Haputo Caves

Haputo caves are located near "Double Reef", up by NCTAMS (Naval Comput & Telecom Area Mast. Sta.) The caves and caverns can be found on both sides of BA Beach. The one cave on the South side is the largest and has several branches to follow to it's inner maze. The top of the cave can be seen from the outside and is easily apparent on the surface as the boat approaches. The depth of the entire cave is very shallow, 10 to 20 feet depending on tide. Inside you can see zillions of silver fish flashing back and forth. Back in the darker sections, anything can lurk (ghosts?). Oh well, exploring the cave is a blast and only three things to worry about: (1.) Your air supply (2.) Your way back to the light (3.) The lime growth on the rocks that eats your fingers and knees while scraping your bald head. Taking a photo shot from inside the cave looking out is fantastic. Leaving this cave you can swim down a short ways to another cavern that you can surface in. This one has a break going deeper into the cave but you must remove your gear and drag it behind you to squeeze through. I don't recommend anyone do this but we have found some beautiful shells inside. On the North side of BA Beach is another very cool cave. Nothing on the surface tells you there is a cave there. As you enter, there is a sand patch leading the way to the back. As you get toward the back of the cave you will start to see a thermocline forming in the layers of water. The water's temperature will get colder and colder until you can barely stand it. Taking your regulator out of your mouth you can taste fresh water! This is because a fresh water stream pours into the cave and seeps through the walls especially after a rain. Turning around it gets warm again and taking the regulator out of your mouth will give you the good old familiar blast of saltwater. None of these cave are deep or lengthly, however they do present an overhead environment and are considered dangerous. Not for anyone confined to a non overhead diving plan.


Haputo Caves


News
More to come!

 

News
A huge nurse shark has mooved into a cave within the reef's middle.Get down in the sand and get your camera ready.

©2003 Mystic Sea