The diving spots in Asturias are sure to gain more exposure through a DOT-organized festival.
Photo by Pawel Kostelnik on Unsplash
What is Asturias Cebu known for?
Locals praise this coastal municipality for being a peaceful province, but it’s also quite popular for its pristine beaches. However, did you know that it was only recently that they officially launched their dive spots?
This took place in April 2024. Since then, diving sites in Tubigagmanok, Owak, and San Roque have become significant tourist locations in the town. The initiative was focused on boosting the town’s tourism industry by featuring its underwater attractions.
This year, an event organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) will shed light on these locations and improve them as ecotourism spots on the island.
The annual Dive 7 Festival is officially returning to Cebu in 2025, with Asturias as the venue for the four-day event. It will be held from April 23rd to 26th.
The goal is to promote sustainable marine tourism by improving the region’s rich diving culture.
It first opened in 2021 to bring back diving as a major tourist activity in the Philippines after the pandemic. It aims to bring local and international diving enthusiasts to the island’s picturesque waters.
The first festival had diving events from around April to July at major diving spots such as Malapascua, Moalboal, Lapu-Lapu, Panglao, and Siquijor.
Previous iterations have also highlighted growing diving sites in Cebu such as Aloguinsan in 2021 and Medellin in 2023.
Aside from Cebu, Dauis and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental were in 2022 and 2024.
ACTIVITIES
The 5th Dive 7 consists of the three main activities of the festival: a Coastal Cleanup, an Underwater Photo Competition, and a One-Stop-Shop.
Interested participants can register by scanning the QR code or filling out the Google Form posted on the DIVE7 DOTCentralVisayas Facebook Page.
They can also register on-site from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on April 23rd and 24th.
Registrants must also like and follow the following Facebook Pages and show physical proof, along with a Valid ID and a Scuba Diving Certification Card, to enter:
- https://www.facebook.com/dive7.dotcentralvisayas/
- https://www.facebook.com/DOTCentralVisayas
- https://web.facebook.com/VisitCentralVisayas
- https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism
Underwater Photo Competition participants must submit entries on April 25th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM only. All photos must be taken during the entire event in Asturias.
As of writing, the mechanics for the contest have not been confirmed, but based on previous competitions, it could be divided into two categories: namely the Compact and Open Class.
Each category has its own sub-themes such as Macro, Wide Seascapes, and Marine Life Behavior. It also awards participants with stellar overall portfolios and those with excellent ability to spot marine life.
The Awarding Ceremony will be held on April 26th, starting at 5:00 PM onwards.
Meanwhile, the Coastal Cleanup is a special activity wherein divers gather to clean up seabeds and coastal areas of the town to encourage divers to preserve and maintain the island’s natural beauty.
The One-Stop-Shop may entice beginner and amateur divers by selling different diving equipment and other accessories.
Lastly, the event will feature several scuba diving and mermaiding workshops to allure more people to try the recreational activity.
ASTURIAS AS A DIVING SPOT
An article published in Sunstar Cebu mentioned that since the official launch of the aforementioned diving spots, the tourism industry saw an increase in visitors staying longer in the town. (2024)
The article also states that 27 people had already booked the diving tours within the town two weeks after it was launched.
For many years, visitors to Asturias would only stay for a few days or simply pass through. Diving enthusiasts have kept mum about the rich marine ecosystems of the town.
Its location in the northwest also puts it close to Tañon Strait, which is rich in marine biodiversity including butandings, dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks.
The local government unit worked together with a PADI-accredited diving school in Mactan to manage and launch the town’s own diving center.
The school then trained locals to be guides for the diving center in Asturias. The LGU has also tapped local fisherfolk and trained them to be diving instructors.
According to the aforementioned Sunstar article, the center will provide courses on open water, rescue diving, instructing, and freediving.
*****
Asturias is steadily transitioning from being one of the island’s hidden gems to possibly being one of Cebu’s best tourist attractions.
The Dive 7 Festival aims to promote diving by maintaining important landmarks and showcasing the many facets of such an adventurous activity. This is definitely beneficial for the town of Asturias in the long run.
REFERENCES:
Flores, Claudine. 2024. “Dive spot in Asturias boosts town’s tourism industry.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dive-spot-in-asturias-boosts-towns-tourism-industry
