Verde Island Passage — Biodiversity Diving

The Verde Island Passage, the strait between Batangas and Mindoro, is recognised by scientists as the centre of the centre of marine shorefish biodiversity, the single richest patch of marine life on the planet. This full-day diving trip puts you right in that abundance, exploring the passage's famous walls, reefs and pinnacles where the variety of corals, nudibranchs, crustaceans and reef fish per square metre is simply unmatched anywhere on earth.

The signature site, Verde Island's drop-off and pinnacle, is a kaleidoscope of soft corals, sea fans and schooling fish swept by nutrient-rich currents, while the nearby reefs of Anilao on the Batangas side are a world-famous mecca for macro and muck diving and underwater photography. Critter hunters can spend dives finding flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and dozens of nudibranch species, all within easy reach of Manila.

The day typically includes two to three guided dives with a divemaster, surface intervals on the boat and lunch. Sites range from gentle reefs to current-swept walls, so dives can be matched to your certification level, though some pinnacle dives suit more experienced divers. For its accessibility and sheer biodiversity, the Verde Island Passage is one of the most rewarding dive destinations in the Philippines.