Meeting Sea Turtles in Mactan? A Lucky Encounter During Discovery Scuba Diving!

When planning a trip to Cebu, most travelers think there are only two ways to swim with sea turtles: either by having a scuba diving license and going on a Fun Diving tour, or by traveling all the way to Moalboal for snorkeling.

Moalboal is famously known as the place to meet sea turtles, drawing many visitors despite the long distance from Cebu City and Mactan.

But did you know you can also meet sea turtles right here in Mactan?

In fact, there is a spot right in front of MyCebuTrip where we conduct our Discovery Scuba Diving sessions that has become a hidden gem for turtle spotting.

What is Discovery Scuba Diving?

Discovery Scuba Diving (or “Intro Diving”) is an introductory course for those who do not have a diving license. It allows you to experience the underwater world of Cebu safely with an instructor.

You start by getting used to breathing with the strange equipment in a comfortable environment. Once you feel settled in the water, we move to slightly deeper depths.

If you are lucky, this is where the magic happens—you might find yourself face-to-face with a sea turtle!

The movie above is a close-up shot taken by our local Dive Master. It’s an incredible experience to see these graceful creatures gliding through the water right in front of you.

Why are Turtles Appearing in Mactan Now?

To be honest, before the COVID-19 pandemic, this point was not known for turtle sightings.

As the waters near Mactan developed, the heavy traffic of Bancas (traditional Filipino boats), scuba divers, and jet skis pushed marine life into much deeper waters. The noise and activity made sightings very rare.

However, during the pandemic and following recent typhoons, the number of operating boats significantly decreased. The ocean became quieter. It seems nature has used this time to recover.

We even saw whale sharks coming up to shallow waters and sharks (which hadn’t been seen since the early 2010s) returning during the pandemic period! The fact that we can now see turtles in shallow waters is a beautiful sign of the ocean’s recovery.

A Note on Luck

Of course, sea turtles don’t show up every single time. Sometimes, the sound of bubbles from scuba gear can scare them away. Our instructors always approach with extreme care so we can observe them peacefully without disturbing them.

The team in the photos above was truly lucky! While we can’t guarantee a sighting on every dive, the frequency has definitely improved compared to the past.

Ready to Try Your Luck?

You don’t need to travel hours to Moalboal to see marine life. Come and try your luck in the waters of Mactan with MyCebuTrip.

You can book this experience through our Buco Seaside Marine Sports Package or by reserving a Discovery Scuba Diving session directly.

We hope you are the next lucky team to swim with the turtles!