Emman 
Other than Tubbataha, less known to scuba divers, Puerto Princesa City also offers a captivating reefs that you can dive if you’re in the city.
When I said to my friends and family that I’ll be diving in Palawan, they thought that I’m going to Tubbataha Reef.
I can’t blame them.
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, is the port of embarkation to one of the most aspired reef that divers around the world would love to go. If you say Palawan, your brain fires up and intertwines it with Tubbataha.
But, no, although my heart also wishes that I’ll be diving in there too. My skills and bank tells me I’m not ready for it.
Where I’ll be diving instead are the reefs of Puerto Princesa City with Let’s Dive.
There are a few dive shops in the city. My search always goes back to Let’s Dive and hearing terrific reviews tip the scale to them.
Run by friendly owners, Dino and Let, this shop is for novice to savvy divers.
Fell in love with scuba diving the first time? They offer scuba diving courses that get you certified. If you think you’re ready for the Tubbataha adventure, then they have a boat that goes there. They also sell a complete set of scuba gears and apparels.
With me for today’s dive is dive master Nap, a veteran dive guide, and their regular guest, Mark. Our day started at 8 in the morning with a ride to Puerto Princesa Baywalk, where the speedboat was waiting for us.
After loading up the boat and head to the reef, about 30 minutes, we arrived on the first dive spot, Lighthouse Reef.
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Lighthouse Reef
Max depth: 31.7 meters
Things to see: Nudibranch, hard corals, and small aquarium fishes. It’s also nice to dive along the “alleyways” of these huge rock formations.
Next, we have a quick trip to Maris Reef.
Maris Reef
Max depth: 23.7 meters
Things to see: Batfish, Moorish Idol, and Mantis Shrimp.
We’re hit by a thermocline during this dive, although the chilly ordeal didn’t last long.
Our third and last jump is at Silica Reef.
Silica Reef
Max depth: 22.1 meters
Things to see: lobster, giant clam, domino damsel, blue hippo tang and trumpet fish.
This video shows our three fun dives. Don’t go looking elsewhere, the writing on their walls (Timestamp 1:12) is a proof how awesomely well this dive shop is.
And if I may add…
Scuba diving industry is not a prevalent sport in this city. Unlike Batangas or Cebu, they have little of a diving group (or none; I guess) that you can join and go on a diving on the weekends. Also, they don’t have any shore dives around.
I wish the city could create a dynamic and vibrant dive groups and to explore dive spots that shore entry can do to make Puerto Princesa City a desirable scuba diving destination other than Tubbataha.