Another common species are the massive Porites. These corals are easily recognized for their sheer size and relatively smooth surface. At many of the snorkel sites in El Nido, some of these corals are up to 5 meters in diameter and up to 6 meters in height! Unlike Acropora, they are slow growing and many species add less than a centimeter per year. Thus, when you look at a large species of Porites that is the size of a one bedroom house, you are looking at a coral that is probably over 1000 years old!

Bacuit Bay has hundreds of other invertebrates including sea stars, sea cucumbers, and sponges including a species of Barrel sponge (Xestospongia sp.) that can grow to over two meters in height. Many snorkel sites also have dozens of different species of Ascidians, including the brilliantly colored Golden Ascidian (Polycarpa aurata). Ascidians may look and even act like sponge, however, they couldn't be more opposite in physical design. Anatomically, if sponges represent the most ‘basic' invertebrate, ascidians represent the most advanced. Ascidians are in the Phylum, Urochordata and, as invertebrates go, the closest relative to humans!

The variety of habitats in Bacuit Bay also supports hundreds of reef fish. From small juvenile fish seeking the protected bays, lagoons, and mangroves where they can find food and shelter to large adult fish patrolling the deeper reef flats, slopes and walls. Just about every family of tropical reef fish are represented here; Angels, Butterflies, Parrotfish, Wrasses, Gobies, Blennies and Damselfishes are just a few of the families that can be seen on every shallow reef in the area. What makes Bacuit Bay even more exciting for the fish-watcher is that both adult and juvenile phases of many of the fish are represented. The often elaborate color patterns are attempts to advertise (whether true or not) their un-palatability, mimic other reef creatures who are known to be toxic, or blend into the already colorful reefscape.

Some of the larger fish commonly seen by snorkelers are blue-spotted sting rays (Dasyatis Kuhlii), Black tip (Carcharhinus melanopterus), white tip (Triaenodon obesus) and grey reef sharks. During the months of December through May is also the best time to have a special encounter with the occasional Whaleshark (Rhincodon typus).

There are four species of turtles that can be found in Bacuit Bay. The most common turtles encountered are the Green (Colonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. Each of these turtles can be seen regularly at any of the snorkel or dive sites. The less common, but frequent visitors are the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles.

Lee is a coral biologist thus, raves non-stop about the diversity of healthy and colorful coral in the shallow waters. But, whatever your preference the shallow reefs, full of abundant, diverse and healthy coral and fishes make El Nido a true snorkeler's paradise!

SCUBA Diving

SCUBA diving El Nido can be a very rewarding experience. There are over 20 dive sites within Bacuit Bay with a good variety of walls, slopes, tunnels and reef flats. Depths range from 2 – 40+ meters, however, the average depth is about 15 meters. Currents are usually minimal and many of the sites are protected from wave action, making them diveable year round. Visibility often exceeds 30m in the summer months (Feb – May) and decreases during the rainy season due to the proximity of several rivers that feed into Bacuit Bay. Several dive sites are exceptional such as the underwater tunnel at Dilumacad Island or the schools of fish at South Miniloc. Turtles are abundant and usually encountered when diving. Some of the off-the-beaten-path dive sites include Descatado Rocks and Bucal Island. Descatado Rocks is a group of small rocks located west of Guntao Islands and may be the best area to view larger pelagic fish. Many species of sharks have been seen there, including the Whale Shark. Bucal Island is a very shallow reef / sea grass bed that offers great opportunities to encounter many rare and unusual fish and invertebrates.