The original plan is to snorkel in Tubod Marine Sanctuary near the popular Coco Grove Beach Resort. However the waves are as high and as powerful as the waves for intermediate surfing due to habagat or the southwest monsoon winds. So from San Juan, we went to the next town of Siquijor where the waves are relatively pacific. And there is the Caticugan Marine Sanctuary waiting for us. The calmness and clarity of the water while the starfishes scattered welcoming us add excitement.

We enjoyed the activity greeting protected creatures of Caticugan. We saw colorful and camera-loving fishes, sophisticated corals and even sea snakes (or are they just eels). Just look at those creatures in these funny comic strips. We didn’t notice that we actually took a long time in those Siquijor waters. But we had to catch the only fast craft ride back to Dumaguete in the sea port few minutes away from the sanctuary. So we left the sanctuary but with high hopes. Caticugan Marine Sanctuary is just a preview of the marine biodiversity of the island. We would see more if we scuba dive next.