Diving the South PI

[pabarge]

By south, I mean down where the Islamics predominate.

any one dive down there?

 

[shugar]

By south, I mean down where the Islamics predominate.

any one dive down there?

twomixdiver (gordon) has done dives and has contacts in Jolo, Sulu... any farther south and you're in another country...

and if you take a wrong step outside of security zones the local bandits will have your nuts for lunch while shouting "allahu akbar"

Jag

 

[clgsamson]

be sure to bring P5.0 million for your ransom.

 

[jigo]

be sure to bring P5.0 million for your ransom.

make that $5-m.

 

[clgsamson]

oh yes, I forgot he's from Texas....

 

[Armand]

be sure to bring P5.0 million for your ransom.

They never demand any ransom only board and lodging fee.

 

[jigo]

plus some sexy time from the ladies.

 

[glenver]

which volunteer program are we talking about now?

 

[World Wide Diver]

By south, I mean down where the Islamics predominate.

We are based in Southern Mindanao and have made many dives along the coast as far as Maitum in the West (to the border with Palimbang). This is about as far as you can get and much further than what most will ever travel to. You must have a good contacts to get here who have good sources of local information.

Paul Partidge knows the local sites around Gensan and might be able to arrange diving further along the coast, but logistics get a lot harder there.

Chris Dearne and John Heitz can arrange diving BUT there usually needs to be 2/3 divers minimum - all MUST have good dive experience to dive some of the better and more challenging sites. By this, we mean that you must be able to dive safely independantly and be familiar with diving in currents/know hot to manage this.

In our opinion there are several sites that equal (or better) the best sites we have ever dived and are well worth the effort to go there. I suggest that you contact Chris or John who are members of this site (Jr. DM & Gen San Chris)

Below is text from a recent posting that we made on Divernet. This covers the Kamanga MPA where Paul Partridge has his shop/accommodation, and information on sites/marine life in the area of Kiamba (not Maitum). Note tha the better sites are known to a handful of trusted divers (where they are/how to dive them) and nitrox is necessary to get the best from them due to the depth. If you decide to go, get in touch as we would be keen to join you. We are also very interested to know if you are a videographer? (we are stills photographers).

Here's the text:

"We have just returned from our 5th visit to General Santos and areas along the coastal road towards the west.

The road is American built and offers easy access to the best coastal dive sites in SE Asia.

Regardless of what you read about the present troubles in Asia, this area is safe and people are very friendly and welcoming. However, this is not 'mass market tourism' area and only Tuna City Scuba in General Santos can arrange diving in these areas along with John Heitz - an American who has lived in this area for 30 years. [maybe Paul can arrange travel to some of the sites, but he has yet to dive the newer areas referred to around Kiamba].

So, what is special here? In our opinion, the reefs and marine life are the best in the Philippines.

Kamanga MPA is probably one of the best managed and protected MPA's in the PI's and has incredibly good diving. The walls are as good as Bunaken and the reef is teeming with life. Best thing is very few divers here and total freedom to explore the area and have close encounters with all manner of marine life.

There are minimum 7 napoleon wrasse in along with eagle ray, travally, giant barracuda, snapper, sweetlips, turtles (hawksbill and green) and a plethora of reef fish. We had a dive last week with 4 napopleon wrasse and 4 turtle in excellent viz. Bear in mind this area is not affected by typhoons or bad weather. Water temperature is 28c year round - unlike the north PI's where 25/26c can be experienced. [Note that the closest Indonesian islands (Talaud) are just 60k from Balut Is.]

The reef is spectacular and extremely photogenic. In particular, there are areas covered with pink sea fans which are unique to any place we have seen.

There are resident schools of bumphead parrotfish and spade fish (3 species) and acropora corals as good as anywhere in the World.

Further along the coast are pristine offshore reefs which fewer than 15 divers have seen. These reefs have thousands of unicorn fish, big eye trevally, giant trevally, tuna, king mackerel, hundreds of snapper, shark (greys and white tip), eagle/devil ray, incredible reef life and fabulous coral.

As mentioned, these areas are new but safe to travel to. However, some sites are not suitable for novices and nitrox is best to dive on some sites.

Please PM me for further info.

WWD"

Hope you find this of use.

 

[jigo]

By this, we mean that you must be able to dive safely independantly and be familiar with diving in currents/know hot to manage this.

you mean solo diving skillz?