Dive-Guide-to-the-Philippines-April-20-2016

Nembrotha nudibranch kind of odd and cool macro critters.
This area is normally protected with
elegant sand divers and lots more. not much in the way of currents. It
Look for sponges and sea fans and is shallow so long dives can be
made and you never know what
a small cave that sometimes holds a will pop up next.
giant frogfish, lionfish and a mass of
sweepers. Then swim across a sandy The sand holds an assortment of
plain to a ridge dotted with some nudibranchs, guaranteed smashing
cotton candy corals, curly wire mantis shrimp in tiny and not-so-
corals and sea fans. The gorgonians tiny holes, comical looking devil
hold pygmy seahorses. scorpionfish, wire coral shrimp,
pipefish, decorator crabs and
End the dive looking at the many anemone hermit crabs, Pegasus sea
sea anemones, cotton candy moths, chocolate chip sea stars and
gorgonians, various nudibranchs juvenile catfish schools.
and other marine life going up into There are a number of sand
the shallows. anemones with lots of clownfish
and shrimp that may try to clean a
curious diver.

This is also a good place to see a
variety of gobies and their bulldozer
shrimp. Mimic octopus have also
been spotted here. This is a place
for a nice slow and easy dive.

58) The Sand Patch
Icons:
Location: North tip of Malapascua
Depth: 18-65 ft. (5-19m)

This shallow dive is like a Cuttlefish at Lapus Pinnacle
treasure hunt across sandy plains
and into sea grasses that hold all

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Malapascua’s Threshers

The thresher shark cleaning separately.
stations at Monad Shoal have Thresher sharks grow to a
become world famous. First seen by
Malapascua fishermen, early maximum of 12 ft. (3.3m). With
pioneer divers worked the shoal to their long, sweeping tails and
find out if they could be seen and it bulbous bodies, threshers are easy
turned out threshers have cleaning to differentiate from other species.
stations on the sea mount. By now, Their tails may make up 50 percent
the behavior has been carefully of their body. Not generally
observed. This is about the only regarded as a threat to man, divers
place in the world where they should not get too close as it could
appear with any predictability and interrupt their cleaning behavior
scientists have come to study them and they just swim away.
here on more than one occasion.
Threshers, as with other members
Threshers are a wary shark. Divers of the mackerel shark family, give
should not get in their way. They are birth to live pups, usually between
not seen schooling here but are two and four at a time. The sharks
usually solitary. They sometimes have also been observed leaping
circle the cleaning station in twos from the sea. They use their tails to
and threes, but they arrive and leave swim through shoals and stun prey,
returning to eat the victims.

Boats at sunrise at Monad Shoal maneuverability
and a flowing whip

of a tail that can

snap through a

shoal of fish,

rendering some

fish senseless to be

gobbled up by the

59) Monad Shoal returning thresher.

Icons: They are also known to leap from

Location: East of Malapascua the water… probably to dislodge

Depth: 50 -130 ft. (15-40 m) remoras from their silvery bodies.

Anew series of cleaning stations When seen doing these leaps they
have been found that afford a usually jump three or four times so
grab a camera if you see the first

much more predictable chance of jump. It will probably happen a few

seeing the amazing hydrodynamic more times.
thresher shark appear from the open There is a protocol for diving the

sea and glide in to a cleaning sharks. Divers must stay behind

station. The ribbon-like tail flowing certain lines placed on the bottom

as the shark moves gracefully over so as to not encroach on the

the station, striped cleaner wrasse cleaning station. Photographers and

fly up from the protection of the videographers are not allowed to

reef to nip parasites from these use flashes or lights as these may

beautiful

creatures.

These sharks

are one of

nature’s most

impressive

creatures with

huge eyes for

hunting in the

depths, broad,

paddles of

pectoral fins for Thresher shark
incredible pelagic

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Thresher shark getting
cleaned at Monad Shoal

disturb the sharks natural cleaning light will be better.
rhythm. And divers should stay low Oceanic mantas (Manta alfredi)
to the reef, kneeling in the sand to
keep a low profile. Floating in the can also be seen at Monad Shoal
water column near the cleaning and the occasional whale shark.
station is a surefire way to drive off Manta Point on Monad is the
the somewhat shy threshers. favored place to try for the pelagic
mantas which are noticeably larger
Although shy, they can also be than their location-oriented cousins,
curious and elusive. So occasionally the Manta alfonso. Nearby Kimud
look overhead and even behind as Shoal also has hit and miss sighting
one might be swimming by. of scalloped hammerhead schools.

Most cleaning stations are at 100 The wall here also has some nice
to 110 ft. (27 to 32m) and NITROX large bushes of black corals with
is the best way to do an extended hawkfish and lots of anthias in their
dive. Thresher veterans say that branches. Up top in the deco area
while early morning is the most at 55 ft. (16m) is a rubbly bottom.
productive time to see them, they Along the dropoff look for
also come later in the morning anemones and clownfish and wire
when the light is much better with a coral gobies. In the rubble there are
strong overhead sun. By the second nudibranchs and there are signal
dive it may be less crowded and the gobies in their hole homes.

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Malapascua’s Shipwrecks

The combination of attractions at solidify a land gun emplacement on
Malapascua includes reef, the island. The wreck is mostly in
dropoffs, pelagics, great muck dives shallow water with remnants of the
and both modern and World War II hull, which has broken in two.
wrecks. Most of these war victims
can be seen without much difficulty The Tapilon Wreck freighter hasn’t
and they have become great been identified but the wreck at
artificial reefs, attracting an array of Tapilon was hit by torpedoes and
marine life. sunk in 90 ft. (27m) of water. It’s
broken up but its still recognizable
The Dona Marilyn wreck is one of as a large ship. The resulting
the more popular wrecks but it is in scattered wreckage has created
open sea northwest past Gato great habitat and the currents feed
Island. Conditions must be fairly soft corals making it very colorful.
calm to dive this wreck. She is a
passenger ferry that went down There is another famous war
more than 20 years ago in a wreck at Malapascua but it’s a
typhoon and is now covered in technical dive only. The Pioneer
marine life. The Dona Marilyn is Wreck sits north of the island in
300+ ft. long (90+m) and held a lot 140 - 170 ft. (42m- 54m) and is in
of passengers. The sinking was a good shape. A gunboat, the guns
major disaster and many people lost are still pointing upward and can be
their lives. It is now lying on its seen on descent. This is deep and in
starboard side at 105 ft. (31m), open water and for mixed gas
amazingly intact. tekkies only on calm days.

The corals on the wreck provide a
nice overswim at about 65 ft. (19m)
along the port side.

