Frogfish of the Philippines

Frogfish also known as Anglerfish is very special and hard to find by divers. As you see on the picture they come in different sizes and coloration which blends in to the surroundings. This predator can be found all over the Philippines in shallow and deep waters. Sometimes even in very unexpected places like under the pier or in some dirty shallow muddy places. Having a good local dive guide is a must if you really want to have those great pictures. Generally frogfish do not move much to our advantage when taking pictures however when disturbed the fish will move (hover) which is also very spectacular.

Nitrox Diving and Courses

For many years now Enriched Air (Nitrox) has been used by recreational divers all around the world. Majority of recreational training agencies offer 1 day nitrox courses. There is no doubt that diving with nitrox is beneficial. Lower nitrogen loading gives us longer bottom times and generally enriched air makes us less tired after multiple dives. PADI offers Enriched Air Diver course where after completing the course divers may use nitrox up to 40%. Technical Diving International (TDI) goes one step further and offers Advanced Nitrox Diver courses where divers may use up to 100% pure oxygen for added conservatism during their recreational diving and of course this course is a prerequisite for Extended Range Diver Technical course. There are some training agencies like Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) who use EAN32 (Nitrox 32%) as their standard breathing gas for recreational diving (no AIR diving). Standard regulator straight from the box may be used for diving with nitrox up to 40%. Oxygen cleaning is recommended for recreational nitrox use (up to 40%) and mandatory O2 cleaning is required for technical diving where up to 100% O2 may be used. Today all dive computers are nitrox compatible to at least 50% nitrox use and they are user friendly. Some divers may ask if there is additional work to be done prior to nitrox diving and the answer is YES but all we need to do is personally analyse the content of our scuba tank, put the sticker on it and off we go, that is it.

Scuba Diving and Courses with Kontiki Divers

Scuba diving and dive courses with Kontiki Divers Scuba Adventures all year round. We run PADI and TDI technical and recreational courses with small classes so the students can benefit the most out of each course. Conditions are great pretty much all year round with water temperature ranging from 26-30C and air temperature from 25C at night to 35C day time. Learning scuba diving with Kontiki is really fun. Good visibility and small classes make it easier and less stressful. Technical divers will love San Juan Wreck and Marigondon cavern. Kontiki House Reef wall is perfect for technical diver training. Beside courses we offer lots of fund diving on Mactan Island, Olango, Hilutungan, Nalusuan and Cabilao Island. For non-divers PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a perfect way to start underwater adventure. Divers who love makro will enjoy most. At Kontiki House Reef we still see school of sardines from time to time in shallow waters. Night dives are one of our specialties where we can see lots of crabs, shrimps, octopus and moray eels.

TDI Courses at Kontiki Divers

Kontiki Divers is offering TDI (Technical Diving International) courses which include the following courses:

Intro to Tech

This is an entry level no decompression technical course available for Open Water Divers with minimum 25 logged dives who like to learn fundamental technical diving skills which they can apply in their recreational dives and to gain more experience before enrolling in to TDI Decompression Procedures course. After certification divers can use double tank configuration in recreational diving. This course can be done in 2-3 days.

Advanced Nitrox Diver

This is a no decompression course during which you will learn how to use nitrox up to 100%. This can become very handy on some deeper recreational dives where you can use higher nitrox like 50% or pure O2 for additional safety in shallow water. This course is a prerequisite for Extended Range Diver Course. Advanced Nitrox can be done in 3-4 days.

Decompression Procedures Diver

This course is an entry level decompression diving course in which you will learn how to plan and execute a full deco dive under supervision of technical instructor. Maximum depth for this course is 45m. This course is a prerequisite for Extended Range and can be done in 4-5 days.

Extended Range Diver

This course further develops knowledge and skills of a technical diver. Maximum allowed depth is 55m while using air as a back gas and nitrox or oxygen as deco gases. Divers who graduate from Extended Range are ready to take the next step which is trimix or overhead environment courses. This course can be done in 4-5 days if all goes well.

Every scuba diving course is performance based therefore sometimes it may take longer to complete than the number of days listed above.

5 Star Service

Kontiki Divers Scuba Adventures is very proud to announce that it has been upgraded to PADI 5 Star Dive Resort. This very high rating is given to most professional PADI dive centers around the world for their outstanding achievements, professional approach to customers and very high standard in PADI educational system. Kontiki Team will continue great work and service for the diving community and try to improve even more in the best possible way. Just remember whatever you are recreational, professional, technical or non- diver who enjoy snorkelling you are always welcome in our dive center. Hope to see you soon.

Welcome Back!

This is Me Gregory Maciejowski from Kontiki Divers. It has been a while since we have posted anything on our blog. Lets say the blog was in hibernation! Hahaha! Anyway Kontiki Dive Center has been doing great since last year, we have had a busy season, lots of divers, courses, safaris and many exciting stories. Right now we are preparing for the next busy season. There is so much to do like overhaul all the equipment, repaint the dive shop, we are in the middle of writing new prices for the next 2012-2013 season. I thought that the next 3 months we just going to relax but how wrong I was?! Nevertheless it is better to be busy than to do nothing. I hope that you will enjoy the blog stories to come and visit us here at Maribago to do some dives.

Dive Against Debris with Kontiki Divers - Thank you very much!

Thank you very much to Lotty, Ian, Ivy and all Kontiki dive staff for participating in Dive against Debris on September 4th, 2011. Now our House reef looks much cleaner! We found all kinds of debris including: plastic bottles, beer cans, paper plates, glass bottles, shopping bags etc. All these debris were found in just 5 meter deep water which is obvious where it comes from. We wish that all the visiting boats are more careful about the garbage disposal. The reef we have here is not just for us but for the future generations therefore we ask everybody to do the part. Kontiki Divers will organize the same kind of event very soon again. We are thinking perhaps every month to help our reef to look good.

By: Greg Maciejowski