News from El Galleon Dive Resort & Asia Divers, Puerto Galera

Diving, News and Events

CNY at El Galleon and Asia Divers

Posted on by Asia Divers
09
Feb

What a great time it’s been with so many folks here from all over the world  to celebrate the year of the Rabbit in gorgeous PG. It’s great to see everything in full swing again around here.  This fun group of photographers from Hong Kong really got into the macro scene here, but the big thrill was when they all got to see a thresher shark for the first time. Thanks to Yanny for getting this all organized and bringing along this group. Looking forward to seeing you all back again a bit later this year. We’re gearing up for summer now and looking forward to seeing friends from all corners of the globe coming in. Contact us now to book your vacation in paradise!

Puerto Galera Easy Getaway

  • Round-trip transfers from Manila included!
  • Beachfront and spacious property
  • Fast WIFI in all areas
  • Amenities include a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, coffee shop and bar
  • PADI dive center for all your scuba diving needs

Contact us:
email: admin@asiadivers.com
Phone: +63 917 8145107
Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/asia.divers

New shirt and Polos for sale

Proudly modeling the new Seahorse and Thresher shark polos and shirts that have just come into stock. You can now find these in the dive shop in a variety of sizes for purchase.

Lost and found…

Many many years ago Asia Divers produced Bar mats to cover the bar desk at the Point Bar and a few other bars in the area. These sometimes got  “taken” home by the customers as souvenirs and now about 20 years later one of these  collector’s items returned  home to the Point. Tommy met up with our old friend Steve Ford from Australia for a few beers one  afternoon in Angeles where Steve lives when he is not visiting his home north of Sydney.

Steve had found his old souvenir and decide it was time for the Bar mat to return home where it belongs, The Point Bar.

Ocean Art 2022…winner of El Galleon/Asia Divers  prize

Ocean Art 2022 winner’s have been announced! It’s been another amazing year, with some amazing photos. You can see all the winning entries here: (https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/ocean-art-contest-winners-2022) . We have been a proud sponsor of this event for several years now.

Caroline Power won a 7 night dive trip with El Galleon/Asia Divers  for this image, and we look forward to seeing her here this year!
Winning Image: Drowned in Plastic
Category: Underwater Conservation
Place: 2nd Place

Please see the Winner’s Page and Story Behind the Shot: https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/ocean-art-2022-2nd-place-underwater-conservation

Start planning for an amazing holiday at the beginning of 2024. Join the Taste of the Solomons!

 The Solomons comprise 992 islands, less than 50% of which are inhabited. Situated within the Coral Triangle to the northeast of Australia and southeast of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands are one of the last frontiers; untouched, peaceful and beautiful. Due to its remote location, the country offers some of the most pristine dive sites in the world, filled with innumerable unspoiled hard and soft corals.

 

Dates:  January 16-23, 2024. The 7 night Taste of the Solomons scuba diving liveaboard itinerary allows up to 22 dives around Honiara, the Florida Islands and the Russell Islands, including the iconic Leru Cut and Mirror Pond. A typical day diving offers up to 4 dives*; 3 day dives and, where possible, a sunset or night dive.

We have an Early Bird offer of 10% off for everyone who pays the initial deposit of US$ 1,000 before the end of March 2023. On the 1st of April the cabin price indicated  below  will be the price for the trip. We have at the moment the whole boat with the following 8 Cabins figuration and price.


Classic Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,235 (3)

Superior Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,830 (1)

Premium Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (1)

Premium Twin/Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (3)

There will be Marine Park and Port Fee’s (US$175) and Fuel Charges (US$15 a night) on top of the cabin price. *On some days the 3rd or 4th dive may be replaced with a village visit.
Contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com if you’re interested to join.

Diving, News and Events

Christmas and New Year Festivities at El Galleon

Posted on by Asia Divers
06
Jan

A colourful shot of a Coleman shrimp to start off 2023. Thanks to Hanno Jansen who has been coming to El Galleon for many years now for this sparkly image to bring in the new year. We always look forward to seeing him here and keeping up with his many adventures.

Anticipation was at its peak as the kids started lining up very early awaiting for Santa to arrive. For the 29th year in a row at El Galleon Santa travelled across the globe to Puerto Galera to give Christmas gifts to the local kids. Hundreds of  kids showed up, all super excited  that Santa was there to deliver presents along with a snack to fill up their tummies afterwards.

 

Year after year  Antoine, Toto and the whole team  really outdo themselves  with a delicious menu prepared for the festivities.  It  was a wonderful night of good  friends and family, and special times at our Christmas Eve dinner. So nice to get Antoine out of retirement to come in and prepare it along with our awesome team once again.

 

So great to see Chris and Julie back again….Their journey together started here many years ago. It’s been a fun family and friends holiday this time for the Hoare and Sallons families and with new friend Paul.

 

The whole team was well prepared for Christmas dinner in their lovely new uniforms, which will soon be available for purchase in the dive shop.

 

2022 left us and 2023 arrived with a fantastic dinner, fun times in the Point Bar and a spectacular fireworks display

Happy new year from everyone here at El Gal! Check out our new thresher uniforms…NICE!! Soon to be on sale in the dive shop.

Whats been happening

Check out our new cozy lounge area. A great location to hang out, read a book, do some computer stuff or just chill and watch TV…and it happens to be situated right beside our wine fridge. How convenient!

 

Thinking of an exciting way to start 2024?! Join us in almost a year from now for  a “Taste of the Solomons “

 

Dates:  January 16-23, 2024. The 7 night Taste of the Solomons scuba diving liveaboard itinerary allows up to 22 dives around Honiara, the Florida Islands and the Russell Islands, including the iconic Leru Cut and Mirror Pond.

A typical day diving offers up to 4 dives*; 3 day dives and, where possible, a sunset or night dive.
We have an Early Bird offer of 10% off for everyone who pays the initial deposit of US$ 1,000 before the end of March 2023. On the 1st of April the cabin price indicated  below  will be the price for the trip.
At the moment we have the whole boat with the following 8 Cabins figuration and price:

Classic Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,235 (3)
Premium Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (1)
Premium Twin/Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (3)
Superior Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,830 (1)

There will be Marine Park and Port Fee’s (US$175) and Fuel Charges (US$15 a night) on top of the cabin price. *On some days the 3rd or 4th dive may be replaced with a village visit.
Contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com if you’re interested to join.

Uncategorized

It’s getting easier and easier to come to the Philippines!

Posted on by Asia Divers
03
Dec

You can enter the Philippines visa and quarantine free, regardless of your vaccination status, provided you meet specific requirements. If you’re unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you’ll need to provide a COVID-19 (RAT) test administered and certified by a health care professional within 24 hours before entry. Children may be exempt from this requirement. Follow the Philippines Department of Tourism for the latest advice. https://visitor.tourism.gov.ph/ You should also confirm the rules for your airline, as it may vary between airlines. Contact us now to book your holiday in paradise: admin@asiadivers.com

Asia Divers 35th Anniversary

It’s hard to believe it, but 5 years ago Asia Divers  celebrated our 30th anniversary with a huge celebration with friends from all over the world. We now mark our 35th anniversary with gratefulness and much happiness that despite the past couple turbulent years we are still rocking in here in Puerto Galera. In the past few months we’ve enjoyed seeing many friends from the past years coming back to visit and welcoming new guests here for the first time to show them the beauty of Puerto Galera. Here are a few  memories from our 30th Anniversary below:

From Russia with love

We are so lucky to have had Igor as part of our Asia Divers/El Galleon family for many years now and we always look forward to seeing him and his group from Russia (Aqua Don) return here.  It’s been a fantastic week….Thank you for your long time support!

Great times with Blue Line Divers

We have had a amazing time with the group from Blue Line Divers  (facebook.com/bluelinediversau ) from Melbourne. It was another one of those bookings that fell through in 2020, so we we’re super excited to see it finally happen. Thanks to Al from Blue Line Divers for being such a great group leader and keeping it all together and to Ian from Allways Dive Expeditions  for making this a smooth and successful trip. Happy hours have been  very busy and the bell has been swinging alot this past week. Congratulations to Jamie, Clinton and Sharon for all doing their 100th dives here too.

 

A very interesting dive for everyone  as Jamie from our Blue Line Divers group decided to do it in the buff for his 100th dive.  Everyone got to see even more of the wildlife of PG! Congratulations to Jamie, Clinton and Sharon for all doing their 100th dives here.

Fantastic  to have Scott Gutsy Tuason back here with his family. He got his fill of  Mindoro Macro and blackwater diving for sure in the few days that he was around.  Shot with Nikon D5 Nauticam 60mm, Backscatter MF-1 Mini Flash, 60mm FITPro 2600 focus light and Z330 Inon strobes. from Squires Sports. https://squiressports.com/

Taste of the Solomons

Dates:  January 16-23, 2024. The 7 night Taste of the Solomons scuba diving liveaboard itinerary allows up to 22 dives around Honiara, the Florida Islands and the Russell Islands, including the iconic Leru Cut and Mirror Pond.

A typical day diving offers up to 4 dives*; 3 day dives and, where possible, a sunset or night dive.

We have an Early Bird offer of 10% off for everyone who pays the initial deposit of US$ 1,000 before the end of March 2023. On the 1st of April the cabin price indicated  below  will be the price for the trip.

We have at the moment the whole boat with the following 8 Cabins figuration and price.

Classic Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,235 (3)
Premium Twin Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (1)
Premium Twin/Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,585 (3)
Superior Double Cabin: Price per person US$ 4,830 (1)

There will be Marine Park and Port Fee’s (US$175) and Fuel Charges (US$15 a night) on top of the cabin price. *On some days the 3rd or 4th dive may be replaced with a village visit.
Contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com if you’re interested to join.

 

Instructor Development at Asia Divers

Congratulations to all the IDC candidates who worked very hard with Pedro recently.  Over the course of  15 days they spent their time studying physics, theory, standards and all required skills to be an exceptional PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. They overcame personal challenges and achieved their own goals. The next chapter awaits them as they start to teach their students to become PADI scuba divers in the near future. As the first 5 Star Career Development Center in the Philippines, we have the highest rating awarded to an Instructor Development Center and with Asia Divers’ 30+ years experience in the diving . Contact us at instructors@asiadivers.com for more information to jump start your dive into being a PADI Pro!

Uncategorized

October highlights

Posted on by Asia Divers
10
Nov

Four years waiting for this trip to Coco’s island in Costa Rica and finally happened. The trip was booked for 2020, but then the shit hit the fan as you all know….. 2 years on we did it! We had  awesome time aboard the Okeanos Aggressor 1 and the shark action did not disappoint for sure. Hammerheads on almost every dive, silkys, Galapagos and whale shark were the highlights along with mobula, manta and marble rays,  BIG tunas, huge schools of jacks, and dolphins swimming along to keep us company on an awesome safety stop. Plus a couple of encounters with Tigers! It’s a 36 hour boat ride out to Coco’s so you’re really out in the middle of nowhere for sure. We did 7 days of diving out there than had to do the long trip back again afterwards. Good thing the boat was well supplied with seasickness meds! What a fun group to join me on this epic adventure. Frank, Catherine, Kim, Erik, Emma, Suzie and Conny along with Tony Exall and his group mostly from the UK. Keep a watch here and in our weekly newsletter for details for our next trip live-aboard in January 2024 to the Solomon Islands.

Gotta love happy hour at the Point Bar…Two for one on these delicious cocktails! Happy Hour runs from 5:30 to 6:30 every evening and is always a favorite to wind down after a busy day.

 

Look what’s new at El Galleon! Allan has his dream come true with our very own wine fridge. Check out the fine selection of delectable wines from all over the world.

 

A delicious learning experienced happened by chance this past week when one of our guests, Jean volunteered to teach Toto how to make authentic Pad Thai. Jean is a professional chef who lives in Iceland, specializing in Thai foods and was happy to jump into the kitchen with Toto. Next time your here check out the Pad Thai!

Rotary Club of Subiaco does it again

Thanks so much once again to the Rotary Club of Subiaco in Australia for donating the much appreciated school supplies. Rhuby and Alli made the trip to the Paraway Mangyon elementary school to deliver the supplies and also to bring along 4 sacks of rice from El Galleon to go towards their feeding program for the kids. As always, if anyone one wants to donate to these causes just give us a shout.

 

Diving

Treasures of Puerto Galera

Posted on by Asia Divers
05
Oct

It was great to see Carole Harris and Leon Betts back here after 3 long years.  Carole and Leon are both super spotters and this past two months here in PG they have had some great finds!

Carole and Leon, have been diving here regularly for 25 years and done more than 1700 dives in the Philippines (PG/Dumaguete/Anilao/Romblon). On this trip alone to Puerto Galera there was they saw around 168 species of nudibranches, of which, 21 were new/first time for them to see. They also noted that they saw 14 species here on this trip to PG that they have only seen somewhere else in the world before….but first time for here.

