Surrounding NoaNoa Island, under the clear turquoise water of the Sulu Sea, is a stunning coral reef considered one of the best in the Philippines. It is one of the only places in the world where you can reach a beautiful coral reef – known as a fringe reef – within a few meters of the beach and snorkel for hours and hours so close to shore. The NoaNoa reef has been protected as an Official Marine Sanctuary since 2006 and covers a circumference of more than five kilometers. It is shallow which allows for clear visibility and easy snorkel access and also features caves and a long, spectacular drop off on the eastern side of the island. We have such an amazing coral reef at NoaNoa Private Island that marine biologists come to study it and document the diversity here.
Typical shapes for coral species are named by their resemblance to wrinkled brains, cabbages, tabletops, antlers, wire strands and pillars. As Andy says, there are tabletop corals at NoaNoa “as big as Cadillacs.”
NoaNoa guests love exploring the reef close to the beach and spend hours discovering its unique alcoves, drop-offs, crevices, and plains. Take a walk to the secret beach on the western side of NoaNoa Private Island and just off the beach, there is a reef we call Love Heart Reef because of its heart shape. You’re most likely to see turtles on the southern side of the island and no one goes home without checking in with Nemo and friends.
You will be provided all the snorkeling gear you will need for a wonderful holiday: fins, a mask and snorkel. We can also provide life jackets for those who don’t consider themselves strong swimmers. We recommend you bring a rash shirt to swim in and we require all guests to use the sunscreen we provided which is reef safe.
Coral reefs are often referred to as “rainforests of the sea” and make up some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. While coral reefs only occupy about one per cent of the world’s ocean surface, they provide a home for at least a quarter of all marine species including fish, mollusks, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, turtles and other beautiful creatures. Read all about the Crown of Thorns here – an important part of the ecosystem when kept in check.