Dive Sites Suitable for Beginners
Kenny’s Reef
Kenny’s Reef is so named after the late great Kenny Harris, larger than life American hero, 62 year old man of action who had travelled the world’s best dive sites and had a special love for Puerto Galera. He accompanied Divemaster Mike Fehr and me on a few exploratory dives when we found this reef and surfaced from the dive grinning from ear to ear like a school boy.
The reason is, firstly that no-one else is diving (or even knows about?) this reef, secondly that the various species of hard corals found here are totally unique and do not grow anywhere else and thirdly, that along with the huge colony of Mandarin Fish that are found here there are thousands of Juvenile reef fishes to discover and some species that are very rare indeed.
The reason for this is that the water is largely undisturbed by divers and the reef is very close to mangroves that have been growing unhindered for centuries. It is an ancient reef. Hard corals grow so large that they fall under their own weight and lie there for years whilst newer corals grow on top of them. The visibility is not always fantastic (5-10m) because the bottom composition is sand/silt, but having said that, the macro on this dive is amazing. Some keen photographers have even dubbed this site Jurassic Park because of the size and uniqueness of the species found here. A must dive for any macro photographer.
P.G. Harbour Wreck
I was told about this wreck a long time ago by another experienced diver who found it back in 2003. Whilst I couldn’t get specific fixes for the site at the time, the desire to find it and dive it was strong and we were talking about it in the shop for some time. After half a dozen dives in the area (one of which produced Kenny’s Reef) we eventually located the ship in early May 2009.
She sits upright in 16m of water, slightly leaning to one side. The hull is a fast pleasure cruiser design of steel and about 40’ long with some holes in the deck and two large 12 cylinder engine blocks for the prop screws. There are some tangled cables and machinery strewn around on the sea floor adjacent to the wreck site and underneath remains one large solid brass propeller buried in the sand. Under the stern of the vessel we find Sweet Lips, Bat Fish and Snappers hiding. This site is an interesting dive for the small wreck enthusiast but again, visibility is not always great (5-10m) as it is inside the harbour.
Giant Clams / The Hill
A short distance past Batangas Channel lays a dozen or so Giant Clams, seeded by the University of Manila over a decade ago. Now flourishing and multiplying in number these clams are very interesting to examine with intricate details and colours in their mantle. Hard corals have taken root on their shells too and the clams are interesting to watch as their primitive eyes detect light and basic movement leading them to snap shut their gaping maw and push a strong jet of water out through their orifices!
Adjacent to these, some of the most diverse and healthy hard coral species can be found standing perpendicular to the current. Sea Horses, Moray Eels, Ghost Pipe Fish, Mantis Crabs and Sting Rays abound in this undisturbed treasure trove of rare marine creatures.
Manila Channel
This natural channel forms a perfect westerly corridor between two Islands and is washed with flooding or ebbing current every six hours as the sea water rushes in and out again of Puerto Galera Harbour and its various small bays and inlets.
Green Sea Turtles and Rays often drift through the channel, idly following the current as they search for new feeding grounds. Up in the shallows on the interior of the Northern slopes can be found huge colonies of awesome hard corals and small reef fishes in schools and further out towards the open sea there are several ledges and overhead environs that support large Barrel Sponges, Gorgonian Fans, and Oyster Clams. A myriad of macro subjects are usually found on this dive. Currents are minimal.
Locsin Point
Locsin Point is an area of pristine coral reef that is simply stunning and largely unspoiled. We began to dive at this site regularly last year as part of our ‘Manila Channel’ dive but the site became so popular that we found that we were spending most of our dive time in this one area so; we decided to give the site a name and do it separately!
Named after the Locsin family who own many hectares of protected land in this area adjacent to this fabulous dive site the topography itself is like a large coral headland that protrudes perpendicularly into the ebbing and flooding current. The hard corals that grow here are fed with clean cool waters from the deep and grow in abundance. There are often pelagic fishes such as Bump Head Parrotfish here and Spanish Mackerel and Barracuda too. Exploring the coral reef closely can often reveal many macro subjects and occasionally a Stone Fish. Not to be missed.
Coral Gardens
Drift diving along the coast line of long beach on a sunny day really makes it easy to see why this corner of Puerto Galera is such a fabulous success with all visiting divers. There are so many fantastic subjects for photography here, so much life and such vivid and vibrant colour that this dive really is quite unforgettable. The shallow depth and great visibility often make for excellent wide angle photography at this site.
The coral heads are often spaced quite far apart in places and there are some very interesting hiding places for fish and turtles to hang out in. There are several small openings in the reef where beautiful photos of hard corals against blue water can be taken and I often find myself spending a lot longer on the bottom at this dive site than many of the others. Nice relaxing dive with thousands of photo opportunities. A great example of Philippines reef eco systems.
Keep an eye out for a hard coral species that is totally unique to Puerto Galera, the Anacropora puertogalerae. Make sure you also visit this dive spot during November when the corals are spawning; usually around or during the full moon, which is a spectacular night dive.
Laguna Point
Just under the surface of the waters in front of the rocky headland between Big La Laguna beach and Small La Laguna beach extends a small wall with a very healthy reef. Starting at 5m; the reef drops down to 12m where hard corals are found along a ridge that stretches back towards Sabang.
Dropping in Small La Laguna on an ebbing current and heading down to 20m the divers will find several small shipwrecks and some interesting coral heads that are homes to Mantis Shrimps and Lion Fish and sometimes a small colony of Striped Cat Fish hiding underneath the wrecks. Barramundi Cod have also been known to hide among the coral heads on this dive site.
Divers can also observe some steel pyramids that were placed here on the sea bed that often have Frog Fish sitting on them. The wrecks are mainly speed boats but are interesting all the same. There are many Crinoids clinging to them in the current. After the last of the wrecks, we head up to 12m and pick up the reef to drift around the headland with the current and finish the dive in the sandy area in Big La Laguna. Keep an eye out for schools of Rabbit Fish and Dusky Brown Groupers on this reef.
Fantasea Reef
So named for the large passenger Banka boats that have their moorings at this spot; Fantasea Reef has grown rapidly due to the corals exposure to lots of sunlight in shallow waters. Many species of soft and hard corals thrive here and large colonies of Sea Anemone with various species of Anemone Fish can also be found here. Don’t forget to have your Divemaster carefully look under certain types of Anemone for Porcelain Crabs too.
Other creatures often observed in this area are Blue Spotted Stingrays, Garden Eels, Nudibranchs, Cuttlefish and Green Sea Turtles. Currents can sometimes be strong here if it is approaching a full moon and divers may well find themselves heading to Sabang Wrecks or Laguna point on a drifting tide.
Sabang Wrecks
These wooden wrecks lie in 18-20m and are home to friendly schools of Batfish, Butterfly Fish and Surgeon Fish. Look closely at the timbers and you may see a Scorpion Fish or a Frogfish patiently waiting for an easy meal to swim by! At night, these wrecks transform into a mesmerizing display of colours and many small crustaceans and other macro subjects can be seen scurrying around in the holes around the wreck. Buried in the sand can be found the rare Stargazer, sometimes very difficult to spot but a keen eye can see the telltale eyes and mouth just protruding from its sandy hideout. Lucky divers may also find the elusive Flying Gurnard close to this site at night time.
Swimming up the sandy slope from these wrecks to an area of sea grass in shallow water may reveal many exotic fish rarely seen in other areas such as the Short Finned Dragonet, the Harlequin Ghost Pipe Fish, Indian Walkman or even the Cockatoo Wasp Fish. Further West is a small part of the cockpit of a WW2 Zero fighter.
This area highlights more than any other area what makes diving in Puerto Galera so special. Many dive destinations have big fish, others beautiful coral and others great variety, but it is rare to find all three in one place, especially as these dive sites are literally just a few minutes off the beach.
