Video: Scuba Diving off the Philippines' Dimakya Island

As the boat pulls up to a pristine beach we are greeted by the hotel staff singing us a welcome song and placing leis made of shells around our necks. We finally arrived to Dimakya Island, a beautiful private islet located in the Palawan region of the Philippines and home to only one resort, aptly named Club Paradise.

The island is the perfect place for adventurous couples looking to get away from it all filled with jungle hikes and hidden beaches. For divers, there is a fantastic house reef that is accessible via an easy shore dive.

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As you enter the water you will find a resident school of jacks making their way around the colorful reefs. From there you will encounter all sorts of critters, giant clams and anemones with clownfish swimming about. Next, you may be visited by a friendly resident sea turtle that is known for playing with divers. If seeing all of this was not exciting enough, some lucky divers may even encounter one of the elusive dugongs (a close relative to the manatee). I was not lucky enough to find a Dugong during my short stay on Dimakya Island but I would be happy to go back and try again any time!