Tag: Mantigue Island

Sustainable Diving in Camiguin: Clean-Up and Relaxation

Sustainable Diving in Camiguin: Clean-Up and Relaxation

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The quick get-away in Camiguin Island this summer was again another time to relax, recharge and remind myself I need to be on the road again!

While I was planning for an escape to my go-to diveshop, my buddy randomly suggested for a quick dive trip wherever I want! 😊Apparently, my happy smart choice was my favorite island – not so distant, not crowded and not expensive. Being just few weeks after the Holy Week*, it was peaceful and not crowded as I wanted it to be. Too provincial, as my dive buddy described when we had an afternoon walk from the market.

We were happy to be back at Mabini Hotel as our refuge, the staff were friendly and so helpful.  And practically, walking distance to important spots in the town – church, market, police station, shops, bank. Our dives arrangement done perfect with Scuba de Oro.

The next morning, we’re up early for the preliminaries – Angel’s early walk, packing up gears, my dailies and a relaxing light breakfast. Our DM picked us up promptly at 8:30am to the dock which was 18 kms away, the cheery weather was all we need to brighten up that Friday!

Marine Sanctuary

We got on the paddle boat that brought us to dive boat anchored about 100 meters away, sunny skies and calm waters was just perfect for the dives! In no time, we sailed for Mantigue after all the necessary stuff were loaded. Just watching the wide blue seas with its gentle breeze was just a good start. Again, it was an exclusive dive for us! 😊

DM Amir joined us in our first dive at the Sanctuary, the waters was just right – on a high tide with very mild current. Our giant stride gave a huge splash on the waters! We descend slowly hoping to find a school of jacks. Alas, my dive computer wasn’t working later I realized it was battery low already and this is one of those situations when I felt lost when I don’t have a dive computer. Then I felt struggling with my buoyancy, figuring out why when I always have 6 pounds weights. I wasn’t listening when Angel suggested he would have extra weight in case my wetsuit would keep me positively buoyant. The whole time our DM was on the lookout for me.

We sighted at least three groups of giant trevallies as we went, not so much in number compared last time but much bigger.  The ever gentle turtles crossed our way, three of them wading coyly. I was wondering if these turtles were hatched in the island or are they males felt safe and contented to inhabit the sanctuary. The reef fishes were all over, few drummers showed up. There were triggerfish, anthias, wrasses, fusiliers, anemone fish, sand perch, and more. There were blue stars scattered around and found more culcita which was not a common sight before. Some sponges, sea cucumbers, whips and few androids.

We spent 57 minutes, had my deepest at 22m and my air down to 70 from 200 bars.

Turtle Point

After more than an hour for our surface interval, we prepared for our next dive at the Point – Angel’s favorite. 😊This time, my weight was increased and Angel offered his new dive computer (Garmin Descent 2) which I was grateful!  To make our dives count, we brought our net bag as Amir urged, for some trash clean up. And right, all was well – my buoyancy was perfect and my depth, NDL and safety stop were monitored accurately which is very relevant to me. We descend to a sandy slope and went deeper down expecting some surprise!

Well, we encountered six turtles – two were sleeping quietly in their spot, none of them were threatened as we passed by observing them. Angel and I stopped momentarily in white sandy slope observing the garden eels, their territory became wider I observed. Amir led us for the search of the elusive juvenile leaf scorpion fish, it didn’t disappoint us as it appeared perched on a stone coral. It was a rare sight, and I guess I wouldn’t find if I’m alone – one needs keen eyes for this critter.  A lone chevron barracuda darted fast few meters away, stunned for a bit what was it!  It was surprising, there were lot of critters I observed dwelling at the Point.  Bannerfishes, angels, snappers, moorish idol, fusiliers, anthias, pufferfish, yellow damsels and lot more. A moray eel also peeped from its hole observing us, there were blue stars and culcita’s all over.  It felt surreal with that large throng of juvenile cardinal fish, so tiny thousands of them wiggling over the colorful corals!

We ascend with a bagful of trash – plastic cutlery, sachets, discarded clothing, plastic caps, sanitary napkin, bottle, cans and more plastics. Well, the sanitary nap was gross, but I didn’t let it go. It was a dive clean-up indeed!  We had 62 minutes with 23.1 meters as my deepest and my air down to 80 bars.

Our sumptuous lunch was waiting for us as we got into the boat, the most relaxing part after good dives was while enjoying our meal talking about the sightings and dive trips stories. 😊

Isla Charms

Our last dive in the island was two years ago right in the same spot yet being underwater is always mystery – new encounters, new lessons and whole gamut of bliss beyond the surface. It’s beauty and wonder cannot be equaled. To our delight, our DM allowed us for a quick hop to the island using the paddle boat! 😊 The white beach became wider this time, and there was some kind of sandbar that extends a little farther. What a joy – getting a good view of the main island! The mountains all green capped with white clouds, such a beauty!

We went back to Mambajao with our DM driving for us, such generous soul. We planned for sunset in White Island like we used to in previous years but unfortunately all tourist spots now in Camiguin Island closed at 5pm. Making most of the day, we had a detour to Katibawasan Falls for a quick dip to freshen up, the cold waters was good enough but have to leave immediately before the gates would close. ☹ We capped the day watching the sunset at Chill’s Resto instead!

As I watched leaving the port next morning, had that gnawing feeling of not getting enough. I whispered to myself and promised I’ll be back again soon!  Honestly though, I miss those times watching sunset in White island or the night dip in Hot Spring. Those moments when there was no need to rush.

*Tourists and many people would flock during the Holy Week for the annual Panaad, where devotees would walk around the island as pilgrims for the Way of the Cross.

Diving in Camiguin Again: Escape to Paradise

Diving in Camiguin Again: Escape to Paradise

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I had only one dive trip during the year and gratefully I did it in my favorite island, my dive buddy just gave in for that tryst!

That weekend escape was planned way ahead, and it was just right being so tight with work responsibilities. The third quarter had been laden with work plans that needs extra effort, and the depths therapy was needed to recharge. I don’t want to be in rush, so we head for the island on a Friday and commute like it used to be as real traveler. 🙂

It was “me” time so my accommodations was booked way ahead, the dives however was arranged while on our way and thankfully we got confirmed instantly without much fuss. It was a good decision to dive with Scuba de Oro, it was an exclusive dive for us as there were no expected guests on the day. Later in the evening after we took a leisurely walk around town – church to ask mass schedule, halo-halo treat at Viola’s, watch out the shores at the park near the Parola, search for VJandEP shop -we met up with DM Amir for some pleasantries and short briefing for the dives. He was too polite to drop us at La Dolce Vita for our dinner. Angel was craving for authentic pizza and pasta! 🙂

Amir was on the dot the next morning to pick us up, we need to drive further to Benoni as we we’re aiming for Mantigue Island. It was low tide so we need to wade down the water to get unto the small row boat and finally to the dive boat. The cheery weather was promising, but I was wondering if the school of jacks would be still be there since they’re morning critters. The dives concentrated on the island, it was good to be back.

Our first dive was at the Sanctuary aiming for the jacks, the waters was calm as expected. We geared up taking our time, in no time we went in giant stride! It felt good to be in the depths again, feeling weightless and at peace with the silence. Reef fishes just goin around as we slowly kick feeling the warm waters. In no time, the jacks appeared in great display barely moving. They have grown in number though I believe there are still that went astray from the school, and they are now bigger from the last time I saw them! There was triggerfish, anthias, wrasses and more reef fishes. Some sponges , sea cucumbers, whips and few androids. We spent a good 60 minutes with 29.7 meters as my deepest, my air down to 70 from 200 bars.

After an hour of surface interval, the boat headed for Turtle Point to watch once more those giant turtles . We entered in giant stride again and descended unto sandy slope, floating again peacefully watching and observing critters. In no time, turtles came after the other. The current was too mild so we just flow around, reef fishes still abound. We found a giant grouper! As we went shallower, I stumbled garden eels up on their burrows, I love these critters and got for some stop awhile just observing them going up and up! 🙂 We went up on a patch of corals for our safety stop until we signaled for ascent. I went 59 minutes with 20.9 meters as deepest, my air down to 120 bars. I was surprised of my low air consumption, but then it was a relaxing dive so it was good! 🙂 It was lunchtime when we surfaced, so we had some fellowship lunch with the boys.

