SUBIC BAY, OLONGAPO Wonder Over Wrecks - Subic Bay, Olongapo
Just a 2 1/2-hour drive north of Manila, Subic offers a picturesque vista of the blue mountain and sea set against a green backdrop of a three-layered virgin forest. Originally developed as a naval base by Spanish colonizers way back in 1885, Subic Bay became the largest US naval facility in the Far East. In 1991, Subic Bay was transformed into a Freeport economic and tourism zone.
Subic Bay boasts of interesting wreck dives. The bay hosts a formidable combination of wrecks like the 19th century Spanish gunboat San Quintin, Japanese luxury liner Oryoku Maru, and the ex-USS New York. The average depth for the six wreck sites is 45 ft. Complemented by a rainforest and a white sand beach, Subic Bay has tourism-support facilities that include a marina, yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops. It also boasts of an international airport.
Dive Sites
Average
Depth
Maximum
Depth
Oryoku Maru
Seian Maru
Ex-USS New York
AN LST
El Capitan
San Quintin
How to Get There By Own Transport: You can drive all the way from Manila to Subic. Travelling time range from 2 1/2 hour to 4 hours depending on the flow of traffic. A private car transfer from Manila can be arranged.
By Bus: : There are several daily trips from Manila to Olongapo. Or you could take a shuttle from Manila to Angeles then catch the connecting shuttle to Subic at 1000. Shuttle will drop you at your destination.
KALESA
The kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven carriage that was introduced during the 18th century. It was used by
Spanish officials and the nobles as a means of transportation.
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