There are several breathtaking diving sites in the Philippines, but nearly all divers agree that none can compare to the experience of diving in Cebu.

More than the vibrant marine life, the magnificent reefs, the pristine waters, the best part of the Cebu diving experience is Cebu itself. – A bustling metropolis that merges urban comfort with suburban tranquility, a fast-paced city life with remnants of rural harmony, and a metropolitan jungle with easy access to white sand beaches and a wide variety of superb dive spots.

Bonita Marie Cabiles, for example, slaves as a Training Officer for the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation all week long. But on weekends, she simply discards her corporate persona, hitches a ride to beautiful Mactan, and immerses herself in the sheer profundity of the underwater world. “It’s very therapeutic,” she says.

“Mactan is a mere 30-minute drive from the city, and I can easily spend my Saturday mornings diving, go home in the afternoon, and then party at night,” says Mark Ladanan, drummer of Cebu-based indie band Hastang. “In fact, whenever I feel so stressed in the middle of the work week, I just leave everything and go to Mactan. It’s wonderful how I can dive whenever I want to!”

Visiting divers can well compare their Cebu experience to diving in other parts of the Philippines. In most cases, divers travel to a place simply to dive. When they’ve had their fill, there’s nothing left to do.

In Cebu, however, one can simply hail a cab and visit a diverse range of “gimmick” places – from your average artsy-fartsy coffee shop, to frenzied club parties, to great music hubs, to bustling malls, and to several other wonderful diversions – all within a short driving distance from the ocean.

“Cebu divers have it all,” claims diving enthusiast Rod Arriola. “We work, we dive, we party, and we dive yet again. It’s a way of life.”