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The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands and boasts
34,000 sq. km (13,124 sq. miles) of coral reefs, over 800 classes of
corals, over a thousand species of marine life, and one of the most
populous and diverse aquatic ecosystems on the planet, making it a sure
hit for true snorkeling enthusiasts.
Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are
found in the Philippines. Some of the unique aquatic life includes the
gorgonian butterfly fish, gigantic sponges, seafans, and starfish. Some
snorkelers are lucky enough to have the chance to swim with
kind-tempered whale sharks, or the rare dugong; an endangered species of
water-dwelling mammal whose intelligence rivals that of the dolphin.
The best season for Philippines snorkeling is March until
June when the waves are generally the smallest and visibility tends to
be best.
Some of the most popular diving and snorkeling locations
in the Philippines are:
Moalboal in Cebu- A wide
variety of soft and hard corals are abundant. Sea turtle sightings can
be expected with almost every trip into the water. Whale sharks, while
not nearly as common, can also be found here on occasion.
Puerto Galera in Mindoro- Known
for its shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and colorful
species such as crabs, shrimp, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.
Bacuit Bay and El Nido in Northern Palawan
Miniloc Island in Northern Palawan
Taytay Bay in Northern Palawan
With such a
vast number of unique snorkeling opportunities spread across this
fascinating archipelago, a well-planned trip to the Philippines has the
potential to leave a lasting impression on snorkelers of any experience
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