Cebu, one of the most progressive islands in the nation, is the center of all activity in that area with its international airport and thriving seaport. It is home to a good number of resorts. Scuba World has a major dive shop in Cebu City and works with Plantation Bay, an impressive full service resort on Mactan Island.

Strong currents are the norm. Better dives are on steep drop-offs. Some sites regularly dived from Cebu, such as Capitancillo Island, Talong Island and Cabilao Island offer dramatic drop-offs and good fish populations. Being south of the ‘Typhoon Belt’, diving is possible all year round.

Bandian Island

Directly at our island we have 6 dive sites. Coral Gardens: This is only 5 minutes away and is also our primary snorkelling area. There is a small sandy area on the shelf at 3 meters, which we use for our Open Water Training Dives. Fish Feeding: There is a small shelf at about 8 meters before the drop off that can accommodate 3 or 4 divers. Right now there is a small group of Damsels, small Wrasse & Groupers taking the bread out of your hand. Garden Eels: You go down the drop off to about 30 meters. Then from 30 to 34 meters there is a large sandy spot covered with Garden Eels poking their heads out of the sand. You need to be down current and very still or the eels will go back into their holes. Badian Wall & Fisherman's Cave: These two spots are located on the north & northwest side of the island about 10 minutes away. The current is sometimes a little stronger here, so there is usually more fish activity. Sawang: This is a shallow dive that we sometime use for our first Open Water Training Dive, if we have large groups. It starts at 3 meters with sandy spots for skills and patches of corals. Then it gradually slopes. A good safe dive for beginners. We also use this spot for the Advance Open Water Navigation Dive. At the first 5 dive sites the shelf begins at 3 to 4 meters then drops off to 30 to 40 meters. You can see many fan and large green hard coral. There is usually a school of 20 to 30 small Yellowtail Barracuda swimming by. Sometimes you can see turtles. It is a good area for night diving. The currents are small to medium and the visibility is 15 to 25 meters. More...

Pescador Island

It is located 20 to 30 minute boat ride from the resort depending on the weather conditions. It is one of the primary dive spots in the Philippines. Gorgonian Colors: The Southwest side has a gradual slope to 10 meters with many hard coral with schools of small fishes. From 10 to 25 meters there are a great abundance of Gorgonian coral of many colors. Between 20 to 30 meters there are plenty of overhangs. You can see many Lionfish in this area. Cathedral: The Cathedral is a very large hole that resembles a grotto, which begins at 15 meters and ends at 34 meters. There is a small cave inside that begins at 18 meters and goes up to 7 meters. There are other large cracks where you can see many Squirrel fishes. There are two large windows at 25 meters, which you can swim through. You will see Sweetlips around the area. Snapper Point: The wall begins at about 4 meters. There are many overhangs and ledges between 15 to 30 meters. In this area you can see large schools of Black & White Snappers, Black Snappers, & Red Snappers.

All most all around Pescador the wall drops off to 50 meters then there is a very steep slope. At one small area there is gradual slope to 200 meters. All around Pescador you will see many Lion fish, Scorpion fish, Clown fish hiding in their anemone home, different color Trumpet fish, there are a few 10 to 15 kilo Groupers roaming the area. Sometimes the Tuna are passing by, schools of Bigeye Trevally, and you might spot a few Great Barracudas. If you are lucky there are a couple resident Whitetip Sharks in deeper water. When the water gets down to 25° C, Hammerhead Sharks are spotted in deep water away from the wall. The currents can get strong depending on the tides, so it is the perfect place for a drift dive. Visibility varies between 15 to 50 meters and averages 25 meters.

Moalboal

There are 3 good dive spots. Tongo Point Moalboal Sanctuary & Visayan Reef: These 3 spots are 30 to 35 minutes away. The wall starts at 5 meters and drops to 60 meters. The fan & soft coral are plentiful. At about 30 meters there are some fan coral which are over 2 meters across. There are many overhangs with small caves, so bring your flashlight. We often see turtles. When the currents get strong we just drift along enjoying the view of Yellowtail Barracuda, Triggerfish, and many small tropical fishes. The visibility averages 20 meters.

White Beach

(Only Day Tours) You can find one of the best beaches in the Cebu area 1 hour boat ride from Badian Island. There are two beautiful dive spots here. Saavedra & Copton Point: These two spots are particularly rich in corals and a bigger variety of small fishes than most other dive spots, because of the stronger currents. There is one area at 20 meters that is sandy with some Garden Eels. Also there are many Triggerfish looking for food since this used to be a regularly fish feeding area. Also turtles are in the area.

Lambug Reef

Just 15 minutes away is two more dive sites. Lambug Beach & Bolok Bolok: The wall begins at 3 meters and drops off to about 40 meters. Occasionally you can see turtles and a few seasnakes. The visibility is usually 10 to 20 meters, because of the lack of currents.

Sunken Island

A spectacular dive, for very experienced divers only, in the middle of Cebu and Negros islands in the deep blue. After dropping through 25 meters of open water with strong currents you will reach the top of an underwater mountain, where you can visit schools of Tuna, Bigeye Trevally, and Surgeon. The small bait fish are so plentiful that they block out the sun. You might see some Great Barracuda prowling the area. If you have time you also see large Lionfish , Scorpionfish, & all kinds of coral fishes. If you are lucky enough there are a few Frogfish to see. During the months of December to March Sharks sometimes visit this reef.

