Visit Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu and dive into another world rich with marine life

Written by KLARA ISKRA AÑONUEVO
Photos courtesy of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa

Cebu has been known as a haven for divers of all levels and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa has made it even easier to safely explore Cebu’s waters while making sure that the marine life is kept healthy. The resort’s Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary spans six hectares and is home to diverse mix of fish, clams, corals, and other aquatic creatures. Since its establishment in 2007, over 100 species of marine life have been observed in its waters, including angelfish, bannerfish, blue tang, butterflyfish, clownfish, clown sweetlips, goldfish, lionfish, pipefish, puffers, rainbowfish, wrasses, and even giant clams which were rescued by the Philippine government from poachers.

The resort is the first in the Philippines to pass the ISO 14001, an international set of standards for organizations’ environmental management efforts. In fact, the resort’s management and staff has been working with the Lapu-Lapu City Government, Scotty’s Action Sports Network and Dive Centre, and Amores Charities, Inc., to make sure the sanctuary is well maintained. The group regularly organizes reef checks, coastal clean-ups, dive clean-ups, and coral recovery programs. To make sure these activities are done with utmost care for the marine environment and its inhabitants, everything is overseen by the resort’s resident marine biologist, Irene Tan.

Irene also oversees the Fish House Building activity for guests of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. They are taught how to build fish houses using broken coral and rocks. When they’re done, they have the option to place it in the sanctuary themselves. Guests may also sign up for the Fish Feeding activity or the Kayak and Snorkeling Safari. Children, on the other hand, are recommended to participate in supervised sanctuary tours.

Scotty’s Action Sports Network and Dive Centre provides PADI-certified courses for both beginner and serious divers. Among the courses taught and supervised by licensed divers are Advanced Open Water Diver, Discovery Scuba Diver, and Open Water Diver. Divers may explore the Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary or any of the other 20 dive sites near the resort.

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa is located at Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu. For bookings and reservations, phone (+63 32) 231 0288 or email <mac@shangrila.com>. For more information, visit <shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort>