Channel Drift

Channel Drift runs through the channel south of Boracay, in the Philippines, between Boracay and Panay Island. It is a drift dive along coral reef at 15 to 32 m, about 15 minutes by boat. The dive does the work, and strong tidal currents carry you through a maze of canyons, ridges and coral-covered slopes, so your job is buoyancy and staying with the group.

Fish hold against the flow over the reef, with trevally, snapper, fusiliers and surgeonfish, and soft corals, large sea fans and sponges cover the structure. White tip reef sharks and stingrays are occasional visitors. The water is 25°C.

It is a dive for Advanced Open Water divers and above who are comfortable being moved by current. Timing against the tide matters, and the briefing on the entry and pick-up plan matters more than usual. Visibility can drop after rains, when rivers on the mainland overrun.