For more details about the Philippines, please visit the following:

Dept. of Tourism

LEODEN

BATANGAS PROVINCE

Profile of the Province:

          The province of Batangas and its proximity to the nation's capital, Manila is ideal for those who have the desire to experience the thrill and stimulation of various aquatic adventures with just a minimal amount of fuzz and within a quick & easy access by land.

         Batangas is one of the original eight provinces which revolted against the Spanish colonial hold on the Philippines in the late 1900s. Historically, Batangas is one of the few provinces who still carry the warm mystique of a Philippines tempered both in history and culture by both Western and Eastern influences.

          Batangas is some 120 kilometers or some 70 miles from the nation's capital and can be easily accessed by land. Private transportation would take travel time to a short one hour and half while readily available public bus transports would take one to reach the area in two hours time.

         The province's political and economic capital is Batangas City and is the hub of trade and industry for the province. Batangas City also serves as the gateway of goods and products through its modern sea port, the third biggest and modern in the Luzon island, after the Manila Port and Subic Bay Port (the former American naval base, converted to a free-trade port in 1992).

          Batangas belongs to Region 4 (the geo-political division of the Philippines) and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Quezon. The province is also part of the industrial development quadrangle called CALABARZON wherein the national government sees the possibilities of de-centralizing industrial development from Metro Manila and into Region 4.

          Batangas produces the country's best coffee beans thanks to its rich volcanic tempered soil courtesy of the nearby active volcano of Taal. Taal is situated within an old and extinct volcano caldera and is surrounded by a body of water. The volcano's last major eruption occurred in 1911 and buried various municipalities and killing hundreds of people in the process.

          Batangas is also know for its various fruit products, particularly pineapple. Sugar is also grown, and processed in the province. Other significant trade activities include the weaving of "barong" (the native Filipino formal attire) weave with pineapple fiber in various designs. Batangas is also recognized for its chocolate related and various sweet products, including the manugfacture of hand-made fan knifes, locally called "balisongs."

Perks and Quirks of Aqua Adventures in Batangas:

          Some of the best beach resorts, white and fine grained sands are easily and readily accessible to those who want and have the time for real relaxation. Some of the finest dive resorts or dive stations are also located in the province, in particular in the towns of Anilao, Nasugbu and more recently in San Luis where Rockport established its own niche from among die-hard dive enthusiasts.

          Diving in the area is basically concentrated near the Calumpan Peninsula where a number of dive sites are located and in nearby Maricaban Island. Diving here consists of coral slopes or steps of small drop-offs and shallow coral gardens within sparse sandy patches. There is an almost infinite number of small fishes that dwell in these coral colonies. Species include those belonging in the crinoids and nudibranchs.

          Diving is ideal in the entire region the whole year round but the peak and the best season begins November until May. In the late 1990's, irresponsible fishing using dynamites, indiscriminate anchor drops and others raised environmental awareness from among the divers and for some of the leading non-government environment related organizations.

         Various marine sanctuaries were established and fixed mooring buoys were established to reduce the potential amount of damage to the ever increasing eco-aquatic tourism in the area. Like in any dive regions, fierce and unexpected currents are expected.

          Snorkellers, novices and underwater photographers should first review the tide tables and consider taking slack waters. Some of the shallow waters are ideal for snorkling but a banca cover is ideal to ensure security and safety against current changes.