SCUBA
DIVING IN SUBIC BAY
Scuba/Wreck
Diving & Other Attractions
Subic Bay -- the bay
itself -- is famous for the opportunities
it offers for diving on famous World War II wrecks (some
with crew still in attendance). A haven for technical divers
who can follow the tall tales and temptation of Yamashita’s
Gold but who will probably only be rewarded with brilliant
photographs and maybe a lobster tail. There are recently
undiscovered wrecks too (not quite an oxymoron), including
a Japanese Zero that was reported found during the 1970’s
but has not seen the light of a diver’s flashlight
in recent years.
Subic Bay -- the land around --
can be divided into three distinct areas, each with its
own character and promise of adventure: “on base”, within the perimeter of
the original Subic Bay Naval Base; “in the Barrio”,
the area around Barrio Barretto, the play-place for the U.S.
armed forces who were stationed here; and, Zambales proper,
the province of beaches and mountains, to the West.
On base you
can: educate yourself with a jungle survival course; lose
yourself along forest trails on horseback; entertain yourself
with hundreds animals and fish in the tiger park and the
oceanarium; pamper yourself in specialist spas; stuff yourself
with seafood served at a dozen or more waterfront restaurants;
amaze yourself by dropping by the most palatial yacht club
across seven seas; and, tee-off into the country’s
foremost rainforest golf course. You can also charter the
Subic Seaplane for a tour around the crater of Mount Pinatubo – the
source of the largest volcanic eruption of the last century.
In the Barrio you
can: take a walk along memory lane and visit the various
bars and restaurants in Barrio Barretto that have survived
the departure of U.S. Forces, now reinventing themselves
as icons of a forgotten era. Try Dryden’s
for a breakfast selection that defies comparison or, meet
General MacArthur (a.k.a. Don West) at the General’s
Command Post for perhaps the coldest beer in town and where
you can touch the original jeep used during the General’s
advance through the country in pursuit of the retreating
Japanese. There is a Veterans of Foreign Wars post (VFW 11447)
in the Barrio where the “SOS” breakfast is reputed
to bring back fond memories (if you served with the U.S.
Navy). Nightlife abounds in the Barrio with sports bars,
pubs and places to play pool.
In Zambales Proper you
can: take a drive to the nearby town of San Marcelino where
you can find the Pasalubong Café .
. . if for no other reason than to taste-the-best, order
a homemade taco and be amazed at the taste and the price;
go further North and drive along one of the most beautiful
roads in the country, with black, white and golden beaches
to the West and towering, volcanic mountains to the East.
Whatever
your pleasure, Subic Bay delivers more than you bargained
for. Don’t forget to pack your camera.
USS
New York
This 120m long Battle Cruiser was once Flagship of the American
fleet during The Spanish American War. In 1941 she was scuttled
by US Forces to keep the approaching Japanese Forces from
capturing her. She currently sits in 27m of water and is
in good condition with the superstructure in good shape and
her 8-inch guns are still intact. This site has many fantastic
swim thrus and is a must see.
Seian Maru
This 100m long Japanese cargo ship was sunk during WWII and
is in good condition with most of her superstructure intact
with large cargo holds for easy swim thru and exploration.
Oryoko Maru
This former “Hell Ship” was sunk by US planes
in 1945 while carrying prisoners because she was not marked
as a prison ship. She is 110m long and is now somewhat flattened
for access to the dockyard but still has some interesting
swim thrus and good marine life.
LST
This 80m long Tank Landing Ship lying upright in 33m of water
with big holds and tight corridors for exciting swim thrus.
An abundance of marine life lives on this wreck.
El Capitan
This 100m long freighter lies on her side in 24m of water
with excellent swim thrus and marine life
San Quentin
She was intentionally sunk by Spanish forces in 1898, during
the Spanish American War, to block US Forces access to the
harbor. She is a 130m long gun boat which hosts an array
of topical marine life. The superstructure is mostly gone
but the outline is clearly discernible as are the bow, aft
and huge boilers of this steam driven boat.
Japanese Patrol Boat
Lying at 24m this 40m boat is in good shape with interesting
marine life and structure.
Landing Craft
This 30m boat lies in 27m of water with some nice swim thrus
and marine life.
Barges
9 supply barges lie in 5 –15 m of water with plenty
of marine life on this site.
Other
Attractions
There are also a number of coral dive sites.
There is the usual array of tropical marine life: Parrot
Fish, Wrasse, Lionfish, Batfish, Jacks, Trevallies, Soldierfish,
Barracuda, Sweetlips, Butterflyfish and Angelfish. Also Eagle
Rays and Blue Spotted Rays and there are even rumours of
Bull Sharks during the mating season.
The hotel has a fully equipped restaurant and popular bar
attached and is right next to the dive shop. It also has
a small private beach.
Big sandy beaches are less than 10 minutes away as are many
good restaurants and bars in three different areas, Subic
Bay Waterfront, Barrio Barretto Village and the main drag
of Olongapo town.
There are many other activities to enjoy here including waterskiing,
jet skis, and banana boat rides as well as many other water
sports. Horseback riding, go-karts, golf, jungle walks, survival
training displays and interaction with local tribes are some
other activities available. Sea World, a marine park containing
displays of Dolphins and Killer Whales (for which diving
can be separately arranged) is also located here.
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