Diving Guide to the Philippines 2015

the rebound and the reef life is
robust. Chapel Point, for instance,
has a small wall that starts shallow
going down to 80 ft. (25m). Along
the wall are nudibranchs, leaf fish,
frogfish and ribbon eels. There is a
small silvery baitfish-filled cave at
60 ft. (18m). A beautiful coral
garden can be found at the shallow
plateau on top of the wall.
Then you go around the island to
Mamsaand the diversity, fish life
and terrain are completely different,
more like that seen on Malapascua.
Divers aren’t allowed to wear
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 Pointis generally
blessed with just light currents and

is protected most of the time. Sea

turtles love it here and there are big

elephant ear blue sponges. Rock

Point West leads to a point atop a

flat plain that sometimes attracts

manta rays when there is current.

Rock Point Eastis situated at the

island’s eastern end with a large reef

up top and a wall. Very fishy. The

list goes on. Also make sure to go

ashore here. The people are

charming and the little village

quaint and clean. Bring a lunch to

eat on the beach.

Hawksbill sea turtle

Baitfish at Chapel Point