Coral Garden Dive Site in Davao - Philippines

Coral reefs and beds are always awe-inspiring sights that hide various fish species and deep sea creatures. Once we chance upon the former we also get a treat of seeing the latter. Such is the pleasure that Coral Garden Dive Site at Talikud Island in Davao affords.

Found at the west coast of Talikud Island, Coral Garden Dive Site is right in front of Barangay Linosutan and is also known as Linosutan Dive Site. It is famous for its sandy sea floor and base slopes. A dive here dramatically reveals a wide bed of hard and soft corals, a garden sanctuary for tropical deep sea creatures and fish. The area is also abundant with eels, parrotfish, wrasse, and butterfly fish.

On portions crowded with onemones we find shrimps, damselfish, anthias, tubeworms, fusiliers, sponges and sea stars. Embedded in the sandy floor are flounders. Ribbon eels are also observed to inhabit the nook and crannies of Coral Garden Dive Site. This spot is actually one among clusters of others around Talikud.

Talikud also has Mansud Wall, Talisay Wall, Isla Reta, and Daipa Reefworld class dive sites frequented by serious divers. All these sites, along with Coral Garden Dive Site, are found southwest of Samal Island. The general drop off is from 38 to 45 meters where grand coral displays start to show. The entire Talikud area, including Coral Garden Dive Site, proliferates with jacks, tuna, barracuda, seahorse, sea urchins, morays, among many others.

The environs of Coral Garden Dive Site may periodically be visited by lionfishes, seasnakes, juvenile sweet lips, razorfish and other reef fishes of various colors. These creatures lurk in nearby areas, along with turtles dugong, and whale sharks, and drop by the garden site now and then.

Its best to visit the place for a dive in the months of November to May when visibility is possible from 5 to 38 meters down and the water current is moderate. To get to Samal Island from the Davao Gulf we take a banca ride from Sasa Bridge. Its an hours travel costing Php 20.

A ferry ride is also available near the Insular Century Hotel in Davao. From Samal Island it will be a matter of minutes to reach Coral Garden Dive Site. Or, we may also take a boat from the wharf of Santa Ana in Davao, costing Php 30 a person, available from 6 to 9 in the morning.

Coral Garden Dive Site is among less visited sites in Davao. It reveals wonders just slightly touched by man.