scuba diving trips in philippines

12 Best Scuba Diving Spots in the Philippines: Where to dive in 2024

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The Philippines is a paradise for scuba divers. The country has a long coastline and more than 7,641 islands, so there are a lot of different marine environments to explore. From vibrant coral reefs to deep drop-offs and shipwrecks, it is truly a scuba diver’s dream destination.

Because of its location in the center of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines offer scuba divers an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The Philippines sits at the very heart of the Coral Triangle, which is widely recognized as having the highest levels of marine biodiversity of any region on the entire planet.

In this article, I will share with you twelve of the best scuba diving spots in the Philippines. From places like Anilao, which is known for its incredible macro diving opportunities to Coron, home to the famous WWII shipwrecks, and of course Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unparalleled beauty. I have visited all these amazing dive destinations and have seen for myself what they have to offer.

Whether you’re a first-time underwater explorer or a seasoned scuba diver, this post should give you an idea as to where you should go diving in the Philippines on your next vacation!

1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

2. apo reef natural park, 3. malapascua, cebu, 4. coron, palawan, 5. anilao, batangas, 6. puerto galera, occidental mindoro, 7. verde island passage, 8. dauin, negros oriental, 9. apo island, negros oriental, 10. moalboal, cebu, 11. panglao island, bohol, 12. balicasag island, bohol, frequently asked questions about diving in the philippines.

What makes Tubbataha one of the premier scuba diving locations in the Philippines ?

If Australia has the Great Barrier Reef , Indonesia has the Komodo Park and Ecuador has the Galapagos Island, then the Philippines has Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Recognized as one of the best diving destinations in the world, Tubbataha should be on your dive bucket list.

In 1993, this 97,030-hectare Marine Protected Area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can find 13 species of dolphins and whales, 13 species of shark, over 600 species of fish, and 360 species of corals.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park can be found in the middle of the Sulu Sea, which is located near Palawan. Because of its isolated location, you can only dive in Tubbataha through a liveaboard vessel.

Dive expeditions for Tubbataha normally run for 7 to 10 days at a time and only from March to June. Slots and access to Tubbataha are very limited so sometimes you might need to book 2 years in advance.

It also comes with a hefty price tag so not everyone can live the dream of diving in Tubbataha. However, anyone who has dived stunning and pristine reefs of Tubbataha guarantees that it is worth every dollar.

If you have the privilege and opportunity to visit this premier scuba diving site in the Philippines, then you should immediately snap that chance when you can.

Click here to check prices and availability of Tubbataha liveaboard on Liveaboard.com

The most convenient way to get to Tubbataha: Make your way to Puerto Princesa where most of the Tubbataha liveaboards depart. Some Tubbataha liveaboards may have transition trips where you depart from a port like Cebu or Batangas.

You may also want to read: Tubbataha Reefs Diving: Ultimate Guide for Scuba Divers 9 Best Tubbataha Liveaboards You Can Take in 2024 7 Biggest Threats to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Tubbataha Reef Activities: 6 Things You Can Do In The Marine Park

Located in the Mindoro Strait, Apo Reef Natural Park is the country’s largest contiguous coral reef system, comprising over 34 square kilometers. Many divers claim that this is like a mini Tubbataha as it is a Marine Protected Area where you’ll get the chance to see a wide range of marine life from tiny nudibranchs to gigantic whale sharks.

Sea turtles and sharks can be spotted left and right- a good indicator of a healthy coral reef system. One of my favorite underwater encounters here is a huge school of barracuda.

You can visit Apo Reef from the dive shops in Sablayan but I recommend going there on a liveaboard to enjoy the entire park. You’ll get the opportunity to explore several diving sites, see fascinating marine life, and relax in the tranquility of the water. Unlike Tubbataha this marine park is open all year round. To get an idea, you can read my full review on MV Resolute’s Coron-Apo Reef-Puerto Galera Liveaboard trip .

To go to Apo Reef, fly to Manila and then take a domestic aircraft to San Jose Airport in Occidental Mindoro. You can then organize transportation to Sablayan, the entryway of Apo Reef Natural Park. Boat transfers from Sablayan to the reef take about two to three hours.

Read my post on scuba diving in Apo Reef Natural Park to learn more about this dive destination.

What makes Malapascua one of the best scuba diving locations in the Philippines ?

Known for its exceptionally long tail, the threshers shark is one of the coolest sharks you’ll encounter in the Philippines. With a tail almost as long as their body, thresher sharks have a unique ability to catch their prey by stunning it with its tail first.

Thresher sharks are pelagic creatures and it is quite hard to find them. In the rare chance that you see them, they are most likely in very deep or open waters. The thresher sharks in Malapascua are an exemption.

If you go to Monad Shoal and dive down to 30 meters there’s a big chance you’ll see them. The shoal serves as a cleaning station for the thresher sharks, so there’s a high probability that they’ll be there.

The thresher sharks are sighted in Malapascua all year round. If you dream of seeing these beautiful creatures, then this is where you should go. While you’re there you can even take a Thresher Shark Diver Distinctive Specialty course that is exclusively offered in Malapascua Island.

The most convenient way to get to Malapascua Island: From Mactan International Airport make your way to the northern part of Cebu until your reach New Maya Port. The car ride will take approximately 4 hours. Then take a 45-minute pump boat ride to Malapascua Island.

If you would like to learn more about Malapascua Island, read these posts: Malapascua Diving: Ultimate Guide for Scuba Divers Gato Island Diving: Exploring a Different Side of Malapascua

What makes Coron one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines ?

For history-nerds, wreck dive lovers, or technical scuba divers, scuba diving in Coron might just be the dream dive destination for you. Boasting over 20 wrecks from World War 2, Coron is considered to be one of the best wreck diving spots in the world.

Wreck diving in Coron is extremely popular as many of them are short boat-ride away from each other. The wrecks are also well preserved and many of them are within recreational diving limits so even new divers can explore what is left of history.

These Japanese vessels have witnessed countless deaths and the horrors of war, but time and nature have transformed them into beautiful living sculptures. With colorful corals encrusting its metal skeletal remains and marine creatures hiding in every nook and cranny, the wrecks of Coron is truly a unique diving experience.

The most convenient way to get to Coron: From Manila, fly to Busuanga airport in Palawan then take a 40 to 60-minute car ride to Coron town proper.

Read my post Scuba Diving Coron: Wrecks, Reefs and More to learn more about this dive destination.

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What makes Anilao one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Philippines ?

If you ask any Filipino diver where the best place to go diving near Manila, their top-of-mind recommendation would be Anilao.

Known as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines, Anilao boasts of over 50 dive sites suitable for both beginners to expert divers. With its establishment as a premier dive destination in the Philippines as early as the 1980’s, Anilao has probably produced the most number of certified divers in all of the Philippines.

Many local who have tried diving for the first have fallen in love with scuba because of their experiences while diving in Anilao. If scuba diving is a hobby you want to pursue after all the lockdown , then Anilao is an amazing place to do it.

It is a wonderful place to learn how to dive, not just because of its proximity to Manila but because of the variety of dives you can do in just one place.

Take your pick from vibrant reefs to somber wrecks, sandy bottoms to bottomless abyss, calm waters to strong currents. As you immerse yourself in Anilao’s underwater world, you will surely be amazed with how diverse the sites are.

Anilao has a lot of different kinds of animals and plants, from healthy corals full of colorful reef fish to tiny nudibranchs crawling on the sand. Anilao is one of the best scuba diving spots in the Philippines for honing your skills in both macro and wide-angle photography. If you’re interested in doing a blackwater dive , Anilao is a great place to do it too!

The most convenient way to get to Anilao, Batangas: From Manila, drive all the way to Anilao, Batangas. Travel time is approximately 3-4 hours.

You may also want to read my guide to diving in Anilao for recommendations on where to stay and dive sites to visit.

What makes Puerto Galera one of the best scuba diving spots in the Philippines ?

Situated on the island of Mindoro, Puerto Galera is famous for its beautiful white sand beach. If you’re looking for some diving and beach bumming that is close to Manila, Puerto Galera would be a good option for you.

In terms of marine life, you will find plenty of both soft and hard corals in Puerto Galera. Colorful reef fishes like anthias, chromis, damsels, butterflyfishes, parrotfishes, wrasses, triggerfishes are fairly common to see. Snappers, groupers, jacks, trevally, baraccudas, and even sharks are something you can also encounter. And of course, lest you forget the friendly neighborhood turtles.

If you’re into underwater macrophotography, nudibrachs, sea slugs, shrimps, crabs and other tiny critters are also found in abundance.

Puerto Galera’s dive sites are also varied with small wrecks, walls, sloping reefs, muck sites, swim-throughs, caves, and more, all only a short boat ride away. You can enjoy all types of diving in Puerto Galera, regardless of your dive certification or experience.

For experienced divers, the deep dives or drift dives in Puerto Galera’s dive site called The Canyons can be a thrilling experience. If technical diving is something you’ve been wanting to pursue, Puerto Galera is a highly recommended place to do it.

Unlike Anilao that is very close to the city and the rest of civilization, Puerto Galera will provide you with a more relaxed island vibe. It’s not completely isolated either as there are several established hotels, dive shops and restaurants in the island that you can enjoy. Because the island is popular not just for divers, there are other activities you can enjoy on Puerto Galera like going on mountain treks or visiting waterfalls.

The most convenient way to get to Puerto Galera: From Manila, take a 2-3 hour car ride to Batangas Pier. From the pier take a ferry to Puerto Galera. Boat ride will take approximately an hour and may vary depending on vessel type.

Read my post on Diving Puerto Galera: Guide for Scuba Divers for more tips and recommendation.

What makes Verde Island passage one of the best diving spots in the Philippines?

If you are visiting either Puerto Galera or Anilao, diving in Verde Island Passage is an absolute must! Most divers visit Verde Island from either of these two locations because Verde Island sits in an ocean passage between Batangas and Oriental Mindoro.

Not many people know that the Philippines is actually located in a region in the globe called the “Coral Triangle”. This area is known to have the richest marine life and coral diversity on our planet. Verde Island is said to sit right in the center of that coral triangle, so you can just imagine how abundant and rich that region is.

Dubbed as “the center of the center of marine biodiversity, Verde Island is known for its high concentration of marine species per unit area in the Philippines. So if you were impressed with the amount of marine life in either Puerto Galera or Anilao, you can expect to find more fish, more shrimp, more crabs, more corals, and more of everything in Verde Island.

The most convenient way to get there: Coordinate with your dive resort in either Anilao or Puerto Galera to visit Verde Island Passage. Travel to Verde Island by boat is approximately 1 hour.

Find out in this post why I love-hate diving in Verde Island .

What makes Dauin one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Philippines ?

You would think that no one would want to dive in what appears to be a barren wasteland consisting of dark volcanic sand, sediments, and debris. But you’d be surprised with how many underwater photographers head over to Dauin in Negros Oriental just for that!

The coast of Dauin is most known for its unique “mucky” environment where you can find many weird and wonderful creatures like sea slugs, shrimps, cuttlefish, octopus, crabs and more. You can easily tick off several items in your scuba diving critter list when you scuba dive in Dauin.

The marine life in Dauin is astonishing that a dive instructor even created a PADI frogfish specialty course that is exclusively offered in the area. You can also check out this book Nudibranchs of Dauin which features about 300 nudibranch species that have been found in the area.

These are just some proof of how impressive diving in Dauin is when it comes to macro life.

Many divers have claimed that Dauin is similar or even better than the popular muck diving in Lembeh, Indonesia, but I guess you’ll just have to dive Dauin and see for yourself!

The most convenient way to get to Dauin: From Manila take a flight to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Then take a 30-40 minute car ride to Dauin.

You may also want to read my guide to muck diving in Dauin for recommendations on where to stay and dive sites to visit.

What makes Apo Island one of the best scuba diving spots in the Philippines ?

Apo Island is a 12-hectare volcanic island that is just a 30-minute boat ride away from Dauin. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Negros Oriental due to its close proximity to Dumaguete, the province’s city capital. The island attracts not just scuba divers but also freedivers and snorkelers.

In 1982, a portion of the island was declared a marine sanctuary and these efforts paid off. Today, Apo Island continues to be home to over 615 documented species of fish and about 400 coral species. The Apo Island Marine Sanctuary also became the benchmark and model of success when it came to establishing more sanctuaries in the Philippines.

If you find yourself muck diving in Dauin, make sure to visit the nearby Apo Island for a change of scenery. You will be greeted with a healthy and vibrant coral reef system- the exact opposite of the muck and sandy bottoms you’ll find in Dauin.

Another unique attraction of the island is the number of sea turtles you can find around the island. If you love sea turtles and want to see them up close, Apo Island is one of the best places to swim with sea turtles in the Philippines.

The sea turtle are protected on this island and anyone found harassing and touching them can be fined up to Php5000 (USD100). The sea turtles in Apo Island seem to know that they are protected as they’re very chill and rarely shy away from humans. It won’t be hard to get a selfie with them if you wanted to!

The most convenient way to get to Apo Island: From Manila or Cebu take a flight to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Then take a 30-40 minute car ride to Dauin. From Dauin, find a dive resort to take you to Apo Island for diving.

You may also want to read my guide to diving in Apo Island for more dive and travel tips.

Need help planning your trip to Dauin and Apo Island? Sign up below to receive my Dumaguete-Siquijor trip planner spreadsheet.

What makes Moalboal one of the best scuba diving sites in the Philippines:

Do you want to know what it is like to dive with a million sardines? Head over to Moalboal where you can enjoy this one of a kind, adrenaline-pumping underwater experience.

It is estimated that there are more than 7 million sardines in Moalboal. What is even more astonishing is that this massive school of fish can be found just a few meters from the shores of Panagsama beach all year round.

If you get bored with the Moalboal sardines run, you can always visit the other beautiful dive sites in the area. There’s a small airplane wreck you can visit, or you can get front-row seats to watch the mandarin fish mating ritual.

Just 15 minutes away, you can also dive in Pescador Island where an underwater paradise awaits.

The most convenient way to get to Moalboal, Cebu: From Mactan international Airport in Cebu take a car to Moalboal. Land trip is approximately 3-4 hours.

You may also want to read my guide to the Sardines Run in Moalboal for more travel and dive tips.

What makes Panglao one of the best diving spots in the Philippines ?

While many tourists flock to Bohol to see the famous Chocolate Hills and the smallest primates called the Tarsiers, scuba divers love visiting Bohol for its underwater wonders. If you enjoy beach-bumming, island-hopping, freediving, or scuba diving, you will absolutely love Panglao.

