#5 Boracay Islands
Boracay is a small and beautiful island in the Philippines, located near Panay Island, a lovely beach destination and surrounded by the already famous Boracay coral reefs. Unfortunately, according to scientists, the coral reefs in Boracay are in an alarming condition and need urgent rehabilitation and protection. For the moment, these coral colonies need to be stabilized, in order to prevent further degradation. Leaving their own beauty and purpose aside, these coral reefs are home to numerous fish species and serve as a natural buffer for strong waves. Among the factors that contribute to the destruction of the coral reefs in Boracay, the increased temperature of the sea surface, overfishing and unregulated tourism are the most important.
Situated 315 kilometers (200 miles) south of Manila, Boracay is a tropical isle with long white sand shores that match the top shores of contiguous Thailand, Malaya and Indonesia. Almost two dozen dive sites are located in the south and north ends of Boracay. Camia crash for instance is a synthetic reef that provides high visibility along with a vast amount of fish. Both walls of Yapak are the most fascinating dive sites across the isle, but due to powerful currents and harsh waters, they’re for the seasoned only.
With 4.0 kilometres/2.5 miles of sugary white-sand and azure waters, Boracay Island is touted as having a few of the best beaches in the whole world. As it’s usually composed while offering quick accessibility to the majority of dive websites, Boracay is well suited for beginner divers. For those who are searching for delights and have got the ability, Yapak is your dive website. At Yapak, the peak of the wall begins at 30 metres/98 toes afterward drops right down.
Once in Boracay, coral reefs will attract you like a magnet. The diving spots you can find here will not disappoint you, no matter how much time you have. Bel-At Beach is a place where you can watch larger marine life, such as sharks and turtles, but you have to be an experienced diver, because there are strong currents here. Yapak 1 is, maybe, a better site – a wall dive site – situated at only a few minutes from the White Beach. If you want to see many table corals and tropical fish, the great coral reef of the Crocodile Island is the place to go. Marine life in the coral reef of Boracay includes anemones, Angelfish, Barracuda, Batfish, Bigeyes, Boxfish, Butterflyfish, Cardinalfish, Frogfish, Lapu-lapu, Hermit Crabs, Octopus, Pipefish, Pufferfish, Seahorses, Sea snakes, Sea stars, Shrimps, Sponges, Surgeonfish, Sweetlips, Trumpetfish, Tuna, Wrasse, and many other species.
Mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) – most species remain detached from the substrate when they reach adulthood, being capable of benthic locomotion and able to change sex;
Branch coral (Acropora sp.) – they grow as plates, broad or slender branches, with polyps which share tissue and a nerve network;
Lace coral (Pocillopora sp.) – also called “the cauliflower coral”, it has a fuzzy aspect, very colorful presence, usually brown and pink;
Pagoda coral (Turbinaria sp.) – its conical or cup shapes are usually bright yellow, brown, gray, cream or green;
Moon coral (Favia sp.) – they are dome like or round like colonies colored in yellow, brown and green.
But these are just a few of the species part of the rich Boracay coral reefs ecosystems needing protection.