 

But we’re not just about nudis of course! Also here in Puerto Galera Mindoro are gorgeous colourful healthy reefs teeming with lots of different fishes, sweetlips, jacks, tuna, bright anenomes, seahorses, cuttlefishes, frogfishes, octopus, eels, snakes, many types of shrimps, pipesfishes and a certain time of the years we often see thresher shark. We have diving for all levels and only a 5-10 minute boat ride away from the resort!

 

Here’s a few of Carole and Leons  favorite finds from this past trip and Carole’s comments and descriptions.

 

STILIGER SP. Only the long black rhinos gave this little one away, so incy wincy small, never even noticed that it had inflated cerata until I saw it on the computer

 

Maybe a Tenellia/Trinchesia or Phyllodesmium? An annoyingly incy wincy one, great find by Art

Maybe TERGIPOSACCA LONGICERATA?? Another very very cute incy wincy one. So difficult to ID when they are so small

 

NOALDA SP. The “one that got away”, I took a photo of a Chromodoris kalawakan nudi on this sponge and when I saw the photo on the computer, I noticed this incy incy incy wincy one in the corner! DRAT, wish I had seen it to attempt to get a better photo.. But a blur is OK

 

TENELLIA/TRINCHESIA SP. A very very cute incy wincy pinky one, great find by Leon

 

FLABELLINA SP. 9 NSSI2. Another incy incy wincy “dot” of a nudi

 

EUBRANCHUS SP. Of course another incy wincy one, so delicate and pretty, great find by Leon

 

VERCONIA SP. First time to see this nudi, and we saw this a few times this trip, not such an incy wincy, maybe 0.75cm

 

CALORIA INDICA. Although we’ve seen this sp. of nudi many times, this is another variation, different coloured body, different coloured cerata, and different coloured rhinos

 

THORUNNA PURPUREOPEDIS. Another of my favourites, at least 1 cm, a great find by Eleanor Hui

 

El Galleon Resort/Asia Divers are an all year round dive resort with the sea normally moderate during December to May. Water temperature  December to March is around 23 to 27c. In March/April the water temp goes up to 28-30 and will stay warm until around November/December.

The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor (VIP) is famously known as “the center of the center of marine biodiversity”. It is the proverbial heart of the Coral Triangle. There are dives for all levels, from easy training dives amongst pristine coral to high-voltage drift dives, to muck and even wreck dives.   We are also only a 20 minute boat ride to Verde Island which is a world class dive site. Contact us for arranging your trip to paradise at admin@asiadivers.com

Diving

Coffee, Weddings and fun times on the beach!

Posted on by Asia Divers
09
Sep

The best view on the beach is now up and running. Welcome to our new addition to El Galleon Resort….Morning Brew Cafe, where  you  can  order delicious specialty coffees along with an extensive selection of beers, wines and other drinks. The Morning Brew Café is place to be for your daily coffee fix in Puerto Galera!

 

Beach wedding bliss

Congratulations to Trevor and Marilyn, who recently tied the knot at El Galleon Dive Resort. El Galleons’ gorgeous setting overlooking the water is the perfect place to have your tropical wedding in Puerto Galera.

The reception was an delicious  sit-down buffet with plenty of champagne, wines and beers. Speeches by family & friends followed with plenty of funny moments mixed in! The festivities capped off at the Point Bar with a live band and even more celebratory drinks.

We can help you plan your special day with all the details, including accommodation, wedding dinner, decorations and transfers to and from the resort. Our multi-use dive platform is for more than just diving. Company functions, team building, group parties, family gatherings and of course weddings are all possible on our spacious deck overlooking the sea.

 

Perth Scuba at Asia Divers

 

It’s  been fantastic to have our first group here from Australia since the Philippines opened up for tourists again. It’s so easy to come here now…all you need is to be fully vaxed with a booster than no need for quarantine.  Fill in the Onehealth pass  on-line a few days prior to your arrival and your good to go.  Perth Scuba finally enjoyed a week-long stay with us after more than a two year wait.

Puerto Galera is ideally located only 3 hours from Manila, and right on the shores of the Verde Island Passage, the epicenter of the world’s marine biodiversity that hosts more than 300 species of corals and 60% of the world’s known shore-fish species.

