Cebu Dive Tribe: Kontiki Wall Dive During Typhoon Uwan and Reflections on Cancellations

November 8–9, 2025 | Cebu Dive Tribe – Kontiki Wall, Cebu

Cebu was already under Signal No. 1 for Typhoon Uwan, but the sea still called us. The winds above were restless, yet the water below remained calm and inviting. So, we at Cebu Dive Tribe decided to go for it—two dives to explore what beauty remained before the storm.

Dive 1: The Sea Fans of Kontiki

We descended to the magnificent sea fan garden along the wall at around 25 meters deep. My Garmin showed only 5 minutes NDL, so I had to make every shot count. The deep orange and red fans stretched wide like open arms, waving softly as if whispering, “Welcome back.”

After 63 minutes underwater, we surfaced—grateful, peaceful, and proud to still be diving even under the uncertainty of Typhoon Uwan. The ocean may have been moody that day, but it gave us calm in its own quiet way.

☕ The Next Morning: The Dive That Didn’t Happen

Sunday was supposed to be a fun dive day. A guest visiting Cebu booked an 8 AM fun dive, and we were genuinely excited to guide her—especially since it had been a while since our last guided dive.

We woke up early, still half-asleep but determined. By 7 AM, we were already at the Cebu Dive Tribe shop, setting everything up: coffee brewing, bread ready, chairs arranged, shower area cleaned, and displays fixed for guests. We wanted her to feel at home.

But by 7:30 AM, a message popped up on Facebook Messenger:

“I can’t come. I’m not feeling well.”

I felt deflated. After all that effort—the cleaning, the prep, the excitement—it was hard not to feel sad. My wife still wanted to dive that day, but I just couldn’t shake the mood. So instead, we cleaned the shop again, packed up, and went home quietly.

💭 Reflections from the Surface

That day, I realized how easy it is for us as customers to cancel a booking or an appointment—a dive, a service, or even a food order—without thinking twice. But for small businesses like Cebu Dive Tribe, every cancellation carries silent costs: time, effort, and heart poured into preparation.

Behind every small dive shop are real people—waking up early, cleaning tanks, arranging tables, brewing coffee, and hoping to make someone’s day special.

Still, that’s part of this journey. We learn to accept disappointments with grace, the same way we adapt to currents underwater. The ocean teaches us patience—because no matter how strong the waves, the calm always returns.

At Cebu Dive Tribe, we’ll always be ready to welcome divers—rain or shine, typhoon or not—because the sea is our home, and every diver who visits becomes part of our tribe. 🌊