Sea Kayaking - Sea kayaking packages are widely available all over the archipelago. The prime spots are the over 220 islands off the northern tip of Palawan known as the Calamian Group. There you will witness soaring pristine palm-fringed limestone cliffs that are home to the indigenous Tagbanua tribes and numerous small lagoons crammed with indigenous water lilies and other fauna. Also worth a visit is Barracuda Lake, whose brackish deep turquoise waters have been filtered through the ages by the walls of porous underwater caves and make for an irresistible invitation for a quick swim.
Scuba Diving - The unparalleled variety of rare corals, marine life and fishes provides a superlative experience for scuba divers and the options are endless. Only 2 hours away by land transportation from Manila, Anilao in the province of Batangas teems with a profusion of reef fish including unusual sea creatures like sea goblins, blue-ringed octopi, and ghost pipe fishes. Its numerous dive sites include the “Cathedral” composed of two large mounds forming a cavernous underwater amphitheater; “Sombrero”, an underwater island which literally looks like a hat; and “Bahura” with its breathtaking slopes, drop-offs, overhangs, and swimthroughs. Puerto Galera in Mindoro offers splendid coral gardens and colorful sea creatures. Other notable dive sites include Balicasag Island off of Bohol, with its black coral forests and caves; Apo Island, Negros Oriental, which boasts of 9 world famous dive sites; El Nido, Palawan, which sits in the middle of a protected marine sanctuary; and Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro, the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the largest one in the Philippines. It has a shallow lagoon with a depth of 2 meters to 10 meters surrounded by mangrove forest which serves as source of food, nursery and spawning ground of several coastal and marine species of fauna and sanctuary of birds. Its diverse corals are approximately 34 sq. km. of reef where different species of fish, marine mammals and invertebrates thrive. Coron, in Palawan is a haven for wreck divers with a fleet of 24 Japanese supply ships (most over 160 meters in length) sent to the bottom by US bombers in 1944.
Surfing - Philippine Surfing is catching on as a must-do among aficionados from all over the world. La Union, Leyte and Aurora provinces offer moderate surfing challenges within hours of Manila that are perfect for beginners. Hardcore surfers head to Siargao, off the north western tip of Mindanao where the legendary Cloud 9 break serves 10-foot waves for the ultimate surfing high much sought by experienced surfers.
White water rafting - The Philippines boast two exciting white water rafting spots. Chico River in the Cagayan valley of northern Luzon offers a 72 kilometer long course of frothy waters that winds through the heart of the breathtaking Cordillera mountains. Cagayan de Oro River in Mindanao offers rough and tumble adventures for beginners and experts alike. Also worth the trip is the 13-kilometer challenge of the Davao River, the third largest river catchment on the Southern Philippines Island of Mindanao, whose challenging swirls and eddies require a constant struggle to keep upright.
Kiteboarding and boardsailing - mainstays in the island paradise of Boracay. Wakeboarding in world-class man-made waterparks may be enjoyed at the Camsur Watersports Complex in Camarines Sur; in Subic Bay; and in Lago de Oro in Calatagan, Batangas.
Mountain Biking - from the ridge roads of the Cordillera or the Sierra Madre, the river-crossings of Rizal province, and the countless other trails you may find in the Visayas or other islands of the Philippines, the country offers prime quality spots for downhill enthusiasts, trail riders as well as those looking for more leisurely biking amidst expectacular scenery. Hundreds of bike trails are within easy reach of Manila in San Mateo, Rizal and Sta. Rosa Laguna. Demanding technical riding may be had in Zambales, Subic or up in Baguio City, the country’s summer capital at 5,100 feet. Sagada in Mountain Province, 140 kilometers north of Baguio and home of the famous "hanging coffins" (a traditional way of burying people that is not utilized anymore), is popular for moderate riders.
Diehard bikers may want to try the trails of Loboc, Bohol that wind through a rainforest thick with different varieties of flora and fauna including tall coconut palm trees and other fruit trees and prides views of the famous Chocolate Hills.
Trekking - Trekking and mountaineering spots dot the archipelago. Mt. Pulag in the Cordillera Region of northern Luzon is known to change color with the seasons and is one of the most preserved biodiversities in the country. Mt. Apo in Mindanao, the Philippines’ highest peak boasts 3 summit lakes and is home to over 2700 bird species, including the Philippine Eagle, as well as countless unique flora and fauna, including the rare waling-waling orchid. Great hiking is also available to the Mt. Pinatubo crater in the boundary of the Provinces of Pampanga and Zambales.
Cave Exploration - Spelunking has an excellent venue all over the Philippines. The spectacular limestone caves of the Sagadas are ancestral burial sites and the famous Callao caves present gothic like arches of stalactites and stalagmites. The Palawan Subterranean River is acknowledged to be the world’s longest navigable underground waterway with 5 miles of large chambers and incredible rock formations.
Rock Climbing - The Philippines is blessed with a lot of rock, most of which is limestone that are relatively young. The crag scene varies from 200-foot cliffs at the edge of white sand beaches to bouldering in the mountains. The Montalban mountains at the eastern borders of Manila is a popular rock climbing destination with its 300 feet tall cliffs overlooking an abandoned spillway, where a river flows through a white marble gorge. About 100 routes have been established varying from 5.0 to 5.13 rating. Camp Three, Kennon Road on the way to Baguio City is a large crag with superb bouldering offering a challenging slab and scary dried-out water-fall climbing. Atimonan National Park near Lucena City, Quezon likewise provides climbing challenges while the truly experienced may try the cliffs of El Nido and Coron off of Palawan.
Canopy walk - Walk 20 feet from the ground on top of towering hardwood trees in pristine rainforests. The canopy walkway in Claveria, Misamis Oriental lets you hop from tree to tree on hanging bridges in the ancient jungles of Mindanao.
Sky Diving - The Philippines offers some of the most affordable skydiving packages that allow enthusiasts to feed their passion amidst majestic views. The optimum months are from November to June, when the weather is fair and the sky is clear. The skydiving center in Tanauan, Batangas, the self-proclaimed skydiving capital of the Philippines, presents a spectacular dive zone between Mount Makiling and Taal Volcano. Cebu affords jumps to either of 2 nearby drop zones at Camotes Island or Tagbilaran Airport.
Hot Air Ballooning - The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event held between January and February at the Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga. It features multicolored hot air balloons with more than a hundred balloon pilots from around the world and is the biggest aviation sports event in the country.
Ultra Light Flying - The budget conscious will find ultralight flying packages in Angeles City, Pampanga where they can enjoy safe and thrilling experiences on board brightly colored light aircrafts over lahar fields, tropical rain forests and the nearby Candaba Swamp wildlife and bird refuge.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
