Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship
Palawan has come up a lot lately, particularly since Travel + Leisure named it “The World’s Best Island.” A substantial part of that decision comes from the unbelievable diving available, and El Nido is the gateway to most of those sites. Enter Palawan Divers, El Nido’s premier dive shop, and our hosts for three unforgettable dives.
The changing weather, rain, and rough seas played a role in our dive site options. Between our boat captain and Divemaster Joel, they found us the perfect places to avoid the storm. Our three locations were Entalula, South Miniloc, Twin Rocks, or Stingray Airport, as Palawan Divers know it. This would be my first time doing a triple dive; I had only ever done doubles in the past. Heather felt pretty disheartened as she had to sit this one out due to an ear infection. She still managed to enjoy herself, though, as the dive shop let her tag along and snorkel at each site.
Diving in El Nido
All three-dive locations presented unique experiences, and all were teeming with life. Entalula was more like your classic wall dive. We headed out, following along the wall at one depth, and then we were at another depth on the return. This gives you an excellent opportunity to understand the numerous levels of sea life. For the Twin Rocks adventure, we put in on one spot on the reef and then navigated our way along until we reached our exit point, and the boat moved to pick us up.
South Miniloc was my favorite by far; it was the most work I have ever done while diving. The reef is situated in-between two islands with a constant current flowing through, delivering an array of grub to its residents. While the current is the quintessence of the reef and keeps it stacked with life, you must put in some effort to swim up it. A field of Funnel Coral that looks more like a giant lettuce patch is spread out over the reef giving it an otherworldly feeling. What takes this dive to the next level is on your return when you get to glide back over the field and through the schools of fish.
Palawan Divers
The quality of people and care provided by Palawan Divers was top-notch, right down to some of the most comfortable rental gear I have ever used. Snacks, coffee, tea, all the water you could drink, fresh fruit, and a hot cooked lunch were provided to keep us all going for the day. I found the crew’s demeanor spot on and refreshing while they nudged us in the right direction to keep us on some schedule. There was no big fuss when all the divers decided to take a fifteen-minute impromptu break and drift around the boat discussing our experiences. For some reason, I was using more air in the Philippines than usual. Divemaster Joel did some quick calculations and adjustments to keep my safety the lead priority and maintain the overall experience.
Travelasics
Website: Palawan Divers
Locations: There are 2 locations in El Nido. The Dive Shop is located on Calle Hama street, and the Freediving Center is on G. Del Pilar St.
Travelationship Rating:
4 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. I would be hard-pressed to come up with a negative thing regarding my time with Palawan Divers. Type of traveler rating – diver, adventure, romance, relaxation, bucket lister, conservation, animal lover, sea lover, sun lover
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* Thank you to Palawan Divers for the complimentary dives. As always, our opinions are ours – honest, not biased, and as we experienced.
Fantastic read! Your vivid description of the dive spot in Palawan has me excited for my next trip. The underwater scenery sounds mesmerizing. Can’t wait to explore with WildKamp!
I envy you, I had been to Palawan but never dive there. Hopefully, on my next visit. Your photos are awesome. I would love to spot stingrays too. Glad you enjoy your stay here in the Philippines.
Such fascinating marine life! Love the picture of the stingray and the schools of fish. Great that the team managed to find a spot for you to dive and avoid the storm, awesome adventure!
A terrific team and place to dive
Amazing! I’ll be heading to the Philippines in a couple of years and I’m so excited for the chance to do some diving while I’m there!
Lots of places in PH to dive but keep Coron and El Nido high on your list
awesome photos. That electric clam looks so cool! I’m a bit of a chicken but am dying to give scuba diving a try one day. El Nido looks like the perfect place to do it.
I hate swimming but love diving. Give it a try!
This dive looks incredible!!! And that water – oh my goodness! So beautiful! I have never been diving before, but it’s always something that I’ve dreamed of doing. I don’t know why, but it kind of scares me in a way! I’ll have to face my fears and make it happen though 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience and your pictures.
It’s such a beautiful experience. I hope you try it.
What an amazing experience! I didn’t realize how many unique types of dives you could do. Looks like a very colorful world down there!
We were limited by weather, so our choices did even scratch the surface of what’s available in the area.
I’m so jealous! I’m from the Philippines bu I never got the chance to go to El Nido. But I’ll def do it when I visit again
Enjoy. Where are you now?
I’ve not yet been to the Philippines but your post certainly makes me want to visit. the diving looks incredible!
Philippines is a wonderful place to visit and not just for the diving. Great people and beautiful everywhere
wow – this is pure Captain Cousteau material.
Lol! We love Jacques Cousteau
So great to read this after chatting about it with you on Instagram stories. It truly looks like a magical experience. That electric clam…wow!!!
Yes, the clam was so cool.
El Nido’s really a fantastic place from any corner and I’m glad that even before the internet rose up it was a place everyone’s always talking about. That said, you have better pictures than my own set! I didn’t really notice any differences between the oxygen needs here and there but maybe it’s because I’m used to it. I’d love to have more experiences in diving though, I’ve only gone to places like El Nido for an on-shore experience.
Diving is such a fun thing to do. ElNido may have spoiled you…not sure if you’ll find a lot you like better.
I think that you are really blessed to have experienced the wonderful and utterly fascinating under water world in all its colours in the Philippines. I am sure this is an experience, memories of which you will treasure forever.
Scuba diving is truly a privilege.
Seriously amazing! I have been hearing sooo much about Palawan and can’t wait to explore myself – Nothing is better than diving I tell you! Thanks for sharing!
We recommend using Palawan Divers in El Nido and Dive Puerto Princesa Dive Center in PP.
I have ever been to Palawan but I heard El Nido is one of the best diving spot on earth. Glad you have a wonderful experience there. The picture of exploring the wall seems so surreal. How deep you dove under?
18m was the deepest of the 3 dives. You don’t have to go deep to see lots of life.
Is it not possible to do South Miniloc as a drift dive? All that extra work explains the air consumption!
I’ve only ever done 3 dives in a day once, although we had a good few hours between dives 2 & 3.
How did you find it? Was it a much shallower depth?
Maybe on the drift dive. I think because of the bad weather conditions each dive was a bit altered. 3 dives in a row was a lot. I liked 3, but it isn’t for everyone. 18m and under. Lots to see at any depth in PH.