Diving Spots
Scuba Diving Links:
Anilao-Mabini
South of Batangas City, is visited year round by local & expatriate divers residing in Manila, as well as from all parts of the workd. It boasts of more than 30 dive spots with attractive rich coral reefs, abounding with diverse sea life and clear visibility through most of the year. And just fronting the resort are two favorite dive spots. No need to rent a boat, just jump off the pier, dive 60 feet down, and you are there!!!
Culebra Island (Bonito) and Mabalahibong Manok Island (Marine Sanctuaries)
Strong currents make it necessary to hunt for quiet patches of water, which can usually be found on the lee side of one of these islands at most times of the day. Both islands are surrounded by shallow ledges at about 15-25 feet, with a rich supply of both soft and hard corals and plenty of reef fish. Between these two islands there is an underwater hotspring, which is a natural wonder. There is also a fish feeding area and a good spot for viewing sharks around this point. Good for big-game fishing and macro photography.
Balayan Bay and Nasugbu
Aside from being a popular destination for beach lovers, Batangas also possesses some of the best dive sites in the Philippines. Its proximity to Manila, about two and half-hours by car, has made the province the diving center of Luzon. Its coastline is dotted with numerous dive camps and resorts.
Ligpo Island
Corals of different types and huge gorgonians bound in the area. The location is on the West Side of the island.
Cathedral Marine Park Sanctuary
Approximately 60-90 feet south of Bagalangit Point lies a giant rock formation that looks like a roofless underwater amphitheater. Originally barren, the Cathedral has been seeded with corals from other sites. Throngs of fish eagerly gather around divers, waiting to be fed. Moorish idols and parrotfish abound. No need to go deeper than 90 feet since the coral growth tapers off before this depth.
Caban Cove
This dive site is fairly sheltered. There are exotic coral formations, plenty of small tropical fish and an interesting small drop-off that goes down in a graduated "steps". This is a good choice for shallow dives.
Layag-Layag Reef
Extensive coral formation on a shallow, steep slope. On the south side of this open-water area, a ledge drops to about 90 feet from the surface. Big jacks swim to within a few feet of the surface, although the larger fish tend to be somewhat timid.
Sombrero Island
On the surface, this island resembles a hat underwater, so its profile makes the name Sombrero quite appropriate. The rim of the "hat" stretches a long way underwater from north to south. Gorgonians, black coral shells, turtles, rays, grunts, jacks, snappers, and a great variety of soft corals are abundant. Currents are normally strong during the full moon. Diving is fairly shallow on the rim down to about 50 feet in certain area.
|
Sepok
The rim of the drop-off west of Sepok Point and running southwest is a very good dive site with a wide variety of marine lives. The drop-off is at about 50 feet.
Mapating Rock (Shark Cave)
This open reef is for experienced divers only and its exploration may require help from local guides. The rock itself is surrounded by a fairly shallow area at about 35 feet, ending in a series of drop-offs running down to about 60 feet or more.
Batalan
This area breaks the surface and then drops down to about 80 feet. This is a marvelous area for both wide-angle and macro-photography because of the abundant and varied coral formations and fish life.
Merriel´s Rock
There are numerous types of coral formations enough to fascinate even a marine biologist.
Papaya Point
There is a drop-off by a wide variety of coral and inhabited by plenty of small reef fish.
Verde Island
Strong currents sweep through this area, which extends from just south of the island to the opposite side. Drop-offs are interspersed with steep slopes with a ledge at 50 feet off Pinnacle Rock. Plenty of corals, both soft and hard and numerous reefs fish. Pelagic fish also visit this area. The more popular dive sites are on the western and eastern side between San Agapito and San Augustan. The drop-off features excellent visibility, beautiful fish, large gorgonians, and plenty of soft coral. The two most popular dive sites here are the Drop-off (o-300 ft) and the Spanish galleon that ran around in 1620.