If you think of dolphin watching, there are lots of dolphin watching operations in Negros Oriental and Bohol, and some in Cebu.  But talk about dolphin interaction and you’ll probably think of the Bahamas, and the Philppines would be last place on your mind.

I was in Ozamis City and was surprised to learn that 2 towns away and from the city proper is a facility that is home to half a dozen rescued dolphins.  Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP), in Sindacan, Misamis Occidental operates the Dolphin Rescue Center more commonly known as the Dolphin Island.  A man-made island constructed on a shallow shoal with a sand bar, it houses 6 dolphins (or at least that’s how many I counted).  The facility has a pier, a restaurant with excellent and cheap food, 2 big holding pens for the dolphins and sea turtles rescued from fishermen’s nets, and a grandstand where people can sit and eat, and watch the dolphins.

My friend, Dr. Elbert Ybanez, an Orthopaedic Surgeon based in Ozamis City, was kind enough to provide me with the transportation to and from the MOAP.  The MOAP is also a very successful research facility for grouper breeding.  On the MOAP pier, you pay P250.00 for the boat trip and entrace to Dolphin Island.  The boat trip takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

I was eyeing the SCUBA tanks that were loaded on the boat when we boarded, but never showed my excitement.  When the boat reached Dolphin Island, I could see from a distance the sign “SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS FOR P250”.  I was a bit disappointed…no sign about SCUBA diving.  I wanted to see them underwater.  Still, the thought of swimming with them got me all worked up.  I haven’t been up close to one, dolphin watching was never my thing, anyway, how much more swim with one.  Seeing them closely underwater would have been better, but I didn’t bring my underwater camera anyway, so swimming with them will have to do.

I Introduced myself to a guide named Dennis, and asked if they have SCUBA diving at the place. Dennis said yes.  P1,500.00, gear included.  You have a choice between diving with the dolphins inside their holding pen or diving in the reef around the island.  It was a very tough choice to make.  Since I didn’t have my cam with me, I decided to check their house reef instead.  I can check out the dolphins with my cam next time I come visit.

Dennis, my guide told me while gearing up that we enter giant stride at the pier, work our way around the island and exit at the other side, pointing to the sand bar.  He also introduced me to another diver who will be diving with us. Mario also worked at the Dolphin Rescue Center.  He was bringing the fish food.

Before entering the water, I was looking at huge fishes swimming at the side of the pier.  When I got in, a giant grouper, and several huge snappers got close.  A few meters away from the pier, I could see thick coral growth.  Dennis started swimming toward the corals, and I followed.  Visibility was not that great, but the giants were swimming with us and had no plans of leaving.  When another giant grouper came, Mario started fish feeding.  No wonder they weren’t leaving.  While fish feeding, another bigger grouper came. This one was really really big. 3 giant groupers in all,  one bigger than the other.

Continuing our dive, Dennis pointed to something.  It was the biggest giant clam I have ever seen.  I then I saw probably probably 6 or 7 more!

The last leg of the dive would take us past the dolphin holding pen, on our way to the exit point.  I could not resist. I swam near the fence and had my wish.  Although not close, they were there and I saw them.  I could hear the chirping, whistling and clicking sounds dolphins make, for the first time, underwater.  I could see them swimming underwater.  I did not regret choosing to dive outside the facility.  Working our way around the fence, it became shallower with every kick as the sand bar got closer.  With a maximum depth of 50feet and with no current, I still had just over half a tank after 45 minutes underwater and was not planning to end the dive, but there was nowhere else to go.  We exited at the sand bar outside the holding pen.  Visitors were swimming and playing and checking us out.

This dive would have been better with my underwater cam, and promised myself it will always be in my bag wherever I go…but I could always come back, and I will.

WITH THE DIVE CREW AT MOAP. DM KENNTETH MERCADO, DENNIS AND MARIO.