Dive Sites
MONAD SHOAL
The top of the shoal ranges from 20 meters to 27 meters, with a sheer drop-off down to 45 meters, and a second drop-off exceeding recreational dive depths. With an almost certain opportunity to see the famous Thresher sharks year round at this site. Thresher sharks are regular visitors at the cleaning stations found on top of the reef. Divers often encounter Devil Rays at the cleaning stations too. The ideal depth to encounter life is between 22 meters to 27 meters, making Monad Shoal a perfect site for Enriched air dives.
Distance from Exotic: 30 - 45 minutes
Min Certification: Advanced Open Water (Options available to those without Advanced Certifications)
Depth: 21 - 40 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 32% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only)
Extra Charges: Monad Shoal Fee (100php/visit) & Government Tax (300php/day)
KEMOD SHOAL
A sea mound situated near the island of Leyte. The reef begins in 10 meters with one side gradually sloping down to 29 meters before becoming a severe drop off and the other side, a wall starting in 10 meters and dropping far below recreational limits. Throughout the year different large pelagics visit the shoal, including schools of Hammerheads, Manta Rays and Requiem sharks. For the advanced diver it is possible to arrange a blue dive at certain times of the year to look for the Hammerhead sharks.
Distance from Exotic: 1 hour
Min Certification: Advanced Open Water
Depth: 20 - 40 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 32% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only)
Number of Divers Minimum Requirement: 4 divers per trip
Extra Charges: Kemod Shoal Fee (100php/visit), Government Tax (300php/day), Fuel Charge (500php/visit)
EXOTIC HOUSE REEF
Exotic’s own protected area where the fish are plentiful, House Reef is not to be missed. Starting at 5 meters and gently sloping to 13, it’s a great place to work out the kinks after some time out of the water. Amongst the scattered coral and patches of sea grass, a wide variety of fish and macro life can be found. Artificial structures are everywhere, including old coral encrusted jeepneys, large concrete and wire structures and artificial swim-throughs, creating a unique habitat for soft coral and sea life to flourish. This exclusive one of a kind dive site suits all levels of divers and is a photographer’s dream. This is one site that needs to be dived at least twice - once in the day and once at night. Our House Reef holds a few secrets of its own that are exclusive to the area.
Exotic House Reef received the Environmental Achievement Award issued from Project Aware.
Distance from Exotic: 5 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 5-15 meters
Recommendations: Dusk/Night Dive
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day), Dusk/Night Dive Extra Charge (280php/dive)
BUTONG BATO
An interesting dive site with a sloping reef at 12m, joining a mini wall to 20m and gradually turning to a coral garden tapering down to 30m. The mooring is set within the middle of the reef creating 2 distinct dive sites. Soft corals, sea fans and sponges cover the entire site. Schools of Anthias, Butterfly Fish and Damsels can be found living within the soft corals and hiding in the crevasses below the mooring. Nudibranchs, Frog fish and Pipefish can be seen throughout the entire site and Harlequin Shrimp can be found hiding along the wall. A great dive site for all levels of diver.
Distance from Exotic: 20 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 12-30 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 36% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only) & Torch
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
UBANG BATO
The flat top of this pinnacle lies at 15m. Resembling an upside down cup, the sheer walls drop down to 30m where a sandy bottom hides and array of strange marine life including Cuttlefish and Giant Sea Stars.The reef walls are covered in stunning soft corals and sea fans and house a variety of macro life from Nudibranchs to Flatworms and Frogfish to Pipefish. The depth of this site makes is suitable for the more experienced diver.
Distance from Exotic: 20 minutes
Min Certification: Advanced Open Water
Depth: 15-30 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 32% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only) & Torch
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
NORTH ROCK
Situated off the northern tip of Malapascua this dive site offers a little of everything. Subject to strong currents a luscious soft coral garden thrives here, creating an ideal home for an array of different marine life. A small coral encrusted wall starts at 16 meters and drops down to 24 meters creating shelter for many varieties of nudibranchs, flatworms and Lionfish. A great dive for the budding photographer.
Distance from Exotic: 20 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 15-21 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 36% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only) & Torch
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
PAWIKAN HOLE
Located on the northern side of Malapascua, gentle and strong currents usually pass through this site, offering a casual drift dive to the more experienced diver. The shallower part of the reef and wall is covered in soft coral where Puffer fish and Giant Frogfish are usually spotted. A lot of macro life can be found making this site ideal for underwater photography. Down to the deeper parts, rocky outcrops are scattered around the sandy bottom, where Moray eels, Mantis shrimp and other critters like to hide. The wall ends with a large hole named "Pawikan" after the giant turtle that used to live there and will sometimes come back to say "Hi".
Distance from Exotic: 20 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 10-25 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 36% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only) & Surface Marker Buoy
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
QUILLIANO
An underwater pinnacle situated at the northern end of the island. The flat top starts at 12m and gently slopes to 13m creating a shallow, soft coral encrusted plateau. The sheer sides create a beautiful wall dive. Pristine soft corals and Sea fans cover the entirety of the walls and house a wide variety of life from Pigmy Seahorses and Frogfish to the colourful and often strange Nudibranch. Reef fish such as Fusiliers and Anthias find shelter around the walls from the sometimes strong currents. This is a beautiful and interesting dive site for all levels of divers.
