Finger Lock

Finger Lock takes its name from a distinctive rock formation off Busuanga Island in the Calamian Group, where interlocking rocky fingers create an intermediate dive site reaching thirty meters that combines interesting topography with the rich marine biodiversity of northern Palawan's waters. The unusual geological features that define this site create varied habitats and diving experiences within a compact area. The rock formations that give Finger Lock its character extend both above and below the waterline, creating a partially exposed reef structure that generates current patterns and water mixing beneficial to marine life. The underwater portions of these rocky fingers are encrusted with dense marine growth, their surfaces supporting hard corals, soft corals, sponges, and the various encrusting organisms that colonize any stable substrate in these productive tropical waters. The channels between the rocky fingers create natural swim-throughs that add adventure to the dive. These passages vary in width and depth, with some offering comfortable passage for divers and others serving as narrower features best appreciated from outside. The channel walls are decorated with marine growth that thrives in the sheltered, current-flushed conditions, including delicate soft corals and sponges that prefer the indirect light within the passages. Fish life at Finger Lock benefits from the structural complexity of the formation. The numerous crevices, overhangs, and channels provide shelter at every scale, from tiny gobies hiding in the smallest gaps to groupers claiming the largest cavities as personal territory. The current that flows through the finger channels concentrates plankton, attracting schools of fusiliers and anthias that feed actively in the nutritious flow. The deeper sections around the base of the formation harbor larger species that patrol the rock structure's periphery. Trevally cruise the edges in small hunting groups, while barracuda occasionally appear in the blue water beyond the outermost fingers. The varied depth profile means that different sections of the dive suit different experience levels, with the shallower channels accessible to less experienced divers while the deeper zones reward advanced exploration. Macro life thrives in the sheltered crevices of the finger formation. Nudibranchs graze across the encrusted surfaces, their vivid patterns contrasting with the more muted tones of their sponge and coral hosts. Shrimp of various species inhabit the smaller overhangs, their antennae waving from the shadows to attract the fish clients they clean. Finger Lock's combination of interesting topography, healthy marine life, and the characteristic clear waters of the Calamian Islands makes it a distinctive addition to any Coron diving itinerary. The site's unique character ensures it remains memorable long after the dive is complete.