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Just did a weekend of diving in Anilao with some friends. We stayed at Bambu Villa Resort which is located in Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines. The new place sports a well equipped dive shop. It has nice large airconditioned rooms with balcony view of the pool, heated showers. They serve wonderfully varied buffet meals. Their rates are reasonable and well in line with the facilities and services they offer.

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Jo & Johnny’s Dive Inn

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Punta Fuego Marina

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Fortune Island Dives

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Long Beach, Punta Fuego

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Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort

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Pasacao is a coastal town in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines.  About 360km from Makati or about 7 to 8 hours by car. Alternately, you may take a commercial flight to Pili (Naga) Airport which is less than an hour flying time.

The exploration team includes Ariel Abonal (Logistics Manager), Hildebrand Barcarse (underwater photographer), and myself (topside photographer).   Photos from dives follows:

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The dive sites are similar to Anilao, Batangas.  Lots of hard and soft corals, average amounts of tropical fish, a few pelagics occasionally spotted like whale sharks and mantas.  It must be noted however that there is apparent reef damage from illicit forms of fishing.

Divers may stay at the many hotels in Naga City.  I personally prefer lodging at Camsur Watersports Complex for the many added activities such as  cable wakeboarding

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Suggested length of stay is 3 days or more.  If you have more time, Caramoan is another place where you can island hop, snorkel

Want to try diving Fortune Island and the Nasugbu area?  Jo & Johnny's Beach and Dive Inn is your ticket.  Johnny has a great place in Tali near Punta Fuego.  The food is quite good. The dive service is friendly and professional.

Blue Hole at Fortune is a nifty dive site, there is a chance you may encounter mantas.

There are nearly a dozen established dive sites in the area:  Blue Hole, Pink Wall, Cathy's Garden, Shark cave, Lorens, Mini Cathedral,, Sanctuary, Greece to name some.  Nasugbu is a bit closer to Manila than Anilao.  So locals can do one or two days diving and just keep coming back for more.

Jo & Johnny's Dive Inn, Tali Beach, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines.   Book your dive trip through us at freedomdivetours@gmail.com.

I'll add pictures soon.  For now check their website with a soporific mellow instrumental... Zzzzzzzz... Oh... sorry here it is ;)  -- seasspringresort.com

For people who like the site's music or have stayed at Sea's Spring, share your feedback below.

 (SAMPLE ITINERARY)

February 6-7, 2010, two days swimming with butandings (whale sharks).

Package includes overnight airconditioned accommodations at a beach resort, breakfast, whale shark interaction registration fee, firefly river night tour and Legaspi Airport transfers. Total package is only Php 9500 (Philippine Peso).

Day 2
Breakfast
Whale shark interaction (morning)
Lunch
Airport transfer in the afternoon, flight back to Manila

There is an option to add one or two days to the schedule to allow for scuba dives at Ticao for the manta rays.   It is also possible to include dives and wakeboarding days in Camarines Sur.

The whale shark watching season at Sorsogon Bay is from January until July.

E-mail :  freedomdivetours@gmail.com to see the whale sharks.