Cambridge Dive Center – Tuna City Scuba Center
Chris Dearn dives Sarangani Bay in Mindanao with a passion. His small dive shop in General Santos is a gold mine of experience and information about diving Sarangani Bay in southern Mindanao.
cell 0920 437 7119
ph 083 301-6130
Cambridge Dive Center
Nunez St. Purok Malakas, General Santos City
Chris and John, a local tuna buyer, have done some impressive reef restoration projects in Sarangani Bay and have done thousands of dives in this area.
link – check these pics!
http://www.tunadive.com/18201.html
I met Chris a few years back when I took a cement hauling freighter up from Bitung in Suluwasi to General Santos. It was a pleasure to stay at his resort/hotel/dive shop.
His dive shop is not a dive factory, but more of an eco friendly place that constantly monitors and tries to improve the bay.
They have placed 5000 concrete domes in the bay to stimulate coral growth (all at their own expense).
There are some very unusual fish in these waters that are rarely seen elsewhere. I saw this one yesterday on a dive at Maharlika beach about 100 meters from the karaoke machines.
My pictures are pretty poor, but have a look at the ones on Chris’ website – very, very nice.
The potential for serious underwater photographers in Sarangani is endless!
ps – this animal is really bright yellow but I am not sure how to do the white balance etc.
I think that there are two compressors in the General Santos area.
There is also a decompression chamber in Davao. It is always a good idea to have DAN insurance, just in case.
Most of the dives are shore based because there is a road following the coast providing easy access. The wall tapers down to depths of 2000 meters or more. The current can be brisk at times making for some interesting dives.
John refers to the Tonoto Express – a tidal current or whatever that can give you a real roller coaster ride.
If you are looking for an “off the wall” place to dive – this might be worth investigating.
There are some very rare fish hanging around and the occasional dugong passes by as well. The conditions can vary, so don’t expect unlimited visibility all the time. Some dives are very clear and at times murky.
some links
tunadive.com
cambridgefarm.com
dvgensan @ yahoo.com.ph
Sarangani Bay
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Great info DP. I am interested in taking a trip down there and doing some diving. Its a little confusing if its Cambridge farms or Tuna city diving. Anyway from the pictures you made looks great and the seems some good underwater sites are waiting.
Still tossing up if I will go by bike or just fly to Gen Santos, will depend on time. Thanks for the numbers will call first.
Again I really admire your trip DP.
Hi Bruce,
For years it was Tuna City Dive but the city in it’s bureaucratic wisdom decided not to issue a business license under the “Tuna City” name on it this year, because they feel that that term is for the city of Gen San only.
Therefore the change over is in progress but all prior info was under Tuna City Scuba Center, which was the legal name on the city issued license.
Cambridge Farms Resort is the name of the hotel and resort but the dive shop is Chris’ sideline.
Cambridge Dive Center
cell 09204377119
ph 083 301 6130
tunadive.com
cambridgefarm.com
(dvgensan @ yahoo.com.ph)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLa8yvBeJM
(formerly Tuna City Dive Center)
Cambridge Dive Center
po Box 41
Nunez St.
Purok Malakas, San Isidro
General Santos City
Philippines 9500
I recommend giving Chris a call first to get a general overview of what to expect, in costs , dive locations etc.
He is pretty laid back and flexible as far as what to do. There is no doubt that he is the top authority on Sarangani Bay and quite well informed about southern Mindanao in general.
Another local, John, has an extensive knowledge of the area and is a very powerful diver. The two team up a lot on the dives and reef preservation projects.
Hi,
I’m working in Saudi Arabia and I’m Getting now a Dive master Both IDEA and PADI and continuing to Dive Instructor. I’m Leaving in Toning Lagao and I never heard your dive shop ever since. I’m going home this coming June 15, hope to meet you and see your dive shop. I have many friends asking a dive shop in gensan but i can’t tel them because i dont know even one.
Thanks to your website.
See you soon,
Bruce A. Jagodilla
Hello Bruce A. Jagodilla,
Nice pictures on your site!
“dutchpickle” is also a website – we just write about places in the Philippines
To contact the owner and find out more information check this contact info
Cambridge Dive Center
cell 09204377119
ph 083 301 6130
tunadive.com
cambridgefarm.com
(dvgensan @ yahoo.com.ph)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLa8yvBeJM
(formerly Tuna City Dive Center)
Cambridge Dive Center
po Box 41
Nunez St.
Purok Malakas, San Isidro
General Santos City
Philippines 9500
take care
dp