Scuba Diving and Travel Destination: Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

Published: 07 December 2016

By: William

Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao is considered to be a gateway to Mindanao Island. William was born and grew up in this place called the "City of Golden Friendship". He spent his childhood and teenage years in this beautiful peaceful place.

Why he need to include Cagayan de Oro City or CDO in this blog? It is because you have to touch down at Laguindingan Airport first before you can have a land travel going to Duka Bay Resort located at Medina, Misamis Oriental. So, before or after you enjoy your scuba diving at Medina, you can side track and visit CDO.

Cagayan de Oro City is a developing metropolis, the local people are friendly, and that is the reason why this guy from Canada stays in this city for a long time. You can check his blog here!

The places that you can visit in his hometown are the following:

• Macahambus Cave
• White Water Rafting
• Malasag Eco Park
• Seven Seas Water Park and Resort (Soon to Open early Next Year 2017)
• Lifestyle District (If you want to morning the night!)

You can book a cheap hotel in Cagayan de Oro City through agoda.com and booking.com.

Actually there is a scuba diving shop the Cagayan de Oro, he recently knew it when he went back home last November 2016. You can check there website here if you want to dive in Northern Mindanao. Their name is Scuba de Oro - Dive Center. He will avail there services next time.

Cagayan de Oro is now overcrowded. The city's traffic condition is getting worst. Hopefully the local government will do something about it. So, Duka Bay Resort is the best place to unwind. The place is approximately 109 km from Cagayan de Oro City and the travel time is roughly around three hours. There is another place to scuba dive; it is an island also near to CDO. You can check more details on my previous blog entitled: "The Island that has everything! Camiguin Island, Philippines." 

Along the way, at Talisayan area, you can buy fresh-catch fish at the wet market just located at the road side. Every morning, fishermen will display its catch. Some were still alive and grilling fresh fish are delicious. Eating raw fresh fish soak in vinegar is also delicious it is a delicacy to most Filipinos ("kinilaw").  

The Duka bay resort has three dive sites, namely; Paradise Garden - which has a crater with canyons and overhangs, Aquarium Garden which is populated with black corals and has freshwater spring spurting out of the sea floor. And the Japanese Garden which has a unforgettable beauty. 

The place is located at the Gingoog Bay and the diving site at Duka is a protected area. They build an artificial reef hoping to put back the vibrant corals as before. The reef has a natural fresh water spring. You will notice the spring because there is a distortion on your visibility. You can feel the difference of the temperature near the spring with respect to its surroundings.

Recently, he spends time with his family and in-laws in Duka. His daughter enjoyed the place and it was her first time to feel the beach sand and the sea. She was afraid in the first feet dip but afterwards she enjoyed the water. He and his wife love the beach and the sea. He plans to let his children experience the creatures beneath the waves when the right times come.

He scuba dived three times already in this place. Every dived is a new experience to cherished. He has seen sea turtles but they were not used to divers. The turtles were shy and swam away. Giant Clams were also in the coral reefs. My favorite coral reef fish, clown fish (nemo) is always present, in healthy reefs. 

The place is peaceful. You can enjoy the freshness of the sea breeze in the morning and freshness of the mountain breeze in the evening. The sunset is also romantic. The beach is clean and you can swim with the coral reef fishes when you do snorkelling after your dive.

You can book at agoda.com in order for you to get great deals with no regrets!

Happy SCUBA and Travel!

God Bless, Keep on Learning and Never Give Up on Your Dreams!

Feel free to comment on the section below if you need more information.