Yes, the summer heat this year is just unbelievable. But this kind of weather is definitely the most ideal for a trip to the beach--blue skies, clear water, soft white sand, total relaxation and partying with friends!
Here are a few water activities to top your beach experience--also known as the best excuses to stay in the water this summer!
1. Snorkeling
Snorkeling is by far the easiest way to marvel at the Philippines' diverse underwater ecosystems. It's also a great alternative if you're not really into the whole idea of plunging into the ocean's depths.
Snorkeling in Mactan by Storm Crypt
Almost every beach resort in this country offers
snorkeling gear rentals (or even for free, if it's part of your tour package). Just ask your
guest officer or
marine sports guide, as well as how to get to the best snorkeling spots in your area.
2. Scuba DivingAre you a
licensed diver? Are you thrilled about exploring some of the
most amazing coral reefs you'll ever see in the world?
Seasoned divers of the world include the
Philippines in their list of best diving spots. Some favorite diving spots include
Coron Island in
Palawan,
Tubbataha Reefs in the
Sulu Sea and
Apo Reef, just off the West coast of
Mindoro.
Some resorts offer
entry-level to
professional courses so that you can get
international accreditation for
recreational scuba diving.
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) dive shops and instructors can usually be found in popular destinations, and is the largest dive training organization in the world.
3. WindsurfingSimilar to a combination of a
sailboat and a
surfboard,
windsurfing combines both the ability to steer into different directions using the wind as well as
freestyle moves like jumping and flipping over waves.
Windsurfing in Northern Mindanao by Michelle Lyles
There are several locations in the Philippines where you can go windsurfing like Boracay, Anilao, Lake Caliraya, Subic and Lake Taal, to name a few. Ideal months for sailing depends on the time of year when the drifts are strongest.
4. Banana Boat
If there's one group watersport that's a favorite among vacationers, it's definitely the Banana Boat. Basically it's you and your friends sitting astride an inflated banana while being tugged along the water by a speedboat. The highlight of the ride is when the speedboat makes a sharp turn, making the banana boaters fall into the water.
Boracay banana boat by Peanut Dela Cruz
The best way to take in the scenic view of islands is by getting around on an
ocean kayak. Especially in
Palawan, ocean kayaking gives you the opportunity of going around and in between islands to take in views of
limestone cliffs and
mangrove forests.
Beach resorts offer rentals of these water equipment on an hourly basis, sometimes even for a whole day. In some of our tour packages, however, you can avail of these for free and for an unlimited amount of time.
Make the most out of the summer and book a trip to the beach now through
Mango Tours by calling our
24/7 US toll free number 1-866-2-MANILA! Browse through our tour package offerings
here.
Watch out for the Mango Tours' Asia Tour Packages Brochure for 2009 --coming out soon on print and on the Web. To get a sneak peek at what's inside, here's a short description of what Mango Tours has in store for you this year:
