One of the highlights of my Boracay vacation is the reef walking (or others also call it helmet diving). First of all, why is it called Reef Walking? Well, obviously, it is because you are walking on an area where there is reef. Ummm… though to be honest, it wasn’t so obvious to me. Hahaha! I just don’t wanna go into detail because my idea of reef walking is really embarrassing and funny! 
Anyway, it is also called Helmet Diving since you use a helmet with a loooong hose attached to it. The hose is connected to the oxygen tank, which is placed inside the boat. In this way, you are able to breathe normally. It is not like scuba diving where you carry the tank behind your back and breathe through your mouth. Okay, if you have been following my blog, I know I said here I did not have any plans of joining my friends in this activity. Well, I have to take that back. At the very last minute, I was convinced to go with them and I’m so glad I did. Why? Read below.
Let me start of by saying, I’m not fond of fishes. I hate that slimy feel which is why I don’t like them getting near me. Actually, when I see a school of fish, I get scared. For some reason, I always think they are going to attack me no matter how small they are! I don’t have any phobia, but that’s just the way I think ever since. In fact, we used to have a fish pond outside our house but I never went near it. Oh geesh! Yes, I’m really odd! Hehehe! Anyway, this is why I don’t like snorkeling and obviously, reef walking. I was really hesitant at first, but due to peer pressure, I gave in. Hehehe! Many thanks to my lovely friends because I found reef walking an ultimately unique experience! I feel that my Boracay vacation would not be this memorable without helmet diving.
The moment I climbed down the ladder, I thought I would give up already. The pressure in my ears was just too much that I was so distracted. It took awhile before I was able to completely get down the stairs. Thanks to the diver who coached me all the way down. Okay, I’ll be honest. When we were still inside the boat and the diver was explaining to us what to do down there, I wasn’t listening at all!!!!! Eeeek! Well, I can justify that! Hehehe! That’s because during that time, I was thinking of backing out! Argh! Lesson learned, especially to those who will go on reef walking or any water activity for that matter, LISTEN to the instructions or briefing given!
The moment I touched the ground, oh dear, it was like a different world down there. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Each step seemed to take about 10 seconds. Whenever the licensed diver reached for my camera, it took awhile before I get hold of it no matter how near he was from me. It was amazing! When the diver gave us food 
to feed the fishes, in just a matter of seconds, fishes were circled around us to grab a bite of bread that we were holding. There were various kinds of fishes in different colors and sizes. Of course, the scaredy cat me just threw away the bread whenever there were more and more fishes swimming towards me. LOL! After 15 minutes of staying down there, it felt like I was feeding the fishes for an hour already because like what I said, everything seemed to be sooo slow. The moment I got up the boat, I had to adjust for awhile since I somehow felt weird that I was able to do things faster. Hehehe!
Reef walking is definitely an unforgettable experience for me! Well, for one thing, it is my first time to be that near with the fishes. And of course, walking around the reefs like an astronaut with various fishes in the surrounding is not something I can experience everyday. Simply, simply amazing! But of course, if you have experienced scuba diving already, reef walking may not be as exciting as how first timers would feel. Oh, did I say we only got it for Php 500/pax?! The experience was really worth the money!
P.S. Price may differ depending on the number of pax in a group and of course, your bargaining power. *wink*
June 7th, 2009 7:38 am
500 pesos nalang ngayon each person diving..
June 7th, 2009 4:20 pm
yup! we got it Php 500 per person lang din when we went there
baka on august cheaper na! hehehe 
July 4th, 2009 12:54 am
hi mukhang cool and magandang experience yang reef walking.. wanna try pagpunta namen boracay by november..
btw bka pde ko mahingi contact # where you rented the helmet thing..
thanks
July 4th, 2009 1:52 pm
yah, it is!
you have to try it. 
anyway, i’ll send you the contact number in your personal e-mail. if you’re going there november, rates should be lower since it’s off peak. 
July 8th, 2009 1:50 am
hi,sounds really interesting gusto ko mag try. be back in bora on aug 16 to 19… meron ba kayong contact number para maka pag arrange sa reef walking?:)
July 19th, 2009 7:36 am
sorry, i lost the contact number already but once you get there, a lot of them offer this activity. you just need to canvass as these guys give it at different rates.
July 19th, 2009 11:51 am
thanks for posting ur article..very informative…I will try when I get there next month 3rd week of august…
July 28th, 2009 5:47 am
hi! since you lost your contact number with them, can you remember the area or the person where you availed this service? we’re interested to rent this specific helmet since it looks cool than the others with names on their helmets. haha! choosy.
thanks!
July 29th, 2009 7:26 am
Hi! Oh dear, we just saw that person while we were walking in station 2 area. He’s actually everywhere! Hehehe! He doesn’t stay in a specific place, but super super dami nila na naglalakad lang tapos asking almost every person passing if you wanna try out the bora activities. When we were brought to the diving area naman, there were only 2 boats offering the Helmet Diving. We’ve actually tried both and their helmets do not have names.
Hehehe! The difference of the two is- one uses oxygen and the other… I forgot. Eeeek! Sorry. But you can just get from any agents there, then just tell them you want the oxygen type. I’m quite sure they’ll bring you to the boat where we went to. 
February 19th, 2010 3:31 am
may idea ka ba how much magpapicture underwater? you have your own cam?
February 19th, 2010 8:59 am
oh yah we have our own cam. we just bought this underwater case. less than Php 500 lang. forgot na how much magpapicture underwater eh… but they just use ordinary camera din tapos may underwater case lang.
March 15th, 2010 12:23 pm
where did you get the underwater case for your camera? do they have these in bora as well?
March 23rd, 2010 4:16 pm
Hi Icy! You can find underwater cases in camera shops or electronic stores.
You also have to choose the underwater case that best fits your camera.
July 5th, 2010 1:14 pm
hi! your blog’s seemed to help me a lot to know more about helmet diving/reef walking… I would just like to ask… you said rates for this activity may vary depending on the number of pax. how many were you at that time? how long did the activity last? tnx! hope to hear from you…
July 5th, 2010 4:03 pm
Hi Belle! At that time, we were 5. I think that was only for 15 minutes. It may seem short but when you are down there, 15 minutes feels too long.
I was able to get a contact who offers cheap rates for the different activities in Boracay. Try to contact this- (0922)8876639 and look for Trondz. He also has a boutique hotel in Boracay named Island Nook, which I featured in this blog as well.
July 16th, 2010 4:37 am
hi there, can I have the contact num? ill be going to Bora this July 24 – 27 eh..
Thanks
July 16th, 2010 4:38 am
oh there you go hindi ako nagbabasa sorry i got the num already haha thanks
July 16th, 2010 8:31 am
Hi Darlene! Hehehe! No prob! Enjoy your vacation! I hope it won’t rain!
July 23rd, 2010 8:51 am
hi guys, just came back from bora…and i tried the reef walking or helmet diving…its now P400/pax at saipan diving…they used oxygen tank which is better than the pressurized machine….but sadly i only stayed for 5 minutes under water coz of asthma attack… if you have lung problem this is not advisable…but the 5 minutes experience is worth it…