After our leisure lunch, we sailed back to the shores grateful for the good weather and great dives. Amir brought us back to our lodgings in the Poblacion. It was another great escape in my fave island, the dives were just what I needed after a lull of more than six months. I was grateful too that my favorite dive buddy joined me, it was more than three years after our last dive before the pandemic era.

NB. Sorry, no underwater photos during these dives.

Charming Camiguin

Charming Camiguin

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Indeed, there are 101 ways of enjoying the wonders of Camiguin Island and maybe it would be too archaic to say I am one of many who are captivated by its enduring charms. I will never get tired of coming over and over again, last year I hopped to the island three times each with different agenda to relish once more its grandeur on its surface and beyond.

Mountains and Falls

Ferns & more foliage in the forest!
Thick foliage & trees…
White Island obscured yet like a gem in the blue sea!

During one long weekend in summer I went with workmates to fulfill my long-time wish to climb Mt. Hibok-hibok, the trek was unforgiving but I made it traversing to Ardent Hotsprings. It was just marvelous getting up close with this majestic & dangerous mountain which have devastated the island decades ago. My legs went wobbly when I got back in the camp but happy for it was a wish come true!

In June during an official travel, after having a road tour with staff and workmates, I had a quick detour for a weekend dive with my dive buddy. It was rediscovering the island province, surface & beyond. And yes, after the dives in Mantigue Island we went up the mountains for the trek to Binangawan Falls in Sagay. We went for the unforgiving trails but the feeling was great when we got there, it was deserted compared to Katibawasan & Tuasan Falls! The trek was engaging, one mistake and you fell into the ravine. The waters was too cold, just right to cool down after the long and challenging walk and it was all ours! 🙂

Island and Depths

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Mantigue Island, a gem in the Bohol Sea!

I went back to the island for my year-end dive and the weather favoured us, while other regions was on a storm it was like summer in Northern Mindanao. We aimed for Mantigue Island, we just couldn’t get enough of the school of giant trevally and huge turtles. I never get tired of coming back again and again, the point is – we only spent brief moment underwater which is usually an hour at a time, and the probability that we will see everything in that moment is nonsensical. Exactly, different sightings in every descent. Yet if I’m in Mantigue waters, I waited for the turtles and the large herd of jackfish or trevallies. I wished to be in the midst of these numerous silvery fish with big eyes and swim with them or be engulfed in their swirling motion completely at peace.

New sighting of this nudi specie
A throng of giant trevallies!
Turtle!
Cardinals & goliath grouper in a cavern
Peeping anemone fish!

Once again we encountered my favourite species – the turtles, giant trevallies, garden eels, stonefish, giant grouper (like a goliath!), sea snake, moray eel, few nudis and unexpectedly – a herd of barracudas! We bumped with the trevallies at least three times as we went around. We stumbled upon a reef decorated with feather stars, soft and hard corals and hydroids formed like a heart – amazing discovery! 🙂 Angel tugged me and pointed it out while floating weightlessly. My two dives on that Saturday have refreshed me undoubtedly after just recovered from feeling ill.

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An amazing find! 🙂

It was drizzling when we head for the white sandbar in Yumbing early the next morning, a storm darkened the skies followed by rains, but the sun peeped after awhile and suddenly brightened up the horizons. It’s been long since I last set foot in the sandbar, then a rainbow appeared and it reminded me of a promise from the heavens, a magic to behold sending good cheers!

Camiguin always fascinates me in every way, the island is purely magical – surface and beyond.

NB. The split photo of Mantigue Island is courtesy of my dive buddy.

Love for the Blue!

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Pure lovely, right in Mantigue Island depths!

In my year-end dive, we discovered this reef as we went around in the island sanctuary, perfectly decorated with feather stars, whips, soft & hard corals. Very symbolic and a gentle reminder for our love of the ocean and marine world in general. Just needed keen eyes, I was beaming when we spotted this corner! 🙂

We’re now into the swing of the new year putting in place each one’s agenda, may the force of love our motivation in our journey – our passions, dreams, and aspirations.