At all dive sites there are a large variety of Soft and Hard Coral, Barrel Sponges with Feather Stars and Cucumbers on them. There are more Starfish then you can count. The Sea Urchins come in all sizes and colors, which you see during the night dives. Then there is the view of the reef fish. The varieties include pairs of Butterfly & Angelfish, Lizzardfish & Pipefish blending in with the reef, Lionfish under the overhangs. There are Stonefish, Scorpionfish, & Frogfish camouflage on the reef. Moray Eels hiding in their holes. Needlefish skimming the top of the reef looking for food. Sometimes schools of Tuna and Bigeye Trevally come cruising by, just to name a few. The list is endless.

Alegre House Reef - Located directly in front of the resort, the Alegre House Reef offers a wide variety of marine life with exceptionally easy access.

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life     The Wall:     The Bridge:

The Wall & The Bridge 5 minutes The Wall: 5-30 meters; The Bridge: 12-30 meters 4-30 meters damsel fish, large black wrasse, small barracuda, cuttlefish, batfish, trevally, blue spotted stingray, flashlight fish, green sea turtle grouper, green sea turtle, moray eel, barracuda, damsel fish, fusiliers

Capitancillo Island - Capitancillo is a small coral island, which is home to a lighthouse that was rebuilt in the 1950's. The island takes its name from Captain Cillo, an American who ran his vessel aground on the island during the war. The island itself has very little sand and virtually no vegetation with the exception of a lone tree. It is uninhibited, although local fishermen often use it as a base for drying fish and repairing their nets. The true beauty of the island lies under the sea and subsequently offers 3 dive spots and is excellent for snorkeling.

Cruising along the waters of Cebu is always fun and full of exciting moments. Every now and then as you sip your favorite cocktail on board our yacht a school of the ocean's friendliest denizens will exhibit their playful skills before your eyes.

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life     Mamsa Point:     The Bridge:     Salanga Point:

Mamsa Point, Coral Garden & Salanga Point 30-35 minutes 4-40 meters 15-40 meters Wall Dive. surgeon fish, triggerfish, wrasse, occasionally hammerhead shark beautiful coral heads, mostly hard corals, deep wall dive, many small caverns, yellow-tailed fusiliers occasional manta ray

Calanggaman Island - Calanggaman is an extremely attractive island, surrounded on all sides by white sand beaches with lush foliage and mature coconut trees in the center. It is currently inhabited and gives guests a true insight into the lives of the local fisher folks. The snorkeling and natural beauty of the island are its main attractions.

This magnificient marine scosystem awaits adventurous individuals who would like to sample a rare experience of encountering the lovely creatures of down under such as these beautiful coral gardens and handsome fishes

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life     Baha-ul Point:     Bariles Point:     Barracuda Point:

Baha-ul Pt., Bariles Pt., & Bracuda Pt. 50 minutes 6-40 meters 15-40 meters beautiful corals wall dive, sting ray wall dive, coral garden, barracuda, small butterfly fish, sponges, damselfish, anemone fish

Kimod Shoal - An underwater mountain offering deep wall dives, Kimod Shoal is an excellent location for shark spotting.

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life     Kimod Shoal:

Kimod Shoal 70 minutes 8-60 meters 15-30 meters large grouper, barracuda, large reef sharks, thresher sharks, and hammerhead sharks

Gato Island - Gato Island (meaning cat island) is so called as this rocky island resembles a seated cat. A large tunnel penetrates the rock from the northeast side to the southern tip of the island. Although the tunnel is often used as shelter by local fishermen, it is not recommended for diving. Around the island though, diving spots are part wall, part slope and offer the chance to see a many unusual smaller fish including the occasional sightings of sea horses. The island used to be a breeding area for sea snakes and there is still an opportunity to view them.

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life

Wall dive 90 minutes 2-28 meters 15-30 meters large lobster, cowries, reef sharks, large puffer fish

Quatro Islas - A cluster of four stunning islands, all of which are extremely photogenic. One of the islands, Himuquitan, offers excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities as well as sheltered white sand beaches. A small inhabited village is located on the island and it is also home to some rather large lizards!

Dive Spots Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life     Himuquitan:

Drop off 120 minutes 2-50 meters 10-30 meters coral garden, large tuna, large barracuda, large school of jackfish and angelfish, Moorish idols, and different varieties of nudi branches

Tulang - Tulang is a small island situated just north of Pacijan, a larger island which lies one hour east of Alegre by boat. The island is home to a lighthouse and this is where the best diving can be found. The current is fairly strong and suitable for drift dives along the drop-off, which is approximately 10 meters and is too deep for snorkeling.

Traveling Time Depth Range Visibility Marine Life

60 minutes 10-45 meters 15-25 meters large schools of small medium-sized tuna. The drop-off offers an array of colorful sponges and soft and hard corals. Schools of Moorish idols, banner fish, white surgeons and batfish are also common to the area.