Boracay Experience Part 6: Island Hopping and Helmet Diving

After that star studded breakfast, we then prepared for our island hopping activity. At 10AM, we were all seated in a bangka… so loud, amazed, energetic, excited what would happen next and what else? That very moment we felt the cool breeze of the air. The weather was perfect for island hopping!

Our seating arrangement during our island hopping. Photo by AFY

As we sailed on, we were greeted by sea waves. That was a big disappointment. The bangka driver decided not to continue for the sake of everyone’s safety. We had kids with us. I was disappointed but knowing that kept us safe was understandable. If we went through in our Island hopping, we would have visited Puka Shells Beach, Crystal Cove, and Crocodile Island.

What we did instead, we sailed the long white beach at a distant back and forth.  We reached Cagban Jetty Port while on the other end, we passed by Manny Pacquiao’s resort known as the Boracay West Cove. We stopped in Punta-Bunga Beach where Boracay Shangri-la Resort is nearby located. We spent most of our time there swimming and taking pictures.

The island hopping was supposed to be a 3 hour activity but because the sea waves were strong we did not get to visit the nearby islands and just went back to the white beach station 1. The whole island activity costs us PhP 3,000.00 Although it is a bit disappointing because of the sea waves, I still had a little fun.

Helmet Diving / Reef Walking

After our lunch, 5 of us were interested to do the helmet diving also known as reef walking. “This should be exciting. I will be walking like an astronaut while feeding fishes under water.” I thought to myself that time. We only spent PhP 350.00 each for this activity which already includes picture and video taking. Though it is possible that you will be offered higher than that price just use your convincing and haggling powers.

The venue for helmet diving takes a short speed boat ride from the beach. We had a short safety orientation before we dived. I remember these things:

never attempt to swim and do not wiggle your legs,

you should walk underwater like you walk on earth,

you should breathe underwater like you breath on earth,

you will be wearing 20kg helmet but underwater only weighs 2kg the purpose for this is that the weight of the helmet pushes you underwater, you need to balance the helmet so the water will not go inside your helmet,

relax underwater, reserve your energy, do not attempt to talk too much,

follow their sign language like OK? I need help? I want to go up? Walk? Take me a picture? etc.

you need to equalize the pressure inside as it may hurt your ears, the easiest way to equalize is to hold your nose and close your mouth and blow the air out of your ears.

Those are the important things I remember so far. Well yeah, this activity can be dangerous if you do not follow their rules.

It was my time to go down. The diver carried me underwater and put me in standing position. I was struggling as we go deeper because the pressure I felt inside the helmet was hurting my ears, especially my right ear. I tried to equalize as much as I can but it did not help. I was really disturbed the first time I stepped on the underwater sands. It was about 15 meters deep.

Equalize the air pressure. Equalize.

I was about to deliver a sign language that I was not okay but I thought I would be a loser. So I tried to relax and enjoy.

It was about a 10minute struggle of equalizing the air pressure until it was no longer painful to my ears. Finally, I can smile in front of the camera. LOL

We walked a few steps going to the reef. The divers gave us food like a hard dough. The fishes then went straight to the dough that I was holding. I can imagine if they were piranhas my flesh would all be gone. The fishes were all starving. LOL I was happy to see different colors of fishes. It was an unforgettable experience.

The camera used is owned by the operators and it is an Olympus Digital Underwater Camera. We also have a video: go to http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2837792153092 if you are interested to watch the video.

The whole activity underwater lasted for about 30 minutes. I enjoyed and I was satisfied with the activity. That was one of the best times in Boracay!

Other activities in Boracay: Para-sailing, Fly fish, Jet Skiing, Banana Boat Riding, Speed Boat, ATV, Scuba Diving, Wake Boarding, Buggy Car, Zip Line, Boat Sailing etc. If ever I go back in Boracay, I will surely try Fly fish and Para-sailing. That would be fun! You can contact Miss Lyn 09104812928/09213877108 if you want to know inquire the rates of each activity.

Yeah, this would be my last entry about my recent trip in Boracay. I hope you read the other entries.