B U T U A N
72
CJ’S MUST-DIVE LIST
SPONGEBOB WALL
is a steep wall
dive that’s perfect for drift diving.
Divers can follow the wall for as long
as their air holds out. As you may have
guessed, Spongebob Wall was named
in honor of both the celebrated cartoon
character and the site’s main attraction,
a gigantic sponge. Research has yet to
disprove the theory that Spongebob is
the largest marine creature of its kind
in the world. The site is soon to be
designated as a fish sanctuary by the
Carmen Local Government Unit, which
means it will be protected and regularly
patrolled.
PUNTA DIWATA REEF
is a shallow
reef flat that slopes to a maximum
depth of 80ft, though most of the
site has a depth of just 40ft. The site
is covered in colorful, healthy coral
outcrops and bombies (round corals).
It’s also home to marine creatures that
can’t be found at Diwata Wall. Turtles
visit regularly and there’s a large, green
one that may be a resident. Stay alert
as larger species and schools of fish
sometimes come out of nowhere.
JURASSIC PARK REEF
was named
after the resort nearest it. It’s a massive
dive site that boasts some of the best
marine life and corals in Mindanao.
Beyond the excellent coral cover, the
site boasts a colorful array of fish
species, including a few rarities that
you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in
the Philippines.
Butuan diving is Mayor Ramon Calo
of Carmen, the town that has become
a base for visitors to the dive sites.
“We think that diving here has a lot
of potential and we want to let people
know about it,” he says.
As we descend into the warm, clear
water, I quickly discover what all the
fuss is about: Excellent visibility, mild
currents and a riot of color lurking just
below the surface.
Here is a dive capable of turning first-
timers into fanatics, one that epitomises
what summer diving ought to be:
Effortless, full of color and life, and
endlessly engaging. Punta Diwata is a
wonderland of corals and sea creatures.
The most mind-blowing thing about my
dive is the thought that there may be
dozens of other such sites waiting to be
discovered.
The giant sponge
coral that's the
main attraction at
Spongebob Wall;
Inset: neon-colored
squid; Right, top:
another interesting
Butuan resident,
a
pawikan
or sea
turtle
SUMMER UNDERWATER
DOUBLE FEATURE
Cebu Pacific flies to Legazpi and
Butuan from Cebu and Manila.
PHOTOS
JEFF ONG
