When you hear the word “Africa”, one can associate it to forests, sand, land, and wilderness but this association should long be corrected and changed since Africa is home to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and diving spots and views. Whoever said Africa is pure land and sand has never been to or heard of the Rocktail Bay.

Rocktail Bay is situated in (Northern) Kwazulu-Natal, within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and the Marine Reserve. This lies within the St. Lucia Wetland Park which is a World Heritage Site. Thus, Rocktail is the best place for an experience of nature’s beauty and tranquility. The bay boasts of its wild marine life to which amateur and experienced divers would surely enjoy and appreciate looking at. Beach bums would also love the calm and steady aura of the place providing a sense of connection between nature and you. Rocktail Bay is considered as one of the top diving spots in the world for its wide variety of wild marine life. One can see as much as bottle-nosed dolphins and humpback whales to whale and tiger sharks. There are also very endearing species such as the famous clownfish and manta rays. Sometime from November to February, you can also spot some leatherback turtles on the shores of the area. The coral reefs under the sea are also very much a delight to the eyes.

To fully maximize one’s experience at Rocktail Bay, one is advised to jump underwater and see for your self the beauty of nature underneath and the calmness and peace it brings. Diving in the Rocktail Bay will surely de-stress you and bring you a world-class experience that no one can take away from you.

img src

Posted: September 22nd, 2010 under Africa.
Comments: 1

Asia is home to the best beaches in the world. The strategic location and geography of the countries in Asia contributes to the reasons why they boast of one of the world’s best beaches. Even, the majority of the continent’s tropical climate is another reason why travelers would love to take a dip in their world-class beaches. Phi Phi Island which is found in Thailand is one of Asia’s wonders. It is very much known all over the world. Who would ever forget Leonardo de Caprio’s “Phi  Phi Leh” movie? That was the big break given to Phi Phi Island for it was the location of the said movie.

Phi Phi island is located in southern Thailand between Phuket and the western Andaman sea coast of the mainland. It is 46km south of Phuket. It has six small islands. The famous ones are
and Phi Phi Don. Phi Phi Leh is a big tourist attraction for its heavenly and breathtaking caves, lagoons, and coral gardens and of course, its white sandy beaches named Loh Samah and Maya Bay. The island is also one of the best spots for diving and snorkeling at LAem Thong and Hua Rah Ket. It boasts of its rich coral and marine life.

Phi Phi island is truly a magnificent awe to any traveler. It has fine sand beaches with crystal clear water and its very laid-back lifestyle is why every tourist is attracted to this spectacular island. The Beach truly gives justice to this beautiful island paradise.

img src

img src

Posted: September 9th, 2010 under Asia, tours.
Comments: none

Dakak Beach is considered to be the diving Mecca in Mindanao. It is known for its key features for a marvelous shaped by and find powdery white sand. It has the azure blue waters, amazing underwater sight of coral reefs, and the majestic sunset scope. It has 15 hectares of land and a 750-meter private white-sand beach. It is located on the tip of Northern Zamboanga. It faces the Sulu Sea in the west and mountains on the east side. Since Dakak is surrounded by large island, it avoids typhoons making the Dakak safe for all seasons to embark on.

Dakak, famous for its astonishing diving spots has a good number of diving sites such as Liuay Rock, The Caves, Mushroom Wall, The Gardens, Cesar’s Reef, The Wreck, Octopus Wall, Buchok’s Reef, Challenger Reef, Romy’s Reef, and Eskuelahan. These diving sites have different levels of ease. It also differs on the underwater sightings one can see. The best time to dive in Dakak is from March until September. Dakak dive sites in the beach resort provide a variety of environment from gradual slopes to coral thickets, vertical walls and caves. Marine life is assorted. Some spots are thick with soft coral growth and huge basket sponges, others with schools of jacks, surgeons, and small reef inhabitant.

How to get there

There are regular flights departing from Manila going to Dipolog City. Or one can also take the fast ferry to Dapitan City via Cebu City. Once in Dipolog Airport or Dapitan Landing stage, visitors are escorted to the resort via private coach to Dapitan then transferring to a private motor take-off.
The newest hit of the town is Dapitan, Dakak. It is becoming a popular diving spot. The city is well-known as the place wherein Rizal, the national hero, was exiled for four years. It is located on the northwestern coast of Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao Philippines.

img src

Posted: July 27th, 2010 under Asia, Philippines, tours.
Comments: none

El Nido, Palawan named as Philippines’ Final Frontier. Many have said that once you have reached the destination, you’ll know the answer why it’s considered as it.  It has a mystical feel; it is like paradise on earth. El Nido boasts of its earthly wonders and its divine nature. The place is surrounded with the most beautiful beach. It also has the perfect cliffs and interesting caves leading to hidden beach hangouts. The place also is a known exploration for divers. It has 30 dive sites for varying levels of experience ranging from first-timers to the more advanced divers. El Nido is also the ideal for island hopping. Hop on to your boats and bring on some cool booze and sumptuous fresh foods and you’re up for a ride to Bacuit Bay. The whole tour and experience sums up to an inspirational full-time relaxation. It only not rejuvenates ones physical body but also the inner being.

