Maniguin Island: A unique tour and excursion

Maniguin Island, also known as "Maningning Island," or "Hammerhead Island," lies only 1 to 2 hours by speed boat from our dive Shop in Shangri-la Boracay. It is 47 kilometers (25 nautical miles) away, heading 209° on the compass.

Maniguin Island has the best snorkeling near Boracay. But, it is best known for its cylindrical lighthouse. The historic lighthouse guided ships into the Sulu Sea. They followed along the Cuyo East Passage shipping route. Learn more about the historic lighthouse of Maniguin Island!

White sand beaches, seaweed farm and virgin coral reef with a great biodiversity are a must to see at Maniguin Island.

Shining a Light on History

The 1906 lighthouse stands near the southeastern point of Maniguin Island. It stand atop a narrow ridge about 33.5 meters (110 feet) high. The rest of Maniguin Island is only 4.5 meters (15 feet) high. White sand beaches, coral reefs, and deep water surround Maniguin Island.

The original Spanish design for the lighthouse was more elegant. Before its construction, an American re-design emphasized speed of construction and lower cost. Thus, the tower was the first reinforced concrete lighthouse tower in the Philippines. Upon completion it had been faster to build, with higher quality and at less cost.

A newer, solar-powered, fiberglass tower now sits next to the historic tower. Both are 30-meters (98 feet) high. Visibility is 37 kilometers (20 nautical miles).

Your Maniguin Island Snorkeling Excursion

Maniguin Island Snorkeling Excursion Maniguin Island is the best snorkeling site near Boracay. Yet, it is 4 to 5 hours one-way by traditional bangka boat from Boracay (we have speedboat and catamaran). This distance helps keep the area in pristine condition. For example, there is no pollution at Maniguin Island.

Speed boats from Scotty's Dive Center make the trip in only 1 hour (depending on the waves). This allows you to snorkel, visit and wandering all day at Maniguin Island then sleep in Boracay at night.

With an incredible visibility of more than 30-meter (100-foot), you may see:

barracuda
bluestripe snapper (bluestripe sea perch, blue-line snapper)
butterflyfish (butterfly fish)
cetacea, other
dolphin
eagle ray
garden eel
gorgonian
hammerhead shark
hard corals
humphead wrasse (Māori wrasse, Napoleon wrasse, Napoleon fish, Napoleonfish)
jackfish (jack, northern pike)
manta ray (devil ray)
nudibranch (sea slug, Spanish dancer)
plankton
regal tang (palette surgeonfish, blue tang, royal blue tang, hippo tang, flagtail surgeonfish, Pacific regal blue tang, blue surgeonfish)
shark, other
soft corals
stingray
sweetlips
trevally
triggerfish
other aquatic life uncommon to Boracay

You can also photograph the crabs that are on the beach at night. The downside, if staying on Maniguin Island, is that this same beach is the only camping area. This is why our speed boats take you back to Boracay!