Sabang Point
Colourful corals and fish are to be found everywhere at this dive site. It is well worth a few minutes of bottom time to look for Pygmy Sea Horses in one of the many Gorgonian Fans in this area. Sometimes Robust Ghost Pipe Fish hide between the coral blocks on the sandy bottom. Leafy Scorpion Fish can also be seen here, as can many different kinds of Trigger Fish, and very large Puffer Fish.
Best dove at slack tide, this site offers chances to find all the things you haven’t seen yet. With a maximum depth of 22 meters and timed to avoid strong currents it is a very easy dive with plenty to look at. Keep an eye out for ‘Barnacle Bill’, the three finned Green Sea Turtle who hangs out here from time to time. Cuttle Fish may also be found up in the shallows on this dive.
Monkey Beach
In front of Monkey Beach is a sloping reef with many different kinds of hard and soft corals, Staghorn, Elkhorn, Tabletop corals and Basket Sponges can be found on the ridges, reefs and ledges that line the cliffs and make up this stunning dive site. A small wreck of a sailboat can be found at 20m and provides a home to many Crinoids who catch a hold of the steel hull in the drifting currents. Lion Fish and Rabbit Fish are also seen taking refuge here inside the shelter of the bulkheads.
A fine site for drift diving and best dove on an ebbing tide; care should be taken to avoid the strongest currents and avoid overshooting Sabang Point. Planned properly divers can cover a large area of reef on a single dive.
Dive Sites Suitable for Intermediate Divers
Ernie’s Cave
Along the cliffs where the sheer rock face protrudes out into the current and forms an outcrop between Monkey Beach and Dungon Beach there are a number of ledges and boulders that form an interesting reef perpendicular to the current. The largest of these rocks has a cave at the base just big enough for a man to get inside (tight squeeze – not recommended – could be stingy things inside too!).
This cave used to be home to a large Dusky Grouper called Ernie, fed up with the neighbours; Ernie has regrettably moved on for a quieter neighbourhood. He has left us with a resident school of Copper Bellies however and this area is teaming with Sardines and Fusiliers that play in the current. Keep an eye out for Blue Spotted Stingrays and Mantis Shrimps at this site.
Dungon Wall
A great multi-level dive; Dungon Wall is home to many species of Moray Eels and Nudibranchs. The twin hulls of an old wooden catamaran can be found lying at the bottom of the wall in 27m of water. The wall rises up to 12m where it levels off and the seabed gently slopes up to the shallow waters of Dungon Bay.
The hard corals in Dungon Bay are particularly exposed to rough weather during typhoon season and the bad storms in 2006 destroyed most of the Tabletops and coral heads that were growing there at that time. The storm worked in a similar way to burning a field of old crops however and many new corals are growing in the bay already. There are scores of table top corals, Elk horn and Stag horn corals too, each about 18” across already.
It is surprising just how resilient our local coral reefs appear to be. Popular opinion suggests that the reasons for this are the large tidal changes and regular movement of the water here. Swirling eddies in the current bring all the goodness that the corals need to flourish.
West Escarceo
Further along the cliffs from Dungon Beach the reef stretches along towards Escarceo Point. The currents can flow quite strongly along this reef and because of this, large schools of small fish like Antheas and Rainbow Runners gather in this area. This reef is washed with colder waters at this site and some of the best condition corals grow here among these ridges and ledges. The topography is very interesting and there are many critters to be found here at various depths.
In the shallows, Stone Fish, Frog Fish and Scorpion Fish can be found hiding under the Tabletops and at deeper depths Blue Fin Trevally team up with Long Nose Emperor Fish to hunt the reef in packs. It’s very exciting to watch these hunters in a feeding frenzy as the emperors poke their long snouts into small holes in the reef to gobble up the prey that they have trapped there. See them change colour from a dull silver to what looks like a speckled pattern as they flush with excitement and hastily devour their meal.
