Airbound Inc - The Smart Traveller's First Destination for Tours, Cruises and other travel specials

Advanced divers pick spring tides in the hope of spotting larger pelagic species, but less experienced divers should choose neap tides and be with an experienced dive master. Visibility can reach 100ft.

Has shallow reef-tops at 10m leading to drop-offs with colorful soft corals. The main interest of the divers are the walls, with their many caves and overhangs, small shoals of pelagic fish, all varieties of reef fish. Shallow reef-flats extend 3km all around Capitancillo Island, but this dive site is the best in the area.

Talong Island

Location: Located 55km north-northeast of Mactan Island, just north of the northwest point of Pacijan Island, the westernmost of the Camotes Islands.

Access: 1.5-2hr by banca from Mactan Island or 1hr by banca from Sogod.

Average Depth: Anything

Maximum Depth: 130ft

Conditions: Normally choppy with medium currents, but it can become really rough with fierce currents. You would not normally make the journey in rough weather. Visibility can reach 130ft.

"Talong" translates as eggplant. The north and northwest sides of the island have long slopes out and down with fields of stony corals, particularly large table and boulder corals. When the currents are running, novices should stay close to their dive master. This is a good area to spot pelagic species.

Olongo Island - Mabini Point

Location: Located at the northern tip (also known locally as Tingo Point) of Olongo Island.

Access: 15-20min by banca from Mactan Island.

Average Depthv 115ft

Maximum Depth: 130ft

Conditions: Strong surges and fierce unpredictable currents; a site for advanced divers only with visibility up to 30m.

This is a dive where one hopes to see larger pelagic species. There is little to see in the shallower water, so get down quickly to 35m (115ft) on the drop-off, settle down in some shelter and look out. - Anything can pass by. Sharks are common, but Hammerhead sharks are the highlight and Whale Sharks have been seen.

Olongo Island - Mabini Point to Baring

Location: Located between the northern tip of Olongo Island and the village of Baring.

Access: 15-20min by banca from Mactan Island.

Average Depth: 115ft

Maximum Depth: 130ft

Conditions: Strong surge and fierce unpredictable currents, not for novice divers and visibility up to 30m.

There are several spectacular drop-offs, and there are large caves about 30 to 35m down. There is too little to see in the shallow water, so get down quickly to 30m and either have a fast drift at this depth or settle down in some shelter and watch the world go by.

Olongo Island - Sta. Rosa and Poo

Location: Located 400m offshore from the villages of Santa Rosa and Poo.

Access: 15-20min by banca from Mactan Island.

Average Depth: 100ft

Maximum Depth: 130ft

Conditions: Normally strong currents, but more predictable. Novices should be with a dive master. Visibility up 100ft over the drop-off, but it is muddy on the shallow reef-flat from the drop-off to the shore.

It is possible to snorkel on the reef-flat at 9m to 12m, but it is muddy well offshore and has strong currents, so you require banca over.

For divers, the drop-off starts around 9m and falls to 40m. It is rich in marine life. There is a good variety of reef fish in the shallower waters.

Mactan Island - Tambuli Location

Location: Off Tambuli Beach Resort.

Access: 5-15min by banca from whatever local resort you are using.

Average Depth: 65ft

Maximum Depth: 115ft

Conditions: Usually calm with some current, though it can get rough with strong currents. A dive mainly for novices. You would not normally dive here in bad conditions. Visibility up to 65ft.

Descend to an easy dive, sloping to a shelf at 21m - where the reef fish are used to being hand-fed - then the slope continues off into the depths. All the smaller reef fish will approach you looking for handouts. A good dive for macro photography.

Mactan Island - Marigondon

Location: 100m offshore in the Hilutangan Channel from Amboucuan Point to Marigondon.

Access: 10-15min by banca from most of the resorts on Mactan Island.

Average Depth: 100ft

Maximum Depth: 180ft

Conditions: Normally choppy with strong currents, but can become very rough with fierce currents. Only very experienced divers should be with a dive master and plan carefully for slack water. Visibility can reach 80ft.

There are many diving possibilities between Engaño Point (Mactan's northernmost tip) and Amboucuan Point but, with so many beach resorts along this stretch, the tourist boat and jet Ski traffic is too dangerous. Further south, however, this is not such a problem.

Between Amboucuan Point and Marigondon the strong currents make for good fish life, but in some areas there is heavy coral damage from dropped anchors. Divers planning shallow dives require an experienced local guide if they are to find the best areas.

East Side of Panganan Islet

East Side of Caohagan Islet

East Side of Lassuan Islet

Location: Located at the east side of the extensive reef tat extends south from Olongo Island to Lassuan Islet.

Access: 20-30min by banca from Mactan Island.

Average Depth: 60ft

Maximum Depth: 130ft

Conditions: Usually choppy with string and localized currents. You would not dive here in rough conditions. It is best to keep to the east side of the reef in the Olango Channel, as conditions can get really tricky on its west side, in the Hilutangan Channel. Both channels have rip currents.

Unfortunately this large expanse of reef has been over fished, but it offers good drift diving over the drop-offs. Excellent stony corals can be seen down to 20m. A good local guide is necessary if you are to find the best points.

Kansantik

Location: Located in the center of the Olango Channel, east of Lassuan Islet.

Access: 45-50min by banca, depending on how long it takes to locate this underwater island and allow for its currents. Global Positioning System (GPS) is useful here.

Average Depth: 100ft

Maximum Depth: 165ft

Conditions: Open water, fierce currents and a fierce surge if you get the tide tables wrong. This dive is only for the most experienced divers, in small groups, and not for those with heavy cameras! A good banca operator is essential to find the site and drop a shoreline and anchor onto it. Once in position, the best guides use a heavily weighted shot line, and some divers use individual lines to tie themselves to the weight on the shot line's bottom. Visibility can reach 130ft.

An underwater mountain rises from the depths to within 30m of the surface. Descend the shot line and remember when you leave it that, even if you are presently in slack water, the current will soon pick up again. There are good stony corals, soft corals, whip corals, huge sponges, fishes and other pelagic species.