The Magic of Anda

After my group trip to the Philippines last year, I spent some time on the island of Bohol investigating new locations for the next trip. I found the ideal location at Anda, a rural district on the little-known east coast. Anda is home to Magic Oceans, a boutique resort with access to a stunning array of dive sites. This is a sea of diversity, with a line-up of rare and enigmatic creatures to rival any destination in the coral triangle.

From blue-ring octopus to reptilian snake eels and ghost pipefish, the Magic team have a proven track record when it comes to putting their divers in front of a procession of macro marvels. The mix of habitats – coral reef, seagrass, drop-off, rubble – acts like a diversity pump, ensuring the presence of countless different species. Unlike many ‘critter’ destinations, the environment is primarily white-sand, which creates a brighter background for photography.

It’s not all about the little monsters. Magic Oceans has a selection of classic coral reefs, including one with a sizeable population of green and hawksbill turtles just around the corner from the resort. And then there’s the house reef just beyond the newly built jetty … it’s a world-class night dive, bristling with unexpected encounters, plus many familiar tropical species you’ll love to see again and again.

Barrel sponges; huge trees of black coral; caverns and ledges; walls of wonder. The seascape is magical indeed, with a variety that will delight anyone who dives for marine life. I loved it, not least because of the friendly, top-notch service from the Magic Oceans team. Nice big boats and big smiles all around. The diving is easy, and this trip is intended for anyone, with most dives in the 15-25 m zone. There will be talks on biology, behaviour and photographic workshops, but you don’t need to be a photographer; it’s about getting to know a place. I’ll be making my own portfolio of photographs available to all guests at the conclusion of the tour.

The resort is a wonderful place to recuperate and refuel between dives. Elegant, air-conditioned bungalows; a serene open-air restaurant and bar; an azure swimming pool. Everything is compact and self-contained; the furthest of the bungalows is just a two-minute walk from the dive centre. To seal the deal and provide the variety I look for in a dive trip, there is a whale shark dive nearby. Whale sharks on tap, in fact.

Together with the Magic Oceans team, we’ve put together a package that showcases the best of this special part of the world. As a dive journalist, I’ve been privileged to visit many amazing scuba hotspots, but there are only a few I’d want to return to again and again. This is one of them, and I’d like to show you why. Join me in Anda!

Find out more about our diving holiday to Anda, or to book your place, contact our team.