Hole in the Wall
Just off Escarceo Point is the short swim-through known as 'Hole in the Wall'. This natural tunnel through solid rock is an exciting dive and emerging from the hole is a great way to surprise the large schools of Drummer and Sweetlips that play in the current. Sheltering behind a coral wall, divers kneel on the sandy bottom allowing the fish to come ever closer. They seem unafraid of the divers as they tumble in and out of the current.
From time to time larger ocean going pelagic fishes such as Slate Sweetlips and Giant Trevally can be seen overhead. Huge schools of Jacks can be observed at this dive site as well as Octopus and the notorious Titan Trigger Fish. The current is quite strong at this site when the water is flooding hard. When the tidal changes are quite large (the difference in cm between low and high tide) care must be taken to dive this site in comfort. Always trust your Divemaster and follow his lead to get the most from this dive site.
Kilima Steps
This dive is so rich in marine life and as diverse in species as diving at Verde Island! Starting in shallow water, the dive site consists of gently sloping sand and gravel areas broken up by ridges or steps that go deeper as the slope stretches further out to sea. A long reef wall of about 3 or 4 meters in height starts in the shallows and heads out towards the Atoll dive site.
The reef on top of the wall is literally teaming with life; schools of Antheas, Surgeon Fish, Angel Fish, Butterfly fish, Parrot Fish all join the myriad of other species of reef fishes and create a sense of unspoiled serenity on this amazing reef. At around 14m a colony of bright blue and yellow Palette Surgeon Fish (made famous in the 2003 Disney-Pixar Film ‘Finding Nemo’) dance together in courtship rituals just a meter or so above the coral.
Moray Eels are very common here, and you will find one or two under most Tabletops, coral heads or Basket Sponges. Sometimes there are often more than one and possibly different species hiding in the same place. Frog Fish and Banded Sea Kraits, Green Sea Turtles and Octopus can often be found at this site too.
Sinandigan Wall
Starting up in the shallows, this wall drops away to a gravel seabed of more than 30m depth at the very base. Large boulders and rocky coral heads are strewn at the bottom and many fish are hiding between the rocks there. The site is most famous of course for its wide variety of Nudibranchs and colonies of small Yellow Sea Cucumber.
Lucky divers are sometimes treated to an occasional visit from Green Sea Turtles, Barracuda, Bump Head Parrot Fish or Spanish Mackerel. There are often Banded Sea Kraits at this site and Blue Spotted Stingrays buried in the gravel here too. This dive is great for macro photography and best done on a flooding tide to avoid getting swept away into Kilima bay.
Secret Shark Cave
In a secret location in Varadero Bay lies a small cave under a ledge in the reef. I first found this cave back in 2005 and have observed many residents there from White-tip Sharks and Black-tip Sharks to very large Dusky Groupers and Green Sea Turtles all taking residence in the cave.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this site is the regular appearance of Thresher Sharks. When the water is colder; in the months of January or February, this site is the best place to see these majestic and timid creatures. It takes a little patience (and my ‘shark calling’ secret!) to attract the Thresher Shark but when it comes around, it is truly a magnificent experience to behold!
These are the most timid of all shark species, give the shark some space and let it come to you in its own time. Typically it will either encircle the divers or drift slowly to and fro from the group, checking you and your buddies out! Have no fear; these sharks are inquisitive by nature in a similar way to an unfamiliar dog in a park. The encounter is always over too soon and leaves the divers wishing the shark would return!
Tip – flash photography, rattles and horns, tank bangers, flapping arms around wildly and pointing and squealing with excitement drives them away very quickly! When you see one, stay quite still and close to the bottom, DO NOT CHASE THE SHARK or it will flee and will not return for a long time…if at all!
