TOP PICKS
UNDER THE SEA: A diver in Palawan’s Tubbataha Reef swims past colorful gorgonian, a type of soft coral that is also known as sea whips or sea fans. Discovery Fleet, the Discovery Group of Hotel’s dive safari company takes divers around the reef during the diving season in the summer.
A MerMAid’s MAp: Alluring islAnd destinAtions TESSA PRIETO-VALDEZ whisks us away to beautiful beaches in Asia and Australia for a memorable summer adventure. ow great is it that our very own Boracay is rated among the best beaches in the world? Its renowned stretch powdery white sand is always buzzing with excitement and activity—exciting sports such as beach volleyball, surfing, and kite-boarding contrast the relaxing, sunbathing crowds. Less well known but even more unique is Palawan, whose waters are haven to thousands of marine species. Palawan is also scuba diving heaven. The Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a World Heritage site, is just off the coast and best accessed from the capital city, Puerto Princesa. Underwater discoveries Among the cruise operators serving Tubbataha is the Discovery Fleet (www.discoveryfleet.com), a new dive safari business of the Discovery Group of Hotels, best known for their award-winning Discovery Shores in Boracay. Their first cruise ship, the Discovery 58 I Mabuhay Magazine I March 2013
PHUKET’S
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Palawan, will be in Tubbataha by the first week of April 2013. The ship’s itinerary keeps her on the atolls during the summer diving season. Tubbataha is best explored with nearby Cagayancillo and Calusa atolls as well. Scuba divers find pristine coral walls diving down to bottomless depths, and all manner of pelagic marine life in between, from mantas to turtles and sharks. By June, the Discovery Palawan moves to a northern route, with stops in Pandan Island, Apo Reef, Culion, Sangat, and Coron, plus four, less-traveled but breathtaking, gorgeous islands: Calambuyan, North Kay, Dibotonai Island, and Talampulan Island. coron, crowning glory Coron is fast gaining popularity as the newest “in” spot among the beach cognoscenti. Spectacular limestone cliffs surround hidden lagoons and a calm bay populated by pearl farms and 12 Japanese shipwrecks from World War II. Nearby Pandan Island’s white sands and gin-clear waters reveal reefs with resident turtles. The northern cruise is open to both divers and nondivers, as there are just as many topside activities to choose from, like lagoon treks, kayaking, and beach hopping.