Dive Spots on Mindoro Island, Philippines: Exploring 5 Sublime Underwater Destinations
Discovering the Top Dive Sites in Mindoro, Philippines
Mindoro, an island located southwest of Luzon between the Sulu Sea and the Mindoro Sea, offers a unique diving experience that is relatively untouched despite its proximity to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. This secluded island is home to some of the best dive sites in the country, boasting a rich marine biodiversity and excellent diving conditions.
One of the premier dive spots in Mindoro is The Canyons, off the coast of Sabang in Puerto Galera. Known for its spectacular drift diving through marine canyons, this site offers impressive underwater topography with strong currents attracting large pelagics and diverse marine life. The Canyons consist of three parallel depressions that house an incredible open-sea fauna.
Another must-visit site is Coral Garden, located in Puerto Galera. A vibrant reef site with abundant coral formations and colorful fish, Coral Garden offers excellent visibility and a variety of macro life suitable for photographers and underwater enthusiasts. The Coral Garden site reveals a colorful reef with diverse hard and soft corals, anemones, and tropical fish.
For those seeking an intriguing underwater experience, Sabang Wrecks in Puerto Galera are a perfect choice. Located near Sabang Beach, these wreck dive sites provide an intriguing experience exploring sunken vessels that have become artificial reefs attracting diverse marine species. Sabang Wrecks offer underwater sanctuaries for various marine life.
Apo Reef, located 30 kilometers off the coast of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, is another top dive site. Part of a national marine park and one of the largest contiguous coral reef systems in the Philippines, Apo Reef is known for its rich biodiversity, extensive coral gardens, and large pelagic encounters. Reef sharks, tuna, eagle rays, and hammerhead sharks can be found at the Apo Reef. Apo Reef is a natural heritage site in the Philippines, spanning over 34 km.
Lastly, Baniaga Reef, located off Bulalacao in the south of Oriental Mindoro, is a largely unknown coastal reef. Baniaga Reef is recognized for its strong currents and healthy coral ecosystems, making it a prime location for spotting big fish species, including thresher sharks, amid stunning reef structures. The water at Baniaga Reef is crystal clear, with a moderate depth rarely exceeding 18 meters. Baniaga Reef is characterized by complex underwater formations such as small canyons, short tunnels, caves, and pinnacles. Hawksbill turtles, butterflyfish, and squid can be encountered at Baniaga Reef.
These dive spots in Mindoro, like Puerto Galera with over 40 sites, balance critter spotting, wide-angle coral walls, and thrilling drift dives, making the island a top diving destination away from crowded tourist areas. These sites collectively showcase Mindoro's diverse seascapes and vibrant marine life.
During our exploration of Mindoro, we discover that Coral Garden, located in Puerto Galera, mirrors a lifestyle of tranquility with its vibrant reefs and colorful marine life, offering a sharp contrast to the in-flights and travel typical of modern lifestyles. In the realm of unique home-and-garden experiences, one can find an underwater version—the mesmerizing, living dreamscape of Sabang Wrecks in Puerto Galera.
