The fun dive activity of the first Samal Dive Festival in the Garden City Island of Samal, Davao del Norte proved to be a success with around 70 divers, local and foreign dive enthusiasts from Manila and other parts of Mindanao , participating in the event on May 28 and 29, 2022.

Divers, with licenses ranging from open water certification, advanced open water divers, dive masters and rescue divers, explored Samal Island’s emerging dive sites such as Marissa 3 and Captains One Way, the first day of the festival.

They also discovered new dive sites including Ligid Dako and Aundanao on day two.

The fun diving activity of the Samal Dive Festival, which was held from May 25 to 29, was organized by the Department of Tourism of the region (DOT-Davao Region) and the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos ).

The event, part of Igacos’ Summer Saya sa Isla 2022, aims to promote the island as a top dive destination in Mindanao and the Philippines, as well as build camaraderie and partnerships among stakeholders diving in the area.

“Igacos is currently the number one tourist destination in our region for sun and beach, and for diving. With the island’s rich marine biodiversity and accessibility from Davao City, it is a top diving destination forefront not only in the region but also in Mindanao,” DOT-Davao Region Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan.

Like other tourism sectors, the diving industry has suffered greatly from the Covid-19 pandemic, thus, the Samal Dive Festival is working to revive scuba diving operations in the island.

The two-day dive activity was conducted in partnership with Davao-based dive shops including Carabao Dive Center, Kostal Dive Resort, Prodive Davao, Scubaqua and South Shore Divers, who offered promotional packages to participating divers.

The event was supported by the Philippine Sport Scuba Diving Commission (PSCSSD), Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Marine Police, ensuring the safety of divers.

Besides fun diving, a one-day diving forum for the people of Igacos was held on May 25, during which participants were oriented on the different diving destinations in Samal, livelihood opportunities in the scuba diving industry and the importance of marine protection for sustainability. .

From May 26-27, the DOT-Davao Region, through the Tourism Industry Skills Program, also held Underwater Photography Training for Licensed Divers and an Underwater Dive Photography Exhibition. , which was simultaneously opened to the public.

With the success of the activity, DOT-Davao Region and Igacos plan to make the Samal Dive Festival an annual activity as part of the island’s summer tourism campaign. (PR)