Just a short bangka boat ride from the AquaVenture Reef Club is a small island called "Sombrero", whose waters are home to one of the most illustrious coral gardens in the central Philippines. Currents rich with nutrients from the deep ocean pour over this sprawling ecosystem, furthering its ability to thrive year round. Each of the coral mounts which surround the island are teaming with an exceptional variety of marine life. Sombrero Reef is, unequivocally, one of the best dive sites in Anilao, renowned for its towering coral formations, extraordinary fish diversity, and the most ornate colonization of soft corals i've ever seen.
While floating along in the current, I felt visually overwhelmed by the vast spectrum of vibrant colors. The hues of yellow, blue, pink, and red are enough to fill your field of vision at any moment. Diving Sombrero Reef in Anilao is a surreal experience, and a world away from any other reef system in the region.
After the morning dive on the reefs around Sombrero Island the crew from AquaVenture Reef Club took me across the bay to a cove which could only be described as...popular. During the second dive, it became clear to me exactly why. A large structure was hidden beneath the azure surface, well encrusted with decades of coral growth. This odd amalgamation of iron beams and what looked like bridge struts had become home to an entire carnival of life. Batfish, pipefish, clown fish, and a particularly curious nudibranch made a striking appearance.
To learn more about all the amazing educational and photography opportunities at the AquaVenture Reef Club, be sure to check out their sleek new website:
aqua-venture.com/
If you'd like to learn more about the photography equipment needed for a successful foray into underwater photography or videography, head on over to BackScatter:
www.backscatter.com/