Dive Site: Punta Bunga

About Punta Bunga

Located on the northwest side of Boracay, Punta Bunga is a highly accessible dive site situated near the popular Yapak and Balinghai Wall dive spots. It features a sloping wall interspersed with large, flat plateau sections, creating a rich and varied underwater topography suitable for multilevel reef exploration. The site's depth ranges significantly, with the wall starting in shallow single digits and extending down to 35-40 meters. It's adorned with an impressive diversity of soft and hard corals, gorgonians, sea fans, and sponges, which collectively form a vibrant habitat. This diverse ecosystem supports a wide array of marine species, from tiny critters to larger pelagic visitors. While currents are generally mild, the site occasionally experiences stronger movements, making it an engaging drift dive for those with some current experience. Visibility is typically excellent, often ranging from 10 to 25 meters, providing clear views of the extensive coral gardens and resident marine life. Punta Bunga is predominantly a boat dive, easily reached from Boracay's main dive areas, offering a flexible and rewarding experience for various diver skill levels.

Dive site facts: Punta Bunga

Depth

9–40 m

Typical dive

17–25 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

10–25 m

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat dive

Level

AOW recommended, some drift experience

Dive type

Reef, wall, macro, drift

Region / port

Boracay, Philippines

Coordinates

11.2284° N, 121.9920° E

Conditions & Currents

Punta Bunga generally experiences mild currents, though conditions can vary and might occasionally present stronger flows. Divers should always follow local guide briefings, which account for daily tide and operator judgments regarding current strength and direction. A boat dive entry is standard, requiring divers to confirm entry, exit, and backup procedures beforehand. While surge is typically flat calm, maintaining good buoyancy control and depth awareness is crucial, particularly when exploring the sloping wall and coral ledges. Visibility is consistently good to very good, generally ranging from 10 to 25 meters, allowing for clear views of the reef structure and marine life. This site is well-suited for divers with some experience in mild drift diving.

Marine life & sighting chances

Coral

common

Eels

common

Triggerfish

common

Groupers

common

Lionfish

occasional

Sea snakes

occasional

Butterflyfish

common

Angelfish

common

Stingrays

occasional

White-tip reef sharks

occasional

Grey reef sharks

occasional

Nudibranchs

common

Pipefish

occasional

Porcelain crabs

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Punta Bunga begins with a boat entry, typically deploying from a local dive center in Boracay. You will descend along the sloping wall, which starts shallow and gradually extends to depths of 35-40 meters, allowing for a multilevel profile. The route follows the wall, exploring various coral ledges and sandy pockets that serve as habitats for diverse marine life. Keep an eye out for resident eels and triggerfish among the corals, and larger pelagics such as reef sharks. The dive progresses along the reef, with opportunities for macro photography in the cubbyholes and crevices. The turn point is determined by air consumption and no-decompression limits, typically around the 50-60 minute mark. The safety stop is conducted on the shallower sections of the wall, from 5-9 meters, offering a final chance to observe colorful reef fish and sponges before ascending to the boat for exit.

Underwater photography

Punta Bunga is an excellent site for both macro and wide-angle underwater photography due to its varied topography and rich biodiversity. For macro subjects like nudibranchs, pipefish, porcelain crabs, and mantis shrimps, a dedicated macro lens (e.g., 60mm or 100/105mm) paired with a snooted strobe can highlight intricate details against the vibrant coral backdrop. For wide-angle shots, consider a fisheye or wide rectilinear lens to capture the expansive coral gardens, sloping wall, and schools of fish. Use strobes to restore natural colors and minimize backscatter in the clear waters. Practicing excellent buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing delicate corals and marine life, ensuring both impactful shots and responsible diving. Patience is key, as critters often reveal themselves to calm, observant photographers.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Yapak

  Deep wall dive with pelagic action and strong currents.

• Balinghai Wall

  Boracay coral slope known for wall diving.

• Crocodile Island

  Versatile site with shallow coral gardens and deeper slopes, known for hawksbill turtles.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Punta Bunga is typically via a short pumpboat ride from the main beaches of Boracay. The island is served by Caticlan Airport (MPH), which is just a 15-minute ferry ride away. Most dive operations are based in Boracay, offering day trips to sites like Punta Bunga. There are no specific park fees mentioned for this site, but dive packages usually cover boat transfers and guide services. Dive trips often combine two to three dives in a single day, allowing divers to explore multiple sites. Punta Bunga is frequently integrated into Boracay's regular dive itineraries, making it a convenient addition to any dive vacation in the region.

Safety & environment

For safe diving at Punta Bunga, it is crucial to plan conservatively, staying within your certification limits and paying close attention to the 9-25 meter reference depth, though the wall can extend deeper. While currents are generally mild, always heed the captain's and guide's briefings, as conditions can change. As a boat dive, confirm entry, exit, and emergency backup procedures with your local operator. The nearest recompression chamber would likely be in a major medical facility on Panay Island or Cebu, meaning evacuation could be prolonged. Therefore, having comprehensive dive insurance is highly recommended. Always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and maintain awareness of boat traffic. Divers should manage their air consumption carefully, especially on multilevel profiles, to ensure adequate reserves for safety stops and unforeseen delays.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Punta Bunga FAQ

Liveaboards diving Punta Bunga

These liveaboards may visit Punta Bunga on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Infiniti

Philippines

25 guests39 m

$280/day

Seadoors

Philippines

16 guests25 m

$335/day

Resolute

Philippines

16 guests34.6 m

$314/day

Dolphin

Philippines

18 guests31 m

$326/day

Navis 1

Philippines

22 guests23 m

$250/day

Philippine Siren

Philippines

16 guests

$309/day

Palau Sport

Philippines

24 guests38.35 m

$215/day

Philippines Aggressor

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day

Stella Maris Explorer

Philippines

20 guests33 m

$398/day

Solitude One

Philippines

24 guests52 m

$460/day

Atlantis Adventurer

Philippines

16 guests32.5 m

$421/day

Philippines Aggressor II

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$247/day