Davao Gulf & Samal Island · Talikud Island, Philippines · Reef
Angel's Cove
A shallow reef slope off Talikud Island, named for its resident angelfish
Angel's Cove is a sloping reef off Talikud Island in the Davao Gulf, named for the angelfish that live on it. The reef runs from 5 m at its top to 20 m at its foot, and its calm, shallow water suits a relaxed dive or underwater photography.
Also known as Angels Cove.
Where it is and how deep
6.9598° N, 125.6770° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive works a single sloping reef on Talikud Island, between the shallow top of the slope at 5 m and its foot at 20 m. Resident angelfish give the site its name, moray eels and lionfish share the reef, and garden eels sway in the current from the sandy bottom below it.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Davao Gulf & Samal Island: November to May is the best window for diving around Samal Island.
Dive videos
Frogfish @ Angel's Cove · マル on YouTube
Whale Shark @ Angel's Cove · マル on YouTube
Sources
More dive sites in Davao Gulf & Samal Island
A vertical wall of soft corals and gorgonians on Samal's west coast
Reef
Mushroom-shaped rock formations off Samal's south-eastern tip
Wreck
Two Japanese hulls from the Second World War off Samal Island
Wall
Black corals and gorgonians under the overhangs of a sanctuary wall
Pinnacle
A current-swept pinnacle beside the Ligid Caves
Similar dives elsewhere
Reef from two metres down to sand at twenty
Five Rocks: a repeat-request reef to around 24 m
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Batu Mandi
Krakatau & Sangiang Island · Indonesia
Deeper second dive beside the active cone of Anak Krakatau
White sand to 15 m, no current, twenty minutes from town