This dive site, Cabakungan, is renowned for its distinctive porous rock formations that create a captivating underwater landscape. On the surface, these formations manifest as a series of coves and shallow water caverns, offering sheltered and interesting areas. Underwater, these same rocks are dramatically overgrown with vibrant corals, creating a rich and intricate reef ecosystem that divers can explore. The site navigation is generally straightforward, following the reef structures and exploring the various nooks and crannies formed by the porous rocks.
Cabakungan is teeming with a diverse array of reef inhabitants. Divers can expect to encounter numerous anemone fish nestled within their hosts, along with a variety of pufferfish and colorful parrotfish grazing on the corals. Triggerfish are also a common sight, adding to the vibrant marine life found here. The extensive coral growth provides both shelter and food, supporting a healthy population of various reef fish species.
The best time to visit Cabakungan, like most dive sites in the Philippines, is during the dry season from November to May when the weather is calm and visibility is typically at its best. This site is excellent for both scuba divers of all levels, given its manageable depth and sheltered areas, and is particularly suitable for snorkelers and freedivers who can enjoy the shallow water caverns and vibrant reef life close to the surface. Highlights include exploring the unique rock formations and the close-up encounters with a variety of colorful reef fish.
