Limasawa Island
Travel time: Approximately 1 hour
Dive level: Intermediate/Easy
Dive type: Boat
This small, unassuming island a short boat ride from the resort holds a unique place in Philippine history: this was where Ferdinand Magellan landed in 1521 after his Pacific crossing, in what was to be the first circumnavigation of the globe.
It is easy to imagine Limasawa as it must have been during Magellan's visit — long stretches of rocky coastline punctuated by sleepy villages. Fishing remains the main source of livelihood, with an annual burst of tourism at the end of March for the pilgrimage to commemorate the first Christian Mass in Asia.
Since the initial underwater explorations of local and German divers in the mid-1990s, the area has seen a steadily growing number of international visitors interested primarily in its top-notch dive sites: Zach’s Cove for truly deep dives; Adrian’s with its amazing drop-off, deep canyons, and veritable metropolis of corals and fish; Blue Tang Drift for pelagic action; and the aptly-named Sea Snake Shoal for its wriggly denizens. The island is also a good place to see whalesharks.
And they say…
“Despite the fact that I was diving during the rainy season and visibility was supposed to be at its worst, on average it still exceeded 80 feet!”
“Pristine coral reefs… Expect to come across barracuda, mackerel, tuna, and jacks.”
“Fields of coral greet the eyes in the azure waters of Zach’s Cove…”
“Incredible diving!”
“Limasawa has some of the most beautiful and clearest water you will ever see…”
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