MAASIM DIVE RESORTS

Maasim, Sarangani, a place popular to foreign as well as local scuba divers.
Paul Partridge, manager of the Lemlunay Dive Resort, said construction is now ongoing for the first four of the total cottages they will complete by next year.
Lemlunay (also known as South Point Dive Resort) is nestled along a cliff in Sitio Tampuan in the village of Kamanga, some 34 kilometers from this city.
Its panoramic view of Sarangani Bay “is only an aperitif of what lies beneath the sea which is renowned for its Tinoto Wall,” according to Partridge.
The Tinoto and Tampuan coral reefs are said to be home to one of Mindanao’s most diverse marine life and host to several endangered marine specie.
The Tinoto Wall, which drops to more than 1,200 meters, has been featured in several international magazines and television shows and is often described as the best dive spot in the whole of Mindanao.
Divers said sea cow (dugong), manta rays, Napoleon wrass and giant groupers (kugtong) abound the reefs, reportedly among the country’s most pristine and diverse coral formations.
Partridge said they are anticipating heavy influx of foreign divers as the Tinoto Wall has become a favorite destination of dive enthusiasts.
In addition to the cottages, the Partridges will also build a recreation center to include a fitness gym and a swimming pool.
The resort already has four cottages, a man-made lagoon and a resto bar.
“We want to promote not only the Tinoto Wall and the Tampuan Reef. We also want to help Sarangani become a world-class tourist destination,” Partridge said.
The Tinoto-Tampuan reef can also serve as jumping board for divers who want to explore other dive spots in Sarangani Bay, among them the Tuka Reef in nearby Kiamba and in Lago, Malapatan.
It is just approximately an hour away by speed boat from the famous Gumasa white sand beaches.