The Day I Discovered Scuba Diving

Since I discovered my love for the underwater world after my 45-Hour Coron Trip, I made sure to include Balicasag's premier snorkeling site in my itinerary. As I was viewing some photos, I chanced upon a website that offers scuba diving. I was so delighted! I know I have been wanting to experience that.

So after the sumptuous buffet at Bohol Bee Farm, I insisted RJ to drive us to Alona, the gateway to Balicasag and Virgin Island. Btw, RJ on the other hand was insisting to drive us to Danao and try the activities there. Hhmm, sounds interesting but deep inside I knew my heart was pounding for Balicasag. And I ain't leaving Bohol til I experience scuba diving! So being the hospitable host, RJ gave way and drove us to Alona! ^_^

welcome to Alona beach

Surprisingly, this beach is nice. All this time I thought it is mediocre. Isn't this good enough for you?

this is better than some of the beaches I've been

There are lots of resorts, budget accommodations, restaurants, and diving centers in Alona. We headed to SeaQuest Dive Center and inquired for the rates.

SeaQuest Dive Center - Bohol

Who can dive?
Anyone at least 10 years old.
Swimmer or non-swimmer

Here are the published rates in their website.

it's an expensive hobby! ^_^

For the Discover Scuba Diving course, the dive master quoted my friend and I P2,700 each - inclusive of the the boat, gears, and everything! It's P450 cheaper than the published rates. We also rented his underwater camera for P1,000. (ang mahal! but I need to document my 1st dive. pikit-mata sa presyo ng underwater camera rental)


One of the first things that the dive master asked was when is our next flight? Luckily, I had found out in advance that it's fatal to dive then fly. That's why I scheduled this diving activity on the 1st day. (note: our flight back to Manila is on the next day right away). Fly then dive on the same day, wont cause a problem. But dive then fly on the same day will cause serious injuries. An 18-hour interval is good enough. Perfect for our next day's flight schedule.
For explanations on the effect of diving then flying on the same day, read this.


Second is have we suffered from any of the following conditions.
As you all know, I suffered from a serious lung disease 3 years ago. Yare! I didn't know that I need to present a med certificate first before I can dive! Panic mode. What I did? I denied that I got sick. I know my lungs are treated and can perform better now. Bahala na, remember I've got 2 life insurance policies already! ^_^

..that may result in death
not very encouraging choice of words 0_o

After some theories and familiarization blah blahs, we were finally handed our dive suits, masks, and fins! Woot! Excited much! We're ready to do the actual exercises.

SeaQuest Boat - lesgow na!

My friend and I were assigned with 1 dive master each and trust me, the exercises are not very easy at all. What I hate most was the removal of water in your mask. It's very easy when you're just snorkeling. Go up, remove the mask, and the water is gone. But in scuba diving, you need to remove the water from the mask, without going out of the water. Ang pula-pula na ng mata ko after 10x na paulit-ulit ito ipagawa sakin. =(

I know it's just the basics, so what more for the Open Water course. Now I know it's not enough that you want to dive. It's important that you're determined to learn it.

Finally, it's time to put all the lessons I learned that day. Scuba diving at last!

practice time
the instructor swims with me


○ these shots can't even justify how awesome the underwater world is ○
i never had the chance to hold the camera, the other dive master held it

next time I think need to wear a hair-net! hihi

○ some more vibrant colored creatures ○

spell A-M-A-Z-E-D look ^_^

The fact that the earth is composed of 70% water and 30% land, means that there is a really more awesome space to explore, and that can only be found below the sea level... and I cant agree more.

super agree along with these Trumphetfishies
(thanks lakwaterso.com for the info)

who wouldn't be in awe to see these vertical-swimming fishies
and sun-kissed colored wall?

dear Coron,
You know I love you. I really do. But after I discovered scuba diving in Balicasag, Im in shocked and it left me breathless. It's the 1st time I actually thought Im inside that animated screen-saver in the desktop computer. It's surreal! (and you know very well that I hardly say that a place is "surreal")
Im sorry, I guessed I love Balicasag more now.

○ again, these shots are not even close to their real colors ○

i strongly suggest you to try this overwhelming experience

and hey, this frog fish invites you too! Ü

After 35 minutes with a max depth of 20 meters (?), I signaled my instructor that i wanted to go up. Im already chilling. I felt sick too. I thought Im going to vomit anytime! Nyahaha! My instructor said motion sickness is normal for beginners, specially me who moves a lot! Hihi

all experts were once beginners, right? ^_^