The day we went Island hopping in Boracay I already had a lot of excitement. I indulged in snorkeling and cliff jumping already, I was not sure if I was looking for any more excitement. But when helmet diving in Boracay was offered I could not let it go .
We went to the platform where lot of oxygen cylinders were kept. It looked like the Scuba Diving platform but we were doing helmet diving. To me helmet diving felt simpler than scuba diving.
In helmet diving they put on the heavy helmet on your head which is connected by a pipe to the oxygen cylinder and lower you down to the bed of the ocean. It is not very deep. Because of the pipe tied the oxygen cylinder you cannot go very far but it is still a lot of fun.
I found it definitely less stressful then scuba diving. The helmets are very heavy. They put it on your head just before you are going to get into the water so that you don’t feel the weight. As I climbed down the stairs the ocean bed, I could hardly feel the weight.
I was not sure what was going to happen. There were two instructors who clicked pictures and made sure that we were safe. They explained the hand signals while briefing us on the platform because once inside, no one can talk! The main concern was pressure on the eardrums and how to equalize it! I did not feel any pressure while in the ocean.
We spent about 15 minutes connected to pipe on the bed of the sea. I could breathe easily. The helmets are loose and little water comes inside. We were briefed about it. They told us that it was not a cause of worry ,the water will not go higher up in the helmets.
One of the instructors gave us fish food which we held in our hands and fish would come flocking to us! There was a bot of coral too near us.
For me the greatest excitement was using my GoPro that I won in Sri Lanka but I hardly ever put it to use. I took it underwater at Boracay and I am quite happy with the results. From now on I am going to put the GoPro to good use at least underwater!
After 15 minutes I was happy to emerge out of the water. As I was climbing up the ladder to the boat they took out the helmet as soon as my head emerged. Helmet diving was the last activity of the day, I was happy to head back to the Lind which was my home for two nights. I was looking forward to a relaxing dinner and peaceful night after a day full of adventures.
PS. I was a speaker at TBEX and Boracay was the post TBEX FAM trip in collaboration with the Philippines Tourism Board.
Such amazing pics Mridula ! I had an amazing experience at Bali doing scuba diving as well.
I know scuba diving is amazing! I am happy that this time I could take some pictures thanks to the GoPro.
What fun! And you got some good shots too, I hope.
I just got started on GoPro, I hope I will be able to get better with it!
OMG, this is something I have never done before and I am not sure I am going to try in the near future as I cant swim. I am sure you enjoyed a lot, the “smile” says it all.
Though for helmet diving you don’t need to know how to swim, you are quite close to the platform and safety 😀
That smile says it all. You seem to have enjoyed every bit of it. Wonderful pics!
Thank you Rekha, it was fun but I have done recreational scuba diving which is even more exciting. But this was less stressful!
Beautiful as well as informative post . Thnx for sharing Mridula ji and hats of to you for your regular blog updating.
I am better now health wise but another trip coming up soon which will lead to another break in blogging!
Whoaaa. Seems like you had a wonderful time. I’d love to do this one day. Great post.
I hope you will go out soon and try it!
Water is four times more clearer than Pattaya
Oh yes, the water was beautiful in Boracay!
Can’t take my eyes off that water colour! So pristine!!! It sure sounds like fun. Walking amidst corals 🙂
It was fun Divsi but scuba diving is even more fun!
Nice one. A good alternative for someone who may not want to do scuba
Yes and I feel snorkeling is the best as I can surface anytime I wish!
So, u had enjoyed a lot, why not ….so lovely place to explore, pics reveling this,
Yes indeed it was a lot of fun!
That was an amazing experience…although I have done Scuba in Lakshadweep but this really looks very tempting…
Scuba is more technical but more fun too!
Wow, this looks so much fun. The Boracay beaches are just magical and to top it, helmet diving makes it even more perfect.
Yes I simply loved Boracay!
Great to see you in these adventurous situations! Wonderful underwater pics!
Thank you Rajeev, I don’t go looking for adventures but they somehow find me!
Lively and colorful photographs. Even we did this while at Bali. Swati enjoyed the experience thoroughly while I found it claustrophobic. I am more comfortable doing Scuba diving where there are no pipes dangling out from the back of my head and I am free to swim the way I want. 🙂
And not to forget you should have posed with one of the starfish, would have been a stunning pic. 😉 🙂
Sam I too enjoyed the experience but I liked scuba more, even though it more technical! Next time I will remember to pose with starfish!
Wherever I look in my field, I find your name. And today is the first time I stumbled across your blog and read some of the posts you have been writing.
Keep up the good work. I too started a travel blog in India , just recently to promote a responsible travel style as everyone wants to be a traveler now a days. I was never in the limelight by choice yet I have been traveling for the last 3.5 years. But now we as travelers need to do something to make this society a better place. Drop by my site sometime as I build my audience in the meantime. I hope its not too late to make people understand their responsibilities as a traveler.
Thank you for your kind words and good luck with your blog. Traveling responsibly is everyone’s job!
This is something which is a must try for all the people who are not good swimmers…I have tried this is in Mauritius and must say it feels amazing.
Happy to hear that you liked it. 😀