 

Enjoying the unlimited diving package which includes up to 4 day dives per day, plus a night dive as well. Let Asia Divers  take you out on world-class dive sites in Puerto Galera. The dive facility is located near all the beautiful natural underwater features, it takes no time at all to set up, travel to the site, dive, comes back to rest, and repeat this cycle.

No matter what level of diver you are and no matter how many exotic locations you have dived, the diving in Puerto Galera will not disappoint even the most seasoned of divers.  With over 30 dive sites to explore, it can be quite overwhelming!

 

2 for 1 cocktails! Happy Hour at the Point was action packed this week.  Walking between Sabang and Small Lalaguna Beach, you can’t fail to miss The Point Bar. In fact, many visitors to Puerto Galera, once they’ve found The Point Bar, find it hard to escape.

 

Fun above the surface this time! On top of all the underwater adventures in Mindoro, you can get  down and dirty on go-karts at Extreme Sports Philippines. They have a whole list of activities to do there while you’re keeping dry or dirty. There are so many things to keep you busy in PG besides scuba diving.

 

Breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush you shouldn’t miss! Be sure to check out the Zipline attraction while in Puerto Galera.

Diving, News and Events

Eggciting times in Puerto Galera~!

Posted on by Asia Divers
15
Jun

This month’s Monday News cover photo is a real special treat, taken by Jordi Lopez! Look very carefully and you’ll see the baby flamboyant cuttlefish inside. Our divers we’re very lucky to witness them hatching!! If you would like to get our weekly newsletter to keep up to date on everything here just send us an email to: instructors@asiadivers.com


What’s been happening

June has started out as an amazing weather month. Perfect diving conditions, warm clear water and so much cool stuff to see! There are no more Covid test requirements to come to the Philippines if your fully vaccinated and have a booster and  the insurance requirement has also been lifted. The other very recent news is that for those travelling to the U.S.A. there is no more test requirement so very easy to go home if you’re from there. Start planning your visit to El Galleon and Asia Divers now! https://asiadivers.com/reservations/

June 1 2022. We couldn’t find thresher sharks this morning ….No problem. We saw Manta Ray instead!!! What an amazing surprise for our group of divers.

No matter what level of diver you are and no matter how many exotic locations you have dived, the diving in Puerto Galera will not disappoint even the most seasoned of divers.

Puerto Galera offers beautiful protected coves with stunning coral gardens and scores of exotic underwater species. Schooling reef fish, including jacks, snappers, fairy basslets, triggerfish, groupers, trevally, drummers and barracuda, set the scene against vibrant coral reefs and passing reef sharks. Turtles, moray eels, cephalopods and macro crustaceans are all found in abundance. And then there’s the thresher sharks – one of the most impressive sharks to see in the ocean.

P.G.  offers everything underwater that you would expect from the world-class scuba diving in the Philippines. From macro critters to cruising pelagics, Puerto Galera truly has it all – and in abundance!

The Best of Solomon Islands

Join us November 18 to November 28!  Asia Divers will be hosting a dive liveaboard, aboard the M/V Solomon Master and  Maria will be the one to lead this trip. Check out the schedule, details of the M/V Solomon Master and some of the amazing dive sites you’ll visit aboard this impressive vessel. Dive sites, reef, walls, WWII wrecks, amazing swim throughs such as the Leru Cut.  Departs from Coral Sea Resort, Honiara Solomon Islands, 16:00hrs November 18. Contact us at admin@asiadivers for more information if you’re interested to join.

E-IDC update

Congratulations to David, our newest PADI Instructor for passing the IE and to Pete who did his Staff Instructor course. Pedro and the whole team here at Asia Divers are very proud of you both!  If you are a PADI Divemaster with at least 100 logged dives, you can sign up for the next IDC and become a PADI instructor. Next IDC Sep. 4 – 16. IE Sep 17-18. RSVP: instructors@asiadivers.com.

 

 

Beach Resort, Environment, Travel

A day at Verde Island with Asia Divers

Posted on by Asia Divers


Very happy divers after two dives at Verde Island! Great shot Robin Chew.

Experts have called The Verde Island Passage the “centre of the centre” of the world’s marine biodiversity. Life enhancing nutrients from the Pacific mix with waters of the South China Sea. You would never guess that beneath the surface are spectacular reef formations with more than 300 species of corals and underwater rock canyons that host nearly 60 percent of the world’s known shorefish species.

