The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the premier diving destinations on Earth, but on November 28, 2019, the nation finally received its first official title of World’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony held at the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman. The Philippines bested eight other nominees, namely the Azores Islands, Galapagos Islands, Maldives, Fiji, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Bora Bora, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Under the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022, the Philippines is currently marketing the country as an ideal diving hub in Asia by leveraging its numerous dive spots suitable for beginner and professional divers, as well as underwater photographers.

“Dubbed by marine experts and scientists as the heart of marine biodiversity in the world, our country is home to the highest concentration of coral reef life and astounding variety of marine species. This latest recognition is a validation that the Philippines is truly a premier dive destination,” Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

In addition to this major win, the Philippines also snatched three other important distinctions at the World Travel Awards. The 5-star Amanpulo Resort on the private island of Pamalican in Palawan was named World’s Leading Dive Resort. Subsequently, at World Travel Awards Gala for Asia and Oceania held on the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on October 11, 2019, the Philippines also bagged its first Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award while the country’s Department of Tourism received recognition as Asia’s Leading Tourist Board.

Founded in 1993, the World Travel Awards are known as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” acknowledging and rewarding key players of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries from all around the world through its annual Grand Tour – a series of regional gala ceremonies, and Grand Final gala, where the regional winners compete in the world categories.

Photo credits: Kamal Karim/Flickr

For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is settling in with its cold temperatures and windy, snowy days. While some would be contempt with spending their free time all wrapped up in a blanket next to a cup of tea, we know there are still plenty of adventure-seekers out there. If you’re looking for a sunny break or just a place where you can still find good diving conditions, check out the best winter scuba diving destinations for the holidays or the beginning of a new exciting year.

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The Great Blue Hole of Belize is one of the natural wonders of the world. Sparkling curiosities ever since its rediscovery in the modern age, there is still much to be learned about this mysterious phenomenon. Recent exploration to the very bottom of the blue hole revealed interesting facts about this popular dive site that is so much more than meets the eye.

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Seeing the killer whales in their natural environment, where they belong, can be a thrilling experience. Getting up close with these massive creatures is still possible in some parts of the world and admiring them in their natural habitat is the only respectful form of interaction. Learn more about these fascinating marine animals and where to go diving with killer whales.

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Diving with sharks is high up on many divers’ bucket lists, but they don’t exactly have the greatest of reputations. Attacks on surfers are common news, but what about scuba divers? Do sharks attack divers and should we be scared to get into the water with them? Let’s have a look at the statistics and what the experts are saying.

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Few experiences top diving with some of the gentle giants of the sea: the manta rays. It is estimated that tourists spend millions of dollars each year to see the creatures in the wild. Sustainable tourism is considered part of the solution to combating the issue of global manta fisheries. Many governments are now protecting the vulnerable manta rays, including the nations mentioned below. Those who dream of snorkeling or diving with the giant fish will find that some locations offer far greater chances of encounters than others. Here are some of the best places in the world where you can dive with manta rays.

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Each year, an increasing number of “superhumans” attempt new freediving records. These amazing achievements do not come without risks and many have lost their lives in the pursuit of their dream. We’ve gone over the current freediving records recognized by the Guinness World Records organization to discover some of the bravest men and women on Earth who are willing to risk it all to be the absolute best at their discipline.

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It has always been in the nature of human beings to surpass the existing limits and prove both to themselves and to the whole world that they are the best at their discipline. This instinct led to some amazing scuba diving records that show us that we can always find a way to push forward. Some have successfully achieved their goals while others have lost their lives in the process. Here are the inspiring humans that have set some of the most incredible scuba diving records.

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With each dive, you get to experience the numerous benefits of scuba diving, some of which you may not even be aware of. Aside from all the natural wonders you get to see with your own eyes, there are other things that should get you excited about your next diving trip. Here are the ways scuba diving helps you physically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially.

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So, you’ve decided it’s about time you experienced what it’s like to breathe underwater. Your first dives are something to be remembered, which is why you should pick your destination and dive school wisely. Before planning your first-ever diving vacation, take a look at some of the best places to learn to scuba dive. The following regions offer great diving conditions for novices, easy dive sites, and dazzling underwater life.

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