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Scuba Diving Paradise Of Moalboal Cebu


Scuba Diving Turtle Bay Moalboal Cebu
Photo courtesy Turtle Bay Dive Resort

Scuba diving paradise of Moalboal, Cebu: OK, I accept that I am biased as I am lucky enough to spend my days running (my wife Fe will object to this verb as it implies action) a boutique dive resort overlooking Moalboal Bay and the Tanon Strait. The Tanon Strait bottoms-out at around 500meters, divides Cebu Island from neighbouring Negros Island, and is home to one of the largest collection of whales, dolphins, sharks and whale sharks in the Philippines.

Getting back to the topic of this article, I borrowed a few words from an article recently published in Plongée (in the November 2008 edition of this French Dive Magazine) and written by the well known underwater photographer from Marseille – Henri Eskenazie. The article together with a (poor) computer translation into English can also be seen on the Internet. Henri spent 10 days exploring and photographing the Moalboal dive sites in March 2008. It is indeed a great compliment to have Moalboal described as a paradise by such a well travelled photographer/reporter.

Dr. Kent E. Carpenter of Old Dominion University – among other scientists – has identified the Philippines as an epicenter of marine biodiversity and evolution. This is confirmed by Gerry Allen’s database of 4,000 Indo-Pacific Reef fish found in the Philippines. An analysis of the distribution of 2,983 species reveals a pattern of richness and identifies a peak of marine biodiversity in the Central Philippines. Divers come to Moalboal not just for the chance of diving with whale sharks but to experience for themselves the magic of the diverse and beautiful coral that adorns the shelves and walls of Moalboal’s many dive sites. Where there is pristine coral, there is also marine life. Some of the favorites include pygmy sea horses, ghost pipe fish, the colorful and timid mandarin fish, frog fish, nudibranchs and the well camouflaged scorpion fish.

Divers (and snorkellers) never fail to enjoy a close up encounter with sea turtles. The turtles have made Moalboal their home and are nearly always seen resting in one of the many small caves or swimming effortlessly along the coral walls. For more information on diving in Moalboal, visit us (Chris and Fe) at Turtle Bay Dive Resort and if we can’t help we can find someone who can.

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