News
Diving with… Marlon Managa, Magic Oceans Dive Resort, Anda, Bohol, Philippines
In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Marlon Managa
What is the name of your business?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort
What is your role within the business?
Assistant dive center manager, dive master & in-house marine biologist.
How long has the business operated for?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort opened its doors in July 2015.
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
I started diving in 2010 as a divemaster and I have several certifications in marine biology.
What is your favorite type of diving?
Difficult question! I like many types of diving but if I need to choose, I would say a night dive or muck dive to find macro critters in sandy areas. However, I do love colorful corals and walls full of life as well!
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Visit Magic Oceans Dive Resort because Anda is still a pristine place that is full of wildlife on land and underwater, from the tiny colorful critters to the biggest fish in the world: the Whale Shark!
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
That would be any dives at the mystical “LAMANOK ISLAND”. Here, you can find a lot of special and rare macro critters (my favorites!). At this dive site you can find a great wall and a sandy bottom: the perfect place to find cool and rare nudibranchs – that’s why we also call this place ‘Nudibranch Heaven’. On top, you can find here special creatures like the mimic octopus, wunderpus, blue ringed octopus, different kind of shrimps and crabs, and even rays!
What types of diving are available in your location?
You can make a lot of different dive types in Anda: drift diving, muck diving, night diving, or of course exploring walls and/or coral gardens. We even offer black water diving for those who have the courage!
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
Simple appreciation is one of the most rewarding things in my opinion.
I love talking to people and making new friends. Besides, my passion is diving, so what’s better than doing the things you love everyday?
Finally, I’ve been doing a lot of marine biology works before and I am ready to contribute my expertise about that. It’s rewarding for me to do the job I love, helping the company be its best, make new friends and share my knowledge with the guests and my colleagues.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
Nudibranchs!! All of them!!
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
Maintaining high standards for diving is what we aim for all the time at Magic Oceans. We strive to be the best dive team in Anda and of course that’s something you need to work on (and be aware of) every day. Slight changes and developments include boat upgrades and more local dive masters to be trained as the number of guests increases every year!
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
Major concern for us is mainly the laws and regulations among weather circumstances, which sometimes disallow us to go out with the boat for a boat dive.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
At the moment, we are working on a project: coral and giant clam transplantation. Aside from that, we also work together with the local schools and colleges closely, to create proper education and awareness about our marine environment.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry in your area? What changes would you make?
The good thing about Magic Oceans/Anda is that we are far away from mass tourism, which means we can still offer diversity in a pristine and untouched area – there are not a lot of places anymore worldwide where you can find untouched reefs and where you feel like you’re the only diver in the world! Of course we want to show this precious area to every diver in the world! But for now, we’re still that hidden, secret paradise.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
Like I already mentioned, there are not a lot of places anymore where you feel like you’re the only diver in the world! We are located in a hidden paradise where you can find the XXS Pygmy Seahorse and the XXL Whale Sharks. Combined with a great team of dive masters that are able to find the most tiny creatures in the ocean, diving at Magic Oceans is a must-do for both beginners and experienced divers!
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort
Candabong, Anda
6311, Bohol, Philippines
Website: www.magicoceans.online
e-mail: info@magicresorts.online and reservations@magicresorts.online
Facebook: @magicoceans.diveresort
Instagram: @magic_oceans_dive_resort
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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