The Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13) said it is ramping up its assessments of the different dive sites in the region, noting a high potential for dive tourism in the area.

In a statement Tuesday, the DOT-13 said it has assessed so far eight potential dive sites in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

“The assessment aims to survey and study the potential dive sites in the different areas in the region,” it said, adding that the assessment also included the documentation of the bathymetry of the dive sites.

Bathymetry refers to the measurement of the depth of water and the mapping of a dive site.

“The assessment will also help the agency produce information materials of the dive sites for promotions,” the DOT-13 said.

Three dive sites in the towns of Carmen in Agusan del Norte, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte, and in Cortes, Surigao del Sur were assessed on Nov. 5, 6 and 7, 2021 respectively.

“Unfortunately, some of the underwater features such as the coral formations on these assessed dive sites were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December last year,” the agency said.

A reassessment is now being scheduled for the three dive sites, it added.

For this year, at least five dive sites were assessed starting this month.

Those evaluated included dive sites in the towns of Libjo and Basilisa in the Dinagat Islands that were checked on Sept. 2 and 3; Malimono, Surigao del Norte (Sept. 5); Jabonga, Agusan del Norte (Sept. 6); Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte (Sept. 10). (PNA)