Located in the southwestern part of Bohol, Panglao Island is one of the famous travel getaways for ocean lovers. It is very easy to get to especially with Bohol International Airport being located on the same island. From Panglao, you can easily visit neighboring islands like Balicasag, Pamilacan, and Cabilao, which also offer amazing dives.

But to be honest, you need not look any further. If you dive along the coast of Alona beach you will surely be a happy diver as you encounter the diverse creatures that call Bohol their home. You will squeal in delight once you find Nemo peeking out of its anemone. And you’ll surely do a little dance underwater when you see not one but three white-eyed eels sharing a hole in a wall.

At night the reef transforms and you’d be amazed by how the reef is equally alive and vibrant as it is during the day. Shrimps, crabs, and sea slugs you normally do not notice will come out and play. So if you’re curious to know what night diving is like , Panglao is a good place to try it for the first time.

One of the things you’ll appreciate in Panglao is having options when it comes to accommodations, restaurants, dive shops, and activities. If you’re a backpacker on a budget or a traveler who loves indulging while on vacation there will be plenty of choices for you.

The most convenient way to get to Panglao Island: From Manila or Cebu take a flight to Bohol–Panglao International Airport. Most dive resorts or accommodations will be within 30 minutes away.

You may also want to read my guide to diving in Panglao Island for recommendations on where to stay and dive sites to visit.

What makes Balicasag Island one of the best diving sites in the Philippines ?

If you find yourself in Panglao Island in Bohol, make sure to schedule a trip to Balicasag Island. Just a 30-minute boat ride from Alona Beach, this diving spot is one of the most well-protect marine sanctuaries in Bohol.

Only a limited number of scuba divers and snorkelers are allowed on each island every day to avoid reef damage. This move by the local government has paid off, resulting in a colorful and lush underwater haven.

The sites are aptly named “Diver’s Heaven” where you can encounter not just one but up to 10 sea turtles feeding on seagrass. The massive school of silver jacks is a sight to behold and if you dare, you might just find yourself in the middle of a fish tornado.

Balicasag never fails to impress divers who have made their way to this island. Whether it’s your first or your 100th time to dive here, it will always feel like heaven on earth.

The most convenient way to get to Balicasag Island: If you’re staying in Panglao Island, you can find a dive resort that can take you diving in Balicasag. Book in advance so they can arrange for dive permits.

You may also want to read my guide to diving in Balicasag Island for more travel and dive tips.

Need help planning your trip to Cebu and Bohol? Sign up below to receive my trip planner spreadsheet.

When is the best time to go diving in the Philippines?

Scuba diving in the Philippines can be done all year round however the best time to go is November to May. These are the months when there is less rainfall.

The summer or dry season is from February to May when the water temperature is at its warmest and the underwater visibility is simply amazing.

Amihan and Habagat: Diving Seasons in the Philippines Explained Best Time To Dive in the Philippines + Monthly Guide on Where to Go

What are the diving conditions like in the Philippines?

Water temperature.

Due to its tropical location, water temperatures in the Philippines is from 24°C-30°C (75°F-86°F).

Most divers wear a 3mm wetsuit while diving in the Philippines. Divers who are used to cooler temperatures can make do without them and dive without wetsuits.

You can enjoy really good visibility of more than 30 meters (90 feet) while scuba diving in the Philippines. Of course, this may vary depending on the season, dive sites, and locations.

On average visibility underwater can range from 5 to 20 meters. Most of the best scuba diving sites in the Philippines mentioned on this almost always have really good visibility.

If you’re traveling and diving in the Philippines for the first time, make sure to read my  Ultimate Philippine travel and dive guide before heading to your dream vacation!

What dive gear should I pack for diving in the Philippines?

You can easily rent out gear while diving in the best dives sites in the Philippines but bringing your own dive gear is recommended especially if you are doing multiple dives. You should pack your regulator, BCD, masks, fins, protective swimwear, and dive watch.

Here’s a list of scuba gear I use while diving in the Philippines:

My Scuba Diving Gear Regulator: Scubapro MK25 Evo , C300 and C200 2nd Stage BCD: Aqualung Axiom Mask: TUSA M-212 Freedom Ceos Snorkel: TUSA SP-170 Platina Hyperdry II Booties: Poseidon Pink Dive Boots Fins: Problue Wetsuit: Seavenger Vest Hoodie: Scubapro Hybrid Hooded Vest Dive Watch: Suunto D4i Novo Dive Knife: Aqualung Blunt Tip Knife Dive Leggings and Rash: Blue Adaptation Coral Sea Fan My Underwater Camera Gear Underwater Camera: Canon G7X Mark II Underwater Camera Housing: Fantasea FG7XII Video Lights: Big Blue AL1200XP Underwater Action Camera: GoPro Hero9 360 Camera: Insta360 X3 > Canon G7X Mark II full review > Insta360 X3 underwater camera review > Scuba diving camera recommendations for beginners. Dive Insurance Divers Alert Network (DAN)

Need travel insurance for your trip? Get a quote from Safety Wing .

Aside from your standard dive kit, here are some packing tips for your trip to the Philippines:

If you don’t intend to wear a wetsuit, at least wear protective gear like rash guards and scuba leggings . You might encounter a dangerous marine animal that could harm you and ruin your dive trip. Read this post on 15 dangerous sea creatures in the Philippines to find out what animals you need to watch out for.

Many sites have shore entries so I recommend packing your booties with your fins.

Snorkels are optional but I like to bring mine because many of these places are fantastic not just for diving but for snorkeling as well.

Dive knives or fishing wire cutters are optional. They do come in handy as you might encounter some ghost nets and trash that may have trapped some marine animals.

I highly recommend doing a night dive in the Philippines so pack your underwater dive light if you have one. Here are some recommendations for the best dive lights .

Most shops use a yoke valve for their tanks so double-check with your dive shop if they have tanks with a DIN valve or have an adaptor.

Make sure to get scuba diving insurance so you’re covered while traveling and diving in the Philippines. Remember that we are a third-world country and hospital and emergency facilities may be scarce or hard to get to. Getting diver’s insurance can give you that extra peace of mind in case of an emergency. I personally use  Divers Alert Network (DAN) . But you can also check Dive Assure .

For more packing tips, read my post on  Philippine Packing List: What to Bring to Your Dive Trip or sign up below to get a copy of my packing checklist.

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Do you have a favorite scuba diving site in the Philippines? For you, what is the best scuba diving spot in the Philippines? Which scuba diving locations in the Philippines do you want to visit in 2023? Leave a comment below!

The links above may be affiliate links. If you shop through them, I’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you. For full information, please see my  disclaimer  here.

About The Author

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Best Diving in the Philippines - Top 9

Located in indo-pacific's coral triangle and boasting over 7,000 islands,  the philippines is home to some of the world's best scuba diving . with pristine coral reefs, lush coral gardens, huge schools of fish, rare critters, manta rays, and even whale sharks--there's something for everyone in the philippines.

With so many islands and amazing dive spots, deciding on  the best place to dive in the Philippines is no easy task . But, worry not!  We've rounded up a list of the  best scuba diving destinations in the Philippines complete with information on what to see, when to go and where to stay, so that you can pick the perfect spot for your next Philippines dive vacation, hassle-free! 

Philippines' Best Diving Spots

Pick a destination or scroll down to read the entire list:  

1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park - Highest Biodiversity

2. Anilao, Batangas - Best Muck Diving

3. Dauin, Dumaguete   - All-In-One Luxury Destination

4. Moalboal, Cebu - Mind-Blowing Sardine Baitball

5. Puerto Galera, Mindoro - Beautiful Beaches + Diverse Dives

6.  Anda, Bohol  -  Bohol's Hidden Gem

7. Malapascua, Cebu  -  Thresher Sharks + Macro 

8. Coron Bay, Palawan - Easy WWII Wreck Diving

9.  Other Great Places in the Philippines

BONUS #1:   Best Time to Dive

BONUS #2:  Flight Information

Can't wait to start planning your trip to the Philippines? View the live availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Philippines or check out our area guide for choosing the best dive resort in the Philippines ! 

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our video series, "50 Amazing Adventures" , with new episodes weekly!

LOOKING FOR A LUXURY RESORT IN THE PHILIPPINES? 

1. TUBBATAHA REEFS, PALAWAN 

Highest biodiversity

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a  UNESCO World Heritage Site  located in Palawan, in the heart of the Sulu Sea. Many would agree that Tubbataha is the best diving spot in the Philippines, and one of the most biodiverse diving spots on earth. 

Pristine coral reefs, the richest marine biodiversity in the country, and pelagic action.  Big or small, Tubbataha has them all.

Tubbataha is home to no less than 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals (about 50% of the coral species in the world), 11 species of sharks (including tiger sharks, whale sharks, and whitetips), 13 species of dolphins, and whales, nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles. You can also see manta rays, schools of barracuda and tuna, and smaller marine life like nudibranchs, ornate ghost pipefish, seahorses, and frogfish. 

"Tubbataha boasts incredible biodiversity, pristine coral reefs and, and a chance to dive with large marine animals . The water temps are warm and visibility is often excellent, making it perfect for great photo ops ." -  Bluewater Travel Advisor & Trip Leader  Katie Yonker .

Amos Rock is often cited as the best dive site in Tubbataha, boasting colorful soft corals, massive schools of fish, large reef sharks and a gorgonian-covered wall.  Washing Machine in the North Atoll is known for some of the best visibility within the marine park and is home to grey reef sharks and plenty of tropical reef fish. You might even see a whale shark or two if you're lucky!  Black Rock in the South Atoll is a popular dive spot for whitetip sharks, rays and schools of grouper and giant trevally.

Learn more on  Tubbataha diving

Where to Stay

Tubbataha can only be accessed via a liveaboard.  

A week-long liveaboard trip is the norm in Tubbataha, but you can find longer "transition" trips offered in combination with other areas in the Philippines, including Dauin, Apo Island and Cabilao. The diving season of Tubbataha Reefs lasts only from February/March to June when the sea conditions are at the calmest and the weather is hot and dry. Find out why we love diving Tubbataha in June . Due to the short diving season liveaboard trips in Tubbataha fill up early, so planning your trip in advance would be a great idea.

There are at least a dozen of liveaboards to choose from in Tubbataha. 

Nirvana is a brand-new 131-foot (40-meter) luxury liveaboard in the Philippines, catering up to 22 divers in 11 spacious cabins. You'll find an extensive range of great amenities aboard, including a spacious sun deck with a jacuzzi, and an impressive 'Al-Fresco' Bar!

Philippine Siren is a great option in Tubbataha. This beautiful 131-foot (40-meter) Phinisi-style yacht features spacious and modern cabins, plenty of space on the main deck for divers and underwater photographers, and exceptional chef-prepared meals.

View all  liveaboards in Tubbataha

HOW TO GET THere

To get to Tubbataha, you have to fly into Manila (MNL) and take a domestic flight to Puerto Princessa (PPR) which takes a little over an hour.  A typical liveaboard trip to Tubbataha would usually depart from Puerto Princessa. The navigation takes around 10 hours. 

Diving Conditions 

Visibility:  32 to 114 feet (10-35m depending on the tides)

Non-Diving Activities: Tubbataha is suitable for snorkelers. 

Required Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced recommended. Strong currents might be present at some of the sites.

Back to List of Destinations  

2. Anilao, Batangas

Best muck diving in the philippines.

Only a 2-hour drive away from Manila lies Anilao , one of the world's best macro photography destinations . Boasting a wide array of rare critters, it's literally a heaven-on-earth for muck diving, blackwater diving, and macro photography. 

"Anilao offers some of the best diving anywhere in the world for those looking to explore the macro world.  The diversity, density, and quality of subjects is simply beyond belief.  Offering dives on beautiful and healthy coral sites, to barren sand flats, Anilao has it all. Being so close to Manila, it is also one of the most easily accessible dive destinations, which is a major benefit for those of us who travel from the US and Europe."  - Photo Pro & Bluewater Trip Leader  Erik Lukas

The long list of small-scale sea life and critters that you can find in Anilao include nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish, and...so much more. But don't leave your wide-angle lens at home. Beautiful coral reefs, turtles, huge schools of jacks, jellyfish, and the occasional reef sharks await in Anilao. 

Prepare your critter list with this comprehensive guide on muck diving .

Hairy frogfish is one of the many species of frogfish that you'll find while diving in Anilao, especially at Secret Bay!

Secret Bay, also known as Manit Muck, is probably the best muck dive site in Anilao. Here, you can find mimic octopus, wonderpus, pipefish, frogfish, and the list goes on. Don't forget to dive Manit at night to see this wonderful site come to life. 

Bobbit worm and stargazer, photographed by Bluewater owner Scott Gietler.

The Pier , along with Secret Bay, is among the highly requested dive sites during our annual macro photography workshops in Anilao. You can find the much-sought-after bobbit worms and stargazers !  Twin Rocks is great for macro and wide-angle alike, with pristine soft corals, schooling jacks, and plenty of small fish. Beatrice  is a great wide-angle site with colorful corals teeming with anthias and other reef fish.

The diving season in Anilao is year-round, but we especially love Anilao for diving in December and the early spring. 

Learn more on Anilao diving  and read about our last trip there from our Anilao Dive Report .

Diving in Anilao is predominantly land-based. There are plenty of great dive resorts in Anilao.

Here at Bluewater Photo & Travel, we have been running macro photography workshops at Crystal Blue Resort in Anilao for the past 10 years. Located in Bagalangit, the heart of Anilao, the resort has everything an avid diver and underwater photographer needs--comfortable rooms, easy access to the dive sites, knowledgeable dive guides, and top-notch photography amenities. 

Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort in Anilao is a great 4-star dive resort, featuring an infinity pool, spacious and stylish rooms, a clubhouse, well-equipped dive center, and photography facilities, and more! 

See our exclusive deals in Anilao

Interested in macro photography?  Join our photo workshops at Crystal Blue Resort in Spring 2024. Daily workshops provided at no extra cost! 

is there a liveaboard in Anilao?

Yes and no. You can find a few liveaboard trips sailing from or to Anilao in combination with other regions in the Philippines, but these trips usually don't offer any scuba diving in Anilao itself. However, these trips are great options for those looking to live longer in the Philippines.

Solitude One  is a majestic 170-foot (52-meter) liveaboard vessel, which offers  Anilao to Anilao trips in the summer months . These week-long trips take you to various great dive regions in the Philippines, notably the superb Verde Island, Romblon--another great place to visit for macro photography aficionados--and Ticao which offers a high chance to see manta rays. There's even a variation that takes you to dive with thresher sharks in Malapascua .

