The Best Dive Sites in Boracay: A Diver’s Paradise

Boracay, a small island in the central Philippines, is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant nightlife. However, beneath its crystal-clear waters lies an underwater paradise that is a haven for divers of all levels. From colorful coral gardens to thrilling deep dives, Boracay offers a diverse range of dive sites that promise unforgettable experiences. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best dive sites in Boracay, each offering unique attractions and challenges.

1. Yapak

Yapak is one of the most famous dive sites in Boracay, known for its deep walls and strong currents. This dive site is recommended for experienced divers due to its challenging conditions, but the rewards are well worth it. Descending along the vertical walls of Yapak, divers can expect to encounter a rich diversity of marine life, including large pelagic species such as sharks, barracudas, and tunas. The walls are adorned with colorful corals and sponges, providing a stunning backdrop for underwater photography.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 30-50 meters
• Visibility: 15-30 meters
• Marine Life: Sharks, barracudas, tunas, napoleon wrasse, and schools of jacks

2. Crocodile Island

Despite its name, Crocodile Island is not home to any crocodiles. Instead, it offers a vibrant and shallow reef that is perfect for both beginners and macro photographers. The dive site features a sloping coral garden teeming with small critters such as nudibranchs, frogfish, and pipefish. The shallow depths (10-15 meters) allow for extended bottom time, making it ideal for leisurely exploration.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 10-15 meters
• Visibility: 10-20 meters
• Marine Life: Nudibranchs, frogfish, pipefish, lionfish, and scorpionfish

3. Angol Point

Angol Point is a fantastic dive site for beginners and those looking to enjoy a relaxed dive. The site features a gentle slope covered in hard and soft corals, providing a habitat for a wide variety of marine life. Divers can expect to see an array of colorful reef fish, as well as the occasional turtle or ray. The calm conditions and shallow depths make Angol Point a great spot for training dives and night dives.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 5-18 meters
• Visibility: 10-20 meters
• Marine Life: Reef fish, turtles, rays, and various invertebrates

4. Camia Wreck

For wreck diving enthusiasts, the Camia Wreck is a must-visit site in Boracay. This artificial reef was created by sinking a 30-meter long cargo ship, which now lies at a depth of 30 meters. Over the years, the wreck has become encrusted with corals and sponges, attracting a multitude of marine life. Divers can explore the exterior of the wreck, swimming through schools of fish and spotting the occasional lionfish or scorpionfish hiding among the structures.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 25-30 meters
• Visibility: 10-25 meters
• Marine Life: Lionfish, scorpionfish, batfish, and schools of fusiliers

5. Balinghai

Balinghai is a dive site that offers a mix of shallow coral gardens and deeper drop-offs, making it suitable for divers of all levels. The site is known for its vibrant coral formations and diverse marine life. The shallow areas are perfect for beginners and snorkelers, while the deeper sections offer more experienced divers the chance to encounter larger species such as groupers and snappers. The clear waters and abundant marine life make Balinghai a favorite among underwater photographers.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 5-25 meters
• Visibility: 10-30 meters
• Marine Life: Groupers, snappers, butterflyfish, and various invertebrates

6. Friday’s Rock

Friday’s Rock is a popular dive site located near the famous White Beach of Boracay. The site features a large coral-covered rock that rises from the sandy bottom, attracting a variety of marine life. Divers can expect to see schools of anthias, surgeonfish, and the occasional reef shark. The site is also known for its resident moray eels and scorpionfish, which can be found hiding in the crevices of the rock.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 12-18 meters
• Visibility: 10-20 meters
• Marine Life: Anthias, surgeonfish, moray eels, and reef sharks

7. Punta Bunga

Punta Bunga is a relatively sheltered dive site that offers calm conditions and a rich diversity of marine life. The site features a mix of sandy patches and coral gardens, providing habitats for a wide range of species. Divers can expect to see everything from tiny critters such as shrimps and crabs to larger species such as barracudas and rays. The site’s calm conditions make it an excellent choice for novice divers and those looking to enjoy a relaxed dive.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 5-20 meters
• Visibility: 10-25 meters
• Marine Life: Shrimps, crabs, barracudas, and rays

8. Channel Drift

For those who enjoy drift diving, the Channel Drift is an exhilarating dive site in Boracay. This site features a narrow channel between two reefs, where the current can be quite strong, creating a thrilling drift dive experience. As divers are carried along by the current, they can enjoy the sight of vibrant corals and a multitude of marine life, including schools of jacks, trevallies, and the occasional turtle. The fast-paced nature of this dive makes it suitable for more experienced divers.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 10-18 meters
• Visibility: 15-30 meters
• Marine Life: Jacks, trevallies, turtles, and various reef fish

9. Laurel Island

Laurel Island is a lesser-known gem among Boracay’s dive sites, offering pristine coral gardens and abundant marine life. The site features a mix of hard and soft corals, providing a habitat for a diverse array of species. Divers can expect to encounter everything from colorful reef fish to larger pelagic species such as tunas and barracudas. The clear waters and healthy coral formations make Laurel Island a great spot for both novice and experienced divers.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 10-30 meters
• Visibility: 15-30 meters
• Marine Life: Reef fish, tunas, barracudas, and various invertebrates

10. Coral Garden

As the name suggests, Coral Garden is a dive site that boasts an impressive array of coral formations. This shallow dive site is perfect for beginners and snorkelers, offering calm conditions and excellent visibility. The vibrant corals provide a stunning backdrop for observing a variety of marine life, including butterflyfish, angelfish, and the occasional turtle. The site is also known for its abundance of anemones, which are home to numerous clownfish.

Key Highlights:

• Depth: 5-12 meters
• Visibility: 10-20 meters
• Marine Life: Butterflyfish, angelfish, turtles, and clownfish

Conclusion

Boracay is truly a diver’s paradise, offering a diverse range of dive sites that cater to all levels of experience and interests. Whether you are looking for thrilling deep dives, vibrant coral gardens, or relaxed shallow dives, Boracay has something to offer. At New Wave Divers Boracay, we are dedicated to providing you with the best diving experiences, ensuring your safety and enjoyment at all times. Join us and explore the underwater wonders of Boracay, creating memories that will last a lifetime.