This dive site, known as White Island Old Sanctuary, is located merely 700 meters from the famous White Island sandbar, off the coast of Camiguin, Philippines. It is characterized by an extensive hard coral garden that starts at 16 meters and gently ascends to 5 meters, making it an ideal location for a relaxed and visually rich dive. The gentle slope allows for easy navigation and exploration of its vibrant ecosystem, suitable for divers of all skill levels. While there's no specific historical account provided, its designation as a 'sanctuary' suggests a focus on marine protection and conservation efforts in the area.
The site is teeming with marine life, frequently visited by schooling snappers, elegant sea snakes, vibrant sweetlips, and graceful bannerfish on almost every dive. Green turtles are common visitors, often seen gliding through the coral gardens, and barracudas also make appearances, adding to the excitement. The dominant feature is the extensive hard coral garden, which provides shelter and food for a diverse array of reef fish and invertebrates, although specific macro life isn't detailed, it can be inferred from the healthy coral ecosystem.
White Island Old Sanctuary offers a consistently rewarding diving experience throughout the year, with the dry season (roughly November to May) typically providing the calmest seas and best visibility in the Philippines. It is an excellent spot for both scuba divers and freedivers, thanks to its manageable maximum depth of 19 meters and shallow sloping reef that makes snorkeling enjoyable too. Divers should remember to respect the sanctuary status by observing marine life without disturbing it, ensuring the continued health of this vibrant coral paradise.
