Every year on the third week of July, we celebrate PADI Women’s Dive Day to encourage more women to go scuba diving.
Since 2018, I have attended this event and have met many amazing scuba divers through it. I have met dive newbies, experienced divers, and even dive professionals of different levels because.
While there are several dive resorts that organize this in the Philippines, the one that I always attend is held in Casa Escondida in Anilao, Batangas. If I am not mistaken this is one of the bigger PADI Women’s Dive Day events held in the Philippines.
In this post, I will share with you my personal experiences joining the yearly dive day for women divers all over the world.
- What happens in PADI Women’s Dive Day in the Philippines
- How much do you pay to join the PADI Women's Dive Day?
- Do you need to know how to dive to attend the PADI Women's Dive Day?
- Is PADI Women's Dive Day exclusively for women?
- Is PADI Women's Dive Day exclusively for PADI divers?
- Why should you join the next PADI Women’s Dive Day?
What happens in PADI Women’s Dive Day in the Philippines
The PADI Women’s Dive Day event is a full-day event filled with diving and other activities.
The day starts with a clean-up dive. Depending on how many people join, several dive boats head out to different dive sites in Anilao to pick up trash from the ocean.
The organizers make it a contest. The dive group that gathers the most trash wins.
If you plan to join in a cleanup dive, read my post on 15 Underwater Cleanup Tips for Scuba Divers Who Want To Help Clean Our Oceans
Collectively, around 300kg of trash is pulled out from the ocean during PADI Women’s Dive Day in Anilao.
After a clean-up dive, participants can enjoy a fun dive in the more pristine dive sites.
Following the 2 dives in the morning, participants head back to Casa Escondida for a buffet lunch and then activities in the afternoon.
At around 4 PM, participants are invited to join conservation talks by reputable industry leaders. This year, we got to listen to Joal Ascalon of Sea Institute Philippines and Cat Trivino of Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA) talk about their organization objectives and projects.
In previous years, Sef Carandang presented on Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation (PRRCF) and Danjugan Island. Eric Yee was also previously invited to share about underwater photography.
The talks are one of the things I look forward to during PADI Women’s Dive Day as it’s an amazing way to learn about the different conservation efforts happening in the Philippines.
After the talks, participants are invited to join the sunset yoga. Rosan Cruz who is also a diver and yoga instructor leads the relaxing and beginner-friendly session.
For those not wanting to join the yoga session, you can opt to simply enjoy the sunset with a bottle of beer on hand.
In the evening, dinner is served buffet style. After which, participants join some games and the much-awaited raffle prize drawing. If you join the PADI Women’s Dive Day you’re almost always guaranteed to take home some beach and dive goodies from different sponsors.
In the past, I’ve won a sunscreen pack, pink dive booties, and a reusable water flask from the games and raffles.
Participants have the option to stay overnight or attend for the day. I always opt to stay overnight as I do want to do more fun dives the following day.
If you would like to learn more about local fun dives, check out my guide to diving in Anilao, Batangas.
How much do you pay to join the PADI Women’s Dive Day?
The fees to participate in the PADI Women’s Dive Day in Casa Escondida varies depending on the room you choose. This can range from Php5000-12,000 (USD100-240). This price includes not just the room and board but also diving fees, a PADI Women’s Dive Day loot bag, and a donation to a non-profit organization.
In previous years the event has raised funds for groups like Green Fins Foundation and Save Philippine Seas.
If you go for extra dives, you can settle this directly with the resort.
Do you need to know how to dive to attend the PADI Women’s Dive Day?
Non-divers are actually encouraged to attend the PADI Women’s Dive Day. It is a good way to introduce them to diving and the dive community. In fact, if you do not know how to dive yet, you can join a complimentary Discover Scuba Diving session so you can experience what it is like to dive.
You can also take advantage of the conservation talks, yoga sessions, and socials all throughout the day. So even if you discover that diving is not for you, you can meet other individuals, especially women whom I’m sure you’ll find common interests.
Is PADI Women’s Dive Day exclusively for women?
No, most definitely not. Even if the event is named “PADI Women’s Dive Day,” it can be attended by men who love to support women divers.
Even the volunteer dive guides who join the event are a mix of men and women dive professionals. Many of the participants bring their male dive buddies or significant others whom they want to introduce to diving.
Is PADI Women’s Dive Day exclusively for PADI divers?
While the PADI Women’s Dive Day was launched by PADI, you can participate even if you are not certified by PADI. The goal is to encourage more women to go diving. At the end of the day, regardless of what agency you sign up with, we all want to celebrate women divers.
Why should you join the next PADI Women’s Dive Day?
The PADI Women’s Dive Day is one of the most highly celebrated dive-related events all over the world. Aside from the already mentioned dive and activities, the biggest take home is meeting other divers who are passionate about diving and the ocean as you are.
As someone who travels solo and doesn’t have a permanent dive buddy, this has been an amazing way to meet other divers. The scuba divers I’ve met through PADI Women’s Dive Day have become my friends. And that to me is priceless.
Group photos c/o Marge Buot, organizer of PADI Women’s Dive Day in Casa Escondida. If you would like to be in the loop for the next event, make sure to follow PADI Women Dive Day Ph on Facebook.
Love this post about Women in Diving? Check out these posts:
Don’t Date A Girl Who Dives
Best Women Scuba Diving Blogs You Should Read
Amazing Women Photographers You Should Follow on Instagram
How do you celebrate PADI Women’s Dive Day? Have you or would you want to attend the next PADI Women’s Dive Day? Leave a comment below!
