Balate Wall is another prominent dive site located in Carmen, Agusan del Norte, sitting along the same rugged coastline as Punta Diwata.
In the local Visayan language, “Balate” (or Balat) translates to sea cucumber, which points to the rich macro environment found at this location.
Key Features of Balate Wall
- The Topography: It features a dramatic vertical drop-off (wall dive) that plunges into Butuan Bay. The face of the wall is heavily pocketed with small crevices, overhangs, and ledges. [1, 2]
- Marine Life: The wall is covered in massive sea fans (gorgonians), colorful soft corals, and sponges. It is a fantastic spot for macro photography, where divers regularly spot nudibranchs, various shrimp species, and reef crabs hiding in the rock faces. [1, 2]
- Pelagics: Depending on the tide and currents moving through the bay, the blue water right off the wall frequently plays host to schools of fusiliers, jacks, and occasional passing reef sharks.