SCUBA Diving at Punta Bilar Dive Center in Surigao City, Philippines

SCUBA diving must be one of the activities most people in the world would want to place in their bucket list before parting this world. SCUBA diving from someone who is not familiar with this sport would look on it as an outdoor activity for the well off people aside from being a dangerous sport to venture into, which happened to be half true and half myth.

A very aloof seahorse clinging on a sea fan in Surigao

SCUBA diving in the form of recreation is almost  zero impact water activity which is one better way to appreciate nature's beauty and discover how life works under the sea. This water sport teaches also a lot of values to its recipient. Group diving is much better if you have a license or at least certification received from an accredited dive instructor giving ease and comfort to your SCUBA diving mates.

Crossing Out the Bucket list

Since the day I was brought to the world of environmental science during my college days, I have been dreaming of experiencing to learn the field of  SCUBA to extend my nature wandering to the rich and diverse  marine ecosystem in the Philippines. But the very question now is , where to dive in the Philippines?

I was so fortunate to be invited to try this sport by one of the pioneers and active member of Surigao Dive Club, Mr. Johann Jake Miranda, a well experienced and a multiple licensed diving instructor accredited by Scuba Diving International (SDI) and currently based in Surigao City who operates the Punta Bilar Dive Center.

Breaking My Fears, Building My Walls!

Banded sea eel in Punta Bilar

Coming from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, I immediately hopped into a bus bound for Surigao City and immediately head for the dive shop. The dive site is located along the marine protected area in the still community of Punta Bilar, one of the few diving sites in Northern Mindanao that offers lesson and certification for first time divers.

Punta Bilar offers a 3km stretch of protected marine area with good to very good coral reefs condition that is under the protection with the combined initiative of the community and the dive site operator. 

The long stretch of coral reefs is home to hundreds to thousands of coral species and other colorful marine organisms ranging from pelagic to sea crawler slugs to quirky sea lilies.

As many would think SCUBA diving is quite difficult for first timers, because you have to undergo a series of lectures about safety and other technical concepts to ponder and the most challenging part is to put the learning into action for you to get your open water diver certification. 

Even though I was purposely invited for this activity, I did not receive special consideration to skip one of the procedures. A written exam was also employed to determine the comprehension of the student about SCUBA diving during the entire lesson.  

The rain forest of the sea that you will witness in Punta Bilar.

 It took me a total of six (6) dives before I have fully digested all the tips given by my dive instructor Jake. At first, it took me a while to grasp on my buoyancy and to correct my breathing technique. As an environmental specialist, one of our required skill is to swim but having a set of SCUBA equipment strapped around my body makes me feel uncomfortable due to its added weight and I was  getting a little confused on the hoses  attached on the air tank. 

BLOOPER TIME!

And just like any other students , I make mistakes and instead  frowning about it, I took it as a challenge to correct my errors. And sometimes looking back at those moments specially if caught on camera, will just put me to burst to laughter watching the video all over again. Here is my best blooper ever during the entire session of  mySCUBA Diving lesson. I swear JR pushed me before the end of 1..2...splassshhhh! 

My ultimate epic failed giant stride water entry! 

Take it from the Expert

One great advice I received from my instructor was not to PANIC, and have the presence of mind to remember the techniques taught during the lecture ! Hmmmm, I was able to understand the  meaning of word only on my second and third dive after I have swallowed a little salt water during a certain exercise. But in the process I was surprised to enjoy the beauty of the world underwater without being conscious that I was actually in a  wet suit swimming with the other marine organisms and witnessing the colorful world of the ocean. As we go deeper, I got more relaxed and able to maneuver in perfect buoyancy where I barely move at all while gazing  on vast   precious giant sea fans and enormous hard corals, fishes and others scattered around.

After 3 days, I finally made it!  Thanks  Jake Miranda 

It was a lucky day  that I was accompanied by divers from Butuan City, where Jeff carried with him a specialized underwater camera. A total of 3 days and two nights in the dive center gave me a  memorable fulfilling adventure, ticking out one item from my bucket list.

To fully understand and appreciate diving, I suggest for you to try it first. There is no harm in trying people. It is just a matter of courage and willingness to put one foot forward and make something different in your life. Get out and experience life. Put SCUBA diving in your bucket list and surely you will enjoy it once you got a taste of it. More post about diving coming soon.

To learn more please contact:

JAKE MIRANDA

Operator, Punta Bilar Dive Center

Mobile: +63 920 909  0999

Email: jake_miranda1@yahoo.com

Website: www.divesurigao.com

Gallery:

Other beautiful marine species in Punta Bilar Dive Site in Surigao City:

(My sincerest thanks to Jake Miranda and his family for this wonderful experience shared, and to my newly found friends Jeff, Tonton, Macky and Dive Master JR Pingkian. All underwater photos courtesy of Jeff Ong. See you soon guys)

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