Banayan Point

Banayan Point is a wall dive site in Philippines Palawan, Asia.

Overview

Banayan Point at the southern tip of Matinloc Island is El Nido’s go-to site for pelagic action, where strong channeling currents funnel schools of tuna, jacks, and mackerel past coral-encrusted boulders descending to 22 meters. The open-water exposure means conditions can be demanding, but divers who time it right are rewarded with the kind of fish density rarely found at the more sheltered sites further into the archipelago.

Site Information

• Location: Philippines Palawan, Asia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wall dive
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 22 meters

Marine Life

Banayan Point is El Nido’s top site for current-driven pelagic encounters, with strong channeling currents funneling schools of dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, and Spanish mackerel past the coral-encrusted boulders. Whitetip reef sharks and grey reef sharks are regular visitors when current is running, and barracuda stack up in the eddy behind the point. The boulders themselves shelter moray eels, lionfish, and small grouper for divers who work the structure between the bigger-animal action.

Sources: Diving Squad Palawan Guide, Scuba Tech Philippines - Coron Wrecks, Pirate Coron Dive Sites, DIVE Magazine - Wrecks of Coron Bay, ZuBlu - Scuba Diving Coron Palawan. Last updated 2026-04-04.