PHL among top dive sites in the Pacific and Indian Ocean region

Dive sites in the Philippines continue to cast a charm on divers all over the world, as readers of Scuba Diving Magazine voted the country the third best overall diving site in the Pacific and Indian Ocean region.

In the magazine’s Top 100 Readers’ Choice S

urvey for 2013, the Philippines outranked Maldives and the Great Barrier Reef in the category, and followed Palau and Indonesia, which ranked first and second, respectively.

Dive enthusiasts have also named the Philippines the most economical dive destination, voting it into first place in the Best Value of Diving Dollar category.

The Philippines was also named the second best site for macro diving, in which divers take photos of tiny underwater creatures, as well as the fourth best for underwater photography.

Dive sites and resorts in Malapascua in Cebu and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental were also recognized in the magazine’s Top 100 Gold List, which compiles the most popular dive operators, resorts, and experiences all over the world as ranked by readers.

Malapascua, with its shipwrecks and thresher sharks, was number 17 on the list as the best night dive site, while the island’s Monad Shoal was number 58 on the best dive site list.

Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort, also in Malapascua, came in number 78 on the list as the Best Dive Resort, while Atlantis Beach Resort in Dumaguete was listed 92nd-best shore dive site.

The Top 100 Readers’ Choice Survey and the Top 100 Gold List is an annual ranking, where thousands of the magazine’s readers and web subscribers from all over the world vote for their favorite dive spots.

(Story courtesy of Amanda Lago, GMA News)