Pristine Reefs of Southern Mindanao

[dingho]

wow, is Gen San dive sites really that good. you mean dive operator knew how to locate interesting dive sites as compare to 15 years ago. how come the Gen San booth at DOT CLAM shell. knew nothing about dive GEN SAN. should inform them to help!

 

[World Wide Diver]

Yes, the diving in this area is that good -no BS.

Problem is that Mindanao gets bad press - unfairly so due to the way that many travel advisories are worded. For example, the travel advisory for Mindanao for UK tourists is not to come here. This advisory was determined 8 years ago in the confines of a room Switzerland using reports from CNN, BBC, local media, etc. Much of what is reported about 'incidents' here are highly inaccurate, and skewed towards keeping the 'War on Terror' alive - Bush regime. Note that there is money to be made in 'peace and order' cash to regions in Mindanao.

The fact is that 99.9% people are peaceful and mean no harm to tourists. Indeed, the Lumad (tribal) peoples here are some of the finest people you can meet and are the most welcoming and hospitable people you can ever meet - you know this.

Ironically, it is OK if you are French to come here!!. As a reult, French tourism has increased by 20% last year partly because of this. No harm has ever come to a French National here.

The UK/US/Australia must reconsider their travel advisory here/to the Philippines at the moment, especially considering that thre are many ex-pats/business people that have lived here for many years without problems.

Regarding the DoT, they really do not know how good this area is and seem to follow a script. Few, if any, from the Dept. of Tourism ever dive on even any sites here and none are serious divers.

Better to follow the advice of divers on this forum

Thanks

WWD

 

[annasea]

Hi Annasea,
I hope that the weather and Viz is good for you when you get here as we have some good stuff waiting for you in Sunny Sarangani Bay!

Let's hope it stays sunny! Dauin has been cloudy and rainy since I've been here (5 days) with the exception of one. It seems to be turning around as the rain has stopped. For now.

 

[tboxcar]

As soon as the snow stops here I'm going back, Hi guys!

Tom

 

[World Wide Diver]

An update on contact information for Tuna City Dive Center.

The City of General Santos no longer allows any business to use the 'Tuna City' brand, so Tuna City Dive Center is now 'Cambridge Dive Center' and has new and updated site;

formelry known as Tuna City Scuba Center

Thanks.

 

[Zeeman]

Thanks for the info WWD! Hopefuly I will be able to make it over for June, after the PG DOR...

Z...

 

[mongodives]

Mindanao is safe now?

 

[World Wide Diver]

Mindanao is a large island approx 25% larger that the country of Ireland (Northern Ireland and Eire). Most of Mindanao is very safe (probably 80%+). In our opinion this place is much safer than many places in the World.

There are areas here which are best not to travel to at the moment, but these areas are well known to everybody. We wish this was not the case as we have many friends and contacts in these places who have told us wonderful things about reefs, wrecks and marine life. We will travel to these areas when we are able as guests of the local people - without fear.

Not once in the past 3 years have we felt threatened by anybody at any time - to the contrary, everybody we have met has been extremely friendly and hospitable to us - people are genuinely pleased that you have visited their area and very curious about why you came (they also heard that Mindanao was dangerous from CNN!).

Diving along the coast here is an great 'off the beaten track' dive experience - like many other dive destinations that you can find in the PI's. There are fewer and fewer places left in the World like this, and this is why the Philippines are such a great place to travel to and dive.

 

[mongodives]

from the US state department

January 27, 2009

The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling there. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated February 13, 2008, and updates information on continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities.

Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008, there have been sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, as well as the Sulu Archipelago. Kidnap for ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners. U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. Travelers to these areas should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.


Sounds safe

 

[shugar]

the last sentence is bull****...

i have seen foreigners and locals roaming around w/o their own security...

then again, the US state Dept. has been criticized as being alarmist by (drum roll) US citizens!

Jag