VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE
DIVE THE MOST BIODIVERSE WATERS ON EARTH
In 2005, marine scientists made a remarkable discovery. A narrow strait between Luzon and Mindoro in the Philippines contained more marine species per unit area than anywhere else on Earth. Dr. Kent Carpenter of the IUCN and Dr. Victor Springer of the Smithsonian documented 1,736 shorefish species within just 10 square kilometres – leading them to name it the “Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity.”
Blue Ribbon Dive Resort sits at the heart of this underwater paradise. Located in Anilao, Batangas – where the Balayan Bay meets the Verde Island Passage – we offer direct access to some of the most pristine and diverse dive sites in the world.
- 1,736 marine shorefish species documented in 10 km2
- 400+ coral species – one of the largest concentrations globally
- 600+ nudibranch species in Anilao alone (out of 800 worldwide)
- Mission Blue Hope Spot since July 2023
- 2 hours from Manila – the world’s most accessible biodiversity hotspot
WHERE CURRENTS CREATE LIFE
The Verde Island Passage sits at a unique oceanographic crossroads. Waters from the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the Sibuyan Sea converge through this narrow 20-kilometre strait. As ocean currents accelerate through the passage, they carry vast quantities of plankton and nutrients – the foundation of an extraordinary food web.
At Anilao sites like Bahura, Sombrero Island, and Mainit Corner, these currents sweep past coral walls teeming with life. The constant flow of clean, nutrient-rich oceanic water creates conditions for world-class coral health – a stark contrast to reef systems degraded by coastal runoff elsewhere in the world.
After 16 years diving the Verde Island Passage, we have witnessed only rare bleaching events during El Nino years – and remarkably quick recovery. Scientists believe the VIP may serve as a “genetic storehouse” capable of repopulating damaged reefs throughout the Philippines.
- Nutrient-rich currents from three converging seas
- Clean oceanic water – no agricultural runoff
- Exceptional coral resilience and recovery
- Protected by 69 Marine Protected Areas across 170 km2
WHY ANILAO HAS MORE SPECIES
Anilao sits where Balayan Bay meets the Verde Island Passage. Here, the powerful currents that sweep through the strait begin to slow as they enter the protected bay. Plankton and larvae that have ridden the currents finally settle. Life accumulates.
Scientific studies confirm what local dive guides have long observed: phytoplankton density peaks specifically at Anilao, reaching 4,700 units per millilitre. The bay acts as a natural nursery – a settling ground where the ocean’s bounty comes to rest.
This is why Anilao consistently delivers a wider range of species than destinations famous for specific critters. Where Lembeh is known for frogfish and Dumaguete for its dark sand muck, Anilao offers everything – because everything arrives here eventually.
- Balayan Bay slows currents, allowing larvae to settle
- Peak phytoplankton density recorded at Anilao
- Wider species diversity than specialist destinations
- January and February bring peak critter activity in cooler waters
EXPERIENCE BOTH EXTREMES
Diving the Verde Island Passage means experiencing two distinct underwater worlds – often in the same day.
The current-swept sites deliver exhilarating drift dives past walls of pristine coral. At Mainit Corner, Bahura, and Sombrero, you will see why scientists call this coral “world class” – thriving in the constant flow of clean, nutrient-rich water. These are not dives for beginners, but for those ready, they are unforgettable.
Then, just around the corner from Mainit, the current eases and the muck diving begins. At sites like Heydee’s, eagle-eyed guides spot the cryptic creatures that have settled in the protected shallows – nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, blue-ringed octopus, and species yet to be named.
- Current sites (Anilao): Mainit Corner, Bahura, Sombrero – world-class coral, drift diving
- Calm sites (Anilao): Heydee’s and sites just around the corner from Mainit – muck diving, critter hunting
- The contrast: Experience pristine coral walls and rare macro life in a single day
- Expert guides: Finding critters in coral requires local knowledge – our guides know every site intimately
NEW SPECIES ARE STILL BEING FOUND
The Verde Island Passage is not just a dive destination – it is an active frontier of scientific discovery. Major expeditions continue to document species new to science.
The California Academy of Sciences has conducted multiple expeditions here, discovering over 300 new species in 2011 and another 100+ in 2015 – including new nudibranchs, an inflatable shark, and driftwood-eating starfish. Research continues in partnership with De La Salle University, studying coral spawning, larval connectivity, and reef resilience.
When you dive the Verde Island Passage, you are exploring waters where the next discovery could be yours.