I have always enjoyed visiting the Philippine islands and I have to admit that I haven’t seen most of it. We always have admired the wonderful white sandy beaches and palm trees but have you ever wondered about the beautiful corals that our Phillippine beaches have? I was invited to Camiguin island and check out the first ever Camiguin Dive Festival. I was really excited since I never been to dive festival before yet alone scuba diving. 

The Camiguin Dive Festival was launched last June 23, 2019, at the Lagundi beach. There were a bunch of divers from all the country and divers from all over the world who came to participate. Now, there are plenty of dive sites around the Philippines especially in Cebu where divers are known to visit and check out the beautiful sea corals of Cebu. Camiguin Island has its own unspoiled corals under the water. It is also known that Camiguin corals do not have a single piece of trash.

Locals and foreigners are encouraged to protect the environment and pick up trash whether on land or water. As we got to the beach, the day kicked off pretty well with a speech from Camiguin Governor Maria Luisa D. Romualdo. 

Camiguin Governor Maria Luisa D. Romualdo. said: “We are spearheading the first-ever Camiguin Dive Festival promoting the island’s rich, unique, diverse and pristine dive sites. This is in line with our vision in developing Camiguin that meets global standards of sustainable and responsible tourism.”

National celebrity divers, diver-bloggers and green influencers all participated in this event which will end on August 31, 2019. Other than diving, the festival also focuses on volcano tourism, heritage tourism, heritage tourism, farm, and ecotourism. Divers were already introduced to the islands’ various dive sites relate it is collectively a wealth of expansive coral gardens, shoals, and canyons, all teeming with a rich marine life. 

There are two categories:

• Macro/Super Macro
• Wide Angle.

Best Underwater Photographers will get the following prizes:

• First Prize – P30,000 Cash, Trophy, Gift Pack
• Second Prize – P20,000 Cash, Trophy, Gift Pack
• Third Prize – P10,000 Cash Trophy, Gift Pack

Camiguin Dive Festival highlights its Underwater Photography Competition that promises an excellent photography experience of the island’s underworld treasures. Also, throughout the festival season, divers get to enjoy 30% discount off on dives. Discounts are extended to free divers as well. Introductory dive classes offer 15% off the regular rate. I was fortunate to try it myself without a snorkeling mask. Even though I didn’t go deep into the waters of Camiguin, I was able to see island corals due to the bright sun gazing over the water. I was also able to see lots of beautiful fishes as well!

Grab your diving gear and register now until August 31, 2019

Camiguin Dive Festival

Register at: www.facebook.com/camiguintourismoffice.