinan, offers a variety of family-friendly water sports which should keep you well occupied and stimulate your senses. But to just appreciate an unrivaled beauty in the palm of Paradise, take out a kayak and a friend to these open waters; you won’t regret it!

True, kayaking is a developing sport, but the beautiful seascapes of the Philippines stretch extensively, and this is an excellent way to explore caves, mangrove sites, coral reefs, and water jungles! In a kayak, you hardly disturb the nature of the sea and its life, and so you can quietly enjoy observing and learning from the sea’s inhabitants.

Another good spot for sea kayaking is Cebu Maribago. Cebu is equipped with many luxurious resorts which will cater to you while on your search for adventure. Appropriately, locals call Cebu the “Queen City of the South”. It sits like a bejeweled crown, proudly bearing some of the Philippines’ finest beaches.

Whether you decide to live there, or just visit it for leisure, it’s easy to become addicted to Cebu’s easy, carefree beach life. And of course, that comes with the Cebuanos’ undisputed hospitality. Still standing here is Majellan’s Cross which will remind you, too, of the treasure he opened up to the rest of the world.

Then there is the Caliraya Lake in Laguna. It is a man-made mountain lake which many journey to in search escape from chaotic city life. This Lake is the perfect spot for boating. Its deepest part reaches fifty meters, and little hills extend from its surface.

The entire boat ride around the lake may take four hours. But with the haunting shadow of Mt Banahaw in the distance, and cool mountain breeze blowing you from one side of the lake to the other, you’ll enjoy every minute of it!

In Tagalog, “Amihan” means Northeast Monsoon. It is a wind which, according to the changing of seasons, blows the perfect gusts for daring water sports. So next, let that rushing wind be your guide and blow you all the way to Subic, where you’ll find international windsurfers gathering to catch the best of the Amihan.

Subic is located Southwest of Luzon. Its bay is just a hundred kilometers Northwest of Manila Bay. It is home to the infamous Mt Pinatubo, where you can also kayak in the crater lake if you’re daring enough to toy with the volcano! A trip to Subic will find you immersed in one of the most historical places in the Philippines.

…Where first, it was occupied by the Spanish, then the Japanese and finally the Americans, you can see remnants of colonialism here, complete with traces of past stories--both war and victory. With its sunken ships and marine life, you’ll be introduced to many water sports available, but you’ll want to try out the jet-ski first. Just 50 US Dollars will get you a jet ski rental. These immensely popular watercrafts allow you to race freely on your own, over the open waters.

Two hours outside of Metro Manila is Batangas, a breezy beach shore facing the South China Sea. Here is where all adrenaline-rush addicts must go—to not only get away from the smoggy city, but also to water-ski and wakeboard by cable ski system, the first of its kind in the Philippines! In this peaceful, secluded resort, you can enjoy the surface water sport—originally called skurfing—(ski plus surf) and as wakeboarding grows in popularity, so does the quest for self-expression and extreme satisfaction.

Surfing in the Philippines! Head to Daet, in the Camarines Norte province. Catch a plane or bus, South of Manila. Given the Philippines’ tropical climate, with shifts from wet to dry, you should try to catch the best surf season, which is the cooler part of the year—August to late February.

The surf in La Union, San Fernando, is popular, ever since American Servicemen from the navy base started riding waves with daring local kids. San Fernando officials caught on quickly and promoted the La Union coast as the perfect surf spot closest to Manila. Years later, the craze continues, with more and more tourists flocking to join in on the surfing escapades.

Yet it is Surigao Del Norte which has been heralded “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, where the annual International Cup has been held for over a decade. Its pristine beaches bewitch; its powerful, world class waves challenge…and the seeker of natural wonders will not be disappointed.

Then, there is what most might say, the perfect getaway—the place that memories are made of and where amateurs can capture photographs that need no Photoshop, wonderfully displaying deep hues of the natural sky.

…Welcome to Boracay!

Boracay is a miniature island which is quickly becoming the Philippines’ most famous tourist destination. Its white sand strips meet the deep blue ocean, with the seabed in clear view. More and more, travelers are finding that the Philippines, namely islands like Boracay, offer some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world. You’ll find organized windsurfing events that attract competitors from all nationalities and bring them together to partake in the country’s pride…its welcoming waters. You may get to Boracay via a 45 minute plane flight from Manila to Kalibo, then just over an hour boat ride to the sun-kissed island. And the rumors are true. You are greeted there by unbelievably clear waters, reflecting the sparkle of a thousand diamonds. …Was there ever anything so inviting?