HOW TO GET TO ANILAO

Anilao is one of the easiest Philippines scuba diving destinations to get to. Fly into Manila (MNL) and Anilao is only a 2-3 hour ride from the Manila airport. Most resorts offer return transfers, sometimes for free, so getting there and back is really a breeze. See  how to get to the Philippines .

DIVING CONDITIONS

Wetsuit: 3mm full wetsuit with booties

Visibility: Avg. 40 to 50ft (10-15m)

Non-diving activities: Snorkeling and kayaking

Required Diving Skill Level:  Anilao is beginner-friendly since most of the sites are not deep and strong currents are rarely present.

• Back to List of Destinations

3. DAUIN, DUMAGUETE

Best all-in-one luxury dive vacation spot in the philippines.

Situated on Negros Island lies another world-class diving destination for macro photography, Dauin. Most of the best dive sites are located along the coastline of Dauin, which is 20 minutes away from the City of Dumaguete itself.

The Dumaguete area is best known for its  excellent muck diving , great coral reefs nearby, and its assortment of luxurious beachfront dive resorts which are relatively affordable compared to other diving destinations in the world. Most Dumaguete dive resorts also offer a day trip to Oslob where you can swim and snorkel up-close with whale sharks. 

"What makes the diving in Dumaguete really special is that many of the dive sites have great coral reefs filled with fish, right alongside muck sites.  This means that a hard-core macro photographer diving with family or friends can go to the same dive site together,  and have different dive guides for different underwater experiences." - Scott Gietler

Left:  A massive school of jacks, seen at Apo Island on a Bluewater trip in June 2019.  Right:  Whale shark snorkeling at Oslob. 

Apo Island  is a small marine preserve located 30-40 minute boat ride away from most dive resorts, known for its healthy coral gardens, massive schools of fish, sea snakes, and sea turtles.  Coconut Point  at Apo offers a thrilling drift dive experience over a sloping wall where bumphead parrotfish and marbled groupers can be seen while green sea turtles cruise effortlessly in the currents.

Just a little sampling of the marine life that you can see along the Dauin Coast. By Bluewater Trip Leader/Travel Advisor Katie Yonker

The variety of marine life that you can find along the Dauin Coast includes various types of frogfish, dragonets, pipefish, nudibranchs, blue-ring octopuses, bobtail squids, mandarin fish, seahorses, cardinalfish (with eggs), various shrimps and crabs. Underwater photographers have plenty of opportunities to capture images of unique marine life, so don't forget your camera gear or consider using your smartphone with an underwater housing .

The main diving season in Dumaguete is October to early June, but the prolific marine life of Dauin can be found all year round, so there’s no worry of missing out. Dauin is a great place for new divers to get certified, or for experienced divers to continue their education. 

Learn more on Dumaguete diving  and read about our latest trip from Dumaguete Dive Trip Report . 

If you want to take dive courses, Roatan and Utila are popular destinations for dive education.

WHere to stay 

Here comes the fun part. Some of the best luxury dive resorts in the country can be found here in Dumaguete. 

Atlantis Dive Resort is an amazing option for anyone looking for an all-inclusive tropical dive vacation, within proximity to Dauin's best dive sites. The resort features spacious and comfortable rooms, a well-equipped dive center and photography facilities, a great ocean-front restaurant and bar, spa services, and just about everything else that a diver or underwater photographer would need. 

Atmosphere Resort & Spa is one of the best luxury dive resorts in Dumaguete. With 3 amazing pools, impeccable diving services, great food, a godsend babysitting service, and an otherworldly spa, Atmosphere Resort has everything that a diver (and a parent) could want or need and more! They make traveling with young kids, not only possible but much easier!  

See our exclusive deals in Dumaguete

HOW TO GET TO DAUIN

From Manila (MNL), you can take a quick 45-minute flight to Dumaguete (DGT). Many luxury resorts like Atlantis Dive Resort and Atmosphere Resort & Spa offer return transfers free of charge. Dauin, where most of the resorts are, is only half an hour away from Dumaguete.  See  how to get to the Philippines .

DIVING CONDITIONS 

Visibility: 30–40 ft in Dauin, 60-90 ft in Apo Island

Non-Diving Activities:  Snorkel with whale sharks at Oslob, soak up the sun, eat and drink very well at the luxury resort of your choice, and try out all the different spa treatments available at your resort

Required Diving Skill Level: Dauin’s dive sites are easy to dive for all divers, experienced or not. 

4. MOALBOAL, CEBU

The place to go for sardine run in the philippines .

Moalboal in Cebu is best known for its Sardine Run,  the world-renowned humongous sardine bait ball which can be witnessed at Panagsama Beach . Up to 7 million sardines are estimated to reside here. Imagine that! 

You can scuba dive, snorkel, or freedive to witness this mind  mind-blowing (and vertigo-inducing) event. That's right! No scuba diving equipment necessary!

The sardine bait ball in Moalboal was one of the highlights of the Bluewater group trip on the Philippine Siren which visited best dive spots in the Visayas, including Malapascua

Scuba diving in Moalboal is diverse and very vibrant. Think big schools of fish, beautiful walls, canyons and caves, and fascinating macro life.   Pescador Island offers some of the best dives in the Philippines, featuring a dramatic wall with colorful soft corals teeming with anthias. Then there is a large cathedral on the west side of Pescador  which makes a nice background for dramatic underwater shots. You can also see schools of barracuda, beautiful caves, reef sharks, and also smaller marine life like nudibranchs and frogfish.

"Moalboal boasts one of the most exciting dives I’ve done at Panagsama Reef. Here, massive schools of sardines, swirl in mesmerizing patterns as snorkelers on the surface dive down to swim through them. A lso in Moalboal is Pescador Island - a diver’s playground complete with caverns and swim-throughs which make for stunning photos when the lighting is right." - Bluewater Trip Leader/Travel Advisor  Katie Yonker

Magic Point , the house reef of Magic Island Dive Resort, is a great dive site to see mating mandarin fish, frogfish, turtles, schools of jack, and pristine reefs with hard and soft corals. Other great sites include  Talisay Wall , a beautiful slope and wall with plenty of caves to explore, lots of black coral, batfish and barracuda, and Tuble Reef which is known for its caves and forest of sea fan corals. 

If you're more of a "big animal" fan, you can head to Oslob to swim with whale sharks. It's only a 2-hour drive away from Moalboal and many resorts offer a day trip to Oslob as an optional activity. Some, like  Magic Island Dive Resort , would even include it for free with their all-inclusive package.

Moalboal's diving season is year-round.

Learn more on Moalboal diving  and read about the sardine run in Moalboal from our Visayas Trip Report .

Dive resorts and dive centers can be easily found in Moalboal. 

Magic Island Dive Resort  is a great dive resort located in the quiet southern part of the peninsula, within proximity to Moalboal's top sites. This intimate boutique resort consists of 10 bungalows with en-suite bathrooms and private balconies, offering either a sea or pool view, and features a well-equipped dive center with knowledgeable dive staff.

Liveaboards often include Moalboal and Pescador Island as one of the highlights of the trips that visit the Visayas. The Philippine Siren offers such trips from June to February, when they are not sailing in Tubbataha.

Note that liveaboard itineraries are subject to change, depending on sea and weather conditions. Double-check with your travel advisor and or dive operator prior to booking a liveaboard trip if you want to visit certain dive sites.

See our exclusive deals in  Moalboal .  

HOW TO GET to Moalboal 

The easiest way is to get to Moalboal is to fly internationally into Cebu (CEBU). Most dive resorts in Moalboal offer transportation from and to the airport, which usually takes 2 to 4 hours one-way. 

See  how to get to the Philippines

Visibility: 30 to 100+ ft (10-30m+)

Non-diving activities: Swim with whale sharks at Oslob, or snorkel and freedive around Moalboal

Required skill level: Beginner to Advanced.

5. PUERTO GALERA, MINDORO

Diverse diving hotspot with beautiful beaches.

Puerto Galera is one of the most popular diving destinations in the Philippines–and all for good reasons!  One of the most enticing aspects of Puerto Galera is the extensive range of dive spots, combined with its beautiful beaches.  Whether you're into macro or wide-angle photography, a beginner or advanced diver...or even if you don't dive at all, there’s something for everyone in Puerto Galera!

"Topside, Puerto Galera is a social place, with easily walkable restaurants, picturesque happy hours on piers overlooking the water , and small shops. Underwater, it offers diverse diving including great macro within a 10-minute boat ride and incredible wide-angle including nice corals and huge sea fans at nearby Verde Island. Also easy to combine with Anilao ." - Bluewater Owner, Scott Gietler

Gazillions of anthias seen on a day trip to Verde Island. Photographed by Bluewater owner Scott Gietler while staying at Atlantis Dive Resort in Puerto Galera.

For the thrill-seekers, Canyons provide plenty of action with its strong currents. For those interested in underwater wrecks, the three sunken boats of the Sabang Wrecks offer a fascinating dive trip. Don't forget to include a day trip to dive at  Verde Island  during your stay in Puerto Galera. Its passage is known to offer some of the highest biodiversity in the Philippines and it's an amazing place for wide-angle photography!

Nudibranchs, reef octopuses, frogfish, and seahorses can be seen in abundance in Puerto Galera. There are also many stunning soft and hard corals to be found while exploring the reefs of this dream destination.

Like most of the Philippines, Puerto Galera can be dived all year round. Find out why we love diving Puerto Galera in April .

Learn more about  Puerto Galera diving

Where to stay

Some liveaboards include Puerto Galera in their itineraries, however, most of the dive sites can be easily accessed via a dive resort. Furthermore, Puerto Galera is home to wonderful beaches and some of the best dive resorts in the Philippines, so it makes a lot of sense to opt for a resort. 

Atlantis Puerto Galera , the sister resort of Atlantis Dumaguete, is a great choice for divers and underwater photographers seeking luxury and comfort while exploring Puerto Galera's best sites. This beachfront dive resort features a nice swimming pool, spacious bungalows, on-site spa services, delicious meals, ample space for photography equipment--everything that a scuba diver and underwater photographer could want! 

El Galleon Dive Resort is another great beachfront resort in Puerto Galera with a wide variety of rooms, from budget to luxury, suitable for single travelers, families, and groups alike. The resort features a sizeable pool, a nice beachfront restaurant and bar, and a well-equipped dive center which also supports technical diving. 

See our exclusive deals in Puerto Galera

How to Get to Puerto Galera

Fly into Manila (MNL) then take a van or a taxi to Batangas Pier, which takes around 2 hours. From there you can take a ferry to Puerto Galera, which takes about an hour. Most resorts, like Atlantis, offer transportation from and to the airport with a reasonable fee.

Diving Conditions

Visibility: Typically between 50 – 80 feet (15-25m), may reach 100+ feet (30m+) in certain diving areas

Non-Diving Activities: Snorkeling, Beach & Island Hopping, Golf, Walking, Trekking and Running, and Waterfall Trip

Required Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced. Most of the dive sites in Puerto Galera are no deeper than 20m and are suitable for beginners.

6. Anda, Bohol

Off-the-beaten-path dive vacation spot.

The ivory-white beaches, laid-back atmosphere, lush green environment, and abundance of marine life, away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy spots of Bohol, make Anda a great choice for scuba divers searching for an  off-the-beaten-path dive vacation spot in the Philippines .

There are 17 kilometers of coastline to explore in Anda, with a good mix of wall, slope, and sandy muck dive sites as well as coral gardens. The diverse underwater topography and critter population in Anda are really worth exploring.

You can see pygmy seahorses, skeleton shrimps, anemone shrimps, dragon sea moths, mantis shrimps, Napoleon snake eels, nudibranchs, mating mandarin fish...you name it! Turtles and loads of beautiful reef fish can also be seen in the area. Anda can also be dived all year round.

Learn more about  diving in Bohol

Where to stay 

Scuba diving via a resort is the norm in Anda. There are over 30 dive sites that can be accessed via dive resorts in Anda, and most of the sites are no more than 10 minutes away from the resorts. 4 to 5 dives a per day, including a sunset or night dive to see mating mandarin fish, is quite common. 

Magic Oceans Dive Resort , the sister resort of Magic Island in Moalboal, is a great operation, situated on the quieter side of Bohol. This intimate boutique resort is known for its impeccable dive staff, tranquil location, excellent house reef, easy access to the best dive sites in Anda. They've got everything you need for a peaceful dive getaway in Anda.

See our exclusive deal in Anda & Moalboal

How to Get to Anda, Bohol

The easiest way to get to Anda is to fly into Manila (MNL) and take another short 1.5-hour flight to Bohol  (TAG) where you can be picked up by the staff of the resort of your choice. 

Alternatively, you may fly into Cebu (CEB), then take a 2-hour ferry ride to Bohol.  The entire journey from Cebu airport to a resort in Anda may take up to 5 hours.

Visibility: 50-65 feet

Non-Diving Activities: Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or sunbathing on the white sand beaches. A trip the Chocolate Hills is also recommended. 

Required Skill Level: All levels are welcome.

7. Malapascua Island, Cebu

The world's best place to see thresher sharks.

Though she is little, she is fierce. Malapascua is known to be the best place in the world to see thresher sharks. This tiny oasis is the only place in the world where thresher sharks are consistently seen daily. Combine that with its pristine waters and milky-white beaches, and you’ve got yourself a perfect destination for a tropical dive vacation. 

Monad Shoal is the best place to dive with thresher sharks. Other species of sharks and rays are also commonly spotted around this site. The shy thresher sharks at Monad Shoal are usually seen first thing in the morning at sunrise. Divers rest at approximately 25m (90ft) on the sandy bottom to watch the sharks approach and be cleaned.

"Malapascua is unique because it has a little bit of everything and something that no other place has--thresher sharks. There is also excellent macro, wrecks, and underwater islands with colorful corals and rich marine life. " - Bluewater Trip Leader & Travel Advisor Tim Yeo

Famous for thresher shark sightings, Malapascua also offers excellent macro life, so bring your macro lens along!

The numerous shallow reef sites around Malapascua offer excellent macro photography opportunities.  Gato Island boasts some of the most amazing macro life in the area and is also home to a unique marine reserve with a sea snake sanctuary. Some of the many macro photography subjects that you can see here include cuttlefish (often while mating), seahorses, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, mantis shrimp in action, and more. 

The diving season in Malapascua is year-round. However, please note that during the typhoon season in the Philippines, from July to October, the weather in Malapascua could get rough and the visibility could be drastically reduced.

Learn more on  Malapascua diving  and read about our trip there from the Malapascua Trip Report .