Distance from Exotic: 15 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 12-22 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 36% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only)
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
PANTAW-PANTAW
An interesting reef that is separated by a unique underwater "sand dune" where Gobie-eel type fish can be seen frolicking in the sand. The first half of the reef is where you look for Pigmy Seahorses living amongst the many Sea fans, and the Flamboyant cuttlefish hiding amongst the rubble on the sandy bottom. After the "sand dune" the soft corals come to life. The mini wall is covered in colourful soft corals, sea fans and sponges and hides a variety of marine life including Frogfish, Scorpion fish, Morays and an abundance of brightly coloured reef fish. A busy dive site, it is best dived in small groups and for the more confident diver.
Distance from Exotic: 10 minutes
Min Certification: Advanced Open Water
Depth: 12-25 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 36% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only)
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
NORTH POINT
With its strong currents this site creates a perfect habitat for soft corals, which grow in an abundance creating a magical colourful garden. Stunning rock formations and canyons create ideal hiding places for scorpion fish, frogfish and lion fish. Sea horses, nudibranchs and flat worms can also been seen nestling within the coral branches. An interesting dive to suit all levels of divers.
Distance from Exotic: 15-20 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 6-27 meters
Recommendations: Torch for searching cracks and crevasses
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
CHOCOLATE ISLAND
A small island situated between Malapascua and Cebu, this site is a gentle and relaxing dive. The island walls gently taper towards a sandy bottom, Elephant Ears, Barrel sponges, sea fans and soft corals cover the reef creating an ideal habitat for Seahorses, Nudibranchs, Spanish Dancers and Hairy Frogfish. A great site for all divers.
Distance from Exotic: 35 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 3-17 meters
Recommendations: Good for a second dive of the day
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
EAST GARDEN
This coral garden is a great dive site for those who have been out of the water for some time and for students. The reef houses a wide variety of macro life to discover from Flatworms to Nudibranchs to Pipefish. Octopus and Cuttlefish are often found hanging around. It is worth spending some time at this site at night as a plethora of strange critters frequent this site after the sun goes down.
Distance from Exotic: 10 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 3-12 meters
Recommendations: Training, Check Dive and Night Dive
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day) , Dusk/Night Dive Extra Charge (280php/dive)
LIGHTHOUSE
The perfect sunset dive. This site is an almost sure bet to see the colourful Mandarin Fish perform their mating dance. The most prolific time of the month is around the full moon, but the activity can be seen virtually every night. The first 20 minutes or so of the dive are spent observing the Mandarin Fish, then it is time to move on and explore the remainder of the reef. Seahorses of varying shapes, colours and sizes are a common occurrence amongst the hard coral branches as are Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Blue-Ringed Octopus, and a wide variety of crabs in different shaped and sizes. A great site for all levels of divers and a great first night dive.
Distance from Exotic: 20 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 5-10 meters
Recommendations: Dusk/Night Dive
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day) , Dusk/Night Dive Extra Charge (280php/dive)
DAKIT DAKIT
A gentle dive site created by a scattering of small island formations, some below the surface and some above. The site is prone to strong currents creating a beautiful Soft coral garden. "Nudibranch Heaven" is what this site is often referred to. It is also possible to see many Flatworms, Seahorses and Pipefish hiding in the Soft coral. Sardines and baitfish can be seen schooling within the relative safety of the small islands, and Moray eels hide in the over-hangs and crevasses. This is an ideal dive for all levels of divers, especially those who feel they need to refresh their dive skills.
Distance from Exotic: 10 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 5-12 meters
Recommendations: Surface Marker Buoy
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day)
GATO ISLAND
Gato Island is a protected marine sanctuary. An almost guaranteed site to encounter sleeping sharks and sea snakes. Spectacular colored soft corals cover this undulating dive site sheltering frogfishes, sea horses and nudibranches. Sleeping white tip sharks rest within crevasses. A paradise for avid photographers, this site offers a great opportunity for both macro and big fishes. Advanced divers can dive the tunnel that runs beneath the island; a unique overhead environment, the inside of which is covered with daisy soft corals and sponges.
Distance from Exotic: 45 minutes
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 5-27 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 32% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only) & Torch
Number of Divers Minimum Requirement: 4 divers per trip
Extra Charges: Government Tax (300php/day), Fuel Charge (500php/visit)
KALANGGAMAN
Kalanggaman Island is a small remote white-beached paradise. The southern section offers sloping reef walls covered with soft and hard corals, the northern sites offer spectacular wall dives encrusted with gorgonian fans and giant barrel sponges. Schools of snappers, fusiliers and anthias can be seen congregating off the large drop offs. The deep walls offer every possible chance to encounter large sharks and rays. A great two-dive day trip is the way to enjoy this site. Perfect for a day trip and BBQ lunch on the sand bar.
Distance from Exotic: 1.5 - 2 hours
Min Certification: Open Water
Depth: 5-40 meters
Recommendations: Nitrox 32% (Certified Nitrox Divers Only)
Number of Divers Minimum Requirement: 10 divers per trip
Extra Charges: Fuel Charge (1,500php/trip) , Island Entrance Fee (500php/visit)