Major dive areas are concentrated around Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas.... The reefs here are among the most diverse and most threatened in the world, supporting more than 2000 species of fish (the Great Barrier Reef, by comparison, supports around 1500); however, up to 70 percent of Philippine reefs are dead or dying.... The best diving is in the Sulu Sea, which can only be accessed by live-aboard....

Asia Divers/Cap'n Greggs/Atlantis Resort, February 1998, James L. Waller, Sioux Falls, SD. Atlantis Resort has the best (and most expensive) accommodations on Sabang Beach. Sabang Beach has the most restaurants, shopping and nightlife in the area. Small and Large Laguna beaches are 5-10 minute walks and are better beaches; Sabang Beach is narrow, full of trash and broken glass. Serious beach lovers should visit White Beach. . . . Made three dives with Asia Divers then nine with Captain Gregg's. The other customers at Asia Divers were all German-speaking and I didn't care for diving from a banka (a type of native boat.) Captain Gregg's has a decent dive boat and a great British divemaster, Daran. . . . Good: Nice accommodations, excellent divemaster, generally pleasant diving. Plenty of small tropical fish, beautiful staghorn and table coral, a heaven for macro photographers. Larger fish: 3 white-tip reef sharks, one large turtle, one stingray, school of barracuda and two schools of tuna. and one sea snake. . . . Bad: Best chance of seeing pelagics is at the deep sites with strong currents and 20-30' visibility. Contrary to articles in Asia Diver magazine, your chances of seeing manta rays, whale sharks or hammerheads at Puerto Galera are only slightly better than here in South Dakota. Several divemasters told me there had only been four manta rays sighted in four years. They saw a school of ten hammerheads several weeks earlier but they were extremely rare. My high opinion of Atlantis Resort soured when they cheated me out of $27 on my bill when I checked out. Atlantis (and many other Philippine hotels ) charge 5-10% for using a credit card; a detail they neglect to tell you when you check in. Atlantis has a decent restaurant although overpriced compared to others in Sabang. I recommend Capan Greggs for breakfast and dinner at the Tropicana or Relax Thai. There is a floating bar anchored offshore from Cap'n Gregg's. . . . The easiest way to reach Puerto Galera is to buy a $7.50 ticket at the Centerpoint Hotel in Manila that entitles you to an air-con bus ride to Batangas and the Si-Kat ferry to Puerto Galera. From Puerto Galera take a banka or jeepney to whatever beach you desire. Most of the dive shops charge $25/dive with rented equipment or $20 with your own gear. Cap'n Gregg's gives a 10% discount on 6 or more dives. Most operators offer two dives a day unless there's sufficient customer demand. There are 25 dive sites only short boat rides away. (Cap'n Greggs, Ph: 011-63-2-892-1443, Fax 011-63-2-522-3663)

Asia Divers/El Galleon Beach Resort, March 1998, Aldo Alvarez, Cabo Rojo, PR. First class dive operation, well-trained staff, many sites for all levels of expertise. Although getting to Pureto Galera can be interesting, three hours on a bus and then two hours on a ferry, your sacrifice is more than rewarded. Plentiful soft coral, lionfish, frogfish, nudibranchs, etc. All the small critters you can imagine. Vis: 50-70ft. Water: 78-82 degrees. Diving restriction enforced was up on 800 psi. The hotel was good, $28 per night, $4 meals, swimming pool, hot water, beautiful view. All transportation is on the water by bankas. Night life with good restaurants, bars, and discos. Great diving at a great price. (El Galleon Beach, Ph: 011-63-2-521-3344,

e-mail: asiadive@mozcom.com)