Pescador Island is a small island paradise but not your typical paradise under the sun and surrounded by relaxing greeneries and cool breeze, rather, it is a paradise of sorts underwater. Considered as the “best diving spot in Cebu”, almost all kinds of marine beings are visible in high quality.
The island is located few kilometers away from the west coast of mainland and under the jurisdiction of Moalboal, Cebu. 4 kilometers from Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, a travel to Pescador Island consumed 10 minutes to 20 minutes only by bancas.
Pescador Island is a small volcanic island found in the Tañon Straight. It rises like a pillar from the ocean floor to 20 feet above the surface. Several large rocks and some corals appear in the surface on the northeast side of the island. Sloping downward for 8 to 10 meters, it then drops off into the ocean depth. On the southwestern side, it has more or less same features with the northeast part and drops off after 10 meters.
It is also surrounded by shallow plateau for about 10 to 20 meters and it is best for snorkeling. It exhibits healthy coral display in many colors and different species of coral fishes. Because of its crystal clear waters, colorful corals in 130 feet deep can be seen on the surface.
Pescador Island’s steep wall makes it very agreeable to dive upon. The deepest part is 165 feet in the north, 130 feet in the east and west faces and 108 feet in the south. Sometimes the torrents are strong so one-dive is best recommended. Boats will transport you the suitable dive sites and will wait on the shallow part of the reef.
The reef wall has lot of crevices, caverns and overhangs. Lovely hard corals can be seen on the upper part of the wall and fishes of all kinds which includes catfish, rabitfish, lizardfish and many others. Turtles as well roamed majestically in the top part of the reef. Even snorkelers can witness them.
One popular overhang and cavern is the Pescador Cathedral. It is an underwater cavern of 15-meter wide funnel leading to the exit of 35 meters below. It is really a marvelous place to dive and learn.
But as you descend further and reached 30 feet below, your eyes will feast on the abundance of soft corals which doesn’t need much sunlight in order to flourish. Because of the extremely deep waters in the Tañon Straight, it serves as shelter of numerous tropical fishes and other sundry marine organisms.
In between rocks, several types of sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea anemones and nudibranches or sea slug without shells are copious. Species of jellyfish, mollusk, sponges and corals are extremely high. You can also find more than 2,500 species of fishes or almost 70% of all the fishes known in the Indo-western Pacific.
Rare fishes are unexpectedly living in the reef. We have the colorful parrotfish, batfish, surgeonfish, snappers, the famed Lionfish, butterflyfish, frogfish, stonefish, tuna, scorpionfish (which is almost impossible to find because of its camouflage) and moray eels. Some venomous but not aggressive sea snakes are found gliding in between rocks looking for its prey.
Divers usually encounter sharks like the white-tipped sharks, gray reef sharks, hammerhead sharks (occasionally) and thresher sharks. From January to March, harmless whale sharks will pass by the reef and it’s a good spectacle. Manta Rays are also a fascination. But be careful of some hungry barracudas or else you will become their treat (lol).
The government is doing a great effort really to maintain its unspoiled marine habitat. The entire island is a marine reserve, protected by Municipal Water User’s Fee System for 2006 in accordance to the resolution no. 044-2006. Destructive fishing are being abolished and fishermen exhaustively uses spear fishing. Different programs such as collection of waste disposals, conservation education and mangrove rehabilitation are implemented.
It is really surprising to know that such a small island has everything in it. Ranging from lowly sea corals to majestic whale sharks, this small reef has it. Its beautiful and bountiful marine life makes it very commendable for those who want best diving experience. Though it is a single dive site only, its experience is unbeatable.
How To Get There
If you are from other countries, you may directly go to Mactan International Airport, skipping Manila. From airport is a two and a half hour drive to Moalboal. In the town proper, there are lots of accommodations. There will be no problems. In order to get to Pescador Island, you must be a member of any of the dive sites and there will facilitate your diving gusto.