Lighthouse Wreck is a shallow
WWII Japanese landing craft and is
one of three known war wrecks in
the area and is available for long
dives and for snorkeling. It was sunk
before it could land and went
straight down with a load of cement
that was destined to be used to

Thorny-back cowfish

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Mactan and Cebu City dropping off along its length.
Mactan is also the jumping-off point
Mactan Island 60 for many sites in the Visayas, several
61 of which are less than an hour away
by banca boat. Most resorts and
62 dive centers throughout Mactan
offer dive training, much of it is
It is hard to believe that such a PADI oriented.
densely populated small island
like Mactan is a dive Mecca, but it Cebu City, a short taxi ride across
has a huge number of dive centers either of the two bridges, has no
(more than 100 at the last count) dive sites. But it does have several
that service divers from all over the retail dive centers that supply the
world doing everything from having region’s many dive operators and
relaxed holidays to getting their customers. Mactan also has a
advanced dive training. small, family-style aquarium.

Both international and domestic Cebu’s harbor is a convenient
flights land at the Mactan-Cebu boarding point for live-aboard boats
International Airport. Mactan is a and to catch fast ferries to outlying
densely populated island located islands like Moalboal, on the
just a few kilometers from Cebu southwest coast of Cebu Island.
Island in the Philippines. The island
is part of Cebu Province and it is Oslob is a small municipality in
divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the the southern tip of Cebu Tan-awan
municipality of Cordova. The island village, where the whale shark
is separated from Cebu by the feeding occurs. Divers also embark
Mactan Channel which is crossed on the whale shark tours from
by two bridges. Dumaguette and Bohol.

The resorts offer a wide range of Flatworm
accommodations. Somewhat spread
out, the resorts are mostly on the
island’s eastern side, which has a
fringing reef with an impressive wall

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60) Tambuli Fish Feeding Station depths. But this is normally done as
Icons: a shallow dive in usually clear
Location: Off Tambuli Beach Club water with minimal current.
Depth: Surface to 100 ft. (0-30 m)
Also, there is an airplane on this
Tambuli has always been a site. Tambuli Beach Club anchored
popular dive training site. an old twin-engine Bonanza aircraft
Tambuli Beach Club is a long- to the sea bottom. It is now home to
established dive resort at the a variety of marine animals and is
northeastern end of Mactan. The quickly being covered by small
site is known not so much for great hard and soft corals and barnacles.
coral cover as it is for fish life. To permit easy penetration, the
doors were removed. It is a high

Banded pipefish

This is a good place for traffic site so listen for the sound of
underwater photographers to shoot banca motors before ascending.
the willing fish. Tambuli is also
known as a great macro diving site 61) Kon Tiki House Reef
for close-up work. Divers encounter Icons:
nudibranchs, anemone shrimp, tiny Location: Kon Tiki Resort
anglerfish and beautiful juvenile Depth: 10-100 ft. (3-30m)
angelfish.
Kon Tiki is a dedicated dive resort
The reef slopes down gently to the that is a pioneer property developed
lip of a wall which then falls to the

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along the coast. The Barber pole shrimp
owners have guarded the
reef, which starts right off 62) Marigondon Cave
the seawall (there is no Icons:
beach here). Kon Tiki Location: East of Marigondon
House Reef is a showpiece Depth: 16-115 ft. (5-35m)
of marine conservation
and small sanctuaries have Marigondon Cave is one of the
popped up in other areas most famous dive spots of Cebu,
due to the success seen at strictly for advanced divers only.
Kon Tiki. Kon Tiki is situated in Usually divers drop in well before
between the other sites of Tambuli the cave and drift with the current
to the north and Agus to the south. to the cave mouth at 90 ft. (27m).

The top of the reef is covered in The cave entry area stretches from
coral bommies and it gently slopes 90 to 130ft. (27 to 39m). There are
to a wall. This wall falls down into lionfish at the mouth and some
the depths of the Hilutugan black corals growing as well as
Channel that separates Mactan from encrusting sponges and bottom-
nearby Olango Island. Thus, these oriented fish. And the highlight is
waters are often visited by large deeper inside there is a school of
pelagics, including occasional flashlight fish blinking in the
whale sharks. The shallow part of darkness. The cave is also known to
the reef offers corals and sea have some very large crabs crawling
grasses. There is an artificial reef about or hiding in the crags.
that is a giant iron clam which was
sunk by Kon Tiki in the ‘90s. The NITROX is strongly recommended
clam is now totally overgrown with for this dive. Divers must watch
hard and soft corals. bottom time as it is necessary to
descend several meters to get out of
Other good diving areas that are the entrance. This is a dive for
local marine sanctuaries are experienced divers.
Shangrila Marine Sanctuary, Talima
Marine Sanctuary and Hilutungan
Marine Sanctuary. The Hilutungan
Marine Sanctuary is one of the
oldest in the area, and fish
populations have thrived there.
Talima has a small shipwreck.

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Lionfish in black coral
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Moalboal resorts and restaurants are
established. Further north on the
63 Copton peninsula is yet another White
Peninsula Beach that is now developing and
gaining in popularity. There are
64 Panagsama plenty of accommodations near
Beach either beach, although Panagsama
has the most bars, restaurants,
66 65 67 people and dive shops.

Moalboal means “bubbling Since the resorts in the area cater
water,” referring to the area’s mostly to divers, entertainment is
freshwater springs. To get there from laid back and more of a chilled out
Cebu City cross the mountainous pub style atmosphere. Recreational
spine of Cebu Island by arranging diving is the main tourist activity in
for a private car and driver with the Moalboal. The reefs along the west
destination resort. coast of the Copton Peninsula are
home to a great variety of diverse
Since the 1970s, Moalboal has marine life.
developed a tourism industry based
on recreational diving and beaches. Other popular tourist attractions
Panagsama Beach is where most such as waterfalls, caves and
canyons, are found within 12 miles
Territorial parrotfish (20k) of Moalboal. Ahead of its
time, Moalboal was a ragged
collection of cheap cottages and
restaurants... a backpackers’
paradise. Times have changed.
Moalboal is now an internationally

recognized
center of diving
excellence, with
high-quality dive
centers teaching
reasonably
priced courses to
all levels of
divers. Aside
from visiting

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local sites, Moalboal dive centers
organize dive safaris to parts of the
Visayas, including nearby Apo
Island.

63) Copton Point
Icons:
Location: West Copton Peninsula
Depth: 0 to 130 ft. (0-40 m)

This can be two different dives. Wire coral shrimp
Copton Deep starts with an airplane
wreck that was sunk in 1993 as a transportation savings on to their
dive attraction. The slope changes at customers. The wall stretches quite
75 ft. (23m) into a beautiful wall a way along the coast. Divers and
covered with sea fans, barrel snorkelers may enter from several
sponges and soft corals. With lots of areas between Panagsama and up to
fish life it is easy to miss the macro Bas Diot.
but the site has nudibranchs and
various shrimp and anemones. This is an excellent dive for
beginners and for the divers who
Copton Shallow might even be love small things. It starts at 50 ft.
fishier. Divers start at 15 ft. (4m) and (15m) and slowly ascends to 35 ft.
work their way down to 80 ft. (10m). The chances of seeing an
(25m). There are many table corals, immense school of resident sardines
soft corals and huge variety of fish being chased by tuna, jacks or even
like scorpionfish, sweetlips, puffers, thresher sharks is high.
titan triggerfish, sea turtles, Photographers and videographers
nudibranchs and more. love this action. Morays and
sometimes sea snakes prowl this
64) Panagsama Beach (House Reef) area, and there are lots of species of
Icons: colorful crinoids .
Location: Off Panagsama Beach
Depth: 50 to 35 ft. (15-10m)

The reef is a popular training
ground, and its shore accessibility
allows dive centers to pass the

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65) Pescador Island and snappers, and much more.

Icons: There is a magnificent cave that has

Location: West of Panagsama Beach a heavenly view of the surface

Depth: Surface to 130 ft. (0-40 m) which is why it's called the

Pescador is considered one of Cathedral. At midday, shafts of light
the best dive areas in the dapple the corals and illuminate the
interior in an ethereal light show.

Philippines with a number of sites There is also another smaller cave,

around the island. Easily seen from known as Lionfish Cave, and some

Moalboal’s Panagsama Beach, dive large boulders.

boats head here on a daily basis to At Pescador Island East the dive

bring divers to take in the walls, starts at a plateau that turns into a

gardens and

reefs. Local dive

operators have Feather duster worms

effectively placed

mooring buoys at

several locations

around the island

to protect the

reef from anchor

damage. It’s

possible to swim

around the entire

island in one

dive, but

Pescador deserves several dives to slope covered with hard and soft

be fully appreciated. corals. Scorpionfish, razorfish,

Currents are usually strong, but sweetlips, potato cod, snappers,

the visibility is frequently great as a schools of tuna and barracuda all

result. Snorkelers can swim over the come in here. The dive ends on a

shallower sections of the reef to the plateau with a lot of small marine

wall. There is plenty to see, but life as well. This spot is great for a

watch out for banca traffic. night dive and night diving at

Pescador Island Cathedral has a Pescador, with all of its soft corals,

wide coral variety, frogfish, lionfish is a colorful experience that

squadrons, barracuda shoals, tuna compares to few other night dives.

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Giant frogfish blending with sponges
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Cattle for Malatapay market day, jacks pursuing
Apo Island in background clouds of silvery
baitfish or perhaps a
unmolested around Dauin and small raft of
Dumaguette. Marine life is easier to Sargassum weed
approach, observe and photograph. floats by. These kind
of weedy rafts can
The dive sites vary and each has a produce bonanza
certain set of critters to offer divers. of critters like
In all there are at least 60 known seahorses or the well-camouflaged
dive sites between Sibulan, Sargassum frogfish. Dauin is also a
Dumaguette City, Dauin and Apo good place to plan a day for bigger
Island. One site may be known for marine life. Divers take a day trip to
the elusive mimic octopus while Oslob for whale sharks and then a
others may be great for a herd of stop at Sumilon Island to see reef
seahorses or for seeing zebra crabs sharks and then a stop at Apo Island
living in the spines of colorful sea for a big jack school. There are
urchins. While much of the terrain countless possibilities with all of the
may look the same, its marine life is major dive sites in the area. Or
dictated by currents that flow over spend an entire day exploring the
the seabed or by rivers and streams corals, sea turtles and big fish
that may feed various runoff and schools at Apo Island.
nutrients into the site. Dumaguette and Dauin sit in the
shadow of the impressive, cloud-
For the macrophotography nut, shrouded dormant volcano Mt.
this is heaven. Secure a guide with Talinis. Set aside some time to visit
good knowledge of the local Dauin the very busy and bustling market
habitat, give him or her a wish list in Malatapay. This barrio becomes
and have a blast getting wonderful alive with livestock, fruits, produce
photos or checking the odd and and lechon starting Wednesday
cool off the macro checklist. morning and runs all day.
Dumaguette is the lively capital of
But don’t forget to look up and the Oriental Negros province on
see what’s happening in the water Negros Island. It is reliably served
column to see feeding mackerel, daily by domestic airline flights
from Manila and Cebu City. Flights
take less than an hour.

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Hairy frogfish

68) Mainit many coral bommies. The dive
Icons: ends with something special, an
Location: North of Dumaguette underwater hot spring source.
Depth: 20-65 ft. (6-1m) Warm water percolates through the
sea floor making it a fun way to
Mainit is located north of Dauin spend the end of the dive at 15-20
near Dumaguette and it is one of ft. (5m). This can be a nice, long
the larger sanctuaries in the area. relaxing dive as it is usually done at
The site has a long, sandy slope a depth of 60-65 ft. (18m).
with big coral heads all around.
There is enough current that it feeds 69) San Miguel Point
leather corals and some beautiful Icons:
soft coral formations. Location: North Dauin
Depth: 15-82 ft. (5-25m)
This is a very fishy site, so wide
angle photography can be as Sand, sand and more sand! This
rewarding as macro. Look for big site is known as a good macro spot
schools of fish like blackbar and there are corals scattered across
barracudas, striped sweetlips, the sand at this buoyed sanctuary.
surgeonfish and yellow snappers. It But it is mainly a macro heaven
is usually done as a drift dive all with seahorses, frogfish, octopus,
along the slope and around the

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now an artificial

reef consisting of

several wrecks,

interesting concrete

blocks and a steel

pyramid. It has

attracted many of

the usual suspects

like lionfish,

seahorses, blue-

Frogfish & tunicates spot stingrays,
snapper schools

and juvenile

bobtail squid and pygmy cuttlefish. batfish. This is an
Most of the diving around the easy walk-in so the site is quite
suitable for night diving.
corals and sandy areas is in the 30

to 60 foot range. The sand is both 71) Bonnet’s Corner
deep and shallow. Icons:
Location: North Dauin
Take a good guide as the oddities Depth: 15-100 ft. (4-24m)
like devil scorpionfish (Inimicus),
harlequin and robust ghost pipefish,

twin eye goby, double-spot lionfish, Named after the nearby Pura Vida

flasher scorpionfish, blue ringed

octopus and Spanish dancers (you

can often see the egg ribbons) are

all found here.

