divers should make this a slow and
easy dive and look closely at the
rocks, small coral clusters and sea
floor to find an array of photogenic
macro prizes.
Even the deco area near the
island is productive. Leather coral
cowries can be found as well as
other tiny critters.

54. Gato Island
    Icons:
    Location: 40 mins NW of
    Malapascua
    Depth: 16-82 ft. (5-25m)

G

ato Island sits off in the
distance a little northwest of
Malapascua and is a popular all day
destination. Two dives are normally
done here or else one at Gato with
a first deeper one at the Dona
Marilyn wreck north of Gato.
Whatever the plan, the dives here

are good and

full of diversity.

The island is a

marine reserve

and designated

as a sea snake

sanctuary. There

are about five

dive sites with

varying terrain

and marine life.

The macro life is

particularly

good and this

island has a unique novelty feature

in that it has a tunnel that runs

through the entire island. Divers

can drift along the high rock walls

here, explore the undercuts and

small caves, swim between the

rocks and hide in the lee for

leisurely exploration. There are

many options and wide

photography may be good for a dive

while macro is good for all of the

dives. The sandy bottom flattens out

around 80 ft. (24m) but the dives

can be done shallower with great

success. Its not necessary to go

deep to see a lot.

Look for the banded sea snakes,

of course, as well as cuttlefish. The

undercuts hold large black coral

trees. In these you will find arrow

crabs, anthias, lionfish and lots of

other creatures taking refuge in the

wispy coral. Look for many different

Smoothies and local fruit