In 1871, a volcanic eruption along the western coast of Camiguin caused a section of the shoreline to collapse and sink into the sea. Everything on that section of coast went with it - including an active Roman Catholic cemetery dating from the Spanish colonial period. The gravestones, concrete grave markers, and iron crosses sank to between 6 and 20 meters, where they have remained for over 150 years, slowly becoming encrusted with coral and populated by reef fish. A large concrete cross was later erected on the surface above the site as a memorial. Today the Sunken Cemetery is one of the most historically resonant and visually distinctive dive sites in the Philippines.
Diving the Sunken Cemetery
Depth and Certification
The Sunken Cemetery is accessible to Open Water certified divers. The top of the site is at 6 to 8 meters, with the base of the slope extending to around 20 meters. Visibility is typically good at 10 to 15 meters in dry season. The site is protected from swell by the surrounding geography, making conditions gentle and suitable for divers of all experience levels above the Open Water certification minimum.
What You See Underwater
The gravestones and grave markers are still legible on many of the older monuments - Spanish names, dates from the 1800s, and sometimes the carved faces of saints emerging from the coral growth. The iron crosses are now heavily colonized by hard and soft corals, creating a visual effect somewhere between a garden and a monument. Schools of fusiliers and damselfish move through the headstones. Large butterflyfish hover near the more ornate grave markers. A lionfish or two lurk in the shadows beneath some of the larger monuments. The overall effect is melancholy, historically charged, and genuinely beautiful - a combination that is impossible to replicate artificially and rarely found anywhere in the natural world.
Snorkeling the Sunken Cemetery
The shallower portions of the site (6 to 8 meters) are accessible to strong snorkelers, though scuba diving gives a far better experience due to the detail visible at depth. Snorkelers can see the cross from the surface and can reach the uppermost gravestones by diving down a few meters. The island-hopping tour includes a snorkeling stop here; for scuba diving, you will need to book through one of the dive shops on Camiguin.
Dive Shops in Camiguin
Several dive operators are based in the Mambajao area and on the north coast near Agoho. They offer tank dives, Open Water certification courses, and multi-dive packages that include the Sunken Cemetery, the nearby Jigdup Reef, and sometimes the Old Volcano site off the coast. Expect to pay 1,000 to 1,500 pesos per dive including equipment rental. Book through our Camiguin island hopping package which covers both the snorkeling and surface visits to the Sunken Cemetery cross.
The Cross on the Surface
The large concrete cross erected above the Sunken Cemetery is itself a landmark visible from shore and a popular stop on island-hopping tours. Boats circle the cross, allowing visitors to photograph it and contemplate what lies beneath. The cross is positioned about 200 meters offshore and marks the center of the submerged site. At certain angles, with White Island visible in the background and Hibok-Hibok volcano rising on the horizon, the scene encapsulates the layered, dramatic character of Camiguin perfectly: beauty and history, destruction and beauty again, all folded together in a small stretch of tropical sea.
Combining with Other Camiguin Attractions
The Sunken Cemetery works naturally as part of the full Camiguin island-hopping day that also includes White Island and the Old Volcano ruins. For non-divers, the surface visit plus snorkeling at the shallow sections is satisfying. For divers, a dedicated morning dive at the Cemetery followed by White Island in the afternoon is the ideal combination. See our full Camiguin Island guide for the complete picture of what this remarkable island offers.