Gato Island

Gato Island is a tiny rocky islet located roughly four kilometers north of Malapascua in the Visayan Sea, designated as a marine sanctuary to protect its remarkably diverse ecosystem. The island's signature feature is a dramatic natural tunnel that cuts completely through the rock at a depth of around 10 meters, creating one of the most thrilling swim-through experiences in the Philippines. The tunnel is wide enough for divers to pass through comfortably, with natural light filtering in from both ends and walls encrusted with colorful soft corals and sponges. Gato Island is renowned for its large resident colony of banded sea kraits — elegant black-and-white striped sea snakes that can be observed hunting along the reef, resting in crevices, or swimming gracefully to the surface to breathe. Despite being among the most venomous creatures in the ocean, they are remarkably docile and pay little attention to divers. The rocky reef around the island also shelters whitetip reef sharks, bamboo sharks, seahorses, and a rich variety of nudibranchs and scorpionfish. The dive typically begins with a circuit of the island's outer reef before entering the tunnel, which opens into a cathedral-like chamber partway through. Moderate currents can run along the island's flanks, bringing nutrients that support the thriving marine community. Gato Island is usually combined with a morning thresher shark dive at nearby Monad Shoal, making for an exceptional day of diving that showcases the full range of what Malapascua has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews