At Manami Resort, every dive is guided by a spirit of exploration. Our commitment to the sea goes beyond offering exceptional underwater experiences—we actively seek out and protect the hidden ecosystems that make Sipalay one of the Philippines’ most rewarding dive destinations.
That spirit of discovery has led to the unveiling of two remarkable new dive sites, available exclusively to Manami guests: Jonel’s Garden and G A P.
Located less than a kilometer from the resort and reached in just five to ten minutes by boat, these newly charted reefs reveal some of the healthiest coral formations and most exciting pelagic encounters yet documented in Sipalay.
Set on a broad offshore reef west of Manami Resort, Jonel’s Garden and G A P form part of an expansive underwater network of deep reef structures that had remained largely unexplored.
The first site, G A P, was discovered on March 5, 2026, by Manami’s dive team—Aries Chavez, Alexis Duran, and Giro Solarorio—during an afternoon exploratory dive. A week later, Alexis Duran and Jonel Tihuk returned to the area and uncovered a second site, now known as Jonel’s Garden.
Although boats had passed over this stretch of ocean countless times, seasonal currents and limited visibility had kept the full extent of the reef hidden. What was once an unassuming patch of blue water has now emerged as one of Sipalay’s most exciting dive discoveries.
Depth: 18–25 meters
Certification: Advanced Open Water and above
Jonel’s Garden is a vibrant seascape of coral outcrops rising like small islands from the seabed. Hard and soft corals intermingle to create natural swim-throughs and sheltered crevices where marine life thrives.
At 20 to 25 meters, a vast foliose garden of Montipora corals extends northward, creating a dramatic underwater panorama that gives the site its name.
Resident marine life includes:
Jonel’s Garden offers a rare combination of macro treasures and large reef fish, making every dive richly rewarding.
Depth: 25–30 meters
Certification: Advanced Open Water and above
Nitrox recommended
Named for the broad channels separating its coral mountains, G A P is defined by dramatic underwater topography. Towering reef structures rise from the depths, interrupted by expansive blue-water corridors where pelagic life often appears.
The site’s most iconic feature is a tall, wave-shaped pinnacle. Soft corals flourish along its sheltered inner curve, while hard corals blanket the outer slope.
Strong and shifting currents can bring in breathtaking marine encounters, including schools of giant trevally, barracuda, and other apex predators.
The discovery of G A P came with a moment that the Manami dive team will never forget.
During an exploratory dive, while removing a discarded fishing line tangled in a sea fan near the drop-off, Alexis Duran felt the water behind him shift. His dive buddy, Aries Chavez, urgently signaled and pointed into the blue.
Turning around, Alexis found himself face to face with a massive Giant trevally.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, a school of more than 200 Giant trevallies surrounded the divers, circling in tight formation before vanishing as suddenly as they had appeared.
It was a thrilling confirmation that this reef was something truly extraordinary.
These reefs are among the healthiest documented in Sipalay.
Their offshore location, depth, and limited accessibility have helped preserve robust coral cover and intact populations of large predatory fish—species that are becoming increasingly uncommon in more heavily visited sites.
Divers can expect to encounter:
Although traces of damage from Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 remain visible, including coral rubble and overturned colonies, the reef has retained remarkable ecological integrity.
Visibility ranges from 5 to 20 meters, with the clearest conditions typically found during morning dives.
The best season to explore these sites is from April to June, during the inter-monsoon period when winds are lighter and seas are generally calm.
Due to depth, blue-water entries, and potentially strong currents, both sites are reserved for divers with a minimum of Advanced Open Water certification.
Jonel’s Garden and G A P are available exclusively to guests of Manami Resort.
All dives are led by experienced dive professionals who know the layout and conditions of the reef system. Nitrox is highly recommended to maximize bottom time and enhance safety on these deeper profiles.
These sites are strictly for scuba diving and are not suitable for snorkeling.
As with all marine experiences at Manami, conservation remains central.
Divers are expected to practice excellent buoyancy control, maintain a respectful distance from marine life, and adhere to a strict no-touch, no-take policy. These responsible practices help ensure these pristine reefs remain healthy for generations to come.
Jonel’s Garden and G A P are more than new coordinates on a dive map.
They are rare windows into a thriving underwater world—places where healthy reefs, abundant fish life, and the thrill of exploration converge.
For experienced divers seeking something beyond the ordinary, these sites offer what every great dive promises: discovery.
At Manami Resort, that journey begins just minutes from shore.