Dive resorts and liveaboards are available here in Malapascua. Most liveaboards, combine a trip to Malapascua and other dive areas in the Visayas.

Philippine Siren is one of the boats that offer such trips. Their Malapascua & Visayas trips are carefully planned to hit some of the best dive spots in the Visayas, including thresher sharks at Malapascua Island, critter heaven at Dauin, big schools of fish at Moalboal, and beautiful coral reefs at Apo Island.

If you prefer staying on a beach resort,  Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort  is a great option. S ituated on Malapascua Island's beautiful Bounty Beach, this charming resort offers ocean views from almost anywhere in the resort! They are also known for their high standards of service, above and below the water. 

How to Get to Malapascua

You can fly internationally into Cebu (CEB).  Liveaboards typically depart from Cebu and can arrange a pick-up at the airport. If you opt for a land-based dive operator, you’ll need to take a 2.5-hour car transfer to Maya followed by a 30-minute boat trip to Malapascua Island.  See  how to get to the Philippines .

Visibility: 60-80 feet (18-24m) or less depending on the tides.

Non-Diving Activities:  Apart from island/beach hopping there isn't much to do for non-divers in Malapascua.

Required Skill Level: Advanced Open Water and nitrox certifications recommended. Most of the dive sites are quite deep and nitrox allows an extended bottom time.

8. CORON Bay, PALAWAN

Best wreck diving in the philippines.

Home to  THE BEST wreck dives in the Philippines , Coron Bay is also known for its jaw-droppingly beautiful limestone cliffs and crystalline lagoons. The combination of great wrecks and picturesque landscapes is what puts Coron on this list. Read more about the world's best wreck dives .

The historical World War II shipwrecks of Coron, Palawan are really unique. Coron Bay used to be the harbor for World War II Japanese warships. 11 of these ships were sunk during an air attack in September 1944. Today the wrecks of Coron serve as reef systems, supporting a number of marine life. Some of the residents of these wrecks include scorpionfish, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, and octopuses. You’ll even see the occasional reef shark or stingray, hovering near the wrecks.

The Okikawa Maru is the largest shipwreck in Coron . This 525-foot wreck is very beginner-friendly, with the top sitting at just 32 feet (10 meters) below the surface. Tangat Gunboat is another popular wreck site. This submarine hunter is very shallow and can be enjoyed by beginner and advanced divers alike. 

El Nido is another popular dive location on Palawan. Although the diving isn't considered as good as Coron, it has lots of turtles. El Nido also has spectacular beaches and amazing island hopping that makes it worth a visit if you are diving Palawan.

where to stay

Coron Bay hosts a wide range of land-based dive operators for all kinds of budgets. Please note that Coron Bay is a very touristic area compared to most of the places on this list.  If you want to stay away from the crowds, d iving Coron via a liveaboard is highly recommended. It also allows you to explore more sites in a short period of time.

Liveaboards would often combine the wrecks of Coron with Mindoro Strait's Apo Reef in their itineraries.  Often referred to as "little Tubbataha", Apo Reef Natural Park is a UNESCO heritage site candidate , boasting colorful walls, plenty of sharks, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, and huge schools of snappers and tuna. Manta and eagle rays, as well as other pelagic species, are also commonly seen around the area. 

Great liveaboard options that offer this Coron Wrecks/Apo Reef combo itinerary include the Atlantis Azores  and Infiniti   liveaboards. While Coron can be dived year-round these trips are typically offered from January to February, right before the start of the diving season in Tubbataha.

How to Get to Coron

After flying to Manila (MNL), you have two options to get to Coron. One involves a 1-hour flight to Busuanga (USU) followed by a 45-minute van ride to Coron. Your other option is a 13-14 hour ferry trip straight to Coron.

Atlantis Azores liveaboard's 'Coron/Apo Reef' trips start and end in Puerto Galera, which is only a 2-hour shuttle ride away from Manila airport. 

See  how to get to the Philippines .

Visibility: can reach up to 80 ft. (24m) in certain areas

Non-diving Activities: Island-hopping, beach hunting, snorkeling, and kayaking. A lively nightlife scene is present if you opt for a land-based accommodation/resort.

Required Diving Skill Level:  Beginner to Advanced. Most of the wrecks of Coron are not too deep and can be enjoyed by divers of all levels. 

9. more awesome places to dive in the Philippines 

In case you want more....

Boracay in Aklan is known for its world-class for white-powder beaches and is home to interesting macro life, and mola molas are occasionally seen here although the success rate is not as great as in Nusa Penida in Bali , Indonesia. 

1-hour flight away from Manila lies Donsol, an up-and-coming scuba diving destination where manta rays are found feeding and being cleaned at Manta Bowl. Travelers also flock into this area from all over the country for a chance to snorkel with whale sharks, free from feeding, from November through June.

Cabilao Island on the west side of Bohol features interesting walls and coral gardens, with great macro photography opportunities. Cabilao is often included in liveaboard trips visiting the  Visayas.

Leyte is THE hidden gem of the Philippines scuba diving scene, with fantastic marine biodiversity, comparable to other South East Asia and Philippines diving hotspots in, i.e. Tubbataha Reef and Alor in Indonesia. Think Dauin (awesome macro) and Apo Island (wide-angle and bigger animals) combined. 

Is there any other place that should be on this list? Let us know your thoughts ! 

BEST TIME TO DIVE in the Philippines

November to May is the dry season in the Philippines, offering little to no rain and nice hot and humid weather. This period of time is often considered as the best time to dive in the Philippines and is the most popular time to visit the country. Regardless,  the diving season in the Philippines runs year-round,  keeping in mind that some of the areas and certain marine life sightings are either seasonal or weather dependent, this includes Tubbataha which can only be dived around the months of March to June.

During the wet season which typically runs from May to October , most of the dive sites remain great, the waters are warmer, and you have the advantage of having fewer divers around in most places.  Typhoons may occur  during the wet season, particularly around July to September. However, it's a rare occasion and most of the dive areas are not affected . Don't let it keep you from visiting the Philippines in the summer months!

If you plan to visit the Philippines in the summer, it wouldn't hurt to double-check the weather report and ask your travel advisor or dive operator for the latest updates on weather and diving conditions. Don't forget to bring a light jacket and/or raincoat to protect you in case of rain.

Insider Tip:  Many people shy away from diving the Philippines in the summer due to typhoon/rain scare. The truth is, rain is highly unpredictable in tropical countries and you'll be surprised how sunny it could get on certain days during this "rainy" season. Plus, there are fewer divers visiting around these months, so many of the popular dive sites will be less busy.

The  water temperatures  throughout the country hover at 79-88˚F (24-31˚C) year-round a 3-5mm full wetsuit would suffice. The waters get colder at the beginning of the year, from January to March, during the dry "winter" season, and are at the warmest in the middle of the year.

Bringing an additional hoodie and shark skin during colder months is always a good idea, especially if you're going to an area where thermoclines might occur. 

How to get to the Philippines 

Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB) are the two main international travel hubs in the Philippines.

From the U.S.:  Philippine Airlines offers non-stop flights to Manila from major cities in the United States, but there are plenty of other great air companies to choose from, including Cathay Pacific (Hongkong) and EVA Air (Taiwan). These 3 airlines also offer flights from the U.S. to Cebu with no more than a single stop. 

From the U.K. & Europe: EVA Air and Cathay Pacific also offer flights to Cebu and Manila with a single stop out of major European cities. For those of you who reside in the U.K. Cathay Pacific is the best option. Emirates also offers flights into these two cities although the stopover in Dubai will extend your travel time by a few hours.

From Asia: Lucky you! There are plenty of direct flights available to both Manila and Cebu, whether you reside in Singapore, Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur other major Asian cities. You can choose from many carriers, including low-cost carriers like AirAsia. Planning a dive trip to the Philippines is really easy! 

Plan your Philippines dive vacation 

Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive-travel agency. We can book you a resort or a liveaboard virtually almost anywhere in the Philippines (and the world) at the same price, or even lower, than booking any other way. Our team of travel advisors has been to most of these places, for some of them even many times. We know the diving, resorts, liveaboards, and logistics better than anyone else in this industry. To get started you can: 

Email us or  leave us a message through the live chat box to start planning your trip! 

Find out why Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards is our Preferred Partner in the Philippines.

Buy dive Gear with Bluewater

Did you know that you can buy scuba gear  from Bluewater? Check out our selection of regulators , BCs , dive fins , the latest dive computers , and more.

Further Reading

Check out these useful resources from our sister websites,  Bluewater Photo , and  Underwater Photography Guide

Southeast Asia's Best Underwater Photography Destinations

Top 10 Macro Photography Destinations

Wet Wide Angle Lens Buyer's Guide

Wet Macro Lens Buyer's Guide

Best Underwater Cameras 

Best Underwater Photography Equipment 

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By Alex Hatton

Last Updated:

October 12, 2023

PHILIPPINES by Diving Squad

Consisting of over 7000 islands, the Philippines is renowned for jungle-strewn mountains and mighty volcanos, ancient tribes and white-sand beaches… and awesome marine life!

It is one of the easiest and cheapest places to travel in Southeast Asia as well as perhaps the all-time friendliest: with extremely laid back and fun-loving locals who are fluent in English.

For scuba divers; the Philippines is paradise. It’s budget-friendly, easy to travel and boasts an epic variety of unique diving experiences spread around its countless islands.

Dive amidst stunning coral reefs home to numerous turtles, sea snakes and reef fish as well as all manner of critters like frogfish, nudibranch and countless crustaceans.

Explore incredible Imperial Japanese Navy Shipwrecks from World War 2 and experience next-level muck dives with flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorse and blue-ringed octopus!

Come face to face with the elusive thresher shark (a guarantee so long as you visit the right place!) and look for other mighty pelagics; namely whale sharks and manta rays.

In this epic guide of gnarly awesomeness, I’ll tell you all you need to know about diving the Philippines – based on my own experience there spanning multiple trips over nearly 10 years.

We’ll talk about how the Philippines has changed; the best place to visit and lay out itineraries for which order to do them, no matter how little or how much time you have!

I’ll also cover travel logistics like where to stay, when to go and getting around as well as other adventure activities you can do on each island including waterfall jumping, caving and trekking.

So buckle up your bcd and pull down your scuba mask! After reading this, you’ll be ready to dive the Philippines like an absolute boss! Let’s do this!!

How to Use This Guide:

This main page links out to numerous mini-guides describing each dive destination in further detail with original videos and photos from my time there. From each mini-guide; you’ll find a link to another guide reviewing in detail the best places to stay there.

Most times you see bold blue text, it’s a link; clicking on it will open a mini-article in a new tab or jump to a section of this article. For example, see below where I’ve summarised Philippines diving highlights with links to the mini-guide for each location highlighted in bold blue. Dive / scroll down past this to see the full table of contents for this main article!

Highlights of Diving the Philippines:

• Awesome Coral Reef:  El Nido  & Siquijor   plus  Bohol &  Puerto Galera
• Muck Diving:  Dumaguete / Dauin plus  Anilao  &  Puerto Galera
• World War 2 Shipwrecks: Coron
• Sardine Run:  Moalboal
• Thresher Sharks:  Malapascua
• Whale Sharks ( possibly ) :   Bohol and Tubbataha Reef and also El Nido
• Other Shark species El Nido   and  Bohol plus   Malapascua
• Manta Rays: El Nido and Tubbataha Reef (liveaboard)

Philippines Diving Itineraries

Best places to dive in the philippines.

• Philippines Diving Resorts
• Diving Season of the Philippines
• Getting around
• Culture & Partying in the Philippines
• Other Things to do
• Scuba Diver’s FAQ

Feel free to tweak, combine or amend these itineraries as you see fit, but I heartily recommend you check out ferry / bus / flight routes and schedules before you do!!!

Travelling around the Philippines can indeed be easy but is not as straightforward as it may seem. You cannot always easily get from one destination to another just because they appear close together on the map!

I have comprised the following routes, not just out of consideration for the best dive destinations combos but also whilst considering the most logical order to travel between them.  (And remember never to fly within 24 hours of diving!!). 

Dive the Philippines in 10 Days: Itinerary #1

You can squeeze an impressive variety of Philippines dive destinations into a short space of time, without even having to travel too far around the country. 

Fly into Manila, the country’s capital and catch a 3 hour bus down to Anilao in Batangas Province. Anilao is famous for having some of the best muck diving in the world. Muck diving describes dive sites comprised of silt seabeds teaming with macro life: tiny cuttlefish, octopus, seahorses, frogfish, nudibranch and all kinds of other bizarre beings. 

After Anilao, catch a 90 minute ferry across to Puerto Galera on Mindoro island. Puerto Galera has some of the most diverse diving in the Philippines; with superb coral reef that can be explored in both shallow waters and deep waters as well as on exciting drift dives and also several medium sized shipwrecks, deep-water night diving and a few more muck dives. 

3 Weeks Diving the Philippines: Itinerary #2

3 weeks in the Philippines gives you time to explore some of the country’s most iconic destinations whilst also getting a little off-the-beaten track!

From Manilla or Cebu , take a 90 minute flight to Coron  in Palawan . Coron is hailed as the best wreck dive destination in Southeast Asia with 10 Japanese Imperial Navy shipwrecks from World War 2. Whilst in Coron it’s also possible to dive with Dugong as well as in a freshwater lake.

From Coron take a 4 hour ferry to the visually stunning El Nido ; which has dozens of dive sites comprised of superb coral reef as well as an underwater tunnel and the chance to see nurse sharks and manta rays.

Next, catch a short flight from El Nido to Panglao; a small island connected via bridge to Bohol which is famous for the stunning chocolate hills. Theres some superb diving around Panglao; with healthy reef, turtles, whitetip reef sharks and sometimes even whale sharks. For some extremely off-the-beaten-track diving in Bohol, head to Anda!

After this, grab a 2 hour ferry  down south to the incredibly laid-back Siquijor ; a more off-the-beaten track island, renowned for witchcraft and hosting incredible reefs, schooling milkfish, turtles and many macro critters like hairy crabs, pygmy frogfish and tiny nudibranch. 

Then take a 50 minute ferry to Dumaguete city on the mountainous island of Negroes. Dumaguete is a busy city so you may prefer to stay in the quieter Dauin town a 30 minute ride away. Either way, the dive sites off the coast between Dumaguete and Dauin comprise  superb  off-the-beaten track muck dives.

From Dumaguete you can make a day-trip to dive the famous reefs of the nearby Apo Island . If not you can grab a 90 minute flight from Dumaguete airport back to Manila for your way out of the Philippines

1 Month Diving the Philippine's Visayas: Itinerary #3:

Alright, Diving Squad listen up! This is it; a full blown month to penetrate deep into the heart of the Philippines and scuba dive the f*ck outta it! Are you ready?! Ooh-rah! Then let’s gooooo!! Move, move, move – dive, dive, dive!!!

Arrive in Manila and grab a 90 minute connecting flight to Cebu . From there, it’s a 5 hour journey up north to the tiny island of Malapascua. Malapascua is the best place in the world to see the the elusive thresher sharks with tails the same lenght as their bodies!

After Malapascua, make your way back to Cebu and take a 3 hour bus ride to Moalboal on the southwest of Cebu island; a bustling seaside town popular with partying backpackers and famous for it’s “sardine run” where you can dive amidst a huge school of local sardines at depths of less than 33ft / 10m.

From Moalboal, some people take a 90 minute taxi ride down south to Oslob. Here you can dive with dozens of whale sharks; however they’re being fed chum which is detrimental to their migratory patterns and breeding so I gave this one a miss. Instead, I recommend returning to Cebu and from there grabbing a 2 hour ferry down to  Bohol .

With spectacular coral, countless turtles, giant barracuda, whitetip reef sharks, muck diving and sometimes even whale sharks, Bohol is my favourite dive destination in the Philippines I spent over 6 months here using it as a homebase in 2023!

From Panglao, if you want to get really off-the-beaten track and don’t mind a 6 hour long journey from Panglao, head to Camiguin , a small, rarely-visited island with seven volcanos that you can climb and some nice off-the-beaten track diving with schools of jackfish and very rarely visited drift dives  over soft coral gardens far out to sea.

Or, take a two hour ferry from Bohol to the incredibly chill (and also off-the-beaten-track) island of Siquijor which is renowned for witchcraft, caves, waterfalls, stunning coral, schooling milkfish and plenty of macro critters. In my opinion, if you could only do Siquijor or Camiguin, Siquijor is the better option!

From Siquijor grab a one hour ferry ride to Dumaguete  for incredible, off-the-beaten-track muck diving with all kinds of weird and wonderful macro critters. If you have time, take a day trip to the famous reefs of Apo island. 

After all this, it’s probably time to grab a 90 minute flight from Dumaguete airport to Manila…but if you you somehow still have days to spare, take a 2 hour flight to Busuanga in Coron ; for next level Japanese shipwrecks from World War 2! After that you can head down to El Nido  for the best coral reef in the country!

Alternative Itinerary #4: Philippines Liveaboard

If you have a high budget, you’re an experienced diver and you want to explore what many consider to be one of best diving destinations in all of the Philippines, consider embarking on a liveaboard around the legendary Tubbataha reef; where pristine coral reef and endless sharks, rays and big pelagic fish await. 

Tubbataha Reef is only accessible via liveaboard and less than a dozen different liveaboards visit this area so it is a truly off-the-beaten-track dive destination where you will see few other divers. Check out the main page on Philippines liveaboards for more info! 

We’ll now take a more in-depth look at each of the best dive destinations of the country. Over the course of the various scuba odysseys I’ve been making around the Philippines since 2016, I’ve been lucky to dive these places. 

You can find more information on each by clicking the link at the end of each summary to go to the mini-guide I created for it. 

#1 Bohol (MY FAVOURITE)

Why Go: I’m a huge fan of Bohol. Over 2023, I spent over half a year living on Panglao, a small island connected to the southwest tip of Bohol via bridge.

Panglao is the launchpad to the most famous dive sites of Bohol around the nearby tiny islands of Balicasag and Pamilacan where divers can discover awesome coral reef that’s home to turtles, sea snakes and critters like frogfish, seahorses and nudibranch. There’s also resident whitetip reef sharks and giant barracuda as well as occasional whale shark sightings.

Panglao offers a nice mix of chilled vibes with happening scene. It’s not as hectic as some other Philippines destinations but along Alona beach there’s still a lively buzz in the evenings.

A 2 – 3 hour journey from Panglao lies Anda where some truly off-the-beaten-track diving awaits with nice coral and muck dives; very few tourists make it there.

Bohol island also has some epic sights to behold on land including the  famous chocolate hills as well as waterfalls, tarsiers, caves and danao adventure park with its huge bungee swing.

Getting There: You can fly into Panglao airport or if coming from nearby Philippines islands catch a ferry to Tagbilaran port from which is a 20 minute tricycle ride onto Panglao. 

When to Go: Bohol experiences less of an intense rainy season than other parts of the Philippines, meaning it’s more suitable to dive all year round. Dry season technically runs between December – May; which is when dive conditions are best… but even from June – November; there’s less rainfall compared to other parts of the Philippines.

• Check out my Main Page on Diving Bohol
• Or skip to the Best Places to Stay in Bohol for Divers

#2 Coron, Palawan (BEST WRECK DIVING)

Why Go: Located in Palawan; one of the most beautiful and iconic parts of the Philippines; Coron is hailed as the greatest wreck dive destination in all of Southeast Asia.

There are 10 Japanese World War 2 shipwrecks; most are over 333 feet (100 meters) long and are coated in colourful hard coral on the outside; with components such as anti-aircraft guns and seaplane cranes still visible.

However, it is within that the real adventure lies; these wrecks can be penetrated and the larger ones have many decks, compartments and rooms to explore where you’ll see engines, boiler rooms and even an air pocket. Coron is famous for its limestone cliffs and freshwater lakes; one of which can be dived, there are some awesome sightseeing tours around these landmarks. You can also make a day trip to North Busuanga to dive with Dugong!

Getting There:  To reach Coron, you need to fly to Busuanga (aka Coron) airport and then catch a 50 minute van ride to Coron town. Or take a 4 hour ferry from El Nido.

When to Go: December – March usually offers the best water visibility; it is generally only during these months that you can easily see the wrecks form the outside. October – June is the next best period whereas July – September is rainy season when visibility is often at it’s lowest and currents their strongest.

• Check out my Main Guide to Coron Diving
• Or skip to Where to Stay in Coron for Divers

#3 Malapascua, Cebu (THRESHER SHARKS!!)

Why Go: Malapascua may be a little harder to reach than many other Philippines destinations but it is oh so worth it. It’s the best place in the world – nay, the only place where you’re practically guaranteed to see thresher sharks; those curious looking sharks with bodies of up to 10ft / 3m and long, pointy tails the same length again!

There’s also some very local dives along coral walls; a sunset dive to see mating mandarin fish and half day trips to nearby Gato Island for awesome soft coral gardens, an underwater tunnel and pygmy seahorses.

Malapascua itself is a truly tiny island with a land area of just 148 hectares; there’s some nice beaches and snorkeling here but not much else to do. Some people love the laid-back vibes others are very much ready to leave after a few days! Either way, it’s definitely worth visiting for those thresher sharks.

How to Get There: Generally you’ll start from Cebu city; you can fly into Mactan airport there or catch a ferry to Cebu from nearby islands. From Cebu it’s a 4 hour bus ride to Jaya port and then a 45 minute ferry to Malapascua.

When to Go:  The very best time to go is typically between January to April, however anytime between January to October and water visibility is still pretty decent. Try to avoid November – December when visibility reduces drastically.

• Check out my Main Guide to Malapascua Diving
• Or skip to Where to Stay in Malapascua

#4 Anilao, Batangas (AWESOME MUCK DIVES)

Why Go: Located in Batangas province of South Luzon, Anilao is one of the easiest to reach dive destinations in all of the Philippines, it takes just a 3 hour bus ride from Manila to get there. 

It is also a rather unique dive destination as whilst most Philippines dive locations are defined by magnificent coral, turtles and reef fish, Anilao is famous for having some of the best muck dive sites in not just country but the entire world. 

Muck diving is a term coined by scuba divers to describe dive sites defined by sandy or silty bottoms, devoid of much coral but home to an impressive myriad of macro critters. On just one good muck dive you can see colour-changing cuttlefish, seahorses, pipefish, pygmy frogfish and all kinds of nudibranch! 

Getting There:  Just fly into Manila, the capital of the Philippines and grab a 3 hour bus to Anilao. 

When to Go: You can dive Anilao year round, however the best months are typically regarded as November / December and April / May. 

• Check out my Main Guide to Anilao, Batangas Diving HERE 

#5 Tubbataha Marine Park (LIVEABOARD)

Why Go: If you have a high budget and want to experience the very best diving of the Philippines, consider embarking on a liveaboard to Tubbataha Marine Park.

Accessible only to liveaboards, the remote Tubbataha Marine Park encompasses an area of 96.828 hectares of protected coral reefs that are home to a myriad of different shark and ray species as well as huge schools of pelagic fish and countless turtles, critters and reef fish. 

Situated on the Cagayan Ridge, comprised of extinct underwater volcanos, it was declared a world heritage site in 1993 by UNESCO due to representing “a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species”.

How to Get There: Generally Philippines liveaboards bound for Tubbataha depart from Puerto Princesa in Palawan, which you catch a 90 minute flight to from Manila. 

When to Go: Unlike other parts of the Philippines, there is a specific dive season: March – June, when water conditions are at their calmest and visibility at its highest. Generally, Tubbataha liveaboards don’t operate outside of this period. 

Check out my  Main Page on Philippines Liveaboards .

#6 Puerto Galera, Mindoro (BEST VARIETY)

Why Go: Ah Puerto Galera! I got stuck here for 6 months during the 2020 lockdowns and over that time completed my divemaster. But that’s a separate story .

Puerto Galera is a stellar place to go diving in the Philippines; it is easy to reach and offers a kickass variety of diving. The coral reef here is awesome; you can explore it across a range of shallow and deep dives in both calm waters an on fast paced drift dives.

There are four medium sized shipwrecks that make superb entry level wrecks for divers as well as a couple of very nice muck dives, teaming with all kinds of macro critters. It’s also a great place to go night diving. Plus, you can make day trips to the nearby Verde Island for incredible deep wall dives. 

Getting There: Fly into Manila and grab a 3 hour bus ride down to Anilao in Batangas province. From here it’s a 90 minute ferry across to Puerto Galera.

When to Go: June to October has the best visibility, however you can dive Puerto Galera year round as due to it’s location its fairly sheltered from typhoons.

Check out the Main Guide to Puerto Galera Diving

#7 Siquijor (CHILLED VIBES, AWESOME CORAL )

Why Go: Siquijor is a very laid-back, more-off-the-beaten-track destination in the Philippines. It has some of the best coral reef in the country; having been largely unaffected by the 2021 typhoons that took out much coral elsewhere. 

Around the drift dive site sunken island, you have a great chance of seeing schooling milkfish, the national fish of the Philippines. There are also many turtles, reef fish and various critters such as frogfish, scorpionfish fish and nudibranch. Several dive sites also offer good muck diving. Lucky divers may sometimes see whitetip sharks around “the cave” dive site. 

Siquijor has a reputation for witchcraft; however the vibes here are only good. The “witches” are actually healers who you can visit for a mystical ceremony. 

Although it’s a fairly small island, there are many other cool activities to do including waterfalls, caving, sky-diving and riding a scooter up to mount bandilaan for a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the island.

Getting There: You can fly into Siquijor airport or catch a short ferry ride there from nearby islands like Bohol. 

When to Go: December – April is dry season and sees the best water visibility and calmest conditions. That said you can dive all year round!

• Check out my Main Guide to Siquijor Diving!
• Or skip to  Where to Stay in Siquijor for Divers.  

#8 Moalboal, Cebu (SARDINE RUN!!)

Why Go: Moalboal is a lively seaside town that is popular with partying backpackers. There are some nice dive sites here with decent coral, although a fair bit of the reef was taken out during the 2021 typhoons. All the same, divers can spot many sea snakes, turtles, nudibranch and reef fish. 

The most special thing about Moalboal is the dive site: “sardine run”; where scuba divers, free-divers and snorkelers alike can swim amidst a huge local school of local sardines at depths of just 33 feet / 10 meters. Moalboal is the only place in the Philippines where swimming with sardines like this is guaranteed!

Dive sites are easy; relatively shallow and in weak to non-existent currents making Moalboal a great place for beginners. In fact, after Koh Tao in Thailand , Moalboal is the second most popular place in Southeast Asia to get scuba certified. 

There’s also a couple of really cool activities like caving and viewpoint treks – without a doubt the funnest is the canyoneering in which you spend half a day jumping off the tops of waterfalls!

Geting There: You’ll need to get to Cebu city; either by flying into Mactan (Cebu) airport or catching a ferry to Cebu city port from nearby islands. From Cebu city, it’s a 3 hour bus ride to Moalboal. 

When to Go: January to May is dry season during which time water visibility is at it’s greatest, however you can dive Moalboal year round!

• Check out the Main Page on Moalboal Diving
• Or take a look at Where to Stay in Moalboal

#9 El Nido, Palawan (INCREDIBLE CORAL REEF!)

Why Go: El Nido has some seriously underrated diving! The coral reef here is simply the best in the country; it was sheltered from the 2021 typhoons and nowhere else did I see such extensive and intricate hard coral structures. There are countless reef fish, turtles, nudibranch, ribbon eels and schooling giant barracuda. A favourite dive site is Dilumacad Tunnel; a long tunnel through helicopter island which opens out into a spacious cavern where ceiling holes let in light that glimmers off schooling fish and small transparent crustaceans and mollusks.  Around El Nido Bay, lucky divers also have the chance to see nurse sharks and, whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays!

If you drive 50 minutes to the extremely quiet, off-the-beaten track village of Sibaltan, you can also dive with manta rays.

El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for the stunning, jungle-coated limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea to form many small islands which you can go beach-hopping around.  The main town is extremely busy: being a backpacker party-hub mecca.

Getting There: Catch a 4 hour ferry there from Coron or fly into Leo (aka El Nido) airport.

When to Go: The best months to dive El Nido are June and July; which are later in the year compared to optimal time for other parts of the Philippines. However you can also dive El Nido all year round.

• Check out my Main Guide to Diving El Nido .  
• Or read about Where to Stay in El Nido

#10 Dumaguete / Dauin, Negros (MUCK DIVES)

Why Go: There are many awesome muck dive sites between Dumaguete city and the quieter Dauin town. On just one dive I saw 3 cuttlefish, 2 seahorses, 5 pipefish, 7 nudibranch, 3 pygmy frogfish, 3 mantis shrimp and a school of over over 100 squid! A few dive sites also have some very nice coral reef and schools of giant barracuda. 

Compared to Anilao ; the most famous muck dive destination of the Philippines, the dive sites between Dumaguete and Dauin are far more off-the-beaten-track and you will see few other divers. 

I will say that Dumaguete is a very busy city without much charm, whereas the quieter but sprawling Dauin is also lacking in any kind of vibe or variety of places to eat. However, Negros island itself has some of the best volcano and mountain trekking in all of the Philippines, many of which start from nearby Valencia. There’s also some cool waterfalls to check out.

Getting There: Fly into Dumaguete airport or catch a 2 hour ferry from Bohol or a 1 hour ferry from Siquijor.

When to Go: December to April is dry season during which time water visibility at its best but you can dive all year round.

• Check out my Main Guide to Diving Dumaguete / Dauin!
• Or skip to Where to Stay in Dumaguete / Dauin

#11 Apo Island (EXCELLENT CORAL)

Why Go:  The tiny Apo Island is well known for having some of the best coral in the Philippines with masses of reef fish and countless turtles. You can easily visit it on a day trip from Dumaguete / Dauin or Siquijor or you can choose to stay on Apo Island itself (although its basic yet expensive!). 

This is a peaceful and fairly off-the-grid dive destiantion of the Philippines. There’s a few lighthouses to visit around the island and some nice beaches but not much else to do. With frequent powercuts and limited wifi it’s a great place to go for a digital detox!

Getting There: You can arrive via ferry from Siquijor or, more commonly, Dumaguete. 

When to Go: October – May is the main dive season, with the months of December to April generally offering the greatest water visibility and calmest surface condiitons. However, you can dive all year round. 

• Check out the main guide to Moalboal diving here – COMING SOON

#12 Camiguin (MOST OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK)

Why Go:  If you truly want to dive somewhere in the Philippines where few others have ventured, consider Camiguin; a small island 10km off the north coast of Cagayan de Oro of Mindoro. 

Nicknamed the “Island Born of Fire” it is a visually stunning place with the highest volcano to land density of any island in the world, with seven volcano; several of which can be trekked for epic views and camping. 

There are some nice dive sites with many reef fish and schools of jackfish as well as turtles, sea snakes and nudibranch amidst some epic underwater volcanic rock formations as well as over some extensive soft coral gardens far out to sea. However, I will say that Camiguin is more expensive to dive than other Philippines destinations and hard to get to. 

Gettting There: Fly in to Camiguin airport (most commonly reached from Cebu/ Mactan airport) or catch a 90 minute ferry across from Cagayan de Oro – or a 4 hour ferry from Jagna port in Bohol which takes two hours to reach via bus from Panglao. 

When to Go: April – November is dry season and offers the best visibility and calmest seas. December – March is monsoon season; diving conditions are at their worst during these months. However, you can technically dive Camiguin year round. 

• Check out my Main Guide to Diving Camiguin

Where to Stay: Philippines Diving Resorts

When it comes to picking a place to stay at any given dive destination in the Philippines, you have 2 broad options:

• Stay at a Philippines Dive Resort: This is the most expensive option. Whilst there are some mid-priced dive resorts in the Philippines; there are also some extremely luxurious options. Many dive resorts have their own in-house dive centre, restaurant and bar and may have other facilities like a spa, fitness centre and swimming pool. Philippines diving resorts are often set a little away from the main tourist-hub of an area; in a more peaceful setting; they may have private beaches or even be located on private islands.
• Stay at a Hostel or Homestay near a Public Dive Centre: This is the most affordable option and is also a good way of meeting backpackers and travellers. It will be important to stay in a hostel or homestay near the main tourist hub as this is where most public dive centres, restaurants and bars are located. In all the location guides outlined below, only hostels / homestays in good locations for divers have been recommended…

So without further adue, check out the links below to the Accommodation Guides for Divers I’ve created for each major Philippines dive destination:

• Dumaguete / Dauin: Where to Stay for Divers

Philippines Diving Season

First of all; let’s talk about wet season vs dry season; it’s something most tropical parts of the world experience including the Philippines and it significantly affects diving conditions.

Now if you quickly google “Philippines dive season”, the answer you’ll get is that whilst most of the Philippines can be dived year round; December – April marks dry period with the best dive conditions whereas June – November marks rainy season with lower water visibility and increased water swell. 

However, this is actually not terribly inaccurate; for you see whilst December – April does indeed mark dry season for some areas of the Philippines (Type I), a more in-depth analysis of weather patterns across the archipelago shows there are actually 4 types of climate each with their own seasonality across the Philippines:

• TYPE I: This is the pronounced season climate where generally December – April does indeed mark dry season and June – November marks wet season. For some vague reason; most websites talking about diving season in the Philippines incorrectly apply these conditions to the entire country – but this is not the case! However, destinations that do fall under Type 1 include Anilao, Coron, El Nido, Tubbataha and Apo Island. That said; even then it’s not entirely clear-cut for if you ask any local diver in El Nido they will tell you that the best time to dive there is actually June and July. Also, Tubbataha can only be dived from mid-March to mid-June.
• TYPE II: Areas that fall under Type II are described as having no distinct dry season but as experiencing pronounced rainfall from November to January. This applies to Camiguin. 
• TYPE III: Seasons are not very pronounced, such areas may be fairly dry from November – April and wet for the rest of the year. This applies to Puerto Galera, Moalboal and Dumaguete / Dauin. 
• TYPE IV: These areas are especially hard to predict; often they’re described as Type 1 online but in reality they can experience fairly even rainfall throughout the year but this can vary from year to year; it may be very dry when everywhere else in the country it is wet and vica versa. Areas that fall under Type IV include Bohol, Siquijor, Malapascua. Locals will tell you not to dive Malapascua over November – December when visibility is said to be drastically reduced.

Perhaps as little as ten years ago, one could more reliably predict the dry and wet seasons of Southeast Asia; however climate change has significantly affected weather patterns around the world; making them far harder to predict.

This is very much something I’ve experience whilst in the Philippines. I’ve dived places that are very dry for months on end when they’re supposed to be wet and I’ve also dived in places that are very rainy when it’s supposed to be dry! So the information above is only a loose indicator…

When flying into the Philippines, you will almost definitely start in the country’s capital: Manila which is located on Luzon; the country’s largest and most northern island. 

There are many different flights into the Philippines to choose from. If you’re flying there from within Asia, PhilippinesAirlines and AirAsia offer the cheapest deals although they can often be subject to delays. When checking out flight schedules and deals I tend to use Skyscanner . 

From Manila, you can catch a connecting flight to the likes of Coron or El Nido (both in Palawan ) or Cebu or Dumaguete in the Visayas region; all of which are excellent launch pads for exploring the rest of the Philippines. Or you can grab a 3 hour bus ride down to Anilao, one of the easiest dive destinations to reach and then take a 90 minute ferry to Puerto Galera .

When checking schedules of and booking ferries and busses around the Philippines I use 12Goasia .

Entry Requirements: Upon arrival, most nationalities can get a VISA for one month. If you want to stay longer, you can plan your visa extension in advance. Or you can visit an immigration office in Manila, Cebu, Bohol or Davao and do it there. Extending your visa this way is relatively easy, it costs around 10,000 pesos (about $180) to extend for 2 months and so on. There’s a 24 hour waiting period and you must do it 10 days before your current visa expires. 

I MPORTANT NOTE: To enter the Philippines you have to have proof of a flight of onward travel! I suggest you book the cheapest outward flight possible, which is normally to somewhere like Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok and pay extra for cancellation option – then cancel it after getting there!

Getting Around

It’s so easy to get around the Philippines. There’s a vast network of bus routes around the larger islands; travelling via bus is very cheap and most buses tend to run every hour or so. In some cases theres vans instead of buses which are slightly more expensive but same gimmick – regular routes at affordable prices with the option to buy tickets up until departure.

Generally speaking, if you’re going there on a dive trip, you’ll probably find you do most of your travelling via ferry – once again, there are many ferries operating between the various islands of the Philippines with prices varying between about 700 – 1500 pesos and journeys lasting usually anywhere from 2 – 4 hours.

You can usually buy tickets right up until the point of departure, although there is sometimes a long que so booking in advance is a smart move.  There’s usually ac on board these ferries and a small snack bar. Try to get a window seat as you get a scenic view of the various islands on many routes.

When it comes to checking schedules for and booking buses and ferries around the Philippines I heartily recommend 12Goasia!

Once you’re at any given destination, you have two options for getting around. You can opt for a tricycle or you can rent a scooter which is far more fun and usually saves you money if you’re exploring a lot. 

In cheaper places such as Bohol daily cost for a scooter is 300 pesos a day; in more more expensive areas like Palawan it can be 500 pesos a day. Blasting around on a scooter is one of my favourite ways to explore!

Partying / Culture and Fun in the Philippines

Unlike the rest of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is a pretty westernised culture. The locals are almost always down to party, and usually fluent in english.

When you go drinking watch out for red horse beer, this stuff is insanely strong and will easily knock you off your feet if you’re not careful!

The san miguel pale pilsen and light are normal strength beer whereas the san miguel flavoured is very weak indeed, more like an alco-pop.

It’s pretty standard to get invited out for beers by most dive centres, especially if you’re there a couple of days! Go for it – filipinos are a lot of fun, a really decent bunch and you’ll make some awesome friends.

Karaoke is a favourite past time. In the Philippines karaoke means hiring a private booth and proceeding to belt out songs non-stop for two-three hours amidst towers of beer.

The Philippines is a mostly-christian country (with the exception of Mindanao in the south which has a large Muslim population) and there are many churches around the place including some very old ones from the Spanish colonial era, dating back hundreds of years.

There are a lot of clubs and bars in many Philippines destinations although do beware of drugs out there – it’s insanely illegal and stints where someone sells you weed only for it to be a police bust are common. Best case scenario you will have to pay a ridiculously high bribe, worst you could end up in prison for years all for having a tiny amount of weed on you.

However, if you do end up scoring; do not and I repeat DO NOT take any drugs on the ferry with you!! For every ferry I ever took, at the port everyone had to place their bags and luggage on the floor which was lined up and then a sniffer dog was bought up and down, passing each bag multiple times. This may also happen on long bus journeys. You also sometimes get sniffer dogs at the entrances of big malls.

You’ll probably see a lot of young girls hanging off the arms of really old white guys whilst in the Philippines, this is super normal out there. Filipino girls – or Filipinas love to meet western guys; just be honest with your intentions as it’s all too easy to break hearts,

In the Philippines, everyone loves meat, seafood and rice. It’s pretty damn hard scoring good vegetables and fruit around the place -they are out there there but less common, so you usually need a bit of time in any location before you can scout out the healthier places to eat. Don’t loose heart, those healthy dining options are  out there…somewhere!Street food is frigging delicious and worth eating. There’s all kinds of whacky things going off from chicken intestines, feet and livers, pig fat and more standard sticks of meat. This is really tasty eating and also very cheap. Balut is a right of passage; its’ a fertilised egg. Try not to look when you eat it and dip it in plenty of vinegar!

Sizzling pork sisig is a favourite and very delicious meal at restaurants – often you don’t get a huge amount on the plate, but is is so very tasty and consists of thin slices of (unrecognisable) pig face and liver along with (tiny) strips of vegetables served still sizzling away on an extremely hot (do not touch!) metal plate with a partially raw egg on top. There’s also loads of amazing sea food. Bangus bangus or milkfish is the national fish of the Philippines and immensely tasty. You get loads of fresh seafood markets with local fresh produce. Much tastiness.

Other Things to Do

The Philippines is simply an awesome place to travel for anyone who loves nature or adventure activities – there are so many cool things you can easily and cheaply do such as trekking, caving, cliff jumping, canyoneering, waterfalls, beach hopping, skydiving, kayaking, surfing…the list goes on and on!

What’s especially awesome is that so many of these activities are within easy reach of the prime diving destinations. I’ve provided more info on them within each of main guides for those destinations. 

And of course, as we just covered, the Philippines is a great place to party! But it also doesn’t have to be…there are also some extremely tranquil, quiet and laid back locations where one can simply be in nature with tribal communities or laid-back bohemian vibes. 

Philippines Diving FAQ

No! Most Philippines diving destinations are beginner friendly – in fact many people  get scuba certified there! The exception to this rule is Coron, where to explore the best shipwrecks you should have your advanced open water certification and wreck diving training. And Tubbataha reef for which you’ll also want to be an experienced diver.

Also, whilst most places in the Philippines are totally beginner friendly, the majority of  dive destinations, do often have one or two more advanced dive sites such as drift or deep dives if you’re up for a thrill. 

Not really no! At around $35 per fun dive, it’s much cheaper than many other countries! The Philippines in general is also a cheap country to travel around, eat and stay in. 

This comes down to a matter of personal preference! Something I really love about the Philippines is that each dive destination tends to offer a unique scuba experience – from incredible shipwrecks in Coron to amazing coral reef and whale sharks in Bohol to insane muck diving in Dumaguete and Anilao. Read the section above on the best diving destinations in the Philippines for more info. 

That’s a great question! Although it’s pretty easy to get around the Philippines, when to comes to dive destinations, you definitely want to do them in a certain order to travel in the most efficient way. Check out the section on itineraries to find out more. 

The main way to travel between Philippines dive destinations is via ferry, which are fairly cheap and run regularly. Check out the getting around section to find out more about this. Sometiems you may also need to fly – but make sure you don’t dive iwthin 24 hours of flying! 

Technically you can dive most of the Philippines year round but for the best water conditions, when to go actually depends on where you go! Different areas have different dive seasons. Check out the section on Philippines Dive Season for more info. 

Whilst this does of course come down to your budget and personal preferences, the best place to stay for divers in the Philippines are generally dive resorts or hostels with fun vibes and combined restaurants and bars.

For each of the best places to dive in the Philippines , I’ve actually included a separate article listing the best accommodation / resorts for divers there. And you can read about the all-time Best Philippines Dive Resorts here . 

Hot dayum – so much! There’s a huge amount of adventure actives you can enjoy in the Philippines such as caving, waterfalls, trekking, beach hopping, partying, cliff jumping, surfing and more. In each destination guide I’ve included a section on extra activities for that place. 

Philippines Diving Squad DEBRIEFING:

In this sheer whale shark of an article, we’ve covered an absolute f*ck ton in order to ensure you know absolutely everything – and I mean everything (!), that there is to know to get the very best out of your Philippines diving adventure – based on my own diving odysseys there in 2016, 2020 and 2023!

First we talked about why you should dive the Philippines in the first place and then I walked you through the best diving itineraries there for various lengths of trip. 

This was then followed by an in-depth look at the 12 best places to dive in the Philippines , with links to more in-depth guides and accommodation listings for each one. 

