Muck diving (sand, macro critters)

Muck diving is the search for tiny, rare creatures on dark, silty seabeds. You ignore big fish to find things like nudibranchs or frogfish. This style of diving happens in places like Anilao or Lembeh because the volcanic sand hosts specific macro life. Most dives stay between 12 m and 22 m. You must move slowly. Many divers fail because they kick up too much silt during their descent. Once you cloud the water, the critters hide immediately. Always check your buoyancy before you reach the bottom. I once lost a perfect shot of a Mimic Octopus in Cebu because my fins stirred up the fine sand. Watch your exhaust bubbles too. They can scare away the small animals you want to see.