Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef: Middle Pass
The Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef lies 30-40 minutes by boat from Mactan Island. It is 20 kilometers (11 nautical miles) from our Scotty's Dive Center Headquarters in Lapu-Lapu City, heading 89° on the compass. You can explore Middle Pass for a half day or full day.
The Middle Pass lies between North-West Pass and North-East Pass. Depths are 2-5 meters (6-15 feet) to 8 meters (25 feet). Deeper water lies on the western side.
On your way to Danajon Bank and back, you may see a superpod (large group) of dolphins. The sun must be shining and the waters must be calm. The time of day must be in the morning or mid-afternoon. These dolphins are very dark, almost black, and about 2-meters (6-feet) in length.
Choose your tour packages carefully! Scotty's has the experience to navigate this channel without damaging the coral reefs. The Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef is one of only six double barrier reefs in the entire world. Preserving it is important!
Double barrier reefs are rare
Most of the aquatic life in the Pacific Ocean evolved in the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef. This includes most of the algae, corals, fishes, and invertebrates in existence today. The Danajon Bank is probably older than the Great Barrier Reef which is around 500,000 years old (to be proven as there were no real studies); the current formation is thought to be about 6,000 years old.
Aquatic animals feed on the seagrass beds, which double as a nursing sanctuary. The Danajon Bank also serves aerial animals, such as migratory birds.
Besides aquatic animals and aerial animals, the Danajon Bank serves humans. For centuries, a majority of Filipino fishermen have fished here.
Your Middle Pass Excursion at Danajon
While touring the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef's at the Middle Pass, you may see shoaling on top of the colorful coral reef:
- anemone fish
- angelfish
- anchovy
- blue crab
- branch coral
- bullet tuna
- coral reef fish
- crocodilefish (De Beaufort's flathead, Giant flathead)
- crustacean, other
- elegance coral (wonder coral, ridge coral),
- feather duster worm
- finfish (true fish, fin fish)
- fish, other
- gar
- gorgonian (horny coral)
- grouper
- hard coral
- invertebrate, other
- messmate pipefish
- mollusk (mollusc)
- mushroom coral
- nudibranch (sea slug)
- parrot fish
- rabbitfish (spinefoot)
- scad
- sea cucumber
- sea fan
- sea urchin (urchin, sea hedgehog)
- seahorse
- shellfish, other
- shrimp
- snapper
- sole
- sponge
- squid
- tiger tail seahorse
- wrasse
Middle Pass Excursion Rates
Middle Pass schedule and prices from Mactan, Cebu
- Schedule: N/A
- Duration: N/A hours
- Price per person: Price might not be applicable, please contact us.
