Arco Point

Arco Point (The Hole in the Wall), Panglao

Off the picturesque Libaong coast on Panglao's southeast side, Arco Point is a celebrated dive site known for its unique geological formations and abundant macro life. Affectionately nicknamed "The Hole in the Wall," this site offers an engaging experience for divers of all levels, particularly those with an Open Water certification.

Dive Site Features

The highlight of Arco Point is its iconic vertical chimney, a limestone funnel that divers can explore. We typically begin by dropping into the sloping coral garden, entering the funnel at around 8 to 9 meters. From there, divers will swim down through the shaft, exiting onto the vibrant reef wall near 16 to 18 meters. As you descend, shafts of sunlight penetrate the opening, creating a breathtaking, cathedral-like atmosphere, often filled with clouds of glassy sweepers and cardinalfish.

Beyond the swim-through, the dive site features a captivating wall and surrounding rubble slopes, creating a diverse underwater landscape. This combination of wall, swim-through, cavern, and reef environments ensures a varied and interesting dive profile. The overall dive site offers a depth range of approximately 5 m to a maximum depth of 25 m, with the most captivating features typically explored between 5 m and 18 m.

Marine Life

Arco Point is a true macro haven, teeming with fascinating small creatures. Divers can expect to encounter a delightful array of nudibranchs in various shapes and colors, alongside the well-camouflaged Painted Frogfish and the elegant Blue-ribbon Eel. Keep an eye out for the impressive Giant Moray and the intriguing Broadclub Cuttlefish.

Beyond the macro world, we often spot the graceful Green Sea Turtle gliding by. However, divers should also be aware of potentially dangerous marine life, such as the venomous Banded Sea Krait and the striking Red Lionfish. Other common sightings include octopus, groupers, triggerfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, and occasionally schools of batfish or even a Napoleon wrasse.

Diving Conditions & Recommendations

Arco Point is generally considered a beginner-friendly dive site, with typically mild currents that can sometimes offer a gentle drift along the wall. The water temperature is consistently warm, ranging comfortably between 27°C and 31°C year-round, making for pleasant diving conditions. An Open Water certification is required to explore this beautiful site.

While generally calm, divers should be mindful of the overhead environment within the chimney and cavern areas, ensuring proper buoyancy control. As with any popular dive site, boat traffic can be a hazard, so always be aware of your surroundings, particularly during ascent and descent. We recommend this dive site for its unique topography, rich macro life, and suitability for both day and night dives, where different creatures emerge to explore the reef.