La Union operator page with central shop location, parking, road and speedboat transport, and Research Reef on the site list.
Boat reef with caves, weak currents, and rich fish life
Boat reef with caves, weak currents, and rich fish life
Research Reef is a popular La Union boat dive with a north-south reef line, shallow coral fingers, and cave sections on the western face. The site mixes open reef, swim-through style terrain, and a deeper southern reach that keeps the dive varied without making the main plan complicated. It suits divers who want a short boat transfer and a more interesting reef than a simple flat slope.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
3m - 25m
Depth Note
The reef starts shallow and runs down to about 25 m, with western caves and a deeper southern section beyond the main line.
Best Season
November to May
Typical Conditions
Weak currents, workable visibility, and a short boat transfer; the site is most comfortable when the sea is settled.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Treat the cave sections as swim-throughs, keep buoyancy tight, and stay within training and gas limits if you head toward the deeper southern side.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; local banca transfers are the normal way in from the La Union coast.
Legal Notes
A marine park fee applies per person per day.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best as a guided boat reef dive with cave sections, reef fingers, and a deeper southern area.
Freediving
Not a freedive-first site; the tunnels and deeper sections make scuba the better fit.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling only makes sense on the shallow top, not in the cave and deeper reef sections.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
La Union operator page with central shop location, parking, road and speedboat transport, and Research Reef on the site list.
Official provincial page noting Research Reef as a favorite dive spot and describing Bauang as a calm-water coastal dive area.
Directory entry with the popular-visited callout, short boat ride, 3-25 m depth, 15 m+ visibility, weak currents, and November-to-May season.
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