To give you a bit of background history, the Philippine Islands sprung from volcanic rock origin. Situated in the Pacific Ring of fire, you get the feeling you are always living on the edge. And from its mountains to its seas, the lands lays fertile; beckoning—almost tempting you to jump that chasm.

Well then! Here’s something that might enthrall you: White water rafting—certainly not for the faint in heart! You would be smart to observe basic safety precautions, though greater risk means greater adventure! White water rafting is a fairly recent sport to hit the country, but as with all newly discovered adventures, many agree that we only live once…and the risk for the rush is worth it!!

On half a dozen rivers within the Visayas and Mindanao, many have journeyed, and many more hope to get in on the action. It’s not hard to locate an agency that will be willing to hook you up with everything you’ll need for your wild ride! Accommodations, food, and all the right gear will be at your disposal. Even if you’re a beginner and have never challenged the deadly rapids before, you’ll be thrilled to try out this sight seeing trip which will get you more than just a little wet!

It has taken years for folks to catch on, but finally travelers have realized that because of the geographic location of the Philippines’ majestic mountains which lie close to the ocean, there are endless rivers and waterways plunging right to the mouth of the waiting sea. So daring paddlers continue to successfully make the drop, exciting other water sports enthusiasts about the rapids’ action.

Besides the wild fun you’ll have as you are jostled downstream and thrown overboard, you’ll also be given the rare chance to experience the scenery that encompasses our beautiful rivers. If you haven’t been very environmentalist-minded up until this point, there’s no doubt you’ll be mesmerized by the spectacular, gushing waters that will thrill your heart and body so much, that you’ll join in the quest for natural conservation. And this is where you’ll definitely want to explore further…that means getting in further, where marine life abundantly thrives:

…The deep sea dive!

This could be another feature in itself, as there is simply too much to say about the treasures on the ocean’s floor. For example, Verde Passage, a strip of water channeling through Mindoro and Luzon, close to Puerto Gallera—which itself remains one of the most fascinating harbors.

For centuries, the Verde Passage has been a commercial route, carrying fleets above the sea. Yet it is more than just a passage. This crew donned the scuba gear shortly after the discovery was made that underneath these silent waters thrived the most bio-diverse species of marine life in the world. This means a great deal to not only divers in the Philippines, but to conservationists, environmentalists, and even the people of Verde island, who for many years kept the secret of this Verde island’s beauty and worked to preserve it. Soon, the rest of the World will know of this National Heritage site.

Scuba diving is one of the most peaceful water sports, once you get past all that gear. And in the Philippine archipelago, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable memories.

Discover a world you never even knew existed. Live a dream that few can only imagine. Explore where sunken Spanish galleons still lie quietly on the ocean floor…or observe World War 2 vessels still on display under Subic waters.

Palawan…now this place is simply “to dive for”! The Tubbataha Reef, lying in the Central Sulu Sea, boasts of over 400 species of fish. UNESCO designated its National Marine Park a World Heritage Site.

Needless to say, it’s become a favorite of deep sea divers, who survey the endless coral walls and underwater caves. There are many diving schools and instructors available for you to take a course and learn about underwater skill and safety. Don’t forget, diving in the Philippines means endless adventures in 7,000 islands offering over 40,000 square kilometers of coral reef.

The diverse marine life you will find close to the ocean’s floor is what entices so many to take a deeper look. Night divers and underwater photographers love the Philippine sea, and many priceless moments have been captured through their lenses.

These are just a few of the many thrills to be had in the Philippines—particularly the Aqua Adventures. But don’t forget everything else that these islands hold: Rock-climbing, trekking, golfing, mountain biking, wildlife safaris…and of course, shopping! –Where nightlife in the Philippines promises to be just as wild, and as much of an adventure as you’d expect from exotic Asia!

Of course, besides just things to do in the Philippines, there are the people you’ll meet who will attract you in an endearing way. The Filipinos, with their gracious hospitality and natural friendliness towards foreigners, will welcome you into their islands like they did the first settlers.

Its mixed culture blends foreign influences with indigenous charm, and the Filipino tour guides, group adventurers and fellow travelers will be the friends you won’t forget! And, like those first explorers who lay claim to this paradise in the Pacific Ocean, you too, will want to engrave the best part of your years in this glorious, exotic land.

Here—in the Philippines—you may make your mark…leaving footprints, not just in the sand, but conquering the ocean!