After almost two decades in diving pursuit, we’re still in search of new sites around the country. So just before summer ended, we planned another dive trip aiming for something fresh and different. Coming to Bantayan Island has been shelved for a while, obviously for reason that there was no scuba diving opportunity there. The sight of gleaming white beaches keeps haunting for sometime, so when my buddy discovered that dive operator exists lately, we agreed for a try with no second thoughts. The usual thing for me was discover one new place and explore more beyond the surface.
I was greeted with beautiful sunrise as we approached the port after an overnight boat trip to Cebu, the cheery morning was just a good sign. So, just went straight to North bus terminal which was just nearby at SM City – just a stone throw at the Travelers Lounge. The bus ride to Hagnaya Port was smooth, but the heat was scorching when we arrived almost noon time. The ferry cruise though was a relief as we chose the open-air sits for some breath of fresh air! After settling in our accommodation at Sta. Fe with some rest, we took a long stroll to punta searching the dive shop located within the Hungry Beach & Co. area. Just when the sun went mild in the nightfall, we opted to get a quick dip in the waters but it was unfortunate it was low, low tide. Well, what can I expect it was full moon in the next day!
Hilantagaan Island
The early call time prompted me to wake up at 530am for all the preliminaries, as we were engaged whole morning only for the two dives we need to start sooner. The shop was on motion already but we can see from our point the water surf was up, unlike yesterday when the was waters was so flat and calm. We geared up ahead right at the shop and in that mode gathering strength somehow preparing for a tough day. Our dive guide Ethan somehow explained that the spots we’d venture for the day should be within shelter from the open seas.
The boat sped off to the channel between the Bantayan main island and Hilantagaan braving the surf, with no bouy marker or indicator for the spot, Ethan did the search through hanging from the outrigger with his face scanning underwater! Tough task but in no time, they drop anchors. We completed gearing up, the final check and reminded not to go far from each other.
We back rolled and quickly held the line as we got in the waters – current during full moon is harsh! The descent was slow as I equalize, gently shifted to relax feeling weightless floating near the bottom. What was noticeable was the large population of sea urchins in different colors, sizes and variants with short, medium up to long spines, scattered all over the area. Obviously treading carefully is necessary, the sting is unbearable! ☹ There were patches of soft corals on its white sandy bottom, and tropical fishes such as chromis, box fish, lizard fish and the perennial anemone fish. Some choco chip star, culcita and few feather stars. A juvenile sea krait came wiggling away fast, there was a herd of striped eel fish that stood their ground as we stopped nearby to take a closer look – I always love to watch them huddle together in unison. Just then, Angel signaled something while we’re drifting with the current feeling weightless, so underneath a wide branching coral was a turtle! We hovered and peek down – it was there like hiding and feeling so comfortable, didn’t move an inch undaunted of our presence. 😊I was thinking it didn’t to drift away with the current or maybe just needed some rest before swimming out for food hunting. Both me and dive buddy got mystified with turtle encounters, every time until now! I cringed with currents, following our dive guide we swam against probably leading us back to our boat, then after some time with no more critters but all urchins around I signaled for ascend. We had 60 minutes bottom time with my air at 70 bars.
The surf was still up during our surface interval but thankfully, our dive guide had anchored at the sandbar of Hilantagaan to our delight! 😊 We just explored a little of the sand bar – gathering some trash, searching sea shells until I ended up having a quick dip in the clear waters.
Our next descent was still in the channel to be safe as we understood from Ethan, the surf became harsher and without doubt the current couldn’t be any less. We back rolled once more, descend again on the white sandy bottom but unfortunately viz was hazy about 5-6 meters only. ☹ There was less sea life but a promising one – there was sea krait within our watch! Striped eel fish huddled together, anemone fishes, choco chip star, blue star. There were few patches of soft corals and again the area has large population of sea urchins in variety! There was nothing much as we went around, drifting but in the end going against the current. Ethan had gone ahead and can’t see him anymore, with my buddy just near I signaled for ascent as the viz wasn’t really helpful. For a moment our guide appeared and prepared for our safety stop, until we went for the surface. Alas, the boat was far and with surfs up, our boat man can’t hardly spot us. The boat came anyway, grabbing the line for safety was in order – surf and current cannot be taken for granted. I still have 80 bars with bottom time of 40 minutes. Both dives were between 12 to 14 meters depth.
Indeed, the sea is unpredictable – that Saturday was in a pretty much perfect summer conditions – warm sun, fresh breeze, blue skies yet the surf, current and hazy viz made it challenging. Even then, I would say I will go and dive again in a heartbeat! 😊Coming to the islands was another learning experience!
NB.
As of this writing, my dive computer was due for checks at the shop and can’t have the data in my log.
Life in the Great Beyond 
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