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.

Verde dropoff

Walls:

anthias wall wall wall wall wall wall wall with crinoid wall wall anthias wall anthias wall soft coral anthias anthias plate corals barrel sponge anthias

Fish:

Clownfish:

clownfish clownfish clownfish clownfish Clark's anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii

clownfish Orange-fin anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus

clownfish Eastern skunk anemonefish, Amphiprion sandaracinos

clownfish Bridled anemonefish, Amphiprion frenatus

scorpionfish scorpionfish scorpionfish scorpionfish Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis papuensis

Moorish idol Moorish idol, Zanclus canescens

triggerfish Radial filefish, Acreichthys radfiatus

Puffers:

puffer Saddled puffer, Canthigaster valentini

puffer Guineafowl puffer, Arothron meleagris

trumpetfish Trumpetfish (painted flutemouth), Aulostomus chinesis

anthias anthia Jewel anthias (basslets), Pseudoanthias dispar

? Philippines blenny, Ecsenius dilemma

? Striped triplefin, Helcogramma striatum

wrasse Yellowtail coris, Coris gaimard

moray eels moray eel Moray eels, Gymnothorax sp.

moray eel White-eyed moray eel, Siderea thyrsoidea

lionfish lionfish 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).

nudibranch box cars

Egg ribbon

nudibranch egg ribbon

nudibranch Miller's Nembrotha, Nembrotha milleri

nudibranch Chamberlain's Nembrotha, Nembrotha chamberlaini

nudibranch pair of nudibranchs Crested Nembrotha, Nembrotha cristata

nudibranch nudibranch laying eggs nudibranchs mating nudibranch Purple-lined Nembrotha, Nembrotha purpureolineata

nudibranch Phyllodesmium briareum

nudibranch and egg veil Funeral jorunna, Jorunna funebris

nudibranch Chromodoris annae

? Chromodoris geometrica

nudibranch Elegant phyllidia, Phyllidia elegans

nudibranch Phyllidiella pustulosa

Tunicates, ascidians, and hydroids:

tunichates Rhopalaea sp.

hydroids Stinging hydroid, Aglaophenia sp.

? Clavelina sp.

tunichates Atriolum robustum

Sea stars:

sea star sea star sea star Blue linckia, Linckia laevigata

sea star Granular sea star, Choriaster granulatus

Worms:

fan worm Fan worm, Bispira sp.

Flatworms:

flatworm flatworm Pseudoceros bifurcus

flatworm Pseudoceros lindae


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Last modified 10 June 2025