Dive Into Biliran: An Unforgettable Adventure at Tagasipol, Inoroan & Capinahan

Introduction

There’s something incredibly special about diving in familiar waters you’ve known since childhood. Growing up in Kawayan, Biliran, I often admired the small islets of Tagasipol from afar, never imagining the vibrant underwater world hiding beneath its calm surface. When we planned this dive trip, I couldn’t contain my excitement. It was my chance to explore the hidden treasures of my hometown’s waters and capture its beauty in a way I had never done before.

Our adventure began on January 2, when I met up with our friend Aquanyox at Agta Beach Resort. We gathered early that morning, ready for an unforgettable dive trip.

Meeting at Agta Beach Resort – The Start of Our Journey

We agreed to meet up at 9:30 am, but we arrived at Agta Beach Resort just before 9:00 am. A few minutes later, Aquanyox arrived, and Melo greeted us warmly, serving us freshly brewed barako coffee from a French press. It was a perfect way to kick off our day, and we spent a few moments chatting while waiting for the tide to come up. The tidal flat at Agta Beach is so low that you can walk 200 meters from the shore and still see the seabed clearly.

At around 11:00 am, we started loading the tanks and our gear onto the boat. By 11:30, the boat was in the water, and we were off—heading toward Tagasipol Island, just past noon.

1st Dive – Tagasipol Island

As we descended into the crystal-clear waters of Tagasipol Island, located just in front of Poblacion, Kawayan, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Growing up, I had always admired these little islets from afar, but now I was diving into their vibrant underwater world. The rock formations and colorful coral gardens took my breath away, as schools of vibrant fish swam past us.

Dive Highlights:

• Dramatic rock formations and vibrant coral gardens.

• A variety of marine life, including nudibranchs, wrasse, angel fish, and even mating seashells.

• A photographer’s dream, with soft and hard corals in vivid colors.

We spent more than an hour at Tagasipol Island, capturing photos of the stunning underwater landscapes. The beauty of this place was beyond words, and I was grateful to be able to document it.

2nd Dive – Inoroan Island (Poro)

After a short surface interval, we headed to Inoroan Island (known locally as Poro), just a short distance away. This site holds special meaning for me, as it’s the first island in front of my hometown. In fact, I had swum to it before, and it’s only about 600 meters away from the Pantalan. I was excited to dive here, knowing the history and familiarity of the place.

The underwater terrain was impressive, but we couldn’t help but wonder why the coral growth was still so young. Baby corals were just starting to bloom, and the visibility was around 5–10 meters. We also saw remora fish, which are often found near turtles or sharks, signaling that these creatures might frequent the area.

Dive Highlights:

• First-time dive at a familiar island—Inoroan (Poro).

• Observing baby corals beginning to grow.

Encountering remora fish, a sign of nearby turtles or sharks.

Night Dive – Capinahan Island: An Unforgettable Rescue

After completing our second dive, we headed to Capinahan Island for a night dive. Melo stayed behind to care for his baby, but he kindly refilled four tanks for us. Our boatman, Marveluz, accompanied us as we dove into the dark waters of Capinahan, just in front of Agta Beach, around 6:00 pm.

We descended into the murky depths and immediately spotted a small, baby octopus—just an inch in size. I couldn’t resist capturing this precious moment with my camera. As we explored the reef, we noticed a discarded fishing net. To our surprise, we discovered a baby blacktip reef shark caught in it. Initially, I thought the shark was dead, but as Aquanyox tried to untangle it, we realized it was still alive.

We quickly began the rescue operation. Without any cutting tools on hand, we struggled to free the shark. Aquanyox even used his teeth to rip apart the nylon net in an attempt to release it. After several attempts, the shark was free. But just as it swam away, it got tangled again, so we had to repeat the process one more time. Finally, we were able to release the shark safely, and it swam off into the depths.

This rescue was a powerful reminder of how important it is to protect our oceans and its inhabitants.

Night Dive Highlights:

• Rescuing a baby blacktip reef shark caught in a fishing net.

• Capturing a tiny baby octopus in its natural habitat.

• Seeing Spanish dancers and several bobtail octopuses.

• Encountering leaf fish, various types of sea urchins, and chromodoris nudibranchs.

• The painful encounter with a red sea urchin as I was taking photos.

Conclusion: A Day to Remember

Our Day 1 adventure in Biliran was truly unforgettable. From exploring vibrant coral gardens at Tagasipol Island to rescuing a baby shark at Capinahan Island, each dive was filled with beauty and meaning. This was more than just a diving trip—it was a reminder of the fragility of our oceans and the importance of conservation.

If you want to experience this magic for yourself, consider booking a dive trip with Agta Beach Resort and exploring these stunning sites. Be sure to follow Sugbu Diver for more amazing underwater photos and stories from our dive adventures.

Stay tuned for Day 2 of our Biliran dive journey—trust me, you won’t want to miss it!

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