Masbate (ticao island)

One of the lesser known diving destinations the philippines has to offer is none other than that quaint little island which has served as my home for the past 3 months. Situated in the middle of masbate and sorsogon is an island called ticao. Most of ticao island is populated in the 5 major towns they have, and most of the island is divided into large haciendas consisting mostly of grazing land. Ticao island is one of largest cow producing islands in the philippines and its products reach as far north as ilocos.

Situated right in the middle of this island is a barrio called tacdogan and here is the home of the ticao island resort a quaint little native style resort which is gaining popularity among our country's foreign visitors.

Ticao islands main attraction is a reef in the middle of ticao pass called manta bowl. Manta Bowl is a 6 hectare reef jutting out of otherwise very deep water and it is here in the months of march till october that divers can observe oceanic mantas going about their daily activities. It is a collection of many cleaning stations and a feeding area which mantas frequently visit.

Different manta behaviors can be observed during the different tide cycles. Being a new discovery dating back only 7 years to 2004. Research is still being carried out as to the timing of the mantas arrivals at manta bowl. But as far as the dive pros of TIR have observed: The Incoming Tide, is generally the strongest, and it is at this time mantas can be observed feeding and playing in the incoming currents usually at greater depths towards the rear of the site. It is also during this tide that there is a good chance that the group will chance upon white tips sleeping under the rocks at shark appartment, and big schools of giant trevally and chevron barracudas in mid-water as the group makes its way to the safety stop. Manta bowl on an incoming dive is as exciting as diving ever gets, the strong currents and the fish action will leave a diver pumped up and wanting more.

Later on in the day as the tide changes the current weakens to almost a stand still, and though the visibility declines it is during this time that longer interactions with the mantas are made possible by just sitting around a cleaning station. Cleaning stations are parts of the reef which house cleaner wrasse and mantas can be observed just hovering over these areas having parasites picked of their bodies by these interesting little fish. Interactions to as long as 14 minutes have been experienced and given that mantas are most approachable while cleaning many great photographs have been taken of the animals during this period of the day. .

Many people have heard rumors about the currents at manta bowl, and most of them are true!!! Generally the currents at manta bowl can be quite strong and even at some points harrowing to the untrained eye, but the great guides of TIR know the sight well and as long as you listen to the briefings and stay with the guide the currents of manta bowl becomes a positive experience you wont soon forget.

Although mantas are the main attraction, ticao island also boasts of the san miguel group of islands, sights like bobbys wall, lapus lapus, tres grace, and odok provide photographers with many an interesting critter to photograph. Critters such as sea horses, frogfish, pipefish, mandarin fish and coleman shrimp are all on parade amidst colorful reefs of healthy soft and hard coral formations.

Some guides will opt to do 3 dives out at manta bowl, and others a mix of san miguel and MB but whatever the diving schedule trust the guides they know the reefs and the timing best.

All in all Ticao island is an up and coming star in the world of philippine diving. If you dont believe me check it out for your self!


For more information email m.santos@bluewaterexpeditions.net