Manami Resort has introduced two newly identified offshore dive sites in Sipalay, expanding the destination’s appeal for experienced divers seeking less frequented reef environments.
The new sites are exclusively accessible to Manami guests as part of the resort’s marine experiences and follow a no-touch, no-take diving approach focused on low-impact reef interaction.
The sites, Jonel’s Garden and G A P, are located within an offshore reef system less than one kilometre from the resort and accessible within five to 10 minutes by boat. Situated west of Manami Resort, the reef network is characterised by deep reef formations, coral structures and open-water conditions that remained largely undocumented until earlier this year.
The dive sites were identified during exploratory dives conducted in March 2026. According to the resort, G A P was first located after divers were carried by shifting currents into an unmapped reef section, while Jonel’s Garden was documented shortly afterwards as a separate site featuring dense coral growth and marine biodiversity.
Jonel’s Garden ranges from depths of 18m to 25m and is known for hard and soft coral formations, including foliose Montipora corals. Marine life observed at the site includes snappers, barracuda and reef fish species. G A P, located at depths of 25m to 30m, features larger coral structures and attracts pelagic species such as giant trevally, groupers and emperors.
Across both sites, divers may also encounter green sea turtles, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and schools of fusiliers. The presence of larger predatory fish is considered an indicator of the reef system’s relatively low levels of human impact.
Manami Resort said the sites remain among the better-preserved reef areas in Sipalay due to their depth and limited access. Diving conditions vary seasonally, with visibility typically ranging between five and 20 metres, while the best conditions are generally experienced from April to June.
Due to depth and current conditions, both sites are recommended for Advanced Open Water divers and above, with guided dives led by experienced professionals.
Cristina Corro, founder of Manami Resort, shared: “The discovery of these sites reinforces how much there is still to protect and understand. For us, it is about creating access in a way that remains thoughtful, controlled and respectful of the ecosystem.”
“These sites offer something increasingly difficult to find, which is a sense of true exploration,” said Giro Solatorio, general manager of Manami Resort. “You are not just observing marine life, you are entering a system that feels largely undisturbed. That changes how people experience the ocean.”
