RARE & UNIQUE MARINE ANIMALS
We are continuously exploring Romblon’s unique dive sites and keeping detailed records of the species we encounter— including such rarities as Butterfly sea slugs like Cyerce nigra, Cyerce sp. (cf. bourbonica), Cyerce elegans, Cyerce sp. 5, Polybranchia ssp., Mourgona sp. 2, Phantom nudibranch (Melibe colemani), Ghost nudibranch (Melibe engeli), Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi), Severnsi Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi, previously H. severnsi), Denise Pygmy Seahorse in various color forms (Hippocampus denise) and Hippocampus bargibanti, Braun’s Pughead Pipefish (Bulbonaricus brauni), Glittering Pipefish (Halicampus nitidus), Japanese Dragon Shrimp (Anachlorocurtis commensalis), Mimic Shell Shrimp, Chocolate Shrimp, Sashimi Shrimp, five types of hairy and algae shrimp, rare octopus, 500+ species of nudibranchs/sea slugs, and many more.
You can always reach out to Kati if you have specific critter questions.
MACRO AND SUPER MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
At The Three P Beach Resort, we’re proud to have pioneered underwater macro photography in Romblon. Over the years, we’ve made some of the island’s most exciting discoveries— including the country’s first sightings of Cyerce nigra, Melibe colemani, Sashimi Shrimps, and many more.
With nearly 12 years of dedicated experience exploring Romblon’s incredible underwater world, we know every detail of these reefs and the rare creatures that call them home. This is our backyard, and we can’t wait to share what makes it so extraordinary with you.
CRITTERS OF ROMBLON ISLAND
Below you’ll find an overview of the marine life found at the dive sites around Romblon Island. Please note that all critter profiles are newly created, and we’re continuously adding more as we review and organize thousands of photos taken in Romblon over the years.
This project wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our friends and guests who generously share their stunning underwater macro photos with us. A heartfelt thank you to all the photographers who have helped us showcase the extraordinary marine fauna and flora of Romblon.
If you’d like to learn more about the photographers and their work, simply follow the links on the photos in the galleries and portfolios.
FISHES OF ROMBLON
Here you’ll find a selection of fish species that are of particular interest to scuba divers and underwater macro photographers. All photos were taken around Romblon Island. Please note that this collection is still a work in progress.
NUDIBRANCHS & SEA SLUGS OF ROMBLON
To date, we’ve discovered more than 500 species of nudibranchs and sea slugs around Romblon Island. Highlights include butterfly sea slugs (Cyerce spp.), Melibe species, Stiliger sp., unique Costasiella varieties, Cat Nudis, and many others. We’re currently working to make the entire collection available online.
CEPHALOPODS OF ROMBLON
Many of our guests have cephalopods high on their critter wish lists, including the Blue-ringed Octopus, Wunderpus, Mimic Octopus, Coconut Octopus, and Flamboyant Cuttlefish. These fascinating mollusks are admired not only for their striking appearance but also for their captivating behavior.
BLACKWATER CRITTERS OF ROMBLON
Blackwater diving is, simply put, a night dive over deep water. This unique type of dive takes you far off the coast of Romblon Island into the Romblon Pass. While holding onto weighted lines or diving freely nearby you may encounter pelagic species rarely seen elsewhere.
The nightly vertical migration brings countless deep-sea creatures close to the surface, including pelagic sea slugs, cephalopods, crustaceans, salps, jellyfish, and numerous juvenile fish, crabs, and shrimp.
For more information, see the blog post by Linda Ianniello and the article by Ryo Minemizu in Sport Scuba Diver Magazine Japan.
SHRIMPS OF ROMBLON
We love shrimps! Though they’re often more challenging to photograph than nudibranchs since they move faster, the species found in Romblon display a stunning variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They truly deserve a place in every underwater photographer’s macro portfolio.
To make browsing easier, we’ve organized our shrimp species by habitat, though you can also view them by family.
CRABS OF ROMBLON
For some reason, crabs don’t always get the recognition they deserve as photo subjects. We believe it’s time these small marine crustaceans take the spotlight.
The term “crab” covers several groups, including members of the Brachyura infraorder (true crabs) and the Anomura infraorder (false crabs, such as porcelain crabs, hermit crabs, and squat lobsters).
WORMS OF ROMBLON
Worms are a surprisingly diverse group of marine animals, ranging from the impressive Bobbit Worm to colorful flatworms, bristle worms, and scale worms. They vary dramatically in size, from just a few millimeters to several meters, and many are perfectly suited for macro photography.
SNAILS & CLAMS OF ROMBLON
Many marine gastropods can be observed and photographed in the reefs around Romblon Island. Among the most popular are the allied cowries, known not only for their beautiful shells but also for their colorful mantles, which they can wrap around their shells. These species often live in association with vibrant soft corals.
THE THREE P’S TOP CRITTERS OF ROMBLON ISLAND
Discover some of our favorite marine critters, found through years of diving and research around our unique island home. Our Top Critters list is just the beginning— Romblon’s biodiversity has so much more to offer. We’re continuously expanding our online database, so check back often and explore the blog posts linked below.
It’s no exaggeration to say that we’re known for making many underwater wishes come true. So if you have a particular species on your wish list, feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to help you find it.
MORE THAN MACRO — EXPLORE OTHER DIVE STYLES
Some guests worry that Romblon’s critters might be too small to spot, but rest assured that our experienced spotters can tailor each dive to your preferences.
If you prefer photographing larger subjects like octopuses, reef fish, or big nudibranchs, we will adjust the dives accordingly.
For those who love tiny creatures such as isopods and amphipods, we can accommodate that too. We also offer trips to beautiful reefs and wall dives suited for wide-angle photography, though these are less commonly requested. Please let us know your preferences before your first dive so we can ensure you experience the very best of Romblon’s dive sites.
