Things to Avoid While Diving in Boracay

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To go diving in Boracay is plunging into one of your most unforgettable underwater experiences yet. The island is blessed with colorful fishes and marine life that could make beginning divers want to master the sport and experienced divers keep coming back for more.

It is not difficult locating the top dive shops around the island. A number of dive centers and booking centers are spread along White Beach waiting for eager customers. The more experienced divers are members of dive clubs that frequent Boracay. There are also a number of dive shops that sell affordable dive equipment and offer expert instructors and guides for hire. Since there are so many shops to choose from, avoid getting overly excited and going with the first offer you get. You have choices galore here, so you may take your time to peruse the available packages and the competition before you make up your mind which dive crew suits your preferences and purse best. There are plenty of activities in Boracay other than diving so you might want to go easy on your cash before anything else, in case you find some other attraction you want to try later.

A dive package typically costs about Php1,500 or USD34. This includes equipment, instructors, and a speed boat. Avoid anything that is more expensive. Local shops have a tendency to charge foreign tourists higher because vendors know that foreigners bring along money to spend and are also unaware of the usual rates unless they happen to be regular visitors. White Beach is also littered with local vendors and boatmen offering rides to the best diving spots around, and this is another prime location for overcharge deals. Again, avoid closing a deal without first trying to haggle and checking out whether another hawker can offer the same service for a cheaper price.

Take note that Filipinos are very friendly and hospitable. This can be something to your advantage if you understand how to use it. Chat with the vendors for a few minutes and, sooner or later, you will be offered a huge discount and even some freebies. Share a cone of ice cream or a cup of fruit shake, and the local vendor becomes your friend for life. Avoid being too friendly, though, since Boracay vendors could get stubbornly persistent given enough encouragement. Some will even try selling you a pair of sunglasses while you are already wearing one.

Once you do settle on a dive crew or pick a package, the next thing to do is to choose a location for your dive. One of the most popular spots is the nearby Crocodile Island, which some mistakenly think to have the dangerous reptiles just because of its name – which actually comes from its shape when viewed from a distance. Beside it are two other famous dive spots, the twin islands Laurel 1 and 2. While these are magnificent as diving places, be warned that the currents are often swift and dangerous. You should avoid trying them if you are a newbie or someone in your group is. Other dive spots are Angel Point, Balinghai, Coral Garden, Friday’s Rock, Virgin Drop and Yapak. The last two are for experienced divers only, so avoid them again if someone in your party is still fresh to diving.

If these quick tips are remembered, you should enjoy your dive and even get a great experience about which to tell your friends after your stay. The island offers a lot of thrilling activities but the one you should definitely not miss is diving in Boracay.