In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…

What is your name?
Marlon Managa

What is the name of your business?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort

What is your role within the business?
Assistant dive center manager, dive master & in-house marine biologist.

How long has the business operated for?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort opened its doors in July 2015.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
I started diving in 2010 as a divemaster and I have several certifications in marine biology.

What is your favorite type of diving?
Difficult question! I like many types of diving but if I need to choose, I would say a night dive or muck dive to find macro critters in sandy areas. However, I do love colorful corals and walls full of life as well!

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Visit Magic Oceans Dive Resort because Anda is still a pristine place that is full of wildlife on land and underwater, from the tiny colorful critters to the biggest fish in the world: the Whale Shark!

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

That would be any dives at the mystical “LAMANOK ISLAND”. Here, you can find a lot of special and rare macro critters (my favorites!). At this dive site you can find a great wall and a sandy bottom: the perfect place to find cool and rare nudibranchs – that’s why we also call this place ‘Nudibranch Heaven’. On top, you can find here special creatures like the mimic octopus, wunderpus, blue ringed octopus, different kind of shrimps and crabs, and even rays!

What types of diving are available in your location?
You can make a lot of different dive types in Anda: drift diving, muck diving, night diving, or of course exploring walls and/or coral gardens. We even offer black water diving for those who have the courage!

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
Simple appreciation is one of the most rewarding things in my opinion.
I love talking to people and making new friends. Besides, my passion is diving, so what’s better than doing the things you love everyday?
Finally, I’ve been doing a lot of marine biology works before and I am ready to contribute my expertise about that. It’s rewarding for me to do the job I love, helping the company be its best, make new friends and share my knowledge with the guests and my colleagues.

What is your favorite underwater creature?
Nudibranchs!! All of them!!

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

Maintaining high standards for diving is what we aim for all the time at Magic Oceans. We strive to be the best dive team in Anda and of course that’s something you need to work on (and be aware of) every day. Slight changes and developments include boat upgrades and more local dive masters to be trained as the number of guests increases every year!

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
Major concern for us is mainly the laws and regulations among weather circumstances, which sometimes disallow us to go out with the boat for a boat dive.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?
At the moment, we are working on a project: coral and giant clam transplantation. Aside from that, we also work together with the local schools and colleges closely, to create proper education and awareness about our marine environment.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry in your area? What changes would you make?
The good thing about Magic Oceans/Anda is that we are far away from mass tourism, which means we can still offer diversity in a pristine and untouched area – there are not a lot of places anymore worldwide where you can find untouched reefs and where you feel like you’re the only diver in the world! Of course we want to show this precious area to every diver in the world! But for now, we’re still that hidden, secret paradise.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

Like I already mentioned, there are not a lot of places anymore where you feel like you’re the only diver in the world! We are located in a hidden paradise where you can find the XXS Pygmy Seahorse and the XXL Whale Sharks. Combined with a great team of dive masters that are able to find the most tiny creatures in the ocean, diving at Magic Oceans is a must-do for both beginners and experienced divers!

Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
Magic Oceans Dive Resort
Candabong, Anda
6311, Bohol, Philippines

Website: www.magicoceans.online
e-mail: info@magicresorts.online and reservations@magicresorts.online
Facebook: @magicoceans.diveresort
Instagram: @magic_oceans_dive_resort