If you’re looking for a unique scuba diving experience, muck diving in Subic Bay, Philippines should definitely be on your bucket list. This type of diving involves exploring the sediment at the bottom of the bay, where a diverse array of fascinating marine life can be found.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what muck diving is, and some of the marine life that can be found. Whether you’re an experienced underwater photographer or a novice, there’s something for everyone in Subic Bay. So, let’s dive in and discover the wonders of muck diving in this under-rated Philippines diving destination!
Muck diving is a form of recreational scuba diving that involves exploring the muddy or silty sediment at the bottom of shallow or deep waters. This type of diving is usually done in areas that lack coral reefs or other forms of traditional marine life habitats, and instead rely on the presence of smaller, often camouflaged, creatures that inhabit the sediment.
Muck diving sites can be found in various locations around the world, but some of the most popular spots include Lembeh Strait in Indonesia, Anilao in the Philippines, and the muck diving sites off the coast of Papua New Guinea.
Muck diving is an excellent opportunity to observe and photograph rare and unusual marine life that can be difficult to spot in other types of diving. Some of the creatures that can be found during a muck dive include octopuses, seahorses, nudibranchs, pipefish, and other types of small fish and invertebrates.
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Muck diving in Subic Bay, Philippines
Following the start of an artificial reef construction program at Arizona Resort Dive Center, coupled with a nice long spell of dry weather, we enjoyed a few days of underwater photography on the wrecks, reefs and muck diving sites of Subic Bay.
Here’s a selection of the results, photos taken courtesy of professional underwater photographer Jun Lao, showing some highlights of what Subic Bay has to offer to the underwater photographer and muck diving enthusiast….
Macro marine life of Subic Bay, Philippines
Macro shot of a sea snailPaired Sea HorsesSnooted photo of a Long-Nosed PipefishThorny Sea Horse portraitJuvenile Hairy FrogfishBamboo Shark, Subic BayCoconut Octopus hiding in a chip packetShort Nose (miniature) PipefishTiny Goby on Whip CoralPaired Thorny Sea HorsesCandy Crab on AnemoneFlabellina exoptata nudibranchEusenelops luniceps nudibranch2x Juvenile Hairy FrogfishGlossodoris nudibranchCommon Seahorse profileA thriving colony of Seahorses in Subic BayA Coconut Octopus takes refuge inside a discarded noodle pot. Great job with the coloration, Mr Octopus.. but you need a little soy sauce!Unidentified Sea Snake – looks like it is shedding skin…Super Macro shot of a Cuttlefish egg…. we’ll be monitoring these closely… with luck, maybe some video of them hatching!Risbescia Tyroni NudibranchPhilinopsis reticulata (Eliot,1903)Philnopsis lineolataAnother Seahorse… they’re everywhere!Mating Seahorses… such a treat to see them!chromodoris reticulada nudibranchBoxfish… everywhere!
Muck diving is only available in certain locations at Subic Bay. However, they are not often frequented by many of the dive centers
The best muck diving locations in the Philippines
If you’re a scuba diving enthusiast looking for unique underwater experiences, muck diving in the Philippines is a must-try. Here are three of the best locations for muck diving in the Philippines, along with the amazing marine life you can expect to see:
Muck diving in Anilao
Anilao, located in the Batangas province, is known as the muck diving capital of the Philippines. Here are some highlights:
Over 40 dive sites to choose from
Fantastic macro photography opportunities
Shallow dives with minimal currents
Excellent chance to see rare and unusual species
The marine life in Anilao is diverse and abundant. You can expect to see a range of creatures, including:
Various species of octopus
Seahorses and pipefish
Nudibranchs and other colorful sea slugs
Shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans
Frogfish and other unusual fish
Muck diving in Dauin
Located in the Negros province, Dauin is another popular muck diving destination in the Philippines. Here’s what you can expect:
Multiple dive sites, including the Dauin Marine Sanctuary
Great visibility and easy diving conditions
Interesting topography, with a mix of sandy and rocky areas
Good chance to see large schools of fish
Some of the most fascinating marine life in Dauin includes:
Flamboyant cuttlefish
Blue-ringed octopus
Various species of frogfish
Harlequin shrimp
Pygmy seahorses
Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera, located in Mindoro province, is a popular muck diving destination in the Philippines. Despite being primarily known for its reef diving, Puerto Galera also offers some excellent muck diving opportunities. Here’s what you can expect:
A mix of muck and reef diving sites, including the popular Sabang Wrecks
A range of diving conditions, from calm and shallow to deeper and more challenging
Interesting underwater topography, with swim-throughs and caves to explore
Good chance to see rare and unusual species
Some of the fascinating marine life you can expect to see while diving in Puerto Galera include:
Giant clams
Ghost pipefish
Moray eels
Blue-spotted stingrays
Ornate ghost pipefish
Nudibranchs and other colorful sea slugs
Puerto Galera is also known for its large pelagic species, such as barracuda and tuna, which can sometimes be spotted while diving. With a mix of unique topography, diverse marine life, and varied diving conditions, Puerto Galera is an excellent destination for underwater photographers.
