Snorkel· Hilutungan· Philippines

Hilutungan Island Marine Sanctuary

10° 12.5′ N · 123° 59.1′ E

A community-managed fish sanctuary around Hilutungan (Gilutongan) islet off Cordova, where the reef drops into the Hilutangan Channel and tour boats spill snorkellers into clouds of fish - the busiest stop on the Mactan island-hopping circuit.

Practical

Coordinates are the sanctuary polygon in OpenStreetMap. A per-person sanctuary entrance fee is charged (usually bundled into island-hopping tours; amount not verified - ask). Part of the Olango reef system, one of the largest reef areas in the Visayas (about 4.5 km²). Very busy with bangkas mid-morning; go early. Jellyfish are reported in some seasons. Current runs along the channel edge. No-take zone - do not anchor on coral; tie to a sanctuary buoy if offered or anchor on sand outside the boundary and dinghy in.

Best for

Easy, fish-packed snorkelling close to Mactan

Nearby