70) Pura Vida House Reef
Icons:
Location: Pura Vida Beach
Depth: 15-80ft. (4-24m)

This site is located just in front of Juvenile emperor red
the popular dive resort Pura Vida. snapper in fire urchin
Local guides say what used to be an
underwater “Sahara” is now a small
oasis for marine life. This area is

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dive center crew member, Bonnet’s creatures. Both blue ring and mototi
corner is a dive site only for the are considered quite poisonous.
macro enthusiasts. The site consists
of a broad sand plain. There are Other creatures like flamboyant
some sparse grasses, small basins cuttlefish, snake eels and frogfish
but no corals to speak of. But the can also be found.
sandy indents in the reef sometimes
hold surprises like hairy frogfish and 72) Banca Wreck
juvenile sweetlips. Icons:
Location: North Dauin
The guide will usually move Depth: 15-100 ft. (5-30m)
slowly through the shallows here
and look for any sign of movement. Two sites sit pretty much side by
That’s because this site has some side, the Banca Wreck and the Car
very special critters like mimic Wreck, and are great for seeing the
octopus, wonderpus, blue-ring many odd and unusual critters that
octopus and mototi octopus that this area has to offer. The first is a
just peek above the sand floor. They sandy plain leading to a slope.
can be very elusive, so move slowly Down the slope at 70 ft. (21m) are
and watch carefully to see these the remnants of a large banca boat.
special and somewhat dangerous Its starting to fall apart but that

Cardinalfish with eggs

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doesn’t keep it from being a great snapper. On the banca, look for
artificial reef and lots of critters more cleaner shrimp that will come
have been attracted to it. The site is out and clean a diver’s teeth if given
home to seahorses, ghost pipefish, a chance. Juvenile sweetlips,
sea moths and frogfish. The site gets angelfish, mantis shrimp and others
the name from a deep remnant can be seen here. Keep and eye out
for stonefish and scorpionfish that
Ornate ghost pipefish can be found in the sand and in the
catches prey old wreck.

Make your way back up the slope
and you will find thorny seahorses,
pygmy cuttlefish, harlequin ghost
pipefish, beautiful male elegant
sand divers, roaming nudibranchs,
juvenile lionfish and lots more. The
shallows have sea grasses good for
even more small stuff and look out
for the possibility of a mimic
octopus which has been seen here.

73) The Car Wreck
Icons:
Location: North Dauin
Depth: 15-100 ft. (5-30m)

down the sand slope at 100 to 110 The Car Wreck site actually
ft. (28m to 30m). Here rests an old adjoins the Banca Wreck. Go down
Philippine-made outrigger boat. to 90 ft. (27m) and there are the
Although there is not much coral wrecks of two cars that are now
life to see, marine diversity is quite encrusted in marine life. Look
good. It is an excellent spot for around to see what is living in the
macro lovers, photographers, vehicles now.
advanced and NITROX divers.
In this sandy area, there are robust
Nearby is also an artificial reef of ghost pipefish, crabs, sea moths,
old tires. There are hingebeak moray eels and other creatures. Two
shrimp of all sizes found in this cars are surrounded by concrete
cleaning station and schools of pipes and steel boxes. This makes it

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Open mouthed frogfish

a perfect hideout for many This is another one of the small,
creatures, especially frogfish and buoyed marine sanctuaries found
cardinalfish. along the coast and can be done as
a shore dive or by boat. As the small
This is a good dive to use NITROX sanctuaries go, it is actually one of
as a diver can then slowly work the bigger ones and divers can split
back up the sandy slope catching their dives into an exploration of
all the macro action on the way. north and south. But it can be done
There will be frogfish, flamboyant in one dive.
cuttlefish, pipefish, dwarf lionfishes
and lots more. A good guide can Divers enter and find a sandy
make you feel silly here as they see bottom to about 15 ft. (4m). Then
things a normal diver tends to they are greeted by some amazing
overlook. hard coral cover that runs across the
sanctuary and down past 75 ft.
74) Dauin North and South (24m). Large fields of staghorn coral
Icons: hold clouds of sapphire chromis.
Location: Poblacion Dauin Big cabbage corals hold refuge for
Depth: 15-100 ft. (4-24m) small puffers and the occasional

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depths here is also

interesting to see.

Near the sandy area on

the north is a pile of used

tires that serves now as an

artificial reef. Check the

mouths of the

cardinalfishes for eggs.

There are also other

juvenile fishes like

sweetlips here. There is

also some sea grass that

holds some interesting

small creatures. You may

Spiny seahorse gathering see some razorfish flitting
around. Because there is

not much current present

scorpionfish. in this area, it is an ideal
Swim around and through the site for Open Water divers, refresher
courses and for orientation dives.
various formations looking at

crinoids, rope sponges and sea 75) Masaplod Norte Sanctuary
anemones. These coral formations Icons:
are great habitat for smaller fish. Location: North Dauin
The variation in coral species by

Sheep leaf nudibranch

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Harlequin shrimps

Depth: 15-80 ft. (5-24m) coral formations in the shallow area
as well as in the deep make it home
The Masaplod Marine Sanctuary to schools of small jacks, trevallies,
is divided into two sections and sweetlips and snappers. There are
those are Masaplod Norte and also triggerfish, big turtles, and
Masaplod Sur. They are not groupers.
connected and have somewhat
different terrain although you may Enter on the south and swim
see some of the same inhabitants. down a coral ridge to 70 ft. (22m)
The northern section of the or just explore shallower. There’s an
sanctuary seems to be synonymous open sandy area with interesting
with bluespotted stingrays. It is also creatures in the shallower sea
home to a good variety of fish. And grasses. Scattered coral heads lie
these have become accustomed to deeper. Look for such reef dwellers
divers and are approachable so they as double-ended pipefish, the blue
make great photo subjects. Big spotted stingrays, yellowtail
snappers and even nudibranchs

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making their way across the sand. 76) Rock Pile
North has another large coral Icons:
Location: South Dauin
section that runs down the slope Depth: 15-80 ft. (5-24m)
and sweetlips, batfish, bluestripe
fusiliers and bigeye jacks swoop in. One of the newer dive sites in the
End the dive by swimming up into area takes advantage of the fact that
the sea grasses just outside the a river empties into this part of the
buoys where seahorses and coast and creates a unique
pufferfish are often hiding in the environment great for nudibranch
blades of grass.
hunters and those
Longnose rock shrimp seeking some nice
macro images.

Rockpile also has an
artificial reef of small
steel pyramids, cars
and steel crates and is
home to many critters
like juvenile clown
frogfish, ornate ghost
pipefish, seahorses
and even harlequin
shrimps have been
spotted here.
The site is also next
to a dry riverbed
where large boulders
and rocks have
naturally gathered
during heavy runoffs
over the years. These
form perfect shelter for
fish, crabs, eels and
urchins. This is a very
good spot for
nudibranchs like
Nembrotha sp.

124

Burrowing crab

crawling along the sea floor and hard coral formations is much more
also nudis in the various grasses and dense than Masaplod to the north
weeds. There is also a nice and it continues down past 80 ft.
assortment of flatworms. (24m) and far into the center of the
sanctuary waters.
Check the sand for small
scorpionfish and burrowing crabs. This dive is fishiest at the south
Rock Pile has lots to see. end. Look around between the
corals at 60 ft. (18m) where lots of
77) Masaplod Sur Sanctuary schools like snapper, sweetlips,
Icons: rabbitfish and others have taken
Location: South Dauin residence in the valleys between the
Depth: 15-60 ft. (5-18m) coral heads.

