Northern Samar aims to be a premier diving destination

Northern Samar is positioning itself as a leading diving hotspot in Eastern Visayas, capitalizing on its extensive marine environments, coastal marvels, and diverse marine life.

Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the provincial economic development and investment promotion office, revealed that the local government recently hosted a three-day freediving certification course in collaboration with Tugkad Freediving, which concluded on Monday.

“The initiative was designed to build a community of freedivers who can enhance the local tourism sector by offering diving tours and sharing insights into Northern Samar’s underwater attractions,” Berbon said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

This workshop, a first for the region, covered essential freediving skills, including breath-holding techniques, safety measures, and the principles of effective freediving, while also providing an introduction to open-water freediving.

Beyond its stunning coastline, featuring dramatic rock formations, maritime forests, secluded coves, and pristine sands, Northern Samar’s underwater realm promises an exciting experience for divers. Berbon highlighted the area's vibrant coral reefs, diverse fish populations, and other marine species as major attractions.

“The clear waters and rich marine biodiversity in areas like Mapanas and Lavezares present excellent opportunities for water adventures, making them ideal for freediving enthusiasts,” Berbon added.

Northern Samar, located on the Philippines' third-largest island and bordered by the San Bernardino Strait, Samar Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, consists of 24 municipalities. Among them are popular tourist destinations such as Biri, Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente.