Sipalay - Manami Resort - Balas Dive & Experience

Sipalay, located in the southern part of Negros, serves as a gateway to some of the most diverse marine environments in the Philippines. The Balas Dive & Experience Center is integrated into the Manami Resort, a nature-focused luxury complex that sits between lush vegetation and a vibrant reef system.

The centre is designed to provide direct access to the region's celebrated coral gardens, spectacular walls, and marine sanctuaries. Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or seeking more advanced underwater exploration, the centre operates with a strong emphasis on responsible diving practices.

The dive centre operates with a dedicated team of expert guides and includes an in-house marine biologist. This biological expertise ensures that the diving experience is enriched by a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem and a commitment to marine conservation.

Instruction and guiding are handled by certified professionals, with a focus on providing tailored experiences. The centre accommodates various levels of experience, from those taking their very first breaths underwater to advanced divers looking for specific challenges.

A full range of training is available for those looking to progress through their diving career. The centre provides Open Water Diver courses for beginners, as well as Deep Diver training for those moving into more advanced territory.

For divers looking to extend their no-decompression limits, Nitrox courses are also offered on-site.

Excursions are conducted using traditional lancha boats, which can carry up to 10 people per trip. These vessels allow you to reach the various reefs and sites surrounding Sipalay, including the more distant walls and offshore plateaus.

The centre offers a full range of equipment hire for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit. This includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, fins, and masks.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to optimise their decompression limits and bottom times. The facility is designed to support both recreational and advanced diving requirements with professional-grade equipment.

The reefs are characterised by lush gardens of hard and soft corals, gorgonians, and various species of sea anemones. You will frequently encounter large schools of reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and damselfish, alongside banana fusiliers and yellowlined snappers.

Large pelagics and common residents include green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. You may also spot various species of triggerfish (Balistidae), moray eels (Muraenidae), and groupers (Epinephelus tukula) patrolling the reef structure.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of small life. Divers can find a wide array of nudibranchs, including the spotted nudibranch and blood-painted nudibranch, as well as Bargibant's pygmy seahorse. The sandy patches and coral crevices also host various crustaceans such as shrimp, porcelain crabs, decorator crabs, and even the Ambon crinoid shrimp.

The diving environment in Sipalay varies by site, with Sunken Island specifically noted for having strong currents that require experience and Nitrox certification. Other sites like Catmon Point offer more varied topography including valleys and canyons.