Diving in the Philippines

Concord resident Sylvia Rodriguez’s trip to the island of Cebu this summer offered plenty of adventures underwater and on land. “Aside from the amazing people, scuba diving and canyoneering, I most appreciated the warm and welcoming nature of the Filipino people,” she says. “Oslob is a municipality on the southern tip of the island of Cebu. It’s known for being one of the top destinations in the Philippines for whale shark watching. The town’s popularity is due to the daily appearances of whale sharks at the beach of Tan-awan, where tourists can swim, dive and watch them.”

Travel tips >> “You do not have to be a scuba diver,” she says. “There are plenty of snorkeling opportunities, and you can still meet these magical creatures on the surface. They may even skim your feet. In addition, I would recommend SB Canyoneering, if you want the adventure of a lifetime. You can jump off cliffs and into ‘Gatorade Blue’ waterfalls. It’s a magical place, must-see bucket list.”