The Verde Island passage is situated between the islands of Luzon and Mindoro. A trip to Puerto Galera is not complete with at least one visit to Verde Island. You can get there in 40 minutes by bangka, which is a local outrigger boat, or 20 minutes by speedboat.

 

Gorgeous colours of Verde Island. Photos by Beth Watson

The best and most well known dive site is the “Verde Island Drop off” or “San Agapito” about 300 meters off shore. Approaching the dive site you are greeted by the rough tips of pinnacles breaking the surface. From the surface it doesn’t look like much, but as soon as you drop in, you’ll see that these pinnacles are like the icing on top of large colourful birthday cake.

The Drop Off can be described best as steep slopes with stunning vertical walls that drop down to 70 meters or more. Beautiful gorgonian fans, basket sponges and anemones nestle in and make their home here. Numerous nooks and crannies are home to all sorts of reef life including shrimps, sea snakes, scorpion fish and moray eels. Volcanic bubbles rise up through the corals and create a magical effect. Anthias and red-tooth triggerfish are so abundant that I tell people that there are so many fish on the pinnacle that they’ll have to push them aside to see the reef.

 

Surface interval on Verde.

This is one of those dives sites that you can happily use a wide-angle lens or a macro lens and come away with great shots. Since Puerto Galera is known so widely for its macro I sometimes encourage the photographers to pull out their wide-angle lens for a day on Verde to take advantage of the spectacular pinnacles and beautiful gorgonian sea fans. These teamed up with the colourful anemones and reef fishes make an excellent backdrop and are a great area to shoot wide angle. Nudibranches are plentiful and you’re bound to see a gnarly scorpion fish or two, so a macro lens will come in good use as well.

The currents on Verde can be tricky, but going with an experienced guide you can safely manage them. The key is to stay tight to the pinnacle and not get pushed over deep water into the strong currents. As you approach “the corner” you can feel the current pushing in your face, so you can make a decision of what to do next. With an experienced group I like to get on to the corner and “watch the show”. This where you have the best chance to see many of the larger fishes including schooling jacks, sweetlips, tuna and snapper all dancing in the current. I love to be in the mix of this, but if my group is less experienced I can turn around and miss this corner and keep everyone out of the current.

Treasure hunting….

A Spanish galleon, the Nuestra Senora dela Vida, which sank in 1620, was discovered in the late seventies just off Verde Island. Unfortunately it was heavily salvaged in the 70’s and 80’s and nothing remains of the wreck except for a few pieces of porcelain. The larger plates and terracotta jars are now long gone. I like to take my divers “treasure hunting” for these little pieces of porcelain during their surface interval. If you walk along the beachfront and look in the sand you can be sure to find a few pieces wash ashore. It’s a nice little souvenir to go home with.

A day trip to Verde Island is a great experience for our guests. They get to dive on a spectacular dive site with prolific fish life, learn a bit of local history and combine this with a beach barbeque you’ll have a lot of happy people.

Diving, News and Events

Celebrate of 30 years of Asian Diver with us!

Posted on by Asia Divers

Asian Diver is celebrating 30 years of publishing with a special feature of divers digging deep into their greatest diving experiences. Allan Nash was asked to be featured in their upcoming issue of Asian Diver. Under the 2010s category, he was asked to answer the following questions:

  1. Share one unforgettable diving experience in the 2010s.
  2. What were your favourite dive sites in the 2010s?
  3. What diving gears did you use in the 2010s?
  4. How did you connect with Asian Diver Magazine? As a reader, contributor or part of the team.


Learning to dive at the age of 12

Below are his answers:

I’m the founding partner of Asia Divers and we own operate Asia Divers, El Galleon Resort, Tech Asia and Ocean Dive Supplies, Philippines. Asia Divers was started May 1987, the other businesses followed shortly after.

I traveled the world diving and some of my favorite places to dive is the Cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Mt Gambier South Australia, the wrecks of Tuke and the Sardine Run in South Africa. But one dive I know well is Black Fish off Verdi island, out of Puerto Galera Philippines, it simply never fails to please.

