Philippine Tourism News

Since Oriental Negros is home to a number of marine sanctuaries, the most famous of which is the Apo Island marine sanctuary in the municipality of Dauin, the place is also ideal for diving enthusiasts who want to explore life under the sea. Below are the different dive sites of Apo Island, Dauin, Zamboangita and Siaton.

Apo Island Negros Oriental Dive Sites

1. The Chapel
   The Chapel dive site was named after the Roman Catholic Church in Apo Island dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer, the patron Saint of Fishermen. It is A perfect dive site for those taking PADI courses and is teeming with a variety of marine life whether diving during the day or night time. By day, divers can catch a glimpse of butterfly fishes, wrasses, garden eels, flounders, and sometimes a Marbled Snake Eel. At night, Decorators, Anemones, Hermit Crabs, phosphorescent plankton and Seapens are a breathtaking site.
2. Boluarte
   The Boluarte dive site takes its name from a huge solitary rock jutting out into the sea from the island’s west side. Boluarte means mystery dive. Bluefin Trevallies, Red Snappers, stonefish and Cardinalfish can be seen in the area along with mushroom corals and gorgonian fans.
3. Largahan
   This dive site has very little current and majority of the dive is spent between six and 14 meters deep. There is a high diversity of coral species, Black and White Snappers, Pyramid Butterflyfish and Fusiliers.
4. Rock Point
   This site is at the southern tip of Apo Island, pointing toward Mindanao. There are huge schools of Redtooth Triggerfish, Schooling Bannerfish, unicornfish and surgeons. There are also Banded Sea Kraits and Hawksbill and Green turtles.
5. Marine Sanctuary
   The Sanctuary dive site is on the east coast of the island and comprises a large plateau area. There are large fields of staghorn coral in the area. This dive site is also considered a Clownfish City. A group of half a dozen very large corals with anemones is home to large numbers of Tomato Anemonefish. There are also wrasses and Bigmouth Mackerels in the area.
6. Mamsa Point
   A variety of fishes hang out at Mamsa Point like Humpback Snappers and Bluelined Groupers. There are also Bignose Unicornfish there and a variety of hard corals.
7. Kan-uran
   This dive site on the east site of Apo Island is between the Sanctuary and Cogon dive sites. It was named after one of the original inhabitants, Uran. This is where divers find the deepest wall on the island. There are Staghorn corals, trumpet fish and groupers. Divers can also find Pyjama Cardinalfish and Scorpion fishes.
8. Coconut Point
   The beauty of the Coconut dive site depends on the time of the year, the tides and the moon. From November to May, the currents are often strong, creating a washing machine effect. Great Barracudas, angelfish and schools of Bigeye Jacks, Batfish and turtles can be seen in the area. Early mornings or late afternoons are perfect times to get the most out of the Coconut Point when the reef is alive with fish competing for a place to stay or looking for a meal.
9. Cogon
   The Cogon dive site is named after Cogon Village. Cogon is a type of grass. The area sometimes has a strong current but for most of the year, it is good for a moderate paced, drift dive. There are Scribbled File fish, Mappa Puffers, Mangrove Jacks and Angelfish in the area.

Dauin Dive Sites

1. House Reef
   House Reef is five to 30 meters deep and ideal for beginners as well as advanced divers. The sandy bottom has different corals blocks, sponges and sea anemones. The site is ideal from training, night dives and macro photography.
2. Sarah’s Reef
   Just five minutes by boat from the El Dorado Beach Resort is a nice coral reef and a big artificial reef teeming with coral fishes, scorpion fishes and stingrays. There are also different kinds of colorful nudibranches.
3. Masaplod Norte
   Masaplod Norte is a beautiful marine sanctuary which can be reached by a 10-minute boat ride from the beach front. There are schools of snappers, swelters, stingrays and scorpion fishes in the area.
4. Dumaguete Coco Oil Mill Pier
   The Pier is a special dive site accessible by a 10-minute boat ride and is for advanced divers. Access to the place is limited only when ships are not in port. Schools of batfishes, Ghost Pipe fishes corals and sponges can be found in the area.

Siaton Dive Site

1. Antulang Beach
   The Antulang Beach is a strip of white pebble beach located between Zamboanguita and Siaton. There is an interesting rock formation in the area and the water is ideal for snorkeling.

Zamboanguita Dive Site

1. Mina’s Undersea World
   Some 200 yards from the beach is a marine garden for snorkeling and swimming. White Sea turtles and other marine creatures are found in the area.

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