Gato Island

Do you know Malapascua in the Philippines? Certainly for Monad Shoal, the famous thresher sharks cleaning station. Well, not only are there thresher sharks in Malapascua, but there is also Gato Island, a sumptuous little island with a “pirate island” profile…

Indeed, during the Seadoors cruises, in the Visayas in the Philippines, the itineraies passing to Malapascua are done with the morning dive with the “threshers” but the rest of the day is done on the island of Gato. There are several dive sites around the island. In general, we start with the “Tunnel” dive that goes through it. A very exciting crossing with an incredible wealth in macro fauna, crustaceans and to finish with the white tip reef sharks either hidden in the cave, or that turn in the halo of light of the exit. The thrills are guaranteed. The other side is made up of small and “Great Canyons”. The rocks covered with giant soft corals, all pink or orange, offer an extraordinary dimension to this dive. The macro fauna is undoubtedly surprising. Several species of seahorses, pigmes, yellow seahorses black ones etc. Cephalopods of all kinds are very well represented, but we also find sharks resting in the holes.

The night dive in Gato, exclusive to Seadoors Liveaboard, is amazing. We find even more life. ” It’s crawling with everything…”. You can add bamboo sharks and sculpin sharks. It’s the night dive not to be missed!