My first dive at Black Fish was a tech dive to 50m. It starts with a descent to 30m, down a pinnacle (starts at 20m) that is covered with colours and fish life. It rolls off into the abyss. Visibility is almost always twenty to thirty plus meters and there is as the name suggests the resident school of black fish to welcome you on the descent. You drop off the side of a wall that will decent to well over a hundred meters with large over hangs and just a few meters off the wall is another pinnacle that rises up from the depths to around 40m giving you the opportunity to swim over and around the top of this pinnacle. From there you swim (scooter) along and slightly up to where it slops up to an amazing forest of giant Gorgonians, spectacular view looking up through this forest and to the main pinnacle of Black Fish which will lead you up through fantastic formations covered with hard and soft corals to where you will eventually ascend up a finger like pinnacle to a depth of 21m, switch over to 50% and swim south west to the slopping island of Verdi where you slowly make your way up and around a corner into a quiet 6m, switch to a 100% and finish your dive in a sandy colourful reef with all kinds of small critters to amaze you while you finish your deco. Defiantly one of my favourite dives.

On the way to Black Fish early to mid 2010’s

My favourite dives in 2010’s would be the Sardine Run off of the wild coast of Africa. Manta aggregation Dives in northern Maldives, big action dives Darwin Galapagos, Cocos pinnacle, Mantas Raja Ampat Indonesia Cenote Pet Cemetery includes King Pong restriction onto the Blue Abyss, Mexico.

My dive gear, Tech is Halcyon regulators, lights and wing with Shearwater computers. I used an Inspiration rebreather, and Suex scooter. Recreational dives, Cressi dive gear with Waterproof wetsuits.

I first met the Asian Diver magazine owner back in the very start when it was launched at the Asian Dive Expo in Singapore. I was  regular advertiser in Asian Diver mag and if I remember right I may have done an article in one or two additions. I have written for many magazines, but it has been a while since I have done any stories.

Allan Nash
Managing Director
El Galleon Resort
PADI Course Director

 

Beach Resort, Diving

March into Paradise

Posted on by Asia Divers
30
Mar

Spectacular sunsets, turquoise waters, and lots of fun for the kids right here in our beachfront! The resort sits on the largest beachfront property in Small Lalaguna beach, and the waters in front of the resort are excellent for swimming and snorkeling.

We are only 3 hours away from Manila, and we offer private transfers that can drop you off directly here in the resort. Only a booking confirmation and tourist QR code are required to enter Puerto Galera. So…what are you waiting for?! email:admin@asiadivers.com

What’s been happening

Tina has got back into mermaid mode since she arrived here last week. A refresher course got her going so that she could spend the rest of the week happily submerged.  Her last dive for this trip was with Arthur and Rene.

Want to give it a go?! After a short briefing you’ll get comfortable with the gear and the basics of diving in the comfort and safety of our training pool under the watchful eye of an experienced Instructor. You’ll then enjoy a great dive at one of Puerto Galera’s unrivaled sites, your Instructor will never be far away as you’re introduced to a wonderful new world. Check out the PADI Discover Scuba program: https://asiadivers.com/padi-diving-courses-philippines/padi-recreational-scuba-diving-courses/ and contact us for a dip in the ocean.

It’s been great to have Pedro Magsino back on the Asia Divers dive platform these past few days. He’s been busy with an IDC here. Looking to become a PADI instructor? checkout all the details on how to do it with our awesome team: https://asiadivers.com/gopro/

Happy 65th to Tommy! Hope the next year is full of many great adventures for you…

 

A very long time friend of Allan’s, Steve Smith was here for a visit along with Rey Villarama. Allan has known Steve from his previous life back in Hong Kong, but have remained friends ever since. It’s always such a wonderful thing to have our long time  friends visit us here. Enjoy the rest of your time together in the Philippines.

 

Thanks to Sarah McLeod for this gorgeous photo from the Point Bar. Best place in the world to enjoy happy hour!

Delicious  times!

What a delicious afternoon spent with friends. Allan hosted an a special lunch at El Galleon with chef Mark Biddle who created and supervised  this 6 course long lunch along with our El Galleon team. Mark is an accomplished chef with forty years of extensive culinary, kitchen management and menu planning experience gained all over the world. You can only imagine what a culinary experience this was!

 

What’s new at Ocean Dive Supply

 

New arrival of wetsuit, hood and boots from Waterproof Diving International. With all the delivery problems and delays we are happy to see our stock of below being topped up again.
https://divesupply.com.ph/en/blog/viewpost/105/waterproof-new-arrival