Nalusuan: The next diving haven
November 10, 2002 | 12:00am
Just when you thought you’ve seen everything the Philippines has to offer as far as beaches, natural marine life and sanctuaries go, well guess again.
Nestling quietly yet gloriously at the Olango Reef in Cordova, Mactan Island in Cebu is the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary, a close-to-a-half hectare of island with a 260-meter stretch of wharf where rich, unspoiled marine life exists. Operated and maintained by MenCa Development Corp. since 1971, Nalusuan is touted to become the next diving haven for many diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, especially with its blue-green yet pristinely crystal clear waters that truly come alive with natural marine life.
According to Gigi Martinez-Mathay, general manager of MenCa Development Corp., the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is a perfect place not just for that much-needed getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, but more importantly for discovering a marine sanctuary that is truly untouched and unblemished.
"We have one of the healthiest coral reefs in the Olango area with very abundant marine life forms from a diverse family of fishes, sponges, coralline, turf, and fish algae, to seagrasses and soft corals," says Mathay. In fact, she says the resort has been getting help from various marine conservation organizations to help maintain the Nalusuan Marine Sanctuary.
Last year, a survey was conducted in the sanctuary by the Sulu Fund for Marine Conservation Foundation Inc. with the support of the Coastal Resource Management Project, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Coast Guard and the German Development Service for the purpose of gathering and providing baseline information necessary to further improve the island. The study rated the condition of the Olango coral reef as "fair" and the mean fish density as relatively high compared to other surrounding islands.
A number of divers and marine life enthusiasts, including former US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone Jr., have "discovered" Nalusuan and have found it very impressive.
"We’d like to be able to share this beauty of nature by making Nalusuan one of the premier diving sites that’s both affordable and accessible," says Mathay.
Conveniently located between Cebu and Bohol, the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is less than an hour away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It has more than 10 cottages, each at P1,990 for two people, including breakfast.
Besides the wonders of marine life, fun and comfort are also some of the major pluses the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary offers.
In fact, Nalusuan literally comes alive especially during mealtime as local folk serenade guests with classic and pop songs, while feasting over fresh grilled seafood available either through the island’s open restaurant and bar, or through its "cookout" where guests can choose and cook their food according to their taste.
The Nalusuan cottages are an enticing treat, providing comfort in its truest sense. "Even though divers are cowboys in a sense that all they need is a bed to sleep on, we still believe that comfort counts whether they’re just there to dive or not," explains Mathay.
Nalusuan Island Resort also offers a wide range of aqua sports that will rev up anyone’s spirit, from jet skiing, ocean kayaking, speed and paddle boating to snorkeling and scuba diving. Other recreational activities such as beach volleyball, table tennis, darts and badminton are also available for guests to enjoy.
"It’s literally your own private island, which is very unlike other resorts that are basically just long stretches of beach divided into different establishments. We believe that’s what sets us apart from other resorts – we offer the opportunity to discover marine treasures and actually have fun doing it, without losing the aura of serenity that people look for when they decide to break away from their daily grind of things," Mathay says.
For more information on Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary, contact MenCa Development Corp. at (32) 425-8980 to 82 in Compostela, Cebu; or at (02) 922-3199 in Manila.
Nestling quietly yet gloriously at the Olango Reef in Cordova, Mactan Island in Cebu is the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary, a close-to-a-half hectare of island with a 260-meter stretch of wharf where rich, unspoiled marine life exists. Operated and maintained by MenCa Development Corp. since 1971, Nalusuan is touted to become the next diving haven for many diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, especially with its blue-green yet pristinely crystal clear waters that truly come alive with natural marine life.
According to Gigi Martinez-Mathay, general manager of MenCa Development Corp., the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is a perfect place not just for that much-needed getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, but more importantly for discovering a marine sanctuary that is truly untouched and unblemished.
"We have one of the healthiest coral reefs in the Olango area with very abundant marine life forms from a diverse family of fishes, sponges, coralline, turf, and fish algae, to seagrasses and soft corals," says Mathay. In fact, she says the resort has been getting help from various marine conservation organizations to help maintain the Nalusuan Marine Sanctuary.
Last year, a survey was conducted in the sanctuary by the Sulu Fund for Marine Conservation Foundation Inc. with the support of the Coastal Resource Management Project, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Coast Guard and the German Development Service for the purpose of gathering and providing baseline information necessary to further improve the island. The study rated the condition of the Olango coral reef as "fair" and the mean fish density as relatively high compared to other surrounding islands.
A number of divers and marine life enthusiasts, including former US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone Jr., have "discovered" Nalusuan and have found it very impressive.
"We’d like to be able to share this beauty of nature by making Nalusuan one of the premier diving sites that’s both affordable and accessible," says Mathay.
Conveniently located between Cebu and Bohol, the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is less than an hour away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It has more than 10 cottages, each at P1,990 for two people, including breakfast.
Besides the wonders of marine life, fun and comfort are also some of the major pluses the Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary offers.
In fact, Nalusuan literally comes alive especially during mealtime as local folk serenade guests with classic and pop songs, while feasting over fresh grilled seafood available either through the island’s open restaurant and bar, or through its "cookout" where guests can choose and cook their food according to their taste.
The Nalusuan cottages are an enticing treat, providing comfort in its truest sense. "Even though divers are cowboys in a sense that all they need is a bed to sleep on, we still believe that comfort counts whether they’re just there to dive or not," explains Mathay.
Nalusuan Island Resort also offers a wide range of aqua sports that will rev up anyone’s spirit, from jet skiing, ocean kayaking, speed and paddle boating to snorkeling and scuba diving. Other recreational activities such as beach volleyball, table tennis, darts and badminton are also available for guests to enjoy.
"It’s literally your own private island, which is very unlike other resorts that are basically just long stretches of beach divided into different establishments. We believe that’s what sets us apart from other resorts – we offer the opportunity to discover marine treasures and actually have fun doing it, without losing the aura of serenity that people look for when they decide to break away from their daily grind of things," Mathay says.
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