We have had our high school reunion in this beautiful place last May 2009 and I describe and show the awesome sceneries around as I explored Club Noah.  

I went SCUBA diving with a Club Noah staff so I'll also show some photos and attractions underwater. While diving, two to three large groupers swam with us and I took a short video using my trusted Nikon Coolpix L4 digital camera enclosed in waterproof casing. I tried to identify them through pictures of the fish and descriptions found in the net and I came to know that these groupers are known as  Epinephelus quinquefasciatus or Goliath groupers. Goliath because adults can reach a length of six feet and weigh to as much as 1,000 lbs (!) at maturity. We're lucky these are just the juveniles. 

Corals are still thriving near the docking station of Club Noah. Various coral fishes and very colorful corals can be found there. Fishes aggregate and greet visitors as they dip themselves into the water.

A Scenic Place

Club Noah, a famous beach resort in Taytay, Palawan, can be reached in less than an hour via an outrigger boat anchored at Taytay port. 

Arriving at the sheltered cove of Apulit Island, a beautiful row of houses line the coast of Club Noah. They blend with and enhance the surroundings well.

The Rendezvous

A speedboat approached us at the outrigger boat midway in the cove. This is to prevent damaging the corals at the shallower portions. Corals serve as one of the well sought tourist attractions in Club Noah. The resort management was very mindful of preserving the quality of the reefs placing greater aesthetic value to the place. 

It was late at night when we arrived so we have to wait for the portable generator to be powered up before we can take our dinner. It didn't take long before we got the much needed electricity to charge our cellphones, among other gadgets and light our way. After dinner, we traversed the wooden walkway to our assigned cottages for the night. 

Colorful Corals and Fishes

Rising up early in the morning, I noticed the clear waters underneath the cottage as I scanned the scenery. Colorful clams dot the massive, but dead remnants of corals.

I swam in the nearby docking station and was pleasantly surprised by the rich array of corals and fishes just right there at the quay.

My classmate, the town mayor of Taytay, knew that I am a trained SCUBA diver so he offered me the opportunity to explore the coral reefs of Club Noah. I was the only one who can dive among our classmates so he introduced me to Larry, one of those who tour visitors around in the rich coral growth just a few meters from the quay. The next day, I took my gear and prepared to explore the reef. 

The Angel

It was a fine day when we started diving just in front of the docking area. We swam for a few minutes passing along the way the submerged statue of an angel. Larry motioned me to look closely at the hands of the statue. A colony of sponges had grown on it!

The surrounding scene is kind of unnatural and an air of mystery surrounds the statue. It's as if the place is enchanted.

Lots of Clams

We proceeded to the deeper portions, diving to more than 70 feet while groupers and some fish tagged along. Although there are still living corals, my general assessment of the corals would be lower than moderate condition. We encountered large foliose and mushroom corals and some clams. I nearly stepped on one large clam. Whew! That was close.

The Funny Fish

After about an hour of exploring the deeper parts and satisfied of the find, we swam back to base. I was a little bit exhausted trying to keep up with my fast swimming buddy (I heave hard and I could hear my heart pounding fast) as I fight the force bringing me upwards as I'm getting lighter. My pressure gauge reaches just the 500 mm Hg pressure mark and should be right back before the air is gone. I tried to document whatever I can along the way while struggling to keep near the bottom. I encountered that funny looking fish again in its burrow in the sand. It's a sign we're in the shallow part of the sea. That was a nice dive... Club Noah is a nice place to be.

Note: Club Noah was sold to the El Nido and Ayala Group in December 2010. The group is now using the island's name. Thus, the once well-known Club Noah is now called Apulit Resort.

©2012 Patrick A. Regoniel