verde island

dive verde island

The Batangas – Verde Island Channel is a very special place. It is currently ranked number two in the entire world for bio-diversity of species. Many scientists are of the opinion, that it may actually be the number one area, and biologists are working in both Indonesia and the Philippines to verify which area is actually number one. The Puerto Galera area is a favorite dive destination. Of all the dive sites accessible from Puerto Galera, none is more special than the pinnacles located at the east end of Verde Island. There are two usual dive sites, known as the Right Side Wall, and the Left Side Wall. The amount of fish life to be seen is nearly ten times the amounts seen at other sites in the Channel area. This is due to hot volcanic water that is venting from the area below the pinnacles.
The Right Side Wall is a steep wall dive, filled with the healthiest and beautiful corals you can find. When they first enter the water, divers are immediately struck by the abundance of fish life. Immense schools of Blue Trigger fish stay just above and away from the reef. At certain times of the year Sardines are so abundant, that divers refer to it as Sardine Rain. When you look up or away from the amazing corals, walls of these fish can be seen. There are many species of nudibranch to be found, as well as other types of macro life. At deeper depths, huge sea fans can be found. The currents on the right side tend to shift back and forth depending on tides. This area is considered the easier dive of the two.

The Left Side Wall is not as steep a drop off as the right. Currents on this side can be dangerously strong, and an area called the Washing Machine is known for a very strong down current. Divers may see their bubbles going down in this area and need to be prepared. At a depth of 30 meters, some extremely large Gorgon Sea Fans can be found. The largest of these is nearly five meters across, and three meters high. The Left Side divers will usually drift along toward the Washing Machine area. Divers are briefed to swim hard to the right at the end of the wall area, to get around the corner and out of the strong currents. Experienced guides will signal to divers as they approach this area, and once around the corner, divers find themselves in a large bowl that is protected from the strong currents. At this point, divers can relax and gaze amazed, at all the huge schools of large fish, swimming in the strong currents. Large Trevally, Sea Bass, and Jacks can be found, as well as Tiniki. This bowl area is also known as the Nudibranch Wall. Varied species of all shapes and colors can be found here, and it is the macro photographers paradise.

The Verde Island pinnacles are a must see dive area, when visiting Puerto Galera.

DIVE SITES

1

Verde Island Drop-Off

Depth: 0 to 80m/264ft Level: Advanced Recreational Dives/advanced and Technical Nitrox/TrimiDives
2

The Pinnacle

Depth: 24m/79ft to 30m/99ft Level: Advanced Recreational & Nitrox Dives
3

Washing Machine

Depth: 5m/17ft to 27m/89ft Level: Recreational/Advanced divers
PHOTO GALLERY
Anemone
Verde Island
Soft Corals
Verde Island
Soft Corals
Verde Island
Hawkfish
Verde Island
Lionfish
Verde Island
Nudibranch
Verde Island
Octopus
Verde Island
Purple Gorgonian
Verde Island
Sea Fan
Verde Island
Seafan
Verde Island
Tree Coral
Verde Island
Soft Corals
Verde Island

Featured Videos

Watch Out the Life Below the Surface

With more than 40 prime dive sites and hundreds of species of fish life, beginner and advanced divers will definitely enjoy a world class diving experience.