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The tourism
office for the area calls Subic
Bay the “Pearl of the Orient” and much like a pearl, it value is hidden
unless
you know where to look. While scuba diving is becoming increasingly
popular in
the Philippines and
more
international divers are arriving, the growth of diving in Subic Bay while growing is doing so at a slower
rate. As a long time
diver at Subic I find this lack of
respect as
a diving destination a puzzle. The area offers a wide variety of wrecks
to dive
as well as reefs. Unlike Coron where you ride for hours to get to a
wreck site,
the majority of Subic sites are
within 20
minutes of the dive centers. In addition, unlike most other places in
the Philippines,
the dive boats used are conventional boats not local banca
Just
how many wrecks are there in Subic Bay
and around its entrance? That is a very difficult question.
Unlike Coron or Truk, whose wrecks occurred over a relatively short
period, Subic’s WWII wrecks
covered
almost the entire war period.
No less than 25 Japanese ships were reported sunk during the war years.
Some of
these may have been removed in the late fifties as salvage operations
were done
to open up the bay for shipping Additional ships were sunk after the
war either
as targets or victims of mother nature. It is widely believed that an
additional ten large ships may lie within the Bay. The area is not
limited to
WWII wrecks, at the entrance to the bay alongside Grande Island,
is the remains of the Spanish American war wreck San Quintin. Outside
the bay
in deep water lie the remains of a Spanish Galleon as well as a 16th
century Chinese Junk (beyond diving range).
The eruption of
Mount Pinatubo in 1991 did
an enormous
amount of damage to Luzon and the
Olongapo/Subic Bay area was very hard hit. A
meter of ash covered the area including homes and
business. Within
days, a typhoon entered the area turning the ash into mud.
Many homes and business collapse under the
weight. One resident stated that the river looked just like the cement
coming
out of a cement mixer. A large percentage of the coral was killed lying
under
the ash.
When the Navy
occupied the naval base at Olongapo,
many of
the wrecks were closed to diving. Divers however had the advantage of
diving in
water that was crystal clear with 40 or more meters of visibility on
the wrecks
that were open. The bay was the home of different varieties of sharks,
dolphins, and turtles. While a few
turtles still nest on the beaches the visibility, sharks and dolphins
are no
longer here. The visibility is returning slowly and the coral is
recovering.
Hopefully the turtles, sharks and dolphins will return in abundance
also. More
turtles and rays have been seen this year than last and the number of
sharks
just outside the bay also seems to be on the rise
The
last few years have seen a dramatic growth in the number
of dive operators in the Bay area. In 1998 there was only one full time
operator at Subic today there are
seven Three dive centers also have integrated accommodations,
Johan’s on
Baloy Long Beach, Barrio Barretto, Olongapo has very nice simple rooms
to
service it dive clients and their friends. Located on the beach you are
just
steps away from the beach to your rooms. Also in Olongapo with their
own beach
is the 2N2 dive center. This center with its hotel caters mostly to
Korean Divers.
On SBMA, Masterdive has Vascos, a restaurant and small hotel
combination. The
owner of Masterdive has an extensive background in wrecks in the Philippines.
A few dive centers are located at or tied into hotels. Blue Rock resort
has
changed its name to Blue Rock Resort and Dive center. Diver Down
International is located at Subic
International
Hotel. Scuba Shack is located on the waterfront next to the new marina.
Scuba
Shack is the oldest dive center in Subic Bay.
Ocean Adventure also has a dive center. Grande Island
has just opened a dive center.
Seahorse
tours and Souvenirs offers package deals for divers and non
divers.
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Scuba Shack Is
the first full time dive operator to open at SBMA after the Navy left.
It is
ideally located for divers staying at the hotels along the waterfront
of SBMA.
It has a small dive store with most of the basic items. Bldg. 249, Waterfront Rd.,
SBMA,
Johan's
Adventure and Wreck
Dive Center. Johan has been in
the diving business for more than 28 years and is a ANDI and PADI
certified
instructor. He was one of the first operators in the area and was on
the wrecks
the day after the Americans left Subic..
During the American occupation of Subic Bay,
the wrecks were off limits to recreational diving so there are few who
have
ever had the opportunity to dive this pristine area they have their own
resort
now with brand new spacious rooms. Reception, Bar and Restaurant open
24 hrs. Midway
in Baloy
Beach,
Olongapo City Ph: +(63 47)
224-8915 Email: johan@subicdive.com
 Blue
Rock Resort
Newly remodeled with recently upgraded rooms, the Blue Rock Resort
offers you a
casual and relaxing atmosphere along the pristine waters of Baloy Long
Beach. All staff are P.A.D.I Professionals and with 20 dive sites
within 15
minutes
boatride from the resort, it makes for an excellent diving holiday. Blue Rock Dive Center is
also a TDI facility offering Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox and
Decompression
Procedures +(63 47) 224-90423 2247802
Masterdive
is located right
on the water only five minutes away from
the world famous wrecks in Subic
Bay, Philippines! Has a fully equipped scuba dive shop able to
handle all the needs of recreational and technical scuba divers,
including
Nitrox blends for those extended bottom times. They offer diving
courses
to all levels with PADI, TDI and IANTD Certifications After a day of
fantastic
underwater exploring, friendly old world charm awaits their guests in
the
outstanding accommodations at Vasco's Helm, with rooms located on the
water for
beautiful views of the bay. 14 Argonaut highway SBMA +(63-47) 252-1843
Diver
Down
International (DDI). The only Scuba School International
training
facility
in
Diver
Down
International (DDI). The only Scuba School International
training
facility
in Subic Bay. The newest dive center
in the
area is located at the swimming pool of Subic International Hotel. +(63-47) 252-7227
2N2 is located at Adams Beach
near
half moon bay and before
Barrio Barretto. Majority of the guest are Korean. The dive center is
integrated into the resort.
(63-47) 224-3331
 Ocean
adventure is
proud to announce a most exciting program - Dive with the Whales.
There’s no
other like it in the world. Join the false killer whales in their
natural, open
water home for a special, intimate experience you’ll never forget.
Wreck and
reef diving also available. Camayan Wharf, SBMA: +(63-47) 252-9000
 Boardwalk
Dive Center a new dive
Center but PADI 5 Star located at
the Boardwalk inn. Just across
Waterfront road from the waterfront. (63)
(47) 252-5357
Seahorse Tours
and Souvenirs has package deals for your dive
vacation at Subic Bay, we
represent a wide
range of accommodations and arrange your diving and non diving
activities.
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