The Philippines is a archipelago, that is approximately 1900 kilometers long and 1110 kilometers wide. At high-tide there are 7107 islands – only 2000 are inhabited. Less than 1000 islands are bigger than 1 km² and 2500 islands do not even have a name. Most of the Philippine islands were formed through volcanic and tectonic activities.
Climate
The Philippines has a tropical climate with temperatures that range between 26 – 27 °C/80 – 84 °F in December and 32 – 34 °C/85 – 92 °F in May. There is always a chance of some rain showers, but most of the time this is only for a short period. Water temperature ranges from 26 °C/80 °F in July to 29 °C/85 °F in December.
Traveling documents
To enter the Philippines your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your departure day to the Philippines. You also need a proof of your onward journey from the Philipines, like a return flight ticket. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days you need to apply for a tourist visa. Ask your local Philippine embassy for details. Please be aware that embassies, consulates and other officials are often busy, which can delay the processing time. Travelers without the necessary documents may be refused to board their flight or entry at the immigration department at the airport.
Vaccinations and Hygiene
For information on vaccinations, we advise to contact your doctor or local specialist. We use purified drinking water in our kitchen for food preparation and ice and supply bottled mineral water during your stay with us (unlimited and free). Not all restaurants/bars use mineral water to make ice cubes, so always be careful when you dine out of hte resort.
The islands of Cebu and Bohol has been free of malaria for many years.
Languages and Religion
The Philippines is Asia with a modern twist, mainly due to the long presence of the Americans. The predominant Catholic population speaks English as well as Filipino. The Philippines is a religious country, with 90% of the population being Christian, 80% of those are Roman Catholics. In the extreme South, especially the island Mindanao, many practice Islam.
Time zone
The time zone in the Philippines is GMT+8 / EST +13.
Dive information
As the water temperature is between 26 – 30 °C/80 – 85 °F – for most guests a 3mm long suit is advisable.
All our tanks are aluminum 12ltr/80cubic and adaptable for both DIN as well as Int. fittings, so there is no need to bring an adapter with you.
If you prefer not to bring dive gear, no problem! We have all gear available for rental, from BCDs, regulators, suits to dive lights and computers.
Electricity and plugs
In the Philippines we have a 220Volt system, contrary to what some travel guides will tell you. All sockets are suited for European and American round or flat two pin plugs. For users of 110Volt chargers we have a charging station in the restaurant where you can be sure to have only 110Volt.
Laundry service
As traveling with dive gear usually limits the amount of other luggage you can fit in your suitcase, we offer an in-house laundry service. Within one or two days your dirty laundry is returned fresh and clean.
Wifi
The whole resort now has WiFi (Starlink). Whether you are on your balcony, at the bar or relaxing in the lounge area, you can connect to the internet with your smartphone or laptop.
Money
The Peso is the official currency of the Philippines. In Cebu City and Moalboal there are plenty of ATM’s available. In the resort we accept Cash, Euros, UK Pounds and US Dollars, as well as VISA, AMEX, JBC and MasterCard credit cards (with a 5% surcharge). We have a permanent internet connection, so payment through internet banking is also an option (don’t forget to bring your bank details).
Until 1571, The Philippines was a free and independent country that did very well in trading with China, Japan, Vietnam, India and Europe. Their independence stopped abruptly when the Spanish arrived.
Until today, you can still find a lot of Spanish influence from their time here, like the religion and language. For the people of The Philippines, the longing for freedom kept growing and in 1898 they fought on the side of the Americans during the Spanish-American war. When the Spanish were defeated they declared The Philippines independent. However, the Americans believed the Filipinos could not take care of themselves and purchased the islands from the Spanish for $20 million.
When the Americans finally recognized the desire for independence, the Japanese took the opportunity to invade The Philippines in 1942. The US liberated the Philippines two years later and the country finally achieved full independence in 1946. Before the arrival of the Spanish, The Philippines was a melting pot of many cultures and you can still see a lot of differences throughout the country, with each island having its own distinct feel to it. Due to the Spanish influence, more than 90% of the population is Christian (mostly Roman Catholic). Approximately 5% of the population follow the Islamic faith, predominantly in Mindanao and the Sulu Islands.
The central part of The Philippines, with Luzon and Mindoro to the North and Mindanao to the South, is known as The Visayas. It is a group of small to medium sized islands which are very easy to travel around. You can choose to chase witches on Siquijor, climb one of the beautiful volcanoes such as Kanlaon or the giant Guiting-Guiting, dive with Thresher Sharks on Malapascua or drink a fancy cocktail on the beaches of Boracay – there is something for everyone! Diving and outdoor activities are available throughout this region. On the main island of Cebu there are many options to cater to all tastes. Cebu has an international airport and many harbors. From various locations you can catch a ferry to hop to another island or you can choose a luxurious and modern catamaran or the more traditional Bangka boat.
Magic Resorts
Philippines
reservations@magicresorts.online
www.magicresorts.online
