Bucket Lists
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BUCKET LISTS Dive into the “center of the center” of the world’s biodiversity. Catch a sunrise atop a sacred mountain. Surf a wave called Cloud 9. Bucket lists are all about asking yourself, when was the last time you did something for the first time? Best Spots for Diving 188 Best Spots for Surfing 192 Best Spots for Trekking 194 Best Spots for Golfing 196 Best Spots for Voluntourism 198 Siargao, the Philippines’ surfing capital, is one of the world’s top 10 surf spots according to CNN. Photo by Tommy Schultz 186 BUCKET LISTS 187 Best SPOts FOR DIVING When God created marine life, he was especially generous with the Philippines. Within the country’s waters you’ll find the “center of the center” of the world’s biodiversity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the curious presence of a shark airport and schools of dancing sardines. TubbATAHA ReeF MARINE PARK VeRde Isl AND SecRet BAY PAL AWAN BATANGA S ANil AO, BATANGA S Best time to go: March to May Best time to go: When weather conditions of Best time to go: Diving is all-year round Best to dive with: Advanced Open Water and nearby Puerto Galera and Mindoro are good Nitrox Best to dive with: Advanced Open Water and Within Secret Bay is one of the country’s best Nitrox muck dive sites. Muck diving is for those who They didn’t name this place a UNESCO World enjoy scouring through muddy sediment, dead Heritage Site for nothing. Here, a “shark airport” Dubbed as the “center of the center” of the coral skeletons, and rocks to spot rare and has sharks parked side by side underneath a world’s biodiversity, Verde Island hosts the earth’s unique critters. It’s a plus if you’re into macro huge table coral. Sea turtles are just but common greatest number of shorefish species—many still photography so you can zoom in to find mega and divers can fit themselves within huge basket just waiting to be discovered. Everywhere you minute creatures like frog fishes and tiger shrimps corals. Best of all, the presence of manta rays look, there seems to be swarms of gathering fish as small as 2mm in diameter. This site also has maintain a good and healthy ecosystem. coupled with huge fan and basket corals. It’s like various octopuses, which can change its color being in a candy factory with an unending display in a split second to camouflage itself. Hiring an of life and colors. experienced dive guide is recommended. WHAT IS NITROX? DARYL L Aut KONtiki ReeF AND Pesc ADOR Isl AND TINGLOY, BATANGA S Cebu Nitrox aids divers in staying underwater Best time to go: Diving is all-year round Best time to go: Diving is all-year round twice as long as the regular air tank. It is a gas mixture containing higher levels of oxygen, For beginners who want to experience a shipwreck Remember that scene from Finding Nemo when which then decreases the possibility of dive without the presence of currents, visit the they meet a big ball of sardines? Moving as one, decompression sickness or the “bends.” Daryl Laut. It was once a floating casino back in dividing, regrouping, then exploding again—this the 1970s but sank when hit by lightning in 1980. spectacular dance can be witnessed in two sites in Today it lies on a slope of a shoreline accessible at Cebu—Kontiki Reef in Mactan and Pescador Island 30–120 feet. At 40–60 feet, the metal beams are in Moalbaol. Kontiki also has chance sightings of generously covered with healthy corals and there whale sharks and gray reef sharks; while Pescador are resident schools of batfish and squirrel fish. Island has a history of thresher sharks, sea turtles, and whale sharks. 188 (Clockwise from top left) Verde Island's expansive corals; Tubbataha Reef's resident sea turtles. Photos by Wowie Wong; Dwarfed by sardines at Pescador Island. Photo byBUCKET Jun Lao; Up LISTS close 189 with a tiger shrimp in Secret Bay. Photo by Wowie Wong Six species of seabirds, including the brown TUBBATAHA: BEHIND THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE booby and the great crested tern, breed on Tubbataha’s north and south atoll According to seasoned diver and writer Alya Honasan, “you may never dive Tubbataha, but chances are, the fish you are having for dinner was spawned and grew in its waters.” More than a scuba diving paradise, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a significant spawning ground for fish that feeds households across the entire Philippines. Here is an idea how Tubbataha’s At least 12 species of dolphins and fish go from reef to dinner table: whales, such as the long-snouted spinner dolphins and sperm whales can be spotted near the surface Giant manta rays, which can grow up to 23 feet and up to 262 feet wide, are commonly spotted at 33 to 66 feet Through their presence, they sieve oceans of planktonic debris and keep seas free from algal blooms which may blot out out the most important element for coral reefs—sunlight Ocean currents sweep fish larvae to Fish larvae grow in the coastlines of Luzon, Visayas, and Tubbataha’s marine sanctuary. Mindanao. This provides constant supply of fish stock. Fish larvae grow to Migrating whale sharks from full, commercial size. outside Tubbataha’s Sulu Sea are Guitarfish at attracted by the abundant plankton around 50 feet of this thriving marine park. They can be found near the surface and up to 2,296 feet At least 360 species of corals Two of the world’s seven species between 10 and 160 feet of marine turtles, the endangered Fishermen catch fully grown green sea turtle and hawksbill fish that provide livelihood turtle, can be found by shallow sea to coastal communities. grass and coral beds Fish is bought by households and provides low cholesterol, nutritious meals to families. Over 600 species of pelagic and reef-dwelling fish between 3 and 1,640 feet Fish is delivered Similar to a runway, the “Shark Airport” has resting and sold at public NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC COME TO LIFE sharks parked like aircrafts under a table reef. markets and provides Different species of sharks like the white-tipped livelihood to vendors. reef shark and the ferocious tiger shark dwell here. The term “‘center of the center’ of the world’s biodiversity” is used to The airport is at 98 feet at its deepest describe Tubbataha Reef which is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This area is home to 75 percent of the world’s coral species and at least 40 percent of the world’s fish species. Opposite( page) Tubbataha’s resident species and the corresponding depths they inhabit. Illustration by Hazel Tan 190 BUCKET LISTS 191 MAGic LEF T PuNDAQuit, SAN ANTONIO, Z AmbAles Surfing Season: June–October (moderate to strong waves), November–May (calm waves) Reef Break Around three to four hours away from Manila, Zambales’ long coastline delivers a range of tasty swells breaking on protected coves such as Magic Left. This wave is a gentle ride for beginner to intermediate level surfers. Further north from Magic Left, there are other surf spots in the neighboring towns of San Narciso and San Felipe, which has a lively local scene of music, art, and skateboarding MA jestics PuR AR AN, BARA S, C ATANduANes Surfing Season: March–May (calm waves), August–October (strong waves) Reef break Majestics will surely stoke the beejesus out of any seasoned surfer. Considered one of the country’s heaviest and most perfect barreling waves, its swells come from the deep Pacific Ocean and work best when there’s a typhoon approaching. You can look forward to less crowds in the area and some snorkeling offshore. From one of the world’s best surf spots, the fun doesn’t stop there. Offshore Siargao’s Cloud 9, surfers paddle to another surf spot, Rock Island. Photo by Tommy Schultz MONAliZ A POINT SAN JUAN, L A UNION best SPOts FOR suRFING Surfing Season: October–February (strong waves), March–September (calm to moderate waves) From secluded coastlines, white sand beaches, and one of the SURF LINGO Reef and beach break world’s best surfing spots—find out where Filipinos go to get stoked. A reef break means a wave will Easy road accessibility from Manila and its beginner to intermediate friendly (Above) Scoping the surf conditions at Calicoan Island. Photo by Jon Unson. (Below) Just like break over a coral reef or rocky a treadmill. you can catch wave after wave of surf in wave pools like that of Boracay’s Crown waves make San Juan one of the country’s most frequented surf spots. CLOud 9 COBR A ReeF seabed—generating bigger waves Regency Resort. Photo by Erwin Lim Monaliza Point is a fun wave that’s great for longboarding and shortboarding SIARGAO Isl AND, GeNERAL LUNA , BAleR, AuRORA but harsher wipe outs. The more alike. Loads of surf resorts and small bars are scattered on its beach, giving it SURIGAO Del NORte Surfing Season: September–February (strong waves), beginner-friendly beach breaks have a lot of life day or night. Surfing Season: Year-round, August–November for March–August (calm waves) a sandy seabed and generally break stronger waves Reef break near the shore. ABCD BE ACH Reef Break CAlicOAN Isl AND, GuiuAN, E A steRN SAMAR Cobra Reef’s A-frame shape resembles a cobra that’s WAVE POOLS Surfing Season: Year-round, September–October for stronger waves Siargao’s fast and hollow Cloud 9 wave has made just about to strike.