Ginama-an
An artificial reef built from dozens of truck tyres, now a paradise for macro lovers with frogfish, mantis shrimps, lobsters and wonderpus.
Ginama-an is a reef created from dozens of truck tyres tied together, and over time it has become a paradise for macro lovers and photographers. Countless critters now live in and around the tyres, and the site lies inside a marine sanctuary.
The dive
The maximum depth is around 20 metres. The tyre reef gives the dive a clear centre: every tyre is a small habitat of its own, so the best approach is to move slowly from one to the next and look inside and underneath.
What you might see
- Frogfish sitting on and between the tyres
- Mantis shrimps peering out of their burrows
- Lobsters sheltering inside the tyres
- Nudibranchs on the tyre surfaces
- Wonderpus octopus on the sand around the reef
When to dive Ginama-an
Good all year, with water temperatures of about 25 to 29°C. Nudibranchs are at their most varied from January to March. See when to dive Dauin.
Who it suits
Macro photographers and critter hunters. At around 20 metres, it is within reach of most certified divers.
Our tip
Look inside each tyre before you move on. Many of the residents hide just out of sight, and a slow, careful look turns up far more than a quick pass.
Good to know
- Ginama-an is a marine sanctuary. The standard sanctuary fee is included in our dive price; with a camera, add PHP 50 per dive.
- Don’t hold on to the tyres: they are covered in life.
- For another tyre reef, try Tires & Cars.
Dive Ginama-an with us
We dive the Dauin coast every day, with full rental equipment included in our dive rates. See our Dauin diving and prices, or build your dive trip and tell us which sites you would like to see.