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Other top muck diving locations in the world
Whilst the Philippines is renowned as a special place for underwater macro photographers, there are other locations to visit. Here are four of the top muck diving locations in the world:
Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Lembeh Strait is located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia and is widely regarded as one of the best muck photography locations in the world. It is home to a wide range of rare and unusual marine life, making it a paradise for macro photographers and critter enthusiasts. Here are some key points about diving in Lembeh Strait:
Over 30 dive sites to explore
Superb macro photography opportunities
Chance to see rare and unusual species
Some of the best marine life to see in Lembeh Strait include:
Flamboyant cuttlefish
Mimic octopus
Hairy frogfish
Pygmy seahorses
Various species of nudibranchs
Ambon, Indonesia
Ambon is another fantastic muck diving location in Indonesia, located in the Maluku Islands. With several muck diving sites to explore, divers have the opportunity to see a wide range of macro marine life. Here are some key points about diving in Ambon:
Several muck diving sites to explore
Good chance to see rare and unusual species
Interesting underwater topography
Some of the best marine life to see in Ambon include:
Rhinopias scorpionfish
Frogfish (many species)
Flamboyant cuttlefish
Mimic Octopus
Stonefish
Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Milne Bay is located in the eastern part of Papua New Guinea and is home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life. With a variety of dive sites, including muck dives, divers can experience both stunning coral reefs and unusual critters. Here are some key points about diving in Milne Bay:
Large variety of dive sites including muck dives
High diversity of coral and fish species
Chance to see large pelagic species
Some of the best marine life to see in Milne Bay include:
Seahorses (many species)
Harlequin shrimp
Cuttlefish
Crocodilefish
Juvenile fish species
Mabul, Malaysia
Mabul is a small island off the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia, and is a popular destination for macro photographers. With multiple muck diving sites, the island is a great place to see a wide range of rare marine life. Here are some key points about diving in Mabul:
Multiple diving sites to explore
Good visibility and easy diving conditions
Chance to see rare and unusual species
Some of the best marine life to see in Mabul include:
Flamboyant cuttlefish
Blue-ringed octopus
Giant frogfish
Mandarinfish
Pigmy seahorses
Overall, these four locations offer excellent opportunities for muck diving enthusiasts to see a diverse range of marine life and unique underwater topography. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced diver, there’s something to discover in each of these destinations.
Enjoy muck diving and macro photography
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable underwater experience, muck diving in the Philippines is a must-try. Each of these locations offers something special, from unique topography to fascinating marine life.
Currently residing in Subic Bay, Philippines; he has amassed more than 10,000 open-circuit and CCR dives over three decades of challenging diving across the globe.
Andy has published numerous diving magazine articles and designed advanced certification courses for several dive training agencies, He regularly tests and reviews new dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. Andy is currently writing a series of advanced diving books and creating a range of tech diving clothing and accessories.
Prior to becoming a professional technical diving educator in 2006, Andy was a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force and has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize, and Cyprus.
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