This dive site, known as Popolcan Under Water Forrest and also referred to as Popolcan West, offers a unique diving experience. Located approximately 45 minutes by Bangka boat from El Nido town, it’s not frequently visited by all dive operators. The area is characterized by deep-lying pinnacles densely covered with various soft corals and whip corals. Divers have the option of exploring a sloping wall that sometimes transitions into a shallow area suitable for easier dives, or embarking on a more adventurous route by starting at the mooring line and swimming to and from several pinnacles. Careful navigation is recommended as there are no obvious landmarks; a compass is essential due to the potential for disorientation between the coral formations. Currents can be present in the channel, and visibility may vary compared to other nearby dive locations. The maximum depth experienced during dives reaches 30 meters.
Popolcan West (Under Water Forrest)
Deep pinnacles creating a unique underwater coral forest.
Boat Access
18m Avg Depth
30m Max Depth
About this dive site
DivingFreedivingSnorkeling
Site Ratings
Big Marine Life Good
Macro Marine Life Very Good
Landscape Quality Excellent
Water Visibility Very Good Viz
Brought to you by Tabanka Scuba Diving Inc
Plan Your Visit
coral reefwall diveturtledeep divesoft coralsintermediate
Marine Life
Pufferfish
Bannerfish
Sweetlip
Triggerfish
Honeycomb Grouper
Clownfish
Snapper
Blue-Barred Parrotfish
Surgeonfish
Scorpionfish
Nudibranch
Sea Turtle
French Angelfish
Whip Coral
Soft Gingerbread Hem Star
Tuna
Boxfish
Trumpetfish
Pipefish
Common Lionfish
Things to Note
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Potential currents, 30m depth, and navigational challenges require some experience.
Hazards:
currentdepthnavigation
Current Strength:
Variable
Nearby Dive Sites
Explore other dive sites in the area

