Another dive site named after the resort sitting on the coast opposite. This is another special dive site in Moalboal, just at the point where Tongo dive site ends, there is a roped off area, which is the Southern Marine Sanctuary in Moalboal. Once you drift inside the sanctuary you start to notice larger fish hanging around including Emperor Fish, Mackerel and Tuna. These are the highlights of this dive.
Sampaguita
The dive starts and ends with a deep wall going to endless depths. Watch your no decompression time. Small caves can be explored all along this dive so bring a dive torch to look inside the caves. Some parts of the reef are exposed during low tide. Be careful with your entry; make sure it’s deep enough if you make the roll backwards.
There is a good chance to see a Turtle in the caves, juvenile Barracudas, Fusiliers, a school of Razorfish (Aeoliscus strigatus), Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus), Harlequin Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus Paradoxus) and in the shallow and deep in between the corals, the famous Mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus). At the top of the reef you will find some very impressive Staghorn coral (Acropora sp.) – these are the builders of the reef.
Sampaguita featured in the media
Sampaguita Information
- District: Tongo, Moalboal
- Distance: 2km from Panagsama Beach
- Travel Time: 7min by banca boat
- GPS Coordinates: N.09° 56.063′ E.123° 22.376′ Entry point N.09° 55.936′ E.123° 22.587′ Exit point
- Composition: Deep wall
- Snorkeling: Good
- Experience: Open Water Diver
- Visibility: 10-25m
- Current: 0-2 knots
- Interesting depth: 5-18m
- Marine life: Lots of caves and crevices with different nudibranches and shells. Turtle, clownfish and mandarinfish.
*photo & video credits goes here and references