Puntod

Puntod, also known as Pungtud Wall or Puntod Wall, is a highly-regarded dive site located off the coast of Doljo on Puntod Island, near Panglao in the Philippines. This site is known for its spectacular vertical coral wall that begins at a shallow depth of 3 to 5 meters and dramatically drops to over 30 meters, with some sources indicating depths of up to 45 meters. The wall is abundantly covered in a diverse array of colorful soft corals, hard corals, sea fans, sponges, and crinoids, creating a vibrant underwater landscape. Overhangs and small caves also punctuate the wall, providing interesting areas for exploration. Beyond the wall, a sandy slope extends to deeper sections, where patches of black sun coral add to the beauty.

Puntod is considered suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, offering a relaxing yet visually stunning experience due to its clear waters and generally calm conditions. Visibility at Puntod is typically excellent, often exceeding 20 meters and sometimes reaching up to 40 meters, particularly outside the rainy season. While generally calm, mild or no currents are usually present, making it ideal for a gentle drift dive; however, strong currents can sometimes occur, making it a fast drift dive. The site is also popular for snorkeling, especially on the shallow reef top where a beautiful coral garden and plenty of fish can be found. Marine life at Puntod is prolific and diverse, offering opportunities to spot both macro critters and larger pelagic species. Divers can frequently encounter nudibranchs, frogfish, lionfish, barracuda, pufferfish, and scorpionfish. Other sightings include various reef fish like parrotfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, wrasse, angelfish, and damselfish, as well as moray eels and banded sea snakes. The deeper sections of the wall may reveal reef sharks and tuna patrolling, and occasionally, a whale shark might be seen. The safety stop on the shallow sandy pads with beautiful corals and abundant fish is a delightful part of the dive. Puntod's rich biodiversity and impressive coral formations make it a favored spot for underwater photographers and those seeking an immersive diving experience.