At first light, when the resort is still quiet and the sun is a soft promise on the water, you might see her walking the tide line. Alexis Duran, the in-house marine biologist at Manami Resort, often begins her day this way, not as a duty, but as a conversation.
Enhancing its position as the first luxury nature resort in Sipalay, Manami Resort proudly unveils the Balas Dive and Experience Center, designed to bring guests closer to the marine magic that surrounds the property.
As property head Giro Solatorio says, “With the launch of the Balas Dive and Experience Center, Manami Resort invites guests to discover what truly makes Sipalay, the Jewel of Sugar Island, shine beneath the surface. Accredited by PCCSDI and recognized as an SDI TDI Dive Resort, Balas offers a professional yet personal approach to exploring the underwater world.”
The center is guided by a passionate local team comprising three dive professionals, two dive masters, and one rescue diver, who also serves as the resort’s marine biologist. Guests can choose from a full range of dive courses, from introductory Discovery Dives to Dive Master certification, along with Nitrox (enriched air) options and complete gear rentals.
Beyond the familiar sites, the waters of Sipalay and neighboring Hinoba-an remain largely untouched and are home to pristine coral gardens, flourishing marine life, and unexplored dive spots waiting to be unveiled.
“When I was three years old, the Disney movie Finding Nemo came out in cinemas. I was fascinated by the marine animals and coral reefs I saw on the big screen, as I had never seen the sea look like that before underwater. My young mind couldn’t grasp that the film was not just a cartoon but was based on a real-life ecosystem until I watched the documentary Blue Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, on our television. I promised myself I would see a real coral reef with my own eyes one day.
When my family visited Boracay the following year, we went snorkeling, and I remember feeling completely at peace as I watched the fish swim around me. Every time I snorkel or dive, I still hear that same Finding Nemo theme in my head. It’s the sound of wonder that first drew me to the ocean, and it’s what keeps me there today,” Duran shares.
Upon discovering a damaged patch of flowerpot corals near the shore, Duran began a hands-on restoration project. She secured broken fragments and relocated vulnerable colonies to a safer, designated coral garden.
Through regular monitoring, she manually cleared algae and introduced sea urchins for natural control. Her persistent efforts have successfully transformed the once-trampled site into a thriving, resilient coral garden.
At Manami Resort, the in-house Marine Biologist connects guests with the coast’s vibrant life, guiding snorkeling, intertidal, and kayak excursions through reefs, seagrass, and mangroves. Her goal is to inspire wonder that leads to understanding, believing a personal connection with the ocean drives conservation.
Sipalay City, in the biodiverse Coral Triangle along the Sulu Sea, forms a vital but underappreciated coastal region with Cauayan and Hinoba-an. Its reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves support rich marine life and maintain ecological balance. Yet much of the coastline is unexplored, and Marine Protected Areas lack strong enforcement. Protecting these ecosystems is essential for fisheries, coastal safety, and sustainable tourism.
Manami Resort’s daily efforts form a crucial thread in this conservation tapestry. By embedding sustainability and genuine marine conservation into its design, the resort shows that the future of travel lies not just in visiting a place, but in helping preserve it.
