Diversifiying Life Coral Reef: Home to different coral and fish species
It was our first exploration trip. A cloudy morning, a late departure, 7 people, 6 gallons of diesel and lunch. The team was out not just to discover but to help protect beautiful coral reefs that were still surviving in Culion’s seas. We set our route for a Marine Protected Area (which recently I heard was not really an MPA) and we were not disappointed. Minutes from the Culion Poblacion was the great coral reef we call “Diversifying Life” . We call it such because life is really divers. Different kinds of corals from brain corals, to branching corals and table corals litter this close to 200 meter stretch of corals. Fishes of different shapes, sizes and colors swim below and around you some
A colorfull display of beauty and diversity
even playfully swimming in front of your mask. The reefs “kantos” (edges where there is a sudden drop) are also bustling with fishes seemingly teasing you as they slowly swim in circles. If one is lucky (as Sir Elson and the two guides were) a sea turtle may be sighted passing by. But be silent and sneaky for a glance of you by the turtle will cause it to swim hurriedly away. It took as a good 2 hours to quickly cover this amazing reef. Despite the cloudy weather seeing the corals was not a problem. Free diving is also fun here since the water level specially in the morning allows swimmers to dive a few meter into the sea.An island backdrop and its white rocky beach adds charm to this already beautiful jewel of the sea.
To see more of this reef visit this link for a video.
Isla Culion Mission 