Diving in Mindanao

If you look at the Map of the Philippines you can see Mindanao as a huge Island south of the Visayas. That should let you think that the situation is stabled like on the other bigger Islands like Luzon, Negros or Mindoro. Mindanao is sadly in since years in the news for political, religious and economic conflicts.

It is also not true that the population of Mindanao is Muslims, but certainly most of the Muslim Filipinos live there.

Mindanao’s landscape is dominated by mountains running from the north to the south. Mindanao’s income comes mainly from agriculture. There are huge pineapple plantations in the North around Cagayan de Oro and banana groves near Davao in the south.

Traveling to Mindanao is as easy as to all other major Islands in the Philippines. There are many domestic Airports and plenty of flights from all over the country heading towards Butuan, Cotabato, Dipolog, General Santos, Davao or Zamboanga. If you have more time you can choose from countless ferries and shipping lines all along the coastline of Mindanao.

Mindanao is not known being a dive destination. Most dive and Beach resorts are in the north on the beautiful Island of Camiguin or in the south around Davao, but also the Islands around Surigao are offering some decent diving.

As the tourist business is not that developed, most resorts are basic and brownouts for a few hors can be normal. Be aware that shops run out of stock and the answer if you ask when it will be available is most likely: I don’t know, maybe next week.

The people all over Mindanao are friendly like in the rest of the Philippine Islands and wherever you stay you will find bright smiles and a friendly “Hello”.

Mindanao, the second largest Island of the Philippines is surely worth a visit. Maybe not for a Philippines first-timer but if you know the country and the Philippinos a bit you will have no problem to explore Mindanao above and under the waterline.