Cowrie Island Reef
Puerto Princesa / Honda Bay · Philippines
Cowrie Island's reef wraps around a small islet ringed by mangroves and delivers some of the best shallow hard-coral coverage in Honda Bay. Massive Porites boulders rise from a sandy floor at 18 metres, and the upper reef crest is blanketed with healthy table corals and fields of staghorn. Juvenile fish density is exceptionally high, making this a paradise for macro shooters. Reef whitetip sharks patrol the outer rim and banded sea snakes weave through coral crevices.
Conditions
Depth
2 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
8 to 15 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
27 to 30°C
3mm shorty
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
| Vis (m) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
| Current | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Reef Whitetip Shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Banded Sea Snake
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Massive Porites Coral
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Table Coral
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Staghorn Coral
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Chromis Damselfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Clownfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Lionfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear