The Marine Sanctuary of the South and Dolphin Haven “Dolphin Watching” (Mati, Davao Oriental Exploration)

Hi steemians. Your travel and adventure buddy is here again to spread to you fresh views and sites that you would love. I’ll be sharing with you our experience in search for the smartest marine animal in the planet which is the dolphin. So come along and buckle up. Let’s enjoy the beauty of Davao Gulf.

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Mati is not just know for the white powdery sand, crystal clear water, huge waves good for surfing. It is also known as a sanctuary of different marine animals to name a few which is sea turtles (pawikan) and different variety of dolphins. Sea turtles season is December to February where sea turtles lay their eggs in the shores of Dahican beach. Locals protect their nesting grounds as part of their advocacy conserving the populations of sea turtles. Dolphin season is around the month of June to September. Dolphin are known as sea acrobats for they can demonstrate aerial exhibition above the water. They are also known as seafarers guardian of the sea.

Fast Fact

1. Base from the survey of marine mammals in March 2004 by technical teams and marine experts from the Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Updates and reports from the prominent Non-government organizations and agencies speak of validity of whales and dolphin’s species are spotted and seen in the Davao Gulf. This are the following species according to the reports: Sperm whale, dwarf sperm whale, Fraser’s dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, killer whale, long-snouted spinner dolphin, Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, and the Indo-Pacific beaked whale. Reports bespeak that the 650,000-heactares marine area is one of Philippines top diversity habitat for whales, dolphins and other marine species like dugong, sea turtles, and sharks. This reports provide positive announcement to the locals of Davao provinces. It played a significant beacon that improve the biodiversity conservation, livelihood and sanctuary at Davao Province specifically at Davao Oriental.

2. Dolphin watching is an activity where you can only observe dolphins from a far. You cannot get close to them because the Philippine law prohibit anyone disturb their activities especially during feeding and mating. If the dolphins come at close to your boat everyone is prohibited to contact them (touch or feed), in order to preserve them from human dependency.

It our second day in Mati City, and we planned to see some dolphins. So we pack up our much needed stuffs for the dolphin watching. We departed as early as 5am at the Dahican coast on quest to spot dolphins. The guide and boat captain inform us it would be tough spotting them in this season. He also add up to us that the dolphins are wild, when they can spot a boat coming near to them they will hide themselves. It would be a race of time searching for them because we only have limited time to get close to them during them feeding hour. Even with slight chance of seeing them, we tried to seize this moment and grab it to somehow see them up-close.

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We board our small boat. We brave ourselves as we sail to the Davao gulf which is already part of the Pacific Ocean. We are advice not to swim in the pacific region for tiger sharks are spotted. We traverse the calm sea of Davao gulf hoping to spot them. And not long out boatman spotted a small pod of dolphins. We took our camera out and went in place to capture a picture of them by sadly they were so quick to move away.

We felt dismay but more eager to catch another glimpse of them. We went to some of their feeding ground and we spotted another small groups of dolphins. As fast as our eyes can see so does their movement shifts. And we realize dolphin watching is challenging we must be fast in order to take some photos of them.

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We encircle our boat to get a better view of them. And a few minutes we did see them but sadly our camera is not fast enough to capture a photo of them. It went on and on until our boatman its already time if we stay longer we will not see any of them because its past time of their feeding time plus our gas is already used up after racing with them to capture a glimpse of them.

This experience made me more eager to come back and bring a bigger gun (better camera with fast camera capture capacity with longer lenses). This experience made me desire more to see them even more. It was a life lesson to me that not can be achieve instantly.

We head back to the shore of Dahican. And bid farewell to kuya Jun Plaza our boat captain. And move on to our next destination which is the Pangyan Falls. Stay tune to our next travel together. Thanks for dropping by. Let’s keep in touch.

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Friendly Travel Tip

1. Dry Bag to keep safe of your gadgets, electronics and personal things from getting wet.

2. Long Lenses camera is highly recommended.

3. Power bank to extend battery life.

4. Underwater camera for underwater footage

5. Sun screen lotion to protect you from the sun.

6. Water to keep you hydrated

7. Snacks in case you get hungry during the wait.

8. Mingle with the locals. Highly recommend to have Sir Jun Plaza to be your guide and Boat Captain.

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Navigational Guide

1. If you're coming from Luzon and -Visayas book a flight to Davao City Airport. Ride a Taxi to Gaisano City where the Van terminal is located. Taxi fare would be around 80-90Php. Travel time approximately 20-30 minutes. Ride a van to Mati. Inform the driver or conductor to align you at Mati Van Terminal. Van Fare 200Php. Time Travel approximately 2 hours. Rent a single motor or habal2x ride to Dahican Beach. Habal2x fare 100Php per person. Travel time 40-50 minutes. Registered yourself at Amihan Beach Resort. Entrance Fee 30Php. Boat Rent for Dolphin Watching is 500Php per person good for 6-8 person.

2. If you're coming from the Northern part of Mindanao Island. Ride a bus bound Davao from Agora terminal Cdo City. Bus Fare 580Php per person. Travel Time 9-10 hours. Ride a taxi from Ecoland bus terminal to Gaisano Van Terminal. Taxi fare 80-90Php. Travel time 30-40 minutes. Ride a van to Mati. Inform the driver or conductor to align you at Mati Van Terminal. Van Fare 200Php. Time Travel approximately 2 hours. Rent a single motor or habal2x ride to Dahican Beach. Habal2x fare 100Php per person. Travel time 40-50 minutes. Registered yourself at Amihan Beach Resort. Entrance Fee 30Php. Boat Rent for Dolphin Watching is 500Php per person good for 6-8 person.

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