A bit down the beach from Rock About three-quarters of the way
Pile is the Masaplod Sur Marine across the sanctuary there is a sand
Sanctuary, which is also very fishy plain and then some more coral
and is better known for its nice cover at the end of the dive. Look
coral variety. Again enter here at the for mantis shrimps, stargazers and
south buoy and head down the thorny cowfish. Again exit outside
sandy slope to 30-40 ft. (9 12m). the sanctuary buoys in the sea
grasses. It is also a good site for fish
Here the coral cover of table and macro photos and not too
corals, staghorns and lots of other deep.

125

Mamsa at Mamsa

78) Apo Island tours are organized by some dive
Icons: shops to observe the five species of
Location: SE tip of Negros Island whales and six different dolphin
Depth: 10-115 ft. (3-35m) species that have been sighted here.

Apo is one of the big conservation Apo Island is home to the first
success stories in the Philippines. It community-run marine sanctuary.
has been a well cared for marine Small resorts are based on the
sanctuary since 1982 when the island and daily visitors come to
residents made a wise decision to dive and snorkel. There are nine
care for their resources. The result buoyed sites and a snorkel preserve.
has been good for the economy and
good for the Philippines. The island has some very
impressive rock formations
Apo is a volcanic island that juts scattered out into the sea from its
out of the endless blue depths of the 72 hectares, fine white sand
Tanon Strait trench. The channel beaches and coves, some high
between Dauin and the island is cliffs, a lighthouse and diverse reefs.
also an important migratory route There are at least 650 documented
for dolphins and pygmy sperm fish species and 400 kinds of corals.
whales. In season, marine mammal
Although it did suffer some recent
typhoon damage, the reefs are on

126

Hawksbill sea turtle

the rebound and the reef life is is protected most of the time. Sea
robust. Chapel Point, for instance, turtles love it here and there are big
has a small wall that starts shallow elephant ear blue sponges. Rock
going down to 80 ft. (25m). Along Point West leads to a point atop a
the wall are nudibranchs, leaf fish, flat plain that sometimes attracts
frogfish and ribbon eels. There is a manta rays when there is current.
small silvery baitfish-filled cave at Rock Point East is situated at the
60 ft. (18m). A beautiful coral island’s eastern end with a large reef
garden can be found at the shallow up top and a wall. Very fishy. The
plateau on top of the wall. list goes on. Also make sure to go
ashore here. The people are
Then you go around the island to charming and the little village
Mamsa and the diversity, fish life quaint and clean. Bring a lunch to
and terrain are completely different, eat on the beach.
more like that seen on Malapascua.
Divers aren’t allowed to wear Baitfish at Chapel Point
gloves here. The island has some no
fishing areas. It also has a couple of
no diving areas. Conservation rules
are enforced and there’s a fee,
usually covered through the dive
shop, to use sanctuary reefs.

Katipanan Point is generally
blessed with just light currents and

127

Bohol shaped and surrounded by 72
smaller islands, the largest of which
Chocolate Hills of Bohol is the Panglao Island facing
Taglibaran City in the southwest.
Bohol may be best known as the Most of the people speak the native
home of the Chocolate Hills. dialect Boholano. Cebuano, Tagalog
This island treasure is a series of and English are also widely spoken
undulating hills over a vast plain and understood.
sometimes considered an “Eighth
Wonder of the World”. Bohol has at Numerous waterfalls and caves
least 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped, are scattered across the island of
simially-sized hills scattered Bohol, including the beautiful Mag-
throughout the municipalities of Aso Falls in Antequera. The water is
Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan. cool and often creates a mist in
They are covered in green grass, humid mornings which can hide the
which turns to brown during dry falls. Bohol is also known for the
season, making them look like Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta),
chocolate mounds. the smallest known living primate
dating back 45 million years.
But for divers this lovely island of
Bohol is another well-kept secret. A Alona Beach is on Panglao. This
home to proud and independent centerpiece of the island is a one
people, Boholanos take care of the mile (1.5km) stretch of glittering
many natural wonders of their land white sand. Divers flock here but
and also those undersesa. Bohol is also to Balicasag, Cabilao,
the tenth largest island in the newcomer Anda and other costal
country. Mainland Bohol is oval- retreats for some great diving
experiences. Alona Beach is a
jumping-off point for dive safaris
throughout the Visayas. Visitors
arrive through Taglibaran City.

Crinoid shrimp

128

Anda Dive resorts and retreats are
situated along the coast where
79 82 84 limestone cliffs, separated by sandy
80 83 beaches and some scattered rock
islands, cater to divers in a quiet
81 85 86 and natural surrounding.

The Anda area is a relative Boutique resorts like Amun Ini are
newcomer to the diving scene dedicated dive resorts that
but is being developed with tourism specialize in finding macro
and conservation in mind. Getting creatures and the guides even know
to Anda from Taglibaran is a the names of these odd and unusual
pleasant oceanside ride along the marine critters by their Latin names.
southern coast where fruit stands Thus, they are popular with all
line the road and rice paddies levels of diver and also with
flourish. Or a trip through the photographers and videographers.
Chocolate Hills can also be made
to get a glimpse of this Bohol For miles along the shore, shallow
famous natural attraction. reef flats are covered in beautiful
corals that extend to dropoffs that
end in sandy slopes that extend into
the depths. The upper reef ranges
from scattered coral heads with soft
and hard corals and lots of sandy
patches to some sites that have
every inch covered in thick coral

Amun Ini beach

129

Sargassum frogfish

patches of healthy leather corals zebra crabs.
and many soft corals. This area has only been

The limestone walls present some thoroughly explored in the last half-
canyons, cracks and crevices and decade and it seems every macro
even small caves. These walls and critter on a diver’s bucket list can be
overhangs hold plenty of sponges, found here. There is truly amazing
large soft coral trees and gorgonian diversity for those wanting to see
sea fans. small reef life.

Then below these varied dropoffs Go to the points where there are
are sandy flats ranging from areas currents to find schooling fish.
with various coral heads and Fusiliers, striped snappers,
cleaning stations to deeper sites occasional grouper, big puffers and
with huge black coral gorgonian the odd turtle may all swim by. The
bushes. Divers can see hawkfish in points that have current can have
the big black corals and the odd very good action. Many dives are
sawblade shrimp in small black circular back to the anchorage with
corals. The beautiful Coleman nice deco stops at reef top. Drift
shrimp pairs live in fire urchins and dives are also done. The area is still
so do the wonderfully patterened largely undeveloped and quiet.

130

that stretches as wide as 100 ft.
(30m). With the wall to a diver’s
back, it gives a dramatic and
panoramic view of the open water.
In the open water, look for
barracuda and the odd reef
shark.The wall has nice coral
growth and has lots of marine life
including leopard sea anemones.