Coral Cove
Often underrated this site is one of the best macro photography sites on the map. I like to dive this site on the second or third dive of the day when the sun is high in the sky and brings out all the colours in the soft corals. Divers can observe many small reef fishes along the ridges in the reef at this site. The most beautiful part of this dive site is between 20 and 23 meters where a few large boulders rest and are home to many soft corals, crinoids and schools of reef fish.
Occasionally, Cuttlefish and Banded Sea Kraits are seen here as well as many types of trigger fish - Red tooth, Clown, Picasso, Queen and Titan too. The site is often visited by larger pelagics such as Giant Trevally, Eagle Rays and Turtles.
There are also a few Gorgonian Fans in the area where Pygmy Sea Horses can be found. Buried in the gravel are often Blue Spotted Stingrays so keep an eye out for the tell tale signs, black and white bands around the tail or the outline of the ray in the fine gravel or sand.
The Boulders
Just across from the sleepy fishing village of Sinandigan on the way into Varadero Bay lie several slumbering giants. Over the centuries huge boulders have peeled away from the cliff face and have laid to rest at its base. The upper surfaces of these boulders are bathed in sunlight and blankets of soft coral coat the tops of them all.
Sporadic pockets of tabletop coral and trees of black coral spread to catch the sun’s rays and provide a home for many shrimps, crabs, nudibranchs and small reef fishes. Under almost every boulder divers can find any number of exotic creatures hiding and a series of small caves make this dive site very interesting.
The Ribbon Eel can sometimes be found in the largest cave here sharing a home with a school of Copper bellies. Some lucky divers may even spot a large Dusky Grouper before it slopes off into one of the many holes in the reef at this site. Green Sea Turtles often pay a visit and occasionally, larger rays are spotted here too. Schools of Fusiliers can be found swimming amongst the safety of some of the smaller boulders and a resident school of Razor Fish has colonized the top of the largest boulder.
Carroll’s Point
Chris Carroll and I discovered this dive site together in mid 2009 whilst doing a few exploratory dives in the area. We found a wall that starts up in the shallows and is covered in soft corals. Hiding among these are many Cowry Shells. The base of the wall is at 9-12m and the gravel bottom found there is home to a Giant Clam and many short corals and Sea Whips flourish here. A variety of macro subjects can be found for divers with a keen eye for detail.
The seabed slopes off to a lip at 24m and along this lip grow some nice Gorgonian Fans and Basket Sponges. There are a number of small holes under the lip where groupers and small sharks can hide. The area is best dived on a flood tide as the current can be quite strong on the ebb and pulls divers across the next bay which regrettably, has been the target for dynamite fishermen in recent years.
Dive Sites Suitable for Advanced Divers
Odies Ding Ding
This wall is located almost directly opposite the mouth of Manila Channel in slightly deeper water. The top of the wall is 28m and the bottom is 32m. It stretches along for about 40 or 50m in all. There are many Gorgonian Fans to check for Pygmy Seahorses as well as Sea Whips and Basket Sponges.
A variety of fish life can be found here and there are many hiding places on the wall for Moray Eels and Lion Fish. Don’t forget to keep an eye looking upwards as Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda and Trevally are also frequent visitors to this dive site.
The surrounding area is largely gravel and coral sand and stretches for a long way. Swimming up over the wall to shallower waters reveals many sponges and sea whips that give homes to a plethora of macro subjects. Best dove on the flood tide.
Dry Dock
Opposite Big La Laguna beach lays the dry dock dive site in 28m of seawater. The dry dock was designed for lifting small boats out of the water using its ballast tanks. The boats would sail in and the chambers were filled with air allowing the boat hulls to be cleaned and repaired. Once the job was done, the tanks were deflated slowly and the boats could sail away again.
This clever device was made with heavy structural steel beams and plywood construction but over time was getting worn out by the elements. La Laguna Beach Club sank this dock back in 1998 to make a reef habitat. On the way down to the bottom however, the dock overturned and landed upside down! What a bonus for us divers! In doing so it has created a brilliant habitat for many species of fish such that hide underneath and inside the now breeched hull. Soldier Fish, Harlequin Sweet Lips, Red Snappers, Bat Fish, Lion Fish, Pygmy Sea Horses, Frog Fish, Porcupine Fish and Leafy Scorpion Fish can be found easily all over this site.
