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Basterra Reef

Basterra Reef

Sulu Sea, Philippines

Depth
Depth Icon

25m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

15m - 45m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Beginner

Basterra Reef

Sulu Sea, Philippines

Basterra Reef
Depth
Depth Icon

25m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

15m - 45m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Beginner


About Basterra Reef

A beautiful dive that will keep you coming back for more. Basterra Reef is truely a site that has it all. From wrecks to reefs, from drop offs to walls and much more. Easy entry leads to a clean bottom with very little marine vegetation, colorful corals and abundant marine life. Currents may be unpredictable here so be careful when diving here.

Basterra Reef Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Other, Wall, Shark, Reef, Cave, Night, Wreck

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

25m

Visibility Range

15m 45m

Experience Level

Beginner

Best Gas Mix

21% – 40%

O2

16% at 23m / 36%

O2
Multi-Level Dive Planner
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Marine Life

  • Groupers
  • Rays
  • Reef Fish
  • Sharks
  • Snappers
  • Thresher Sharks
  • Various
Weather Conditions

Water Temperature
Dive Operators near Basterra Reef

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

  • Unstable Visual Ascents — Relying on wall visuals can destabilise ascents.

  • Gradual Depth Creep — Lack of visual bottom reference can cause unnoticed descent.

  • Unsignalled Downcurrents — Downcurrents can form without visible indicators.

  • Situational Awareness Loss — Divers may fixate on sharks and lose depth or position awareness.

  • Subtle Behavioural Shifts — Changes in shark behaviour may be missed without active observation.

  • Blue-Water Reference Loss — Lack of visual references increases ascent and descent instability.

  • Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

  • Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

  • Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

  • Remote Silt Disturbance — Silt can be disturbed metres away from the source.

  • Rapid Stress Escalation — Stress can increase sharply when visibility or navigation degrades.

  • High Cognitive Load Navigation — Complex passages increase mental workload even on a line.

  • Landmark Misidentification — Familiar sites can become unrecognisable at night.

  • Light-Induced Tunnel Vision — Focused light beams reduce peripheral awareness.

  • Depth Perception Errors — Reduced ambient light increases depth perception mistakes.

  • Deceptive Entry Openings — Openings may become restrictive inside due to angle, collapse, or corrosion.

  • Surge-Induced Internal Silt Shift — Internal surge can move silt and debris without direct contact.

  • Partial Overhead Environment — Many wrecks limit direct ascent even without full penetration.

  • Fine Rust Particle Silt-Out — Disturbed rust particles can rapidly reduce visibility.

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