80) Wonder Wall
Icons:
Location: South Dauin
Depth: 15-90ft (5-27m)

Pregnant pygmy seahorse The main attraction of Wonder
Wall is a small wreck and a
Its location in the northern corner freshwater source at 90 ft. (27m) at
of the Coral Triangle puts Bohol in the bottom of steep wall. The site
one of the highest marine has some natural grottoes deep
biodiversity hot spots in the world. along the wall. While the urge is to
In layman’s terms, a diver’s go down and see the small
paradise. shipwreck, a shallower dive
exploring the wall makes for a
79) Panorama much more interesting dive.
Icons:
Location: SW Anda Peninsula Also, there is a sandy valley with
Depth: 20-100ft (6-30m) coral heads and even fluorescent
mushroom corals. Look for ornate
This Bohol dive site is ghost pipefish in the crinoids.
especially appealing for
advanced divers but can be Commensal shrimp
enjoyed by all. Located along a
wall at western Anda’s
peninsula, Panorama is specially
protected and has only been
open for diving since 2001. It is
named because of its steep wall

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Mating Nembrotha cristata

81) The Caverns Icons:
Icons: Location: South Dauin
Location: South Dauin Depth: 12-70ft. (3-21m)
Depth: 15-100ft. (4-30m)
Coco White South is a relatively
Adive site in Bohol within a simple dive site in Bohol with a
short boat ride of most dive steep wall suitable for any diver.
centers, the Caverns is a simple dive Lots of sponge growth can be found
site that nevertheless boasts of a here and it is good for nudibranchs
stunning variety of fish, many as well. Look for skeleton shrimp
natural underwater grottoes, a steep too. Aside from nudis including the
wall…plus a chance to encounter graceful Spanish dancers, there are
“Bruno”, a resident giant octopus! also shells and lots of blennies and
gobies. Occasionally a barracuda
82) Coco White South & North school will also swim by.

132

Barrel sponge hairy squat lobster

Coco White North has similar 84) Dap Dap
features with good sea fan and Icons:
sponge growth, schooling fish and a Location: South Dauin
good chance of finding unusual Depth: 15-60ft. (4-18m)
nudibranchs and shrimps.
This is a relatively shallow boat
83) Snapper’s Cave dive and is a great way to spend a
Icons: second dive as a long time can be
Location: South Dauin
Depth: 15-90ft. (4-27m) Bohol coast and corals

This is a very well-adorned and
steep wall starting shallow and
going down to 100 ft. (30m) There
is a large gorgonian tree and a
wide cave entrance at 90 ft. (27m).
This is a good preparatory dive for
Neptune House, as it is normally
not as currenty. The dive connects
to dive site Paradise Garden.
Experienced divers with a proper
light can enter the cave. There are
snapper schools along the wall.
The reeftop here is very lush with
leather and hard corals.

133

Blue-ring octopus

taken looking around the reef. minutes) to get to the reef. But the
It’s also a great site for beginning site is a good spot for all kinds of
creatures including sea turtles,
divers or even as an intro dive for schools of fusiliers and snappers
total newbies trying out diving and nice coral growth. The fish
during their vacation. There’s so come to Birhen East because it has
much to see at Dap Dap, including some currents but not usually
the occasional shoals of barracuda, anything too stiff. Birhen West
a good collection of colorful features steep underwater walls
nudibranchs, sea spiders hiding in filled with vibrant corals. This is
black coral trees and marauding, another one of the sites that has a
crunching schools of big bumphead lot of fish due to good current flow.
parrotfish. The corals are both hard
and soft with nice leather corals Occasionally, a lucky boat of
and their flowing tentacles. divers will happen onto a floating
mass of Sargassum weed. These
85) Birhen E. & W. House Reef thick carpets hold all kind of sea
Icons: creatures from a special kind of
Location: Amun Ini Resort frogfish that is well-camouflaged
Depth: 15-100ft. (4-30m) with this weed, seahorses and
cryptic nudibranchs. It is possible
These are the sites in front of the April through June or whenever the
Amun Ini dive shop and they are a prevailing currents decide to bring
very short boat ride (like two this floating mass in close to shore.

134

Anemonefish guarding eggs a bit north of the town. The average
depth is fairly deep at 82 ft. (25m)
86) Neptune House or so. This dive has coral walls and
Icons: reefs and is done as a drift, so divers
Location: N. of Anda Town must keep and eye on current
Depth: 82-118ft. (25-35m) strength and look for up and down
currents. It is great for the numerous
This is a high quality drift dive along pygmy seahorses that can be found
the eastern part of Anda's reef quite on the various sea fans. This site
also has a special feature that is for
advanced divers and guides usually
only let experienced diver try this.
At 105 ft. (31m) there is an entrance
into a cave. Having a light source is
obligatory to go inside. The wall
here isn’t so pretty but divers are
usually allowed a maximum of 8-10
minutes inside the cave to explore.
Look for lobsters, schools of fish
and bluespot stingrays!

After that head back up the wall
to look for more small stuff like the
various pygmies and anemones.
Nudibranchs also like to crawl
along this wall.

Black coral shrimp

135

Cabilao 91 easily walked. People are friendly
92 and the island has a charm that
89 90 endears repeat divers. The lack of
88 roads also means that everything on
the island has to be brought in by
87 Cabilao banca including building materials,
Island wood, food (except fish caught
locally), and, during periods of
93 drought, fresh water for drinking
and bathing.
This small limestone isle is a
relaxed place with five nice The triangular shaped 2.8 sq.
villages, a nice range of beachfront miles (7.2 sq. km.) island sits at the
hotels and good dive operations. It west side of Bohol, facing Cebu
is so chill here that there are no Island. Cabilao has about 5200
cars. The only motorized transport is friendly inhabitants who survive on
in the form of a few tricycles and a fishing, tourism, some small
couple of motorcycles, which also agriculture and weaving of bags.
serve as so-called ‘habal-habal’. The island is the home to Bohol’s
only natural lake, Lake Lanao, near
Most of the distances on Cabilao the barangay Pantudlan, which also
island are quite short and can be serves as a small bird-sanctuary for
passing migrant birds.

Divers love this place as it has a

Cabilao beach

136

great variety of diving with 20 sites Bubble coral shrimp
all around its shores as well as a
couple of nearby sites on other displays along the walls a well as
islands. It is for all ranges of diver large gorgonian sea fans that have
with most sites offering easy step both H. denise and H. bargibanti
diving starting deep and having pygmy seahorses and very large
interesting terrain all the way up to Muricella sp. sea fans.
the shallows.
The macro is surprisingly good for
There are nice, current-fed white sand outer reef slopes. The
points with batfish, barracuda reefs and sandy plains hold frogfish,
and surgeonfish schools. Large and harlequin ghost pipefish, sea moths,
small sea turtles are also seen. It a very nice variety of nudibranchs
was once a place to see scalloped and orangutan crabs and soft coral
hammerheads but they were fished shrimps. Some sites, like Lighthouse
out a couple of decades ago and 1 & 2, are very good for wide angle,
have not returned... a sad reminder video and macro and are good for
of the need to sustain the ocean’s repetitive diving.
resources. But, there are some
absolutely stunning soft coral Some resorts also have spas and
offer a nice massage after a diving
Anthias fish and corals day with shiatsu, Swedish or
harmony massages or a hand and
foot reflexology treatment. Great
way to end a dive day.

137

Soft corals at Lighthouse

87) Gorgonian Wall 88) Lighthouse 2
Icons: Icons:
Location: NW Cabilao Location: NW Cabilao
Depth: 18-140ft. (5-42m) Depth: 15-65ft. (4-20m)

This beautiful wall runs the length This site is on a very nice slope
of a football field out from shore. It with sandy bottom, which is
starts at 18 ft. (5m) and goes down partially overgrown with sea grass
to the depths past sport diving and individual coral formations. It
limits. This is a rich wall that is gently declines from shore to the
completely covered with different wall to a depth of approximately 65
kinds of corals, giant Gorgonian sp. ft. (19m). It is also home to a great
sea fans and sponges. It also has variety of species like devilfish, leaf
great topography with many small fish, robust and harlequin ghost
caves and overhangs. All along the pipefish, sleepy little sea moths,
wall is plenty of hard and soft coral, stonefish, moray eels, sea kraits, the
fish, rare nudibranchs, frogfish and beautiful harlequin shrimp, mantis
pygmy seahorses. shrimps and an extraordinary
variety of nudibranchs. To add to
Also, this is the sign of a healthy that, occasionally eagle rays will
reef, occasional mature Napoleon also swim by. This is also a good
wrasses cruise by. For nice light this spot for large sea turtles. And back
one is especially recommended for in the macro category, divers also
afternoon dives.

138

of shrimp and crabs and the
fascinating “disco” file shell are all
regularly sighted. This very
productive site, which also has
some big elephant ear sponges, is a
great night dive spot as well.

90) Fallen Tree
Icons:
Location: W Cabilao
Depth: 15-140 ft. (4-40m)

Guide points out Yep, there’s a fallen tree on the
hairy squat lobster shore here. This dive is along a
gradual slope from the shore to 55
find both blue-ring and mimic ft. (16m) and then a steep wall
octopi and two different kinds of which slopes down deep. There can
pygmy seahorses. be a gentle current feeding the soft
corals and that makes this a great
89) Lighthouse 1 drift dive. Off the wall and into the
Icons: blue look for schools of large
Location: NW Cabilao blackbar barracuda or cruising sea
Depth: 15-80 ft. (4-25m) turtles. All along the site, frogfish
and nudibranchs are to be found

Next to Current View Point Red frogfish
is a slope covered with sea
grass and corals going down
to 70 ft. (21m). This is an
excellent site for underwater
photographers as it has a
great variety of rare marine
life. Several kinds of
scorpionfish, different ghost
pipefish, pegasus, stargazers,
crocodile snake-eels, sea
snakes, many different kinds

139

and pegasus sea moths are seen on that like to blend into the rope and
the slope. At the end of the dive, in encrusting sponges. It is also home
the shallows, are the beautiful for pegasus sea moths, devil
pyjama cardinalfish and other scorpionfish and various
colorful fish in the hard corals. Look nudibranchs. There are also soft and
for the cardinalfish to be incubating hard corals along the steep slope
eggs in their mouths. area. Look for undulating ribbon
eels, juvenile batfish and more
91) Pangangan Wall nudibranchs. Occasionally, a few
Icons: whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays
Location: Pangangan Island also pass by. As there is a lot to see
Depth: 10-60ft. (3-18m) in shallow water. This is a great
third dive where one can take
This is a short boat ride across the plenty of time to look around.
channel to the island of Pangangan.
It is a white sand muck diving area 92) Cambaquiz
in the shallows and also along a Icons:
sloping wall of crevices and sand Location: Pura Vida Cabilao beach
patches. Lots of small stuff like this Depth: 20-100ft. (5-30m)
site including various harlequin and
robust ghost pipefish and frogfish This wall at the northeastern tip just

Gorgonian sea whips

140

occasional wonderpus and many
different crabs and shrimps.

93) South Point
Icons:
Location: N. of Anda Town
Depth: 30-140ft. (9-42m)

Spindle cowrie This is an excellent wall with
overhangs and caves and very lush
in front of Pura Vida Cabilao Resort coral growth. The wall drops past
and Spa dive center and goes from safe sport diving depths into the
35 ft. (10m) down to very deep. In blue abyss.
some of the many caves there are
baby whitetip sharks and at 100 ft. The dive site is located at a
(30m), there is a large cave that “corner” where some currents
divers can enter. A occur. It has spectacular formations
light is needed to of old growth hard corals at shallow
see the inner walls depths that have been growing here
properly. A gentle undisturbed for centuries. One can
slope on the east see the competition for space and
side of the wall is light here. The dive is also home to
rich with reef fish an abundance of fish. Along the reef
and quite often schools of mackerel and many other
has turtles. There fish patrol. Down about 70 ft. (21m)
is also great night some small caves hold resting
diving in the area whitetip reef sharks.
with stargazers,
Elephant ear sponges

141

Balicasag the guide. Balicasag’s marine
sanctuary status has helped it to
94 flourish. Despite the volume of
divers, neither marine life species
Balicasag nor coral growth has diminished.
95 It has pretty blue waters with sandy
flats running to deep drop-offs.

This marine protected area is 94) Black Forest
popular with every dive Icons:
operator in the area. Day boats Location: East side of Balicasag
galore show up from Panglao and Depth: 15-130 ft. (4-40m)
also Cabilao and even Dauin. There
is a dive operator and hotel on the The site is named for large black
island too. And little bancas selling coral stands but best part of the dive
trinkets and jewelry zip from dive is not deep but in the shallows
boat to boat. This is a busy place so where turtle grass grows. This area
always use a safety sausage and is a sea turtle meeting, breeding
surface with care or go up close to and feeding area. It has large tracts
of sandy grasses and clear waters.
Many turtles from young to very old
can be found feeding on the
shallow sea grasses so the dive can

Scenic Balicasag
142

Green sea turtle

be long and relaxed at 20-45 ft. (6- 95) Diver’s Heaven
13m), although many divers go Icons:
down to the currenty depths to see Location: NE side of Balicasag
the black corals and the large fish Depth: 15-130 ft. (4-40m).
there. Expect to see frogfish, large
groupers, large snappers and other This is an amazing dropoff with
big reef fish not seen commonly in underhangs, cuts and crevasses.
some of the other destinations. There are lots of small fish like
anthias and fusiliers along the wall.
Watch for mating action with the The site is also known for its large
sea turtles. Some are used to divers bigeye trevally tornado. Barracuda
and can be slowly approached.
schools are also sometimes
Playing green sea turtles seen. The upper reef shallows is
very rich hard corals with lots of
chromis and anthias. It is very
pretty. And there’s the
occasional sea turtle that swims
by. The island also gets visits
from whale sharks so divers
should keep an eye out into the
blue. Every site on the island is
a good dive.

