The Canyons

The Canyons sits off Puerto Galera on the northern coast of Mindoro, in the Verde Island Passage area of the Philippines. It is a well known drift dive built around rocky underwater formations that channel strong currents through gully-like passages, which is where the site gets its name. Verified figures put the maximum depth at 25 metres and rate the site intermediate, though divers often treat it with extra caution since the currents can be fast and sometimes converge or reverse unpredictably within the canyon walls, making buoyancy and timing important. The terrain of boulders and swim-throughs attracts schooling fish and the occasional pelagic drawn in by the current. Because conditions can shift quickly, many operators dive it only with a guide familiar with the site and on a suitable tide.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Willan's ChromodorisChromodoris willaniReported here · unconfirmed
• Anna's ChromodorisChromodoris annaeReported here · unconfirmed
• Chamberlain's NembrothaNembrotha chamberlainiReported here · unconfirmed
• Blue LinckiaLinckia laevigataReported here · unconfirmed
• Dusky NembrothaNembrotha kubaryanaReported here · unconfirmed
• Magnificent ChromodorisChromodoris magnificaReported here · unconfirmed
• Loch's ChromodorisChromodoris lochiReported here · unconfirmed