Sombrero Island

Sombrero Island: A Vibrant Anilao Dive Site for Advanced Divers

Named for its distinctive Mexican-hat silhouette above the waves, Sombrero Island is a renowned dive site in Anilao that promises an exhilarating experience for certified Advanced Open Water divers. We find this site to be a captivating blend of wall, reef, and drift diving, offering diverse topography and an abundance of marine life.

Underwater Topography and Conditions

Beneath the surface, the "brim" of Sombrero Island extends as a fringing reef, featuring impressive drop-offs, sloping reef walls, and undulating terrain that carves through valleys and coral pillars. Divers will discover small caverns, crevices, and tunnels, along with areas composed of large boulders and vibrant coral gardens. The maximum depth at this dive site can reach approximately 30 m, with an average depth around 22 m. The water temperature at Sombrero Island typically ranges from 23°C to 29°C, with cooler temperatures from January to March (23°C to 26°C) and warmer conditions from mid-March to September (27°C to 29°C). Visibility can range from 10m to 30m, with the best conditions often found from March through May.

Currents and Hazards

Sombrero Island is situated in open water, making it exposed to variable currents that can range from mild to quite strong, particularly around full moon phases. These currents, while feeding the vibrant reef, also make this an intermediate-level dive site, requiring good buoyancy control and experience with drift diving. We recommend that less-experienced divers stay close to the reef and follow their instructor's guidance, as strong currents are a known hazard here. While generally safe, divers should also be aware of the potential for dangerous marine life, such as the elusive Blue-ringed Octopus.

Abundant Marine Life

The rich currents at Sombrero Island contribute to a thriving ecosystem, often described as a "coral garden of Anilao". Divers will be immersed in a kaleidoscope of hard and soft corals, gorgonians, sponges, and crinoids. The marine life here is truly spectacular. We frequently encounter graceful Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) grazing on sponges and algae in the shallower areas. Keep an eye out for Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari) cruising in the blue. Schooling fish are a common sight, including impressive schools of Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus), rainbow runners, surgeonfish, and red fusiliers. The reef is also home to a diverse array of smaller reef fish such as Sea Goldies (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), damsels, wrasse, parrotfish, snappers, triggerfish, grouper, black lionfish, pufferfish, soldierfish, and squirrelfish. For those with a keen eye, the rubble areas and coral patches are excellent for spotting macro subjects like nudibranchs, shrimps, and small crabs. With a bit of luck and the help of a sharp-eyed instructor, you might even spot the fascinating and venomous Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata).