Ernie's Point

Ernie's Point, Puerto Galera

Prepare for an exhilarating advanced dive at Ernie's Point, a dive site renowned for its dramatic topography and strong currents in Puerto Galera. This site plunges from a shallow reef slope at approximately 5 meters to impressive depths beyond 70 meters, offering a truly diverse underwater landscape for experienced divers.

Dive Site Features

• Topography: Divers will find a fascinating mix of wall, cavern, pinnacle, and drop-off environments. The steep topography is characterized by massive limestone pinnacles and dense gorgonian fans that dominate the deeper profile.
• Caves: Ernie's Point is famed for its distinctive caves. We can explore two non-penetrable recreational caves, one at approximately 21 meters and another slightly deeper at 27 meters. For technical divers, a deep cave awaits at around 51 meters.
• Depth: While the site begins shallow, the average depth for exploration can be around 51 meters, with a maximum depth extending to 70 meters. The recreational dive typically stays shallower, focusing on the upper caves and pinnacles.
• Currents: Be prepared for strong lateral and cross currents at Ernie's Point, which contribute to the vibrant health of the reefs but demand discipline and experience.
• Water Temperature: The water temperature in Puerto Galera generally ranges from 25°C to 30°C, with an average around 27.5°C, making for comfortable diving conditions year-round.

Marine Life

Ernie's Point is teeming with a rich variety of marine life. As we navigate the reef, divers can encounter majestic Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) gracefully gliding by. Keep an eye out for schools of Ribboned Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) and the impressive Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus).

In the blue, we might spot Whitetip Reef Sharks (Triaenodon obesus) or Blue Spotted Stingrays, particularly near the deeper sandy areas. The reef and cave entrances are adorned with colorful Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus giganteus), along with surgeonfish, unicorn fish, fusiliers, snappers, trevallies, and mackerels. Divers may also find nudibranchs, humphead parrotfish, soft corals, and barrel sponges, adding to the site's biodiversity.

Certification and Hazards

Due to the challenging conditions, Ernie's Point is an advanced dive site. An Advanced Open Water certification is required for recreational exploration, while the deep cave at 51 meters is reserved for technical divers holding a TDI Trimix certification or equivalent. The primary hazards at this dive site are the extreme depth, strong currents, and the overhead environment of the caves. We recommend careful dive planning with your instructor and strict adherence to your certification limits.