Diving on Busuanga / Tubbataha Reef
The diving we will be doing at Busuanga and Tubbataha is reserved for experienced divers. 30 ocean dives is required plus a level 2/PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent. The currents, the depth and the wrecks are all factors which can make these dives a little more technical than normal.
Busuanga was the scene of an important episode in the battle of the Philippines: the Japanese supply ships stationed in the bay of Coron were unable to escape the American aerial surveillance. At the time all the Japanese combat vessels were on their way to Leyte and the Americans took advantage of this and bombed the Coron zone for a full day on the 24th September 1944. Based on different accounts, 25 to 34 vessels were sunk, 15 of which are today accessible to divers. Also, Busuanga provides the greatest graveyard of ships accessible to divers, after the mythic Truk Lagoon in Micronesia. You will discover, often in shallow depths, wrecks such as the Akitsushima, a 118 meter aircraft carrier, the Mamyia Maru, a cargo vessel of 160 meters, the Tae-le Maru, a refuelling ship of 137 meters, all covered in forests of soft and hard coral. There will also be a dive in the mysterious Cayagan volcanic lake in sumptuous and surprising surroundings.
Classified world heritage by UNESCO in 1993 and situated more than 6 hours from the closest coast line, the reefs of Tubbataha are one of the most ancient eco-systems in the Philippines (15 million years) and offer a spectacle of rare intensity. The breathtaking drop offs disappear into an infinite deep blue and the walls are covered with an exceptionally rich fauna with large numbers of pelagic fish: grey sharks, white tips, manta rays, turtles, tuna, giant leather skins, barracudas and occasionally hammer heads and whale sharks. Tubbataha provides 396 species of coral (85 % of the species found in the Philippines in perfect health), 479 species of fish. This site is under constant surveillance from the rangers who live on the small islands. These small islands also provide refuge to large numbers of turtles and reef birds of the region. The richness of the fauna is equivalent to the beauty and variety of the coral covering this multicoloured jewel of the ocean.
Here are a few examples of some of the exceptional dives from our safari:
Some pristine diving spots
It is impossible to leave Busuanga without discovering the cliffs of the volcano that protects Coron Island. This volcanic formation comprises 7 lakes (one being Cayangan) which are a geological phenomenon out of the ordinary. Few divers have had a chance to discover this exceptional site. After a slightly sporty climb, assisted by our staff of course, we dive into water where the light is very special and we soon realise we are doing a very different dive. The vertical wall of the volcanic formation ensures this. For the first 15 meters of our descent the water is very clear and 28 degrees in temperature. Descending further the visibility drops and the temperature increases to 38 degrees. At 30 meters the water becomes orange, almost opaque, with a strong odour of sulphur. At this point the water temperature drops again.
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The Tae le Maru is the wreck of a 120 meters long petrol supply ship which sank vertically to 26 meters in depth. The deck is accessible at 12 meters and covered with beautiful table corals teaming with small fishes and invertebrates. The impact zone from the bomb responsible for the sinking of this vessel is clearly visible at the bow.
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This wreck is one of the rare battle ships sunk at Coron Bay. She was a navy aircraft carrier 118 meters in length. She is sitting in 36 meters of water and laying to the side on her left. Top of the right side of the vessel is in approximately 22 meters. Although she was heavily damaged during the bombing, this wreck remains very impressive. The crane situated at the rear of the vessel is often surrounded by batfishes, tuna and barracuda. On the turrets the canons may still be seen and provide an eerie reminder of the war that took place.
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Okikawa Maru is a 168 meter tanker sitting in 26 meters of water with the deck between 10 and 16 meters. Totally covered in coral, this wreck hosts an impressive marine fauna. Despite several entry points, it is not recommended to penetrate this wreck because the structure is heavily affected by the tides and currents in Coron Bay. The batfishes, groupers and jacks, often present on the deck, will help with your frustration!
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Tubbataha comprises 2 reefs separated by a deep channel 8 km in width. The smaller reef, situated to the South, is 5 km long and 3 wide. The North reef is 16 km long and 5 wide. The entire area of Tubbataha is a marine park covering 96800 hectares...a fabulous area of discovery for divers. Two thirds of this area is covered in coral and the biodiversity found easily rivals the Australian Great Barrier Reef. As mentioned earlier, everything here is vertical drop offs, patrolled by large numbers of big fishes. Although the reef tops and islands offer little, the underwater encounters will provide you with unforgettable memories due to the variety and quality of these dives.
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Technical information
| Minimum diving level required: | PADI Advanced, Level 2 or equivalent |
| Mininum number of logged dives required: | 30 dives minimum |
| Documents required: | Certification card, log book and valid dive medical within last 12 months. Insurance for repatriation is mandatory on this voyage. (i.e. www.diversalertnetwork.com or similar) |
| Number of dives included: | 20 to 22 dives minimum |
| Diving boat(s): | 1 bangka for Busuanga + 2 semi inflatable tenders for Tubbataha |
| Type of tanks: | 12 litre aluminium - single exit international and DIN style tank valves |
| Mandatory equipment : | Dive computer, safety sausage |
| Recommended diving equipment: | 5mm wetsuit, torch |
| Nitrox diving: | No |
| Rebreather diving: | No |
| Closest recompression chamber : | Subic Bay, Cebu, Manilla |
