04:30The Philippines' Camiguin Island is now inviting tourists and underwater photography enthusiasts to experience bioluminescent wonders in a unique nighttime diving experience filled with planktons.
Footage filmed on Sunday captured an evening 'bonfire diving' session during the island's Dive Festival. Divers were spotted hunting for outstanding photos of plankton and other creatures attracted by light illuminated from special lamps.
Bonfire diving is a form of night diving in shallow waters that involves using flash lights to draw in planktons and marine life. This allows photographers to create a captivating scene for their underwater photography.
"It's called bonfire diving because when we look at it, literally, it looks like a bonfire light underwater. There's a big glow right there, then we lurk in the dark in the periphery of the bonfire lights and wait for the incoming planktons, and before they get to the lights, we try to document them," explained one diver, Ram Yoro.
The Department of Tourism of Northern Mindanao Director, Marie Elaine Unchuan, said that Camiguin has become one of the 'most popular tourist destinations' in the country.
"Our diving is catching on because I think the underwater photographers who have been here and also the divers can attest to the beauty and diversity of the island and what it offers both above the water and underwater," she said.
"Bonfire diving is popular already with the community of underwater photographers, not only from the Philippines but abroad," Unchuan continued. "Actually, our asset is here in our ocean because we are very diverse, and there are unique species which can only be seen here in the Philippines."
At the recent Philippine Travel Exchange, the Tourism Promotions Board unveiled plans to introduce bonfire diving as part of the Philippines' tourism activities - in line with the government's focus on experiential tourism.
Dive into the night! Camiguin Island introduces unique plankton-filled diving experience to boost tourism
The Philippines' Camiguin Island is now inviting tourists and underwater photography enthusiasts to experience bioluminescent wonders in a unique nighttime diving experience filled with planktons.
Footage filmed on Sunday captured an evening 'bonfire diving' session during the island's Dive Festival. Divers were spotted hunting for outstanding photos of plankton and other creatures attracted by light illuminated from special lamps.
Bonfire diving is a form of night diving in shallow waters that involves using flash lights to draw in planktons and marine life. This allows photographers to create a captivating scene for their underwater photography.
"It's called bonfire diving because when we look at it, literally, it looks like a bonfire light underwater. There's a big glow right there, then we lurk in the dark in the periphery of the bonfire lights and wait for the incoming planktons, and before they get to the lights, we try to document them," explained one diver, Ram Yoro.
The Department of Tourism of Northern Mindanao Director, Marie Elaine Unchuan, said that Camiguin has become one of the 'most popular tourist destinations' in the country.
"Our diving is catching on because I think the underwater photographers who have been here and also the divers can attest to the beauty and diversity of the island and what it offers both above the water and underwater," she said.
"Bonfire diving is popular already with the community of underwater photographers, not only from the Philippines but abroad," Unchuan continued. "Actually, our asset is here in our ocean because we are very diverse, and there are unique species which can only be seen here in the Philippines."
At the recent Philippine Travel Exchange, the Tourism Promotions Board unveiled plans to introduce bonfire diving as part of the Philippines' tourism activities - in line with the government's focus on experiential tourism.
The Philippines' Camiguin Island is now inviting tourists and underwater photography enthusiasts to experience bioluminescent wonders in a unique nighttime diving experience filled with planktons.
Footage filmed on Sunday captured an evening 'bonfire diving' session during the island's Dive Festival. Divers were spotted hunting for outstanding photos of plankton and other creatures attracted by light illuminated from special lamps.
Bonfire diving is a form of night diving in shallow waters that involves using flash lights to draw in planktons and marine life. This allows photographers to create a captivating scene for their underwater photography.
"It's called bonfire diving because when we look at it, literally, it looks like a bonfire light underwater. There's a big glow right there, then we lurk in the dark in the periphery of the bonfire lights and wait for the incoming planktons, and before they get to the lights, we try to document them," explained one diver, Ram Yoro.
The Department of Tourism of Northern Mindanao Director, Marie Elaine Unchuan, said that Camiguin has become one of the 'most popular tourist destinations' in the country.
"Our diving is catching on because I think the underwater photographers who have been here and also the divers can attest to the beauty and diversity of the island and what it offers both above the water and underwater," she said.
"Bonfire diving is popular already with the community of underwater photographers, not only from the Philippines but abroad," Unchuan continued. "Actually, our asset is here in our ocean because we are very diverse, and there are unique species which can only be seen here in the Philippines."
At the recent Philippine Travel Exchange, the Tourism Promotions Board unveiled plans to introduce bonfire diving as part of the Philippines' tourism activities - in line with the government's focus on experiential tourism.