Kapatan Reef in General Santos City - Philippines

Diving at General Santos City's most sought after dive spots is said to be incomplete if the tourist diver misses one spot, and that is the Kapatan Reef. The Kapatan Reef is among the many popular dive points along the eastern portion of the Sarangani Bay. To get to the Kapatan Reef, all the tourist diver has to do is to take a boat ride from any point of Sarangani Bay. Meanwhile, to get to Sarangani Bay from the General Santos City proper, all one has to do is to take a jeepney going to the town of Tambler. He may also take the habal habal, but this would usually cost more than going to Tambler on a jeepney. But if the tourist has got lots of luggage on him, then it may be more practical to take the habal habal or a cab.

Entrance to Kapatan Reef is by appointment or as per permission by the owners of the area. That is because the Kapatan Reef is actually private property already. The purpose of its privatization is to make sure that it will be ably protected and rehabilitated, especially since it is still recovering from the effects of the black algae outbreak way back in 2005, when industrial pollutants as well as those coming from aqua culture experiments have taken its toll on the prized coral reefs in General Santos City. This is also the reason why those who go to Kapatan Reef would have to kind of swear that they will keep the area clean and help in protecting it as well. Once the tourist diver gets permission from the owner to hang out at the Kapatan Reef, he will instantly be dazzled by the fascinating sights. Among these are the vast expanses of coral reefs as well as fishes such as the famed tuna of General Santos City, giant clams, and snappers.

All divers, regardless of their preferred level of difficulty, are welcome at Kapatan Reef, so long as they seek permission from the owners of the place. And, in spite of the fact that it is situated on the portion of Sarangani Bay that is known to be most prone to raucous weather conditions, conditions at Kapatan Reef are still deemed favorable for most divers. Not only that, swimmers as well as snorkelers are also welcome here.

Since the place is private, it is expected that the rates are higher compared to the more public diving places. But the owners ensure that a large part of the proceeds would surely go to the further improvement and rehabilitation of Kapatan Reef.