Manila Channel

Manila Channel (Puerto Galera)

The Manila Channel dive site, located in the vibrant diving hub of Puerto Galera, offers an engaging experience for divers of intermediate certification. This northwest passage into Puerto Galera Bay is renowned for its scenic drift diving, allowing us to glide effortlessly over a diverse underwater landscape.

What to Expect

Divers will find the Manila Channel to be a captivating drift dive, with moderate currents guiding us through its rich ecosystem. The dive site typically ranges in depth from 5 meters to a maximum of 25 meters, making it accessible for Open Water certified divers. The water temperature in Puerto Galera generally ranges from a comfortable 26°C to 30°C, ensuring pleasant diving conditions year-round.

Underwater, we will discover a fascinating blend of site types, including sloping reefs and small, layered walls. The channel boasts a healthy array of hard and soft corals, featuring beautiful potato corals, large purple gorgonian sea fans, green tree corals, and barrel sponges. Keep an eye out for whip corals, which often host commensal shrimps. The sandy bottom areas are home to fire urchins and mushroom corals, adding to the diverse topography. Some sources even mention the remains of an old sailboat wreck, encrusted with corals, adding an extra element of exploration.

Marine Life Encounters

Manila Channel is a haven for both wide-angle and macro photography enthusiasts, promising consistent encounters with a variety of marine life. We can expect to spot graceful Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) using the channel as a transit corridor, alongside the elusive Reef Octopus (Octopus cyanea), known for its incredible camouflage abilities.

The coral heads and walls provide shelter for numerous species, including the charming Common (Yellow) Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) clinging to structures, and the robust Malabar Grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) holding its ground. Divers may also encounter a vibrant array of reef fish such as antheas, damselfish, butterfly fish, sweetlips, snappers, wrasses, and schools of fusiliers. Look closely in the cracks and crevices of the walls for lionfish, scorpionfish, porcupine fish, and various moray eels. Macro lovers will be delighted by the assortment of nudibranchs, flatworms, crabs, and mantis shrimps. Frogfish, often well-camouflaged, are also a highlight for keen observers.

Important Considerations

While the Manila Channel offers a relaxed and rewarding dive, it is crucial to be aware of the significant boat traffic above the surface. As this is a primary waterway, we strongly recommend deploying a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) upon ascent to ensure our visibility to surface vessels and maintain safety. This dive site is suitable for Open Water certified divers, but its moderate currents mean an intermediate skill level will allow for the most enjoyable experience.