El Nido is a popular spot especially during Holy Week. Given that the Philippines is Catholic in majority; people dig in for a divine experience or purely fun during the Lenten season. Usually, it is the best time for beach outings. So, local and foreign tourists divulge on El Nido, Palawan at these times. In time for the spiritual awakening, physical de-stressing, and also, some culture-sight-seeing since there are a lot of festivities and rituals being observed by the Filipinos during the Holy Week. Foreigners are intrigued and entertained by the richness of the Filipino culture.

El Nido is surely a great way to escape from reality and break into paradise, The Philippines’ Last Frontier. El Nido is about 430 kilometers southwest of Manila, about 238 northwest of Puerto Princesa, capital city of Palawan.

img src

Posted: July 20th, 2010 under Asia, Philippines, tours.
Comments: none

The Philippines is really endowed with so much beauty. It is  blessed with one of the best untouched and unexplored beaches in the world awaiting for tourists to seize them. In Mindanao, Davao to be exact, is where the Island Garden City of Samal can be found. It is located in Davao del Norte but is now considered part of Metropolitan Davao. It has a total population of around 82,600 people and it considered a 2nd class city.

To reach Samal Island, one can take the daily flights going to Davao City. There are four airlines operating with Davao City bound flights. And from Davao, one can go to Samal Island thru ferry boats from three different wharfs: Sta. Ana wharf, Sasa wharf, and Sasa ferryboat landing. Samal island, being a tourist destination, has a good number of hotels and accommodations that are very much affordable.  Most resorts are located in the Western coast of the island. For those, adventure-seekers or traveling on a budget, one can opt to bring along their tents and go camping along the beach.

In the island, one can do variety of activities from hiking to biking to swimming to diving. There are also extreme adventures available for the adrenaline junkies. Being a coastal island, Samal is a suitable place for diving with a remarkable coral reef territory. It is also a good place to commune with nature in a lot of different ways. You can go laid back with just a cool trekking or a sunset along the shore. Or one can also go adventurous by trying on the watersports to as fun as diving. Visitors can also enjoy the different festivities Samal island is celebrating annualy. And of course, no one must forget the warm sand of the island and the waters of Davao Gulf surrounding the island.

img src

Posted: July 18th, 2010 under Asia, camping, Philippines.
Comments: 1

Panglao, Bohol

There is nothing more satisfying and relaxing than a vacation on a white sand beach with azure clear bluewaters, and a beautiful dose of sunshine. Lying on the southwest of Bohol island and also East of Cebu, Philippines is the beautiful islet of Panglao. It is located in Central Visayas with an area of 80.5 sq. kilometers. Panglao is yet another tourist-spot destination of the Republic of the Philippines. It is famous for its diving spots with its breathtaking underwater scene. Also, Panglao is known for its magnificent coral reefs. This islet is known to be the alternative to the world-famous Boracay Island in the Philippines. For those travelers who wish to have more privacy and lesser crowd, Panglao is the perfect place for you.

Panglao Island has pristine white sand beach and cool blue seawater. The island boasts of its beach shoreline with the presence of good hotel accommodations. The island is rich not only in its beachside but also on its land resources. It has a terrain that range from plain, hilly to mountainous. It is made up of Maribojoc limestone. Also, there are caves and sinkholes on the island. One of the famous caves in Panglao is the Hinagdanan Cave. It is an underground water source; a very important area of the island since there is no presence of rivers or lakes on it.

Panglao island is surely a fun way to treat yourself to some paradise indulgence. So, spend your lazy afternoon on the beach and laze the night away under the romantic moonlit sky with the moon rays shining on the calm sea of Panglao Island and in the morning after, brace yourself for some majestic scenes underwater.

img src

Posted: July 15th, 2010 under Asia, Philippines.
Comments: none

Amanpulo beachfront

Amanpulo which means peaceful island is very true to its name. The resort is located in Pamalican Island of Palawan, Philippines. It is a 5.5 kilometer and 90 hectare private island full of nature’s boastful beauty. The island is situated among the Cuyo group of islands in Southern Philippines. Pamalican is also endowed and surrounded with a seven-hectare powder white sand and azure blue and green hues of seawater. This is one of the Philippines‘ best island resorts known for their no. 1 personalized and excellent customer service within a very private island all yours on your stay.

As guests arrive on the island, the staff personally greets them and welcomes them escorting them to their cable car which will serve as the ride for the guests’ entire stay. The accommodations are bahay-kubo inspired to maintain the local feel and signify the secludedness of the island. Each casitas are carefully designed and gives one the luxurous feel. Every staff welcomes you with a smile and serves you like you are part of the royal family. They can even remember guest names even though names are less (if not) mentioned on the island. The staff of the resort is world-class in terms of personal touch and customized service.

take a peek on what’s inside the cabanitas

On the island, one of the main activities to look forward to is the deep-sea diving with a chance to see sharks and rays underwater. One can also experience a romantic dinner on top of the mountain overlooking the whole island with your own chef to accommodate you and a guitarist for music. Another is the ultimate sunset cruise with your loved one. There are so many things guests can experience throughout the island. Drive your own cable car and tour the private island and enjoy.

Amanpulo can be reached aboard a 50-minute chartered flight from Manila – the capital city of the Philippines. Sources have also said that Mariah Carey have experienced Amanpulo Resort in Pamalican Island a few years back because of its exclusivity and stellar service.

img src

Posted: July 8th, 2010 under Asia, Hotel and Accomodations, Philippines, tours, Travel News.
Comments: none