There is also a school of resident Yellow-tail Barracuda that swim around the outside of the dry dock site and lucky divers may even get to see a Great Barracuda that stops in to see the dentist from time to time! (Give that fish plenty of room to maneuver…. It is over 6feet long and as thick as a palm tree!)
M/V Alma Jane Wreck
This wreck was sunk in March 2003 by the now defunct PGDA (Puerto Galera Dive Association) and sits upright in 30m of seawater. She was an inter-island freighter that was prepared especially to make a dive site and reef habitat. There have been several large holes cut into the deck and any hazardous items removed from the inside to make it ideal for penetration. The hull was originally constructed from plate steel and there are many bulkheads inside to hide Moray Eels and thousands of tiny Commensal and Cleaner Shrimps.
The upper decks were constructed from structural steel and timber but over the years all the timber has rotted away leaving the skeletal beams in place as a reminder of her deck lines. The helm of the vessel can be seen lying on the deck but the ships wheel is long gone. Towards the bow a mast stands proud and is clad now in Oyster Clams and hard corals. The beams of the main decks are also clad in hard and soft corals with several small Gorgonian fans and Sea Whips swaying in the current. At the stern a large cleat has a line buoyed to the surface.
A myriad of fish gather here at the wreck and call her their home, Trumpet Fish, Fusiliers, Rabbit Fish, Sweet Lips, Snappers and Bat Fish are all here in abundance. Strong surface currents are sometimes prevalent at this dive site; always descend with the buoy rope in sight whenever possible. Great for wide angle photography, this site is one of the signature dives of Puerto Galera and not to be missed.
The Canyons
Often with stronger current blowing through these beautiful coral laden trenches, this is one of the most exhilarating dive sites in Puerto Galera (and the entire Philippine archipelago?) The Canyons can sometimes challenge even the most experienced of divers so care must be taken to enjoy this awesome dive site in relative safety.
Drifting past the Hole in the Wall dive site on a flooding current, divers traverse along the sloping reef and enter a series of three bowls. In these, one can find many kinds of Sweet Lips hiding under overhanging ledges or around Gorgonian Fans. Master of camouflage, the Scorpion Fish takes a residence here amongst the vast carpet of soft corals so great care must be taken if one needs to grab onto a rock and hang on in the current!
Hump-back and Midnight Snappers, Red Bass, Long Nose Emperors, Blue Fin Trevally, Brassy and Snub-nose Drummers all gather here in schools and are an awesome sight! Overhead, Big Eyed Jacks and Giant Trevally dance about effortlessly in these turbulent waters, a wondrous reminder to us of the beauty of Mother Nature and the awesome power of the sea.
Resting on the reef after the third canyon is an age old iron anchor; an ancient relic leftover from the days of the Spanish traders that once controlled this area. This marks the point where divers should begin their ascent and end of a truly world class dive site.
TIP - The Canyons can also be dove on the ebb tide as a drift dive from the Shark Cave. This dive should be planned thoroughly before hand and tide tables checked thoroughly. Never dive the Canyons on an ebb tide greater than a 1.5m tidal change unless you are in buddy teams of expert divers with many years experience. Strong down currents can be prevalent at this site.
Shark Caves
The Shark Caves are a series of small caves nestled under ledges at a deepest depth of about 28m. It is a safe haven for female White Tip Reef Sharks and their young. Many divers see their first shark in this cave and are amazed by the sheer beauty and grace of these elegantly streamlined hunters. Often, divers make an assumption that the sharks are asleep! Do not be fooled, if you are able, shuffle slowly from left to right and watch the shark’s eye as it follows your movement!
