Our triple dive in El Nido with Palawan Divers

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.

Exploring the wall.
Exploring the wall.
My favorite find of the whole day, an electric clam.
My favorite find of the whole day was an electric clam.
Twin Rocks entry point.
Twin Rocks entry point.
Bluespotted Stingray.
Bluespotted Stingray.

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 06
Matt on the move.
Matt is on the move.
Endless schools of fish amongst the Funnel Corral.
Endless schools of fish amongst the Funnel Corral.

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.

Matt suiting up with the help of Divemaster Joel.
Matt is suiting up with the help of Divemaster Joel.
Palawan Divers dive shop.
Palawan Divers dive shop.

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

Heather, Joel and Matt.
Heather, Joel, and Matt.

See More Photos on Flickr, and Please look for us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram!

* Thank you to Palawan Divers for the complimentary dives. As always, our opinions are ours – honest, not biased, and as we experienced.

29 thoughts on “Our triple dive in El Nido with Palawan Divers”

  1. 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!

    Reply
  2. 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.

    Reply
  3. 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!!!

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply
  5. 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.

    Reply
  6. 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!

    Reply
  7. 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?

    Reply
  8. 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?

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply

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