143

Panglao dive shops, the beach is a hangout
for divers and snorkelers but can
Bohol have quite a bit of boat traffic so a
96 safer option might be to take a trip
to a less active dive or snorkel site
97, 98 Panglao rather than always be on the
lookout for boats off Alona.
100
There are a variety of great
99 restaurants right on the beach.
Pizza joints, Swiss, Italian, Thai and
Panglao Island is a favorite haunt Filipino dishes are all available.
of divers and has a number of
dive sites around it. It is also a Although there are a lot of divers
jumping off point for dive safaris, and dive shops, Alona Beach is not
trips to Balicasag, Cabilao, generally known for crazy nightlife.
Pamilacan and Maolboal, dolphin It can be a quiet, romantic place at
watching tours, trips to the night. Restaurants set up candle-lit
Chocolate Hills and a number of tables on the beach and couples
other activities. and groups gather to eat good food
and listen to live acoustic music
Alona Beach is the hotspot here. right on the beach.
Somewhat crowded with hotels and
Divers going to Alona Beach, can
arrange pick up at the Tagbilaran
airport or pier.

Heading to Balicasag past Panglao
144

moray eels, Moorish idols,
giant frogfish and anthias.

The reeftop runs a fair
distance and is quite shallow
and excellent for snorkeling.
Find razorfish, damselfish,
butterflyfish, parrotfish and a
large shoal of anthias.
The wall and overhangs are
quite impressive, covered with
a good selection of hydroids,
gorgonians, sponges and
crinoids and lots of soft and
tubastrea corals.

97) Doljo Sanctuary

Soft corals Icons:
Location: NW Panglao Island

Depth: 18-130 ft. (5-39m)

96) Napaling

Icons: This dive spot at Doljo Beach is a

Location: NW Panglao Island marine sanctuary. The reef top starts

Depth: 10-65 ft. (3-19m)

This is shallower dive with lots Denise pygmy seahorse
going on and some great places to
snorkel. It is around to the north
side of Panglao maybe an hour boat
ride from popular accommodations
at Alona Beach.

Because of the frequent current,
Napaling is often dived as a drift
dive. The reeftop is at around 10 ft.
(3m). A vertical wall stretches down
deep with many holes, crevasses,
overhangs and caves. Look out for
juvenile barracudas, bannerfish,

145

at around 10 ft. (3m) and slopes a combination vertical wall and
down to a wall at 40 ft. (12m), with steep slope starting at 25 ft. and
many table corals on it. down to the depths.

The vertical wall goes down to Giant sea fans, leather corals,
past 130 ft. (40m). Many crevasses, elephant ear sponges and barrel
black corals and whip corals can be sponges decorate the steep slope.
seen along this wall. Keep an eye Look out for giant frogfish that like
out for colorful cardinalfish to sit in the green leather coral.
including pyjama cardinalfish that There are also many angelfish and
like to hover over the reeftop table butterflyfish.
corals. There are also a lot of sea
anemones with a variety of This is a good site to keep looking
anemonefish like spinecheeks and into the blue as big pelagics like
one-stripe anemonefish. Spanish mackerel, barracudas and
eagle rays all swim by.

98) Doljo Point 99) Gak Ang
Icons: Icons:
Location: NW Panglao Island Location: West of Panglao Island
Depth: 18-130 ft. (5-39 m) Depth: 18-80 ft. (5-24m)

Doljo point is about 40 minutes Gak Ang sits off southwestern
away from Alona Beach by boat. Panglao and is a great dive for
The reeftop starts at 18 ft. (5m), with macro shooters and wide angle

Soft coral on dropoff
146

buffs as well. The vertical wall Table corals
reaches about 80 ft. (24m)
and starts at 18 ft. (5m). beautiful submarine terraces which
Divers will see an abundance have lots of corals and nice fish life.
of beautiful soft corals and sea This is often used for newer divers
fans along this pleasant wall. as it is not a deep site and there is
plenty to see.
There are giant frogfish, tiny
clown frogfish, bannerfish Look for lots of schools of fish
schools and a lot of other including the feeding mackerels,
macro life. large yellowtail barracudas and
ubiquitous surgeonfish. Schooling
100) Tawala Sanctuary bigeye jacks also come by in large
Icons: schools. The site also has a nice
Location: East Panglao Island selection of macro critters like
Depth: 18-70 ft. (5-22m) nudibranchs, shrimp and crabs. Sea
anemones are also well-represented
The relatively new Tawala at the sanctuary. Make this a nice
sanctuary has a varied reef slow and easy dive to take in the
formation with short wall diverse marine life.
sections starting in shallow
water. There are also some 147

Robust ghost pipefish

Camiguin/Misamis Oriental interesting above and below water
natural formations. In the late
101 103 1800s, for example, the eruption of
102 Camiguin Mt. Vulcan submerged the old town
of Catarman, pushing it below the
104 sea, leaving behind the ruins of a
church and its bell tower. The
105 Sunken Cemetery dive site, now
marked with a huge cross, was also
Camiguin is charming and small one of the areas in this old town.
in both area and population. It The isle has over 20 sites.
is just 14 miles (23 km) at its
longest and just a bit more than 8.5 Popular White Island, a sandbar,
miles (14 km) at its widest. And and Mantigue Island, a smaller
within this small area lie an island off the shores of Camiguin,
amazing seven volcanoes. Lovely are great for swimming, snorkeling,
little Camiguin is the island “born and diving. Cool, refreshing waters
of fire.” As much of the island was amid trees, ferns and boulders can
formed through earthquakes and be found at waterfalls like
volcanic eruptions, it has some Katibawasan Falls or the more
remote Tuawasan Falls. Just as
refreshing is a dip in the Santo Niño
Cold Spring. It offers waters at
68F/20C and small fishes

Diver and green sea turtle

148

Jack school

that will give you a unique divers often visit Camiguin on dive
massage! In contrast, there’s Ardent safaris coming from Alona Beach,
Hot Springs’ 104F/40C waters which isn’t far away. Domestic
heated by Mt. Hibok-Hibok, still an flights come in to Camiguin’s quaint
active volcano. airport. Many modest family, dive
and eco resorts dot the island.
Located off the coast of the
Misamis Oriental province in 101) Agutaya Reef
northern Mindanao, it is technically Icons:
a part of Mindanao. But Bohol Location: Off White Island
Depth: 16-130 ft. (5-40m)

Saddleback anemonefish Hibok-Hibok Volcano towers
over this idyllic sandy cay that is a
great place for snorkelers and
divers alike. The large, shallow
Agutaya Reef has some healthy
corals and lots of small reef fish
darting around, and some larger
specimens are holed up in the
nooks and crannies of the corals.

The eastern portion of the reef

149