After that, I talked about my favourite Philippines dive resorts of all time and then I described getting in to the Philippines and then how to get around once your there!

This was followed by a look at partying and culture in the Philippines  and then other things to do there and finally followed up up by a handy Diver’s FAQ section !

Finally, we find ourselves here at the article conclusion, having summarised everything we’ve gone over. I’ve actually written a helluva lot more about diving the Philippines! Check out the links below to find out more about some of my favourite dive destinations in the Philippines of all time:

Written by:

Scuba Diving Philippines

Scuba diving has been the passion of Sea Explorers Philippines since 1989. Sea Explorers Philippines is one of the most established scuba diving companies, dive centers , and dive operators in the Philippines. The team consists of experienced and ambitious divers, hosts and travel specialists. Be convinced of our professional services and dive with a smile!

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Best Scuba Diving Packages for Your Philippines Diving Holidays

Cebu Diving Packages

Bohol diving packages, boracay diving packages.

• Palawan Diving Packages

The Philippines was also named the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” during the 2023 World Travel Awards since diving in the Philippines immerses you in one of the most biodiverse areas across the globe. On top of this, the Philippines is a part of the Coral Triangle, which is known as the richest center of marine life on Earth and is home to over 6,000 species of fish.  

To help you decide on where to dive first in the Philippines, we’ve listed in this article the best Philippine scuba diving packages that you can book for a hassle-free marine adventure. These packages are perfect for anyone who wants to learn to dive and range from beginner lessons, open water dives, fun dives , underwater photography dives, and specialty courses that take place a few meters from the best beaches in the Philippines . 

See our popular Philippine Scuba Diving Packages & Courses

Boracay island scuba diving with instructor & equipment, boracay introductory scuba diving with divemaster, gear & underwater photos, palawan el nido discover scuba diving for beginners with equipment, tank, weight belt & snacks.

See our popular Cebu Tours and Activities

Private cebu airport to or from any cebu city hotel transfer service, cebu moalboal sardine run, pescador island & turtle bay tour with lunch & transfers from cebu city, cebu oslob whale shark watching & moalboal island hopping private day tour with lunch & transfers.

• Book a Cebu airport transfer
• Book top Cebu tour packages
• Check out where to stay in Cebu

See our popular Cebu Diving Courses and Packages

Fun 5-day cebu discover scuba diving package at club serena resort with airfare from manila, cebu bantayan island 3-hour refresher dive course with divemaster assistance, gear & boat transfers, cebu bantayan island freediving at obo-ob reef for 2 hours with divemaster, gear & boat transfers.

See our popular Bohol Tours and Activities

Bohol chocolate hills countryside private tour with transfers & add-on loboc river cruise lunch, bohol countryside tour chocolate hills to loboc river cruise lunch with hotel transfers, bohol island hopping private tour to balicasag & virgin islands with dolphin watching & transfers.

• Find the best flights to Bohol
• Book top Bohol tour packages
• Check out where to stay in Bohol

Off the northeastern shore, you’ll find a reef called the Black Forest which is named after the abundance of black corals here that attract napoleons, groupers, angelfish, and more. You can also head further north to visit the Cathedral Wall, where you can expect to see species like surgeonfish and butterfly fish. 

See our popular Bohol Diving Courses and Packages

Bohol panglao beginner-friendly scuba diving tour with equipment, instructor & snacks, exciting 5-day bohol beach club resort intro to diving package with airfare from manila & meals, bohol panglao fun dive in 2 spots with snacks | danao wall, haka point or alona wreck.

See our popular Boracay Tours and Activities

Boracay island hopping shared tour with lunch, kawa hot bath & snorkeling package, boracay island hopping package private tour with lunch, snorkeling gear & kawa hot bath, boracay paraw sailing sunset experience private tour.

• Book Boracay flights and hotel packages
• Add Boracay airport transfers

See our popular Boracay Diving Courses and Packages

Boracay discover scuba diving with gears & padi instructor, palawan diving packages .

See our popular Palawan Tours and Activities

Coron island hopping tour to kayangan lake & barracuda lake | palawan super ultimate package, shared puerto princesa underground river tour in palawan with lunch & hotel transfers, private el nido palawan lio airport to or from any el nido town hotel transfer service.

• Find the best flights to Coron
• Check out where to stay in Coron
• Book top Coron tours and Coron tour packages

When planning a diving in Coron trip, you shouldn’t miss shipwreck diving since Coron’s diving spots are home to multiple sunken World War II ships that now sustain a wide array of sea critters. Along with spotting marine life, you’ll also get a glimpse into history that dates back to WWII as you make your way through the ships’ decks and rooms. 

See our popular Coron Diving Courses and Packages

3-day budget diving coron palawan package at skylodge resort with discover scuba course & equipment, 4d3n coron palawan budget diving package | skylodge resort with wreck dive specialty course, stunning 5-day coron palawan diving package at skylodge resort with open water driver course.

See our popular El Nido Diving Courses and Packages

Palawan el nido sunrise dive with equipment, tank & weight belt, palawan el nido fun dive for certified divers with equipment, tank, weight belt & snacks.

Dive into the vibrant diving spots in the Philippines

Before planning your tropical getaway, check out our Philippine travel guide to learn about the Philippine travel requirements ahead of time. For a more hassle-free diving vacation, you can also book all-inclusive Philippine vacation packages that will take care of everything for you so you can sit back and relax as you wait for your trip. 

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Top things to do in the Philippines

Discover all the adventures you can experience in the Philippines

Philippines Tour Packages

Boracay Island

Bohol Island

Cebu Island

Coron Palawan

El Nido Palawan

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Iloilo City and Nearby

Scuba diving in Philippines

Diving highlights.

• Unforgettable encounters with rare thresher sharks at Malapascua
• Explore pristine reefs in search of sharks and rays in Tubbataha
• Discover the epic wrecks and stunning landscapes of pristine Palawan
• Rare macro critter hunting in Dumaguete and thriving reefs at Apo Island
• Experience Moalboal’s incredible sardine run right off the beach!

The Philippines is a melting pot of breathtaking landscapes, rich marine life, emerald rice terraces, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, and smiling, friendly people. With a unique cultural heritage, experiences here are a world apart from the rest of Southeast Asia and the country is perfect for divers, sun-worshippers and adrenaline junkies alike. With over 7,000 islands to explore, it’s no wonder visitors keep coming back time and time again.

Philippines dive resorts

Evolution Dive Resort

From per night

Tripadvisor Traveler Rating

Dumaguete and Apo Island

Liquid Dive Resort

Solitude Acacia Resort

Philippines liveaboards.

Philippines

Philippine Siren

Atlantis Azores

Destinations in Philippines

• Mindoro and Masbate
• Cebu and Visayas

Puerto Galera

Top Philippines experiences

Dive with thresher sharks at Malapascua

Reliable encounters with rare thresher sharks make this beautiful island a magnet for divers seeking unparalleled shark action.

Explore Tubbataha's pristine reefs

Tubbbataha’s pristine reefs and exceptional marine life - including big sharks - make this destination one of the best in the world for exploratory liveaboard trips.

Muck dive in Dumaguete

Dive the muck diving haven of the Dauin coast , then explore nearby Apo Island with its impressive corals and turtles.

Explore the wrecks and islands of Palawan

Explore El Nido’s untouched paradise of dramatic islands, underground rivers and caves then dive the reefs and wrecks of Coron

Dive Asia's sardine run at Moalboal

Dive Asia’s very own version of the famous ‘Sardine Run’ right off the beach! Swim among masses of sardines that block out the sun.

Philippines' dive seasons

The Philippines’ tropical climate means that average temperatures vary little throughout the year. It is hot with a chance of rain, no matter the season, and diving is great year-round thanks to invitingly-warm waters.

November to May - the dry season

The best time to visit the Philippines is during the cooler dry season – December through February – with its warm day time temperatures and cooler evenings. There’s much less rain, sunny skies and dive conditions are often ideal with calm seas. Water temperatures are slightly cooler, ranging from 26°C to 28°C, so divers should go for a thicker wetsuit. The hottest and driest time of the year is from March to May with highs of 34°C and over, which makes for a great diving, beach or pool day. The entire dry season from December to April is the high tourist season, so book well in advance to guarantee availability!

June to October - the wet season

The wet season starts in June and continues until October. If you don’t mind a bit of rain between sunshine, this season is still a great time for a holiday. Water temperatures are much warmer at around 29°C to 31°C, and even the most popular dive sites will be quieter during the low tourist season. Weather can be unpredictable though, and storms and strong winds can occur. However, on the plus side, you can find great deals on flights, accommodation and diving. Note that the typhoon season generally starts in September and lasts until October.

Need help planning your dive holiday in Indonesia?

Get in touch with our expert travel team and plan your next dive trip

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Top 16 Best Scuba Diving Sites in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago nation with 7107 islands and over 22,400 miles (ca. 36,049 km) of coastline.

A warm tropical paradise sitting in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the “Center of Global Marine Biodiversity”.

Warm water, great reefs, perfect visibility, a wide variety of dive sites and unmatched marine life, what else do you want?

A number of years ago, The Philippine government created a national plan to develop tourism in areas of the country that historical was not known as a tourist destination. Scuba diving was one element of this plan.

The Philippine Commission on Sport Scuba Diving (PCSSD) was transferred to the Department of Tourism with the mandate to regulate, grow and promote scuba diving. 

The Philippine archipelago is divided into three Island groups: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

These regions have a total of 25 destinations. We will discuss the top 16 dive destinations in the Philippines and give a summary of others. 

Some of these destinations, such as Cebu , could be considered multiple destinations. My breakdown of destinations will be a little different from the official list.

Along with the top 16 best dive sites in the philippines, I will summarize the others and give a brief travel orientation.

Traveling to Luzon

Travel to visayas philippines, traveling to minadanao, luzon region.

Luzon is the largest island of the Philippines and the northernmost major island. The Luzon Island group also includes other significant destinations.

Scuba diving in the region is diverse.

You will find two of the best wreck diving destinations in Asia here, Subic Bay and Coron, Palawan.

Diving in Anilao is noted for its diversity as well as drift dives and muck diving.

Diving around the Verde Island passage exposes you to more species of sandy muck dive sites marine life you have ever seen.

Apo Reef natural park , the second-largest contiguous coral reef system in the world, gives you perfect remote diving in the philippines. There is much more.

Anilao, located in the Province of Batangas, is often cited as being the most popular dive destination in the Philippines.

It may be more accurate to say it is the most frequent. It is the closest dive destination from Manila about a two-hour drive from the edge of the city. This allows divers who live in Manila to do a day trip or have a dive weekend.

Diving here is inexpensive and most accommodations are simple. Anilao is on the west coast of the Mabani peninsula facing Balayan Bay.

There are over 50 dive sites, some being gentle reef dives, others challenging drift dives. A high percentage of Filipino divers learn to dive here.

Anilao has a reputation of being the “Muck Capital of the Philippines” and the “Nudibranch Capital of the World”.

As many as 600 species of nudibranches are found here as well as hundreds of other small creatures including rare seahorses. Cathedral Rock/ Cross is a dive site with an interesting background.

During a visit to the Philippines, the Pope blessed a large concrete cross that was then placed in a rocky area underwater.

The individual who placed the cross was Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces General Ramos. The site has been transformed into an vibrate coral reef and the general later became the 12 th President of the Philippines. 

Verde Island, Batangas

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While still in Batangas Province, Verde Island is a distance away from Anilao. Verde Island sits in the middle of the Verde Island Passage.

The passage runs between Luzon Island to the north and Mindoro Island to the south. Lubang Island marks the western edge and, Marinduque and Romblon Islands mark the eastern edge.

The Verde Island Passage is often called the center of the “Center of Global Marine Biodiversity”.

The current through the passage provide a rich source of nutrients to the coral reefs and marine life of the area.

The result is one of the highest level of biodiversity in the world. In fact, it seems like every time there is a marine biology study in the passage a few new species unique to the area are discovered. 

The pristine coral reefs around the island have an amazing variety of diving environments and marine life.

Moving away from the island brings you to a world of pelagic species, large reef sharks and outstanding drifts.

Diving in the passage can be a challenge, however, there are many protected dive sites around the island.

Both beginner and advanced divers will find conditions perfect for them. The island itself is lightly developed.

Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental

Puerto Galera was the first dive destination in the Philippines to earn an outstanding international reputation.

Designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973, Puerto Galera, which means Port of Galleons, dates back to the time of the Spanish Galleons.

Galleons would anchor in the protected bays, to assemble and wait for the right conditions to continue their outward journey.

Today, Puerto Galera, mindonoro’s northern tip, is know for its outstanding diving, clear waters, white sand beaches, bars and a laid back atmosphere.

It is a popular destination not only for international divers but also for Filipino beach lovers. The destination is reached by ferry from Batangas port.

There are over 40 dive sites in and around Puerto Galera most within a 10-minute boat ride from a dive shop. Most of the dive sites are in the protected bays and feature outstanding reefs.

Away from the protected bays is additional diving. The north shore of Puerto Galera is the Verde Island Passage.

There are a number of reef dive sites along the shore as well as drift dives and a few wall dives.

The area is the home of over 300 species of soft corals and hard corals, and you can find over 60% of all the species of near shore fish.

The area makes for spectacular night dive opportunities as well.

The El Galleon Beach Resort is one of the longest established resorts in Puerto Galera.

Subic Bay, Zambales

Subic Bay was once the home of the United States Navy’s largest installation outside the United States.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) now occupies the area that was once the navy base. SBFZ has a light industry base as well as a strong tourism infrastructure.

The City of Olongapo and the town of Subic are on the shores of the bay. Diving in the Philippines is well known for bountiful reefs and great diving conditions.

Not so in Subic Bay. Before the eruption of nearby Mount Pinatubo, 30 years ago, Subic Bay did have those conditions.

The eruption put meters of ash over everything in the area.

Ashfall in the bay and later runoff from the land buried and killed most of the reefs. Ash content lead to the end of the crystal clear waters.

It was also one factor leading to the closure of the base. The bay has had some recovery with some coral reefs be restored, however, the waters often has poor visibility.

Other than near the narrow entrance of the bay from the Philippine Sea, there is very little current in the bay.

What Subic Bay does have is wrecks. There are about 15 primary wrecks most from WWII with a few older ones.

These are the wrecks that the local dive shops frequently visit. Deep divers will have access to a few more wreck dives, including a few Japanese and American aircraft.

There are also another half dozen or so wreck dive sites that are not often visited. 

