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Are you looking for information about diving in Ticao? Then you’ve come to the right place!
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In this article, we share our experience as professional divers about the best dive sites on the island, marine life, tips, and much more… Keep reading!
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Where it is and how to get there
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Since there is no airport on the island, to get to Ticao, we must fly from Cebu or Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) airport. Once at the airport, we will take a private transfer to reach the exotic and exclusive island of Ticao.
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Ticao is located in the Masbate region, and international tourism has hardly arrived on the island. It is an emerging diving destination where LAMAVE (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute) is conducting one of the largest studies on manta rays and other large marine vertebrates in all of Asia.
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The best dive site in Ticao: Manta Bowl
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Located 7 km off the northern coast of Ticao Island, we find “Manta Bowl“, undoubtedly the most iconic dive site in Ticao. It is a large underwater seamount that rises from 200 meters deep and is located between 14 and 23 meters deep.
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This large underwater mountain is situated in the center of Ticao Pass, one of the richest marine environments in phytoplankton in the Philippines, as strong currents push all the nutrients from the south. This extraordinary habitat hosts an immense diversity of large marine vertebrates, including reef and oceanic manta rays, dolphins, whales, and various species of sea turtles.
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Ticao Pass is also home to an impressive variety of sharks, including thresher sharks, hammerheads, whitetip sharks, and whale sharks.
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The strong currents in the area allow us to enjoy what is known as a “drift dive“: once in the water, we let the current carry us (which sometimes exceeds 3 knots per second) and literally feel like we are flying underwater until we reach a cleaning station.
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LAMAVE, the organization mentioned earlier, installed hooks where we can stay (without damaging the seabed) in hopes that mantas will decide to pass by and get cleaned right in front of us. According to LAMAVE’s study, out of the 450 manta rays registered in the Philippines, 280 have been located in Manta Bowl. The same study also states that out of the 1,600 whale sharks identified in the Philippines, 250 have been spotted at this dive site.
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Other must-dive sites
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During our scouting trip in early March 2024, we had multiple encounters with manta rays during the four dives we did at Manta Bowl, alongside schools of hundreds of jacks and tuna.
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Besides the famous Manta Bowl, the other dive sites we explored during our short but intense visit to Ticao were:
- Bobby’s Wall (I & II): A dive site suitable for all levels where we can find large schools of anchovies, some tunas, and beautiful color contrasts between the soft corals and the white sandy bottom.
- Great Wall of Ticao: Located on Burubangkaso Island, where unique rock formations emerge above the surface. This dive spot features a vertical wall that rises to the surface from the abyss, at over 300 meters deep. During the dive, we can observe tunas, a variety of nudibranchs, and different types of soft corals embedded in the wall.
- Udoc: Though not widely known, this dive site left us completely amazed. We found an abundance of nudibranchs (including two species of “Pikachu”), cuttlefish, razorfish, and curious sea snakes that got (perhaps too) close to us. The stunning color contrasts between the white sand, crystal-clear waters, and untouched soft corals made it an unforgettable dive.
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If we could define diving in Ticao with one word, it would be “exclusivity.” The only dive center operating on the island, with over 15 years of experience in the area, allows us to plan our marine expeditions “à la carte.” And on top of that, we get to enjoy all its reefs to ourselves! Who wouldn’t love diving in small groups?
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Dive trips to Ticao
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If you’re planning your diving trip, our specialized diving travel agency Te Moana Expeditions will help you create the trip you want, whether a scheduled trip or a fully customized one.
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Contact us and our team will assist you with any questions.
