Blacktip Reef Shark - Marine life in El Nido
The Destacado reef is where we will bring you if you want to go and have a chance of seeing blacktip reef shark. Because of the longer travel distance we only go diving in this area by speedboat during our sunrise trips.
Marine Life in El Nido - Blacktip Reef Shark
Marine Life in El Nido – BlackTip Reef Shark is easily recognized by the prominent black tips on its fins. They typically attains a length of 1,8 meters. Don’t be scared of them. They are active predators. But only feed on small bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and from time to time on sea snakes and seabirds.
BlackTip Reef Shark exhibit strong site fidelity. They can remain within the same local area for up to several years at a time. Timid and skittish, they are pretty difficult to approach. Unfortunately, alike most of its species, the Black Tip Reef Shark is used for its meat, fins, and liver oil.
Genus: Carcharhinus
Depth: 1 to 80m
Diet: carnivore
Size: up to 2 meters; 130 kilograms
Lifespan: 12-25 years
Where can we see them in El Nido?
Destacado Reef is a shallow reef located on the outskirt of Bacuit Bay, west of Guntao island. This is where we will bring you if you want to go and have a chance of seeing blacktip reef shark. It is pretty far. Travel time from Town depends on sea conditions. Because of the longer travel distance we only go diving in this area by speedboat during our sunrise trips. On the way you will experience the amazing sunrise with the occasional sightings of dolphins, sea turtles and other pelagic surfacing.
Destacado Reef - The Dive Spot
Destacado is a sloping reef going from the surface to about 40m. A large variety of hard corals such as table, massive, staghorn are making this coral garden an amazing place to visit. Because of it’s proximity to the open ocean, currents bring plenty of nutriments making this dive site teeming with life. This abundance makes it the ideal spot to encounter Blacktip Reef Sharks.
Destacado Reef - What you will see.
Common: Blacktip Reef Shark • Trevally • Mackerel • Bonito • Green sea turtle • Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Rare: Marbled Stingray – Eagle Ray