On the rare occasions that there are no sharks in the cave, Blue Spotted Stingrays can be seen buried in the sand, look for the reflection of your flashlight in their eyes at the back of the cave. Some Giant Sweet Lips also inhabit the cave and Octopuses are commonly seen on the reef above.
Laying in the mouth of the cave it is possible to approach within a few meters of the sharks, it is always a good idea not to crowd or corner them however. If they become disturbed or agitated, they maybe begin to move erratically, give them plenty of room if you see this and allow them to simply swim away.
The belief that all sharks are dangerous can clearly be seen to be a myth. While all large wild animals have the potential to be dangerous, they usually are not aggressive. In fact reef sharks can be seen in many areas of the Philippines and are usually more scared of man than he is of them.
The Atoll
A short swim across the bowl in the sea floor that extends away from the Shark Caves dive site stands the monolithic ‘Atoll’; a huge boulder that must have laid there since the world began! As divers approach this slumbering giant and swim under the overhang that greets them one can’t help but feel a real sense of wonder at the age of this rock and all the marine life that has made a home here over the thousands of years.
This building sized boulder harbours many Moray eels, Lion Fish and Scorpion Fish. Red Toothed Trigger Fish hover above the corals and duck into holes at the slightest sign of danger. Underneath there lives a large Dusky Grouper and divers can often find Blue Fin Trevally and Long Nose Emperor Fish hunting in a pack on top of the atoll. Often schools of Jacks or Green Sea Turtles are also spotted here.
Swimming up to the top of the atoll and across the gulley to the nearby reef is a great way to multi-level this dive and extend dive time. The atoll dive must be done on the flood to get the most enjoyment out of it. Keep an eye out for Octopus that hide in holes in the reef as you swim across into Kilima bay.
Dive Sites Suitable for Expert Divers
Verde Island Drop Off
Just across the waters of the Verde Island passage lay some of the best dive sites in the Philippines. Luckily for us, it only takes a Banka boat 45 minutes to get to the drop off site from our resort here in Sabang! We like to do day trips with diving and a barbeque on the beach there as often as we can.
The drop off is basically a large underwater pinnacle with a sheer wall on the Southern side and a gradual slope on the Northern side. The wall drops off 60m to a shelf and then slopes gradually off for a short distance before it drops again to 80m a little further out. Swirling currents attract so many fish in schools of all different types and quite often larger pelagics can be seen here too. A variety of sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins and even whale sharks have been seen here many times.
The visibility can be as much as 50m sometimes and the corals at this site are simply breathtaking. This site must always be treated with great respect as the currents here can be fierce. We like to drop in on the North side and assemble the group at 10-12m on the bottom then head around through the schools of fish to sling shot around the pinnacle onto the sheer face of the wall. Verde Island Drop Off is a truly awesome dive site with so many species of fish, crustaceans and invertebrates that there are just too many to list. We have a sensible policy of not taking any novice divers to this site unless the currents are at an absolute minimum strength.
Japanese Wreck
In the deeper waters near the boulders dive site lie the remains of a Japanese patrol boat from the Second World War. The story goes that it was attacked by an American airplane whilst it was carrying a resupply of munitions to Japanese troops stationed on Verde Island. When it was bombed, it exploded with such force that the majority of the vessel was blown to pieces.
In the gravel, at a little over 41m, there lay a few steel plates and a large engine block and transmission. A long prop shaft and brass prop extend out from these and are all that remains of this vessel. The anchor can be found adjacent to the wreck site in some other debris.
Oriental and Harlequin Sweet Lips are common here in small schools along with Rabbit Fish and Cuttle Fish. Inside the Engine block are two Giant Moray Eels. The very short bottom time on this dive means that although diving this is possible, it’s best done as a nitrox or tech dive.
Fish Bowl
Fish bowl is probably the most challenging dive this side of the Verde island passage and should only be attempted at slack water.
