Philippines Photo Gallery: Puerto Galera, Verde Island Passage

We took an underwater photography trip to the Philippines in December 2016.

The Verde Island Passage separates Luzon and Mindoro Islands, connecting the South China Sea to Jayabas Bay and the Sibuyan Sea. It is one of the busiest sea lanes in the Philippines, the main shipping route between the port of Manila and the Visayas and Mindanao. Verde Island is one of the best dive sites in the Philippines. It is said to be the world center of marine shorefish biodiversity, with 60% of the world's known shorefish species, 1700 marine species and 300 coral species. The strait is 200 km long and 20 km wide at its narrowest point. There are three dive sites. It is famous for its wall diving. There are often strong currents, up to 5 knots.

Walls:

Fish:

Clownfish:

Clark's anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii

Orange-fin anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus

Eastern skunk anemonefish, Amphiprion sandaracinos

Bridled anemonefish, Amphiprion frenatus

Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis papuensis

Moorish idol, Zanclus canescens

radial filefish, Acreichthys radfiatus

Puffers:

Saddled puffer, Canthigaster valentini

guineafowl puffer, Arothron meleagris

trumpetfish (painted flutemouth), Aulostomus chinesis

Jewel anthias (basslets), Pseudoanthias dispar

Philippines blenny, Ecsenius dilemma

striped triplefin, Helcogramma striatum

yellowtail coris, Coris gaimard

Moray eels, Gymnothorax sp.

White-eyed moray eel, Siderea thyrsoidea

Lionfish, Pterois volitans

Nudibranchs:

NOTE: We love nudibranchs, but we are not experts on these animals. If you find we have misidentified one, or can identify one we could not, please email us and we will correct it.

"Box cars": two different species, one following the other. Many species exhibit tailing, queuing, or tailgating, with one animal following the mucus trail of another, apparently using sensory cells in its oral tentacles. Since the animals may be members of different species, this behavior is apparently not just a prelude to mating. Here a Miller's Nembrotha (Nembrotha milleri) is trailing a purple-lined Nembrotha (Nembrotha purpureolineata).