Bordered on three sides by mountainous peaks, Subic Bay combines tropical
waters with lush tropical rain forest. Once the home base of the US
naval forces in the Pacific, it is now a hotspot for ecotourism and
incredible wreck diving. The area is steeped in history and is a must
for any wreck diving enthusiast.
The
Marine life in Subic Bay is diverse, and you are likely to see plenty
of coral fish, shellfish, blue-spotted stingrays, turtle, octopus,
schools of both jacks and tuna, batfish, sweetlips and sometimes
sharks.
Subic
Bay Philippines has one of the highest concentrations of war wrecks
within sport-diving range in the world. According to the Subic Bay
Historical Museum, 19 wrecks dating from the Spanish-American War to
the Second World War have been identified in Subic Bay.
Ironically,
these Subic Bay dive sites have only recently been opened to
recreational divers, due to the existence of a major US Navy base at
Subic Bay until 1991.
For many years, the US Navy restricted access
to the dive sites, banning all diving except by military personnel.It was
only after departure of the US military that wreck-diving
enthusiasts were able to start exploring this treasure trove of
history.
The
best time to dive in Subic Bay is February – May with visibility
sometimes above 30 meters at some sites.
Visibility
Visibility
varies from site to site but is generally better at the reef sites,
The Barges, Canyons Reef, Nabasan Reef and Runway Reef. In general
visibility is best during March to May but can vary from day to day.
Sites like USS New York and other wreck sites located deep inside the
bay are usually better to visit during mornings with visibility
ranging from 10 to 20 meters but sometimes as low as 5 – 7 meters.
The visibility range at a specific dive site can sometimes change
dramatically from one day to another, it's therefore recommended to
visit each wreck site multiple times during your stay in Subic Bay.
Current
Dive
conditions are generally fair throughout the whole bay with currents
ranging from mild to non-existent, making Subic bay a great location
for both beginners and more advanced divers.
Water temperature
Water
temperature avarages between 27 – 29 degrees Celsius.