Swim out and down from the first canyon to the top of this dive site which is at 41m. As you descend deeper a large ridge can be found in a kind of bowl shape. The reef there is covered in soft corals. At about 45m the reef stops and opens up to a huge bowl shape opening which continues down to the gravel sea bed below.
Huge schools of fish gather here sometimes; Jacks, Snappers, Red Bass, Trevally, and even the occasional Barracuda take shelter from the current in this area. Keep an eye out for large Dusky Groupers here also.
If the current allows, the dive group may be able to ascend from here into the Canyons rather than ascending in blue water. This is one of the better dive sites but should be planned for properly by divers with a lot of experience as some decompression stops may be needed to dive this site safely, chasing a NDL on a dive computer is not a safe way to dive at this site.
Horse Head Reef
Horse head reef is further East past the fishbowl and can also be reached after swimming away from the canyons down past the old anchor. Sat at 36m the reef is in the shape of a horse’s head when viewed from the Northern side. There are many small Gorgonian Fans in this area and basket sponges with Sea Whips covered in crinoids.
Hiding behind these baskets and fans we find large Bat Fish and Groupers. Occasionally other very large fish and sharks can be seen here. The strong currents and deep depths make this site difficult to dive but if the conditions are correct and the group is able, it can be a great place to see larger fish. Schools of Giant Trevally are often seen here. This site must be dived on the flood or at slack water.
Turtle Rock
Swimming down and away from the bottom of Sinandigan Wall we pass a couple of smaller boulders and then approach a very large boulder resting in 45 meters of seawater. Turtle Rock is a great dive site for divers with deep diving experience. The rock is healthy with marine life, and is home to many species of Lion Fish; it also has many Gorgonian fans, Basket sponges and Whip corals.
Sweetlips are common, as are unusual Nudibranchs and Emperor Angel Fish. Lucky divers may also spot a Thresher Shark at this location. This site is best dived on a flood tide, and because of the short bottom time, we recommend that the group multi level back up to Sinandigan Wall and finish shallow, to make it a nice, long and relaxed dive.
Kilima Drift
This is not a dive to be taken lightly, and a dive that our guides conduct only on very rare occasions and then only with the most experienced divers. This is a strong current drift dive with current speeds that can reach up to 12 knots. The strongest currents and fastest drifts occur when the ebbing tide is at its largest tidal change, usually in April. The dive can be kept shallow or made deeper depending on the tack you take through the bay. The depth however has no bearing on the difficulty; in fact the shallower option is the faster current usually. It is possible to end up passing over the Canyons and heading out into Verde Island Passage (1mile) in as short a time as 10 minutes so be warned! There may be strong down-currents on this dive.
Listen to your dive briefing thoroughly and get a good understanding for how the ocean will be moving. There is such a large body of water rushing around the headland of Escarceo Point to meet the waters of the Verde Island Passage that a great tidal eddy is created in Kilima Bay. As you traverse across the bay you will notice the water wanting first to pull you deeper down the gravel slope and at about halfway will try and push you shallower back up it. You will need to angle your body and the direction of your fin kicks against these currents to stay on the right track for the direction that you wish to travel. Tracking Below 18m will take you deeper and across the Canyons and beyond into the stronger down currents. Staying above 14m will take you shallower and towards the back of Hole in the Wall where the current eventually drops off completely.
Be aware of what’s going on, since the down currents can be pretty fierce on a deeper track. Finning steadily against down currents is usually enough to stay in control but occasionally some extra inflation of your BCD’s might be required to aid your ascent. This must be done very carefully and is best avoided if possible. The best and safest way to dive the deeper track is to have a signal tube on the surface. Your guide will signal you to use one if needed.
You will see some very large fish swimming in the current, totally awesome! This dive is one memory that you will never forget and arguably one of the most exhilarating dives in the Philippines.
TIP - To enjoy a long drift, the group has to start way back at Sinandigan Wall. It is recommended that every diver in the group (and groups should be small) carries a signal tube.