Indeed, the ocean is worth the love we could give. As Dr. Sylvia Earle puts it, ” No ocean, no life. No blue, no green. No ocean, no us.” Let’s keep the heart beating, it’s time we return the love!

Diving in Mantigue Island!

Diving in Mantigue Island!

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Away, deep down in this blue world…

After few weeks from our Mt. Hibok-Hibok climb I was back in Camiguin for a work trip, so the weekend was an opportune time for some break after that nerve-wracking week.  We agreed to rediscover and dive once more the islet off Camiguin coast, so Angel caught up with me in Mahinog very early on a Saturday.

Our cruise to Mantigue was challenged, the insurmountable waves tossed our small boat vehemently and I was thinking if we could just let the storm pass, but we are far from the shore already. The sun was brightly shining though, but I started to worry when the engine had trouble and stopped when we were still half way, what if? 😦  It was agonizing, the waves were fierce enough to sink us! Obviously, we made it to the shores of the island.

Black Forest

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Can you find the coral crabs?

We maneuvered a bit to the north side to take cover from the raging waves and so our DM decided to have our first descent at the Black Forest.  Another challenge was kiting up since our boat was too small to do it, the last and most practical was to do it on waters. It’s been long since I last did it, I hesitated at first but I remembered Mario (my mentor) saying it is the easiest way. So I went down first alone, I missed Mario at that moment because he always make sure someone will hold the gears for me.  My buddy was just watching me from the boat. 😦

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A star in the depths!

We went down to a sandy slope decorated with soft corals, it was surprising that the viz was reasonably good considering the waves we encountered, the sea as always is incredibly unpredictable.  So, we swam over variety of soft corals, hydroids, whips, crinoids with those fish juveniles wiggling over.  The turtles graced us, this time not just one but there were six!  Always, watching them gracefully swimming warms my heart. So with Angel, it is always his favorite specie but now he can calmly watch it swimming by without getting too excited, before he always ends up chasing the poor turtle! 🙂  We found also giant clams, coral crabs, sea cucumber, striped eel fish and a moray eel. We had a safety stop in the grassy sandy shallows and after 63 minutes ended in a shore ascent, swimming up to the white beach.

Marine Sanctuary

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This moray was too shy!

Our surface interval was spent for our late breakfast at Dive Special camp, and later to make most of our time, took a walk around the islet circumference discovering its other side.  The sun was brightly shining without any trace of a storm!  The waters was calm already, so we finally went in our second dive for the sanctuary which we originally aimed for those giant jacks!  We took a short boat ride until the side of the site with those floaters and geared up again in the waters. We descend right in the sanctuary, watching closely taking our time as we swam slowly but this time the viz gone dim and cloudy.  The variety of fishes have again surprised me, it was filled to the brim I must say.  There was a herd of giant batfish, school of midnight snappers, and most of all – the school of jackfish! They have grown in number and obviously in size, now real giants after four years we last saw them!  Again, we had a dose of turtles, five in all including a big one who swam from my back coyly as if wanting me to follow her, I watched it in awe.  There were banners, angelfish, chromis, damsels, triggers, fusiliers and those electric blue anthias darting, so colorful.  There was a scorpionfish too, banded pipefish and variety of giant clams.  As we move around, we encountered again the school of jacks, hovering as if not moving at all.  So peaceful and relaxing, how magnificent to just watch them!  It was a grand display of nature’s splendor.  We had a shore ascent again after having our safety stop in the grassy slope, the afternoon tide fiercely carrying us to the white sandy shore.  We had a total dive time of 57 minutes with our deepest at 20.4 meters.

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We had a dose of turtles!

Ending our two dives, we silently cruise back to the dive shop jetty in Mahinog with the waters perfectly calm. Have you been to Camiguin? If you can squeeze few hours, cruise to Mantigue and wander around, you don’t need to dive to relish its unspoiled charm. Its richness is in its simplicity and serenity!