Log This Dive

Starfire Resort

Starfire Resort is one of those places that, even in Apo Reef, makes you sit up and take notice. What we love about it is the sheer density of the small stuff, particularly if you’re into molluscs. You’ll spend a lot of time with your face pressed close to the reef, spotting Snowball Chama and those enormous Bear Paw Clams. We’ve even seen the rare cloth-of-gold cone snail here, which is a real treat if you know what you’re looking for. The site is a macro photographer’s dream, with plenty of intricate coral formations perfect for hiding a two-toned pygmy squid or a stout red shrimp. Visibility is generally excellent, often 20 metres plus, making it easy to spot the subtle colours of a bicolor nudibranch against the rock. Keep an eye out for Gilbert’s Synaphobranchid Eel poking its head from crevices. We’d suggest going slow, really taking your time along the reef face. This isn't a site for rushing; it’s for savouring the details. You'll want to bring your keenest spotter skills and perhaps a magnifying glass for your camera, because the real show here is in the tiny.