Diving has been a long-time dream of mine. It’s not only about seeing the magnificent underwater world, but also about that sense of freedom and lightness as you roam through the vast ocean. This can be a very rewarding experience, both mentally and physically, because it is pretty much the same for both disabled and able-bodied individuals. Scuba diving is one of the best and most accessible activities for disabled people, as long as the experience is regulated and carried out by an expert.
If you wish to dive, it is essential you first go through a specific checkup by your physician and obtain the necessary permits. It’s much better if you visit a sports doctor or a hyperbaric specialist, but seeing your personal physician is also fine. Once you have the medical clearance, all that is left is finding the best dive center to cater to your exact needs. If you already had a diving certificate before, you can receive an IAHD certification after going through their tests – both practical and theoretical based on your level.
Most professional dive centers and guides are located in Europe, most notably in Italy. There are also a handful of instructors in the U.S who specialize in diving lessons and tours for disabled people, but these are only a handful and usually deal with large, organized groups. Moreover, while diving is a fantastic experience no matter where you are, it is much better to do so in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Southeast Asia is known as the best place in the world for diving. The richness of the corals and the diversity of marine species is unparalleled. Out of the countries in that region, the Philippines is by far the best one. Located right in the middle of the Coral Triangle, it is home to more than 60% of the world’s population of marine creatures!
When travelling to 3rd world countries there’s a lot to consider. The things we take for granted in our daily life are not always a guarantee in places such as this. The Philippines is not a very accessible country to say the least – most streets don’t even have curbs and roads are all in pretty bad shape. If you plan to visit this amazing country, it’s better to seek the advice of a local travel specialist first. Philippinestravelpackage is one of the leading agencies in the country, and since they specialize in custom-made trips they can easily help address any special needs you might have and make the whole experience run much smoother.
Up until recently I only knew of one dive club in Asia which specialized in diving for disabled people and it was in Bali. But recently I got a tip about a resort in the Philippines which offers the same – and the diving opportunities there are much more diverse and more fun. Both are fantastic destinations for many different reasons, but if diving is the main priority then the Philippines wins without a doubt.
The resort is called Kasai Village and is located in Moalboal. This is a quiet beach town on the island of Cebu – one of the largest and most beautiful islands in the Philippines. The Provincial capital, Cebu city, is the 2nd largest city in the Philippines so it is also easier to get there and the level of infrastructure and available services is much better than at smaller islands.
Kasai is a 5 star PADI dive resort, which means it holds the highest standards possible. Staying there means you’ll also have everything you need to enjoy a luxury vacation in a tropical paradise. Since the resort is located in Moalboal which is not one of the popular tourist spots in the Philippines, the price for your stay there is also extremely affordable.
Nearby islands include Boracay and Bohol. Both are very popular tourist spots and are also quite adapted to receive all types of guests. This is especially true for Boracay, the island with the most beautiful beach in the world. It’s full of 5 stars beach resorts who will take care of everything so you could have an easy and worry-free vacation.
Overall this is a really rewarding experience and one I can’t wait to try out. It’s not just about diving, although that is definitely a huge bonus. Staying at an exotic resort in one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world is something I can’t wait to do. Have you ever tried diving? Was it hard? How did it make you feel? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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