Route Description - Southern Visayas
Surrounding the Southern Visayas is the Visayan sea, rich in nutrients and plankton that supports a variety of important ecosystems. There are several areas of protected mangroves and much of the region is protected by marine sanctuaries. Fishing is still a staple means of income for many Filipinos, however, marine sanctuaries such as those enforced at Apo Island have spurred islanders to protect their marine habitats.
This 7 night liveaboard adventure takes you to the Southern Visayas region, which boasts some of the best diving in the Philippines. There is a huge diversity of marine life, gentle sloping reefs, steep coral covered walls and black sand ‘muck’ diving.
During this trip you will visit and dive the islands of Cabilao and Balicasag along with Apo Island marine sanctuary and macro hot spot, Dauin. This itinerary not only offers amazing macro opportunities and the chance to see big schools of fish, but also the possibility of some larger pelagic encounters.
Underwater the topography of dive sites varies from shallow sandy fringing reefs to steep walls dotted with seafans and sponges, whilst a couple of small plane wrecks and cars at Dauin have formed artificial reefs. Marine life is diverse; however common sightings include green and hawksbill turtles and schools of barracuda and jacks, whilst redtooth trigger fish, pyramid butterfly fish and blue lined fusiliers are seen on almost each dive in huge numbers. Smaller creatures such as frogfish, ghost pipefish, octopus and pygmy seahorses are found at several of the dive sites and of course a wide range of nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs can be found on each reef.
Diving with whale sharks at Oslob is offered as optional, and subject to an additional charge.
On a typical day up to 4 day dives or 3 day dives and a sunset or night dive are offered. The diving day is usually scheduled as follows:
Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4, where possible
Dinner