Dive· Dilumacad (Helicopter Island)· Philippines
Dilumacad Tunnel Dive Site (Helicopter Island)
11° 12.3′ N · 119° 20.3′ E · approximate
A 35-40 m long limestone tunnel through the base of Helicopter Island, entered at 12-15 m, with shafts of light through the ceiling, glassfish clouds and nurse sharks on the exit reef.
Practical
Approx: exact entrance not published. Depth 12-40 m, advanced divers (philippinedives). Rare whale sharks in plankton season (Dec-Feb). Outside the tunnel, gentle sloping reef with sand patches suits beginners and macro photographers (Submariner). Position update: Palawan Divers places the tunnel on the north side of Helicopter Island; plotted just off the north shore of the OpenStreetMap island outline (way 4325539), still approximate. Philippine Dives: 35-40 m tunnel entered at 12-15 m, 12-40 m overall, advanced and overhead-environment experience required. Palawan Divers: entrance at about 12 m; the tunnel opens into a cavern after 15-20 m and the last 10 m exit is narrow - one diver at a time; no moorings; swell when the wind is from the north - skip it in strong northerlies; eagle or devil rays sometimes at the entrance or exit; best November-May.
Best for
Swim-through tunnel dive
Season
Plankton/whale-shark chance Dec-Feb
Nearby
- Helicopter Island Beach (Dilumacad)0.2 NM away
- Helicopter Island Moorings & Anchorage (Dilumacad)0.4 NM away
- Helicopter Island Coral Gardens (Dilumacad)0.5 NM away
- Cadlao Lagoon0.6 NM away
- Cadlao Lagoon Moorings0.6 NM away
- Pasandigan Cove Anchorage (Cadlao)1.1 NM away
- Cadlao West Anchorage (Balinaod Bay)1.3 NM away
- Nat-Nat Dive Site (Cadlao)1.7 NM away