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Thursday, April 30, 2009

"SOUTHERN LEYTE" Eastern Visayas' Best Kept Secret


Being not in the official list of the best dive spots in the country like Anilao in Batangas, Balicasag in Bohol and Malapascua in Cebu, a treasure trove of dive sites, which remains pristine and kown mostly to foreign divers who discovered them online, which bore funny names(of foreign divers obviously)Like Peter's Mound,Max Climax Wall, Adrian's Cove and Bonnie's Place, to name a few, all within a 10-kilometer radius, are all found in Southern Leyte.
Southern Leyte dive sites offer unending fascinating marine life, dazzling coral reefs, spectacular wallas, and drop-offs like those found in distant Tubbataha.
Some of Southern Leyte's famous dive sites as described by European divers and featured in prestigious foreign dive and travel magazines include Peter's Mound in Libagon town, which is 200 meters offshore in Sogod Bay, " The currents can be strong, which means that coral life is profuse. Larger pelagics can be found here, including snappers, groupers, surgeons and wrasses, together with other species of reef fish."
Historic Limasawa island near the mouth of Sogod Bay, which was the site of the first Mass in thew Orient 488 years ago, is known among divers as well because of its beautiful and amazing coral reefs, where you can expect to come across sharks,barracudas, tuna, jacks and rays. Dive sites around the tadpole-shape island are Adrian's Coves a wall with lots of coves and overhangs, nicely covered bushes on black coral, where staghorn corals and many sea squirts are found underwater. Turtle Rock, ar 36-meter depth, on the other hand, lies a large coral rock, very nicely covered with gorgonians, with lots of fish, too.
Other exciting dive spots that are accessible by small motorized outriggers or dive boats include the Napantaw Fish Santuary in the gold-rich Panaon Island, where you can see a variety of exotic marine life, like turtles, barracudas and batfish among others. Live coral reef formations, which extends more than a kilometer long, are spectacular and is worth a dive.
Liloan Bay, the narrow channel that separates mainland Southern Leyte and Panaon Island and famous for its very strong 40-knot currents, divers will encounter manta rays, several species of sharks and whales, and pods of dolphins.
Above water, the picturesque landscapes of Southern Leyte and excellent geographical location hold its own gems for eco-tourism as well-with its lofty mountain ranges ,lush virgin forests, awesome cave systems, majestic waterfalls, fine white and honey-colored sand beaches,exotic flora and fauna, and rich marine resources.
"Rock climbers' favorite destination here is the Uwan-uwanan Gorge in Libagon," explains Rep. Roger Mercado of the Lone District of Southern Leyte. " This gorge in Libagon is a newly discovered world-class eco-adventure wonder," continous the staunch advocate of eco-tourism, green environment and sustainable agriculture for his province," Climbing, swimming and trekking all rolled into one. You'll never stop until you reach the top where there is a magnificent waterfall where you can soak yourself to symbolize your conquest of the gorge.

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