Most people associate diving in the Philippines with tropical fish, whale sharks, and bathwater warm temperatures, but there is more to this wonderful archipelago than its azure seas. Located within a crater on the island of Coron lies Barracuda Lake, a freshwater lake that runs about 40 meters deep, and is surrounded on all sides by jagged limestone cliffs. However, beneath the surface lies one of the most unique ecosystems found in nature: saltwater and freshwater existing in harmony. The first few layers of Barracuda Lake are freshwater, but you’ll soon hit a halocline and a thermocline, where the water becomes saline and the temperature actually rises the deeper you go. Many divers forgo wetsuits altogether, as the water is so warm it can be uncomfortable in full exposure protection.
The aquatic life found here has adapted to its unusual environment, where divers will be treated to an abundance of gobies, catfish, groupers, snails, and cleaner shrimp, the latter of which are said to be very accommodating to divers — just put out a hand and you’ll see! Although not frequently seen, the lake was named for a very large barracuda skeleton found on the bottom, and barracudas still inhabit their namesake waters. Check out this footage of the whirlwind of activity happening inside Barracuda Lake.
