DIVING SAFARI IN PALAWAN with MIRJEN

By By Mirko Lavaleije

Thu 11th August 2011




In the year 2005 we started to accommodate groups of divers interested in the Calamianes Archipel and the Japanese warships resting at the seafloor of Coron bay. Calamianes islands is the northern part of Palawan also called The last frontier

One can find something new every day traveling with MirJen . Every day one can explore another part of the archipel ,after diving the boat will find another village or resting area to enjoy the evening hours.

The villages will have small hotels or rooms 4 rent to accommodate the tourists.

Boats will be hired for the trip according to the number of passengers in the trip. There are several shipowners in Culion working together with MirJen for this purpose. MirJen will customize the boat to meet the needs for the trip.



On board fresh food will be cooked according the Filipino style during day time.



There are of course places without overnight accommodation like Apo Reef or other islands. For that purpose we have tents to make a simple accommodation for the night. If the wheather allow it one can sleep on the upper deck on top of the ship. Also possible to use the ranger station on the Apo reef island.




Perfect reefs and magnificent sea creatures are widespread in the beautifull Apo reefs. The rangers on the island join us during the evening hours, next day they will guide the group on the reefs, taking the opportunity to make a dive themselves.









On our way back to Busuanga we stop at villages like Salvacion and Conception. We will stay overnight in small inns and meet some of the villagers .
The western part of Busuanga is an isolated island occupied by wildlife. Our group can make a mini safari African style to see Giraffe Zebra and Aligator. Also the original wildlife species that are still common in the Calamianes can be seen here in a typical zoo made for this purpose.







For the wreckdivers among us there is plenty to do now. The wrecks of Akitsu Shima, Tayey Maru, Irako, Olympia Maru and Okikawa Maru lay in front of us. We make a dive plan for the next several days to dive on these wrecks and experience the horror of war but also the power of the sea to refit the wrecks with life.
Many wrecks have corals growing on their decks ,showing what is life in the sea about. Level for divers is advanced or higher.




Many caves can be entered on the land but also in the sea. Its a perfect experience to make a dive in a cave and see the beauty of nature unspoiled by man.







As intermezzo for diving we can make a motorcycle tour on one of the islands. The divers enjoy this and see the Palawan country from a different view.




Stop over in El Nido, a wonderfull place. We will stay here several days because from this interesting village many trips can be planned and we have the benefit of a divemaster who know all about these waters. In the evening hours El Nido turns into a lively place with life music and restaurants on the beach making our stay joyable.






Culion is the centre of the Calamianes group islands and the base of MirJen.In the past Culion was used as promised land for leper infected people to divide them from healthy neighbours. The story is sad enough but also interesting. Nowadays all that remains from leper is a good hospital and a museum that will tell the story from the past. As a result there is no McDonalds or shopping mall to be found on this island. Instead one can find the original village structure in Culion and its inhabitants.






If there is time enough we can plan a trip to Taytay. Like Culion this was a safe harbour for the Spanish ships in the past. As they sailed from Mindoro (Minas de Oro) back to Spain with their shiploads of the precious metal.
We can see a fortification made by the Spanish still in good shape,at the same time we can dive these waters and see the difference with the South China sea. Its also possible to drive to Taytay from El Nido by motorbike or minibus







From El Nido to Culion we make a stop at Linapacan. This island makes a living from the sea by fishing and for us its a good resting point after making a dive in the area on the wreck of a US army vessel,resting there on the sea floor.
This smaller ship lies down at 40 metres and makes a beautifull divesite for those interested in wreckdiving. Corals covering the deck, fish hiding for predators, a dive never to forget.






The trip should be planned ahead together with either Mirko or Jenny. Smaller groups are possible too but the boat we use will fit that group. Even only one person is possible, MirJen will make the customer satisfied.












Mirko Lavaleije
Tarwestraat 137
1446 CC Purmerend
0031-653418594

Jenny Tico
Pescadores 55, Culion
0063-999419872