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The Armored Cruiser USS New York/ USS Rochester (ARC-2) is the most dived wreck in the bay. The 380 foot (ca. 116 m) long ship saw service in the Spanish-American war, and serviced in many conflicts and humanitarian actions until being stricken from the Navy logs in 1938.

The outbreak of WWII and the pending lost of the Subic Navy base saw the ship scuttled. Today she sits on her side in 50 feet (ca. 15 m) to 85 feet (ca. 26 m) of water.

The uppermost surface is available to explore for Open Water Divers. Advance divers can go deeper to explore the massive guns.

Wreck divers have some area they can visit.

Other wrecks include a former Japanese luxury ship turned hell ship, a WWII Japanese oiler, a upright Landing Ship Tank, and a former Cunard line ship that became a Spanish armed merchant ship. 

Subic Bay is also one of the few places that cater to technical diving. Technical divers have several dive shops that support technical diving.

There are also a number of dive sites only available to technical diving. In total, there are well over 40 dive sites and counting.

Johan’s Dive resort is the longest established dive operation and has frequently found new wrecks including a pair of half-tracks.

The Wild Orchid Beach Resort is a comfortable place to stay and very close to a few dive centers.

Coron Palawan

On the 24th of September 1944, aircraft from US carriers attacked and sunk 24 Japanese ships around the island of Coron.

Today 14 of those ships formed the backbone of the Coron bay diving experience.

Most of these ships are larger freighter and have been sunk in waters suitable for recreational divers.

Most of them have areas where certified wreck divers may enter. Coron dive sites cover a wide area and some may be more than a hour boat ride from your dive center.

Another “must” experience dive in the area is Barracuda Lake dive trip.

The lake is in a crater of an old volcano surrounded by limestone cliffs and requires a 20-minute hike to get to with your gear.

The lake is about 130 feet (ca. 40 m) deep with a cave around 100 feet (ca. 30 m) down.

This is a nice freshwater dive with an average temperature around 82°f (28° C).

That is until you reach about 40 feet (ca. 12 m), where you hit a halocline and thermocline. At this point, you will cross over to salt water.

Generally when you pass into a thermocline the temperature has a considerable drop, not here. The temperature rises to a hot 100° f (39° C).  

The island of Coron in Palawan is a bit remote but is serviced by an airport.

In recent years the liveaboard industry in the Philippines has expanded and Coron combined with Apo Reef have become a popular destination.

Apo Reef, Occidental Mindoro

The Apo Reef is the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system and a National Park. The reef is about 22 nautical miles (40 kilometers) west of Sablayan, and is 16 miles (ca. 26 km) from North to South and 12 miles (ca. 19 km) from East to West.

It has 3 small islands each different in its makeup and all uninhabited. The apo reef natural park reef system is very healthy and has 20 outstanding dive sites that vary from shallow reefs to walls dives.

You will find sites for divers of all skill ranges with abundant marine life, hard and soft corals, pelagic fish… There are also some sea mounts rising from deeper water.

Being a National Park and so far offshore marine life is plentiful. This is a great place to scuba dive with sharks.  

Apo reef has a long reputation for outstanding diving. However, it is not widely dived due to its remote location.

There are a few dive operators at Sablayan that offer day and overnight trips to the Apo Reef. The trip out takes a few hours.

Apo Reef in the Luzon has become a liveaboard destination, including Puerto Galera or Coron.

These additional locations have brought the dive industry an invigorated life.

As an example the luxury liveaboard Atlantis Azores sails year round with 5 different routes. Divers have a number of choice for diving a liveaboard in the Philippines and access to diving that is only possible by these boats. 

Getting to Sablayan can be a little tiring. You can fly from the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to San Jose / Occ. Mindoro (SJI) in about an hour and then take a 2 and a half hour bus trip.

You could also take a bus/ferry/bus trip in about 8 hours. In the last few years, liveaboards have made the Apo Reef a destination.

One small warning when looking at dive, travel or accommodations information insure you do not confuse Apo island, Apo Reef Occidental Mindoro with Apo Island, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental another outstanding dive destination.

El Nido Palawan

El Nido is located at the north western tip of Palawan island which was voted in 2017 as the best island in the world by Travel + Leisure, not the first time it made the top 5.

El Nido is a popular dive site with outstanding diving around the 45 islands and islets off its shores. 

El Nido is famous for its 50 white sand beaches, limestone islands, seaside cliffs, lagoons, and amazing coral reefs.

In El Nido, Divers can experience seeing over 100 species of coral, 4 species of endangered sea turtles and over 800 species of fish.

Diving ranges from shallow reefs great for photography and beginners, to exciting deep drift dives along walls with green sea turtles. 

The Runner ups

Just like a beauty pageant, not everyone gets a crown. That does not mean they are not outstanding on their own. Here are a few additional areas well worth considering.

• Puerto Princess Palawan. Puerto Princess is the largest city of the Province of Palawan, The coral reefs around the area are outstanding. It is often overlooked due to the diving at El Nido. Divers going to the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea will depart from here and often do some dives to check their equipment. 
• La Union is located in the north west portion of Luzon. Not frequent by international divers due to travel considerations.
• Romblon Island is at the east end of the Verde Island Passage, While the diving here is great, due to its remoteness it normally gets scientific oriented divers. 
• Ilocos is located in the north west portion of Luzon. Not frequent by international divers due to travel considerations.

The gateway to the Philippines is Manila the capital which is located on the island of Luzon. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the countries largest and busiest airport and is located within the metro area.

The domestic section of the airport connects to other major and many small airports throughout the country.

The airport has 51 airlines. Luzon has two additional major international airports. Clark airport (CRK) is located about 40 miles (ca. 64 km) north of Manila.

It has mostly short haul flights to neighboring countries but does have some flights to Europe and the Middle East. Clark airport services 17 airlines with connections to 21 domestic locations and 12 international destinations.

The international airport in Subic Bay is used for charter flights.

Manila is also the transportation hub for bus travel. You can travel by bus to any section of Luzon. However, traffic and few limited access roads can make for long trips.

Many parts of the country can be reached by buses that uses ferries to cross between islands.

Passenger ferries also connect Manila with  major cities in the Visayas region.

The Visayas is the center portion of the Philippines. This is one area that the Department of Tourism targeted heavily for the development of scuba diving.

They list 14 dive destinations in Visayas, however, a few of these such as Cebu are often consider multiple locations.

The name Cebu can be confusing as it is applied in a number of ways. Cebu Province is made up of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands and islets.

Cebu Island itself is long and narrow, stretching 122 miles (ca. 196 km) from north to south and 20 miles (ca. 32 km) across at its widest point. Cebu City is the capital of the province with a population of about a million people.

Metro Cebu consists of 7 cities and has a population of over 3 million. 

Mactan Island, Metro Cebu

There are a number of dive operations within Metro Cebu however, the best diving is found in Mactan Island which is connected by bridges to Cebu City.

Mactan is also the site of the international airport.

Diving in Mactan is versatile, with something for just about every diver. Most of the diving and resorts are located on the east coast of the island facing the Hilutungan Strait.

There are also some on the southern tip of Mactan in the municipality of Córdoba and the Mactan Reef Flats. Magellan Bay on the north shore does have some scuba dive resorts as well. 

Most of the dive centers and resorts have their own house reefs. These are shore dives that will have a gradual slope to 45 feet (ca. 14 m).

The reefs are health with excellent visibility and teeming with marine life. Beyond the house reefs you will find wall dives and the Hilutungan Strait on the east coast.

Dive safaris, long 3 tank dive trips, will also travel to the Olongo Island group and other Bohol locations.

Cave divers will also enjoy diving here as there are a number of caves suitable to various levels of cave and cavern divers.

If you are looking for a luxury dive vacation the Shangri-La Mactan is an excellent choice. It is also home of Scotty dive center who has locations around the Visayas.

Malapascua, Cebu

Can you say thresher sharks? Monad Shoal, located just off Malapascua Island is the only dive site in the world where thresher sharks appear daily.

The shoal is about 60 feet (ca. 18 m) deep surrounded by deep water.

On the shoal are a number of cleaning stations. In the early dawn, thresher sharks will emerge from the deep waters and approach a cleaning station.

Here, little fish will start feeding on parasites on the sharks skin and remove debris from the sharks teeth.

When the cleaning is complete, the shark will depart and another will soon replace it for your shark dive.

The local dive centers have a lottery system that assigns a cleaning station and time slot for each dive boat.

When a dive boat arrives, the divers are taken to an area where they will kneel and wait for the action.

This limits the impact of the reef as well as provides less disturbance to the cleaning station.

While the time closest to dawn is the busiest, the cleaning will continue for hours.

Manta rays and other large pelagics and the occasional reef shark are also known to visit the shoal’s cleaning stations later in the day.

Malapascua reputation as a best dive site to see sharks in the philippines was built on the thresher sharks, however, the sharks are not the only reason to dive here.

There are dozens of reef dive sites, some caverns and at least three wrecks. A great dive site is the lighthouse reef.

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Dive it as a twilight dive and watch the mating ritual of the mandarinfish.

One of the must-do dives is Gato Island. Gato Island is a marine sanctuary and a sea snake sanctuary with a high biodiversity and biomass.

In addition to the marine life, is a 100 foot (ca. 30 m) tunnel that runs under the island. The 320 feet (ca. 98 m) long Dona Marilyn is about an hour and a half away and most dive centers will visit it once a week.

Malapascua island has some very nice beaches as well. Unlike many tourist destinations, this is mostly divers. 

Moalboal Cebu

Moalboal is about 2 and a half hours southwest of Cebu City, and is located on the Tañon Strait. The Tañon Strait, between Cebu and Negros Islands, is around 100 miles (ca 160 km) long and varies from 3 to 17 miles (ca 5 to 27 km) wide.

This is a marine preserve five times larger than the famous Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park.

The strait is over 1,700 feet (ca. 518 m) deep in places with a number of small islands and coral reefs with abundant marine life, huge schools of fish and coral gardens.

If you ask divers what is the best diving around Moalboal you will get dozens of answers. The marine park is home to many types of sharks including hammerhead sharks and rays.

There are 14 species of dolphins and whales in the strait. The marine park is home to spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, dwarf sperm whales, and pygmy killer whales.

Pescador Island just offshore of Moalboal offers great photography opportunities, and a world-famous sardine run, fun dives. There is diving for everyone from novice scuba divers to advanced.

Bohol Province

Bohol Province is another destination that could be listed as a few separate destinations. The province is made up of the main island Bohol and 75 smaller islands.

Bohol is easily reached from Cebu and some Bohol dive sites are dived by dive centers in Cebu.

Bohol chief tourist destination has long been the chocolate hills. A formation of over 1,200 hills that turn brown in the dry season and stand out over the green jungle below.

In recent years, diving has challenged the hills as the leading tourism feature.

 Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef, is located just off the coast of Bohol.

This is one of only three double barrier reefs in the Indo-pacific and one of only six in the world.

The bank covers 105 square miles (271 square kilometers). The diving here is unforgettable and has dive sites for beginning divers as well as advanced divers and technical divers.

Balicasag Island is off the southern portion of Bohol and is well regarded as one of the best dive destinations in the Philippines for coral reefs and marine life.

Cabilao Island has a reputation for pelagic. Pamilacan Island is also a place for pelagic as well as whales and dolphins.

Panglao Island, also known as Alona Beach, is great for macrophotography.

Sogod Bay, Southern Lyte

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While somewhat isolated, it not very difficult to make the trip to Sogo Bay. The diving sure makes the trip worth it.

There are 25 dive sites in the area, not counting the house reefs of some dive centers.

Rest assured, the house reefs are excellent. Wall dives are common many starting at 60 feet (ca. 18 m) and going beyond recreational limits.

You can even do challenging dive sites and wall dives from some resorts house reefs. Moving away from shore dives, there are a few small islands in the bay.

Many of these also have wall dives some suitable for drift diving. The best time to dive here is from November to May.

Not only is this the best weather it is also the time of the most plankton, and the best time for a chance to see a whale shark.

Plankton that draws whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphins, eagle rays and manta rays to Panaon Island and Sogod Bay.

Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People, is the capital of the province of Negros Oriental and sits at the southern mouth of Tañon Strait.

Most of the dive centers are south of the center of the city. Here divers will find excellent reefs as well as muck diving for nudibranches, mantis shrimps and more.

The area is known for their critters. Apo Island, which has their own dive centers, also is well known for their high biodiversity and biomass. 

Panay Island is the fourth most populated and sixth largest island in the Pphilippines.

There are a number of outstanding dive destinations on the island.

However, Boracay island part of the town of Malay of Aklan province is the destination most well known.

Boracay is the leading tourist destination in the Philippines. It has been name the best island in the world a number of times from many sources.

Department of Tourism stats show that about 30% of international visitors spend some time on the island and it is the most desired destination for domestic tourism, but also one of the more popular diving destinations.

Know mostly as a beach and party destination, Boracay has some outstanding dive sites.

Metro Cebu is the hub for travel to and in Visayas Philippines. Philippines’ second busiest airport is Mactan-Cebu International. International travelers can fly direct to Cebu on 17 different international carriers.

Domestic flights from 9 airlines will take you to the small airports in the region and to major destinations around the country.

Minadanao is the southern region of the Philippines. The Department of Tourism list four dive destinations for recreational diving in Minadanao.

They are Camiguin, Davao, General Santos and Sulu.

However, many countries have issued travel advisories for this region of the Philippines due to safety and political reasons.

The Tubbataha Reefs area of the Sulu sea and Davao are not included in the travel advisories.

Davao City is not high on the list of dive destinations in the Philippines. However, If you find yourself in the city, think ahead and bring your dive gear.

Just a few minutes off the coast of Davao city are the islands of Samal and Talikud.

There are 25 dive sites around these two islands. One of the popular activites is island hopping. These are 8-hour boat trips that head out of Davao city to the nearby islands.

The boats make three stops where the passengers can swim or snorkel, including at least one at a beach.

You can buy food and drinks onboard, get them at the beach stop or pack your own. The boats also offer a very reasonably price discover dive for new scuba divers.

Certified divers with their own dive buddy and equipment, can book the island hopping trip and rent 3 tanks for a full day of diving for around $20.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP)

Tubbataha Reefs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Sulu Sea about 95 miles (ca. 153 km) southeast of Puerto Princesa City.

The UNESCO citation gives a great summary of the reef system.

“It protects an area of almost 100,000 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea. The property is home to a great diversity of marine life and reef fish. Whales, dolphins, reef sharks, green sea turtles, sea snakes and Napoleon wrasse are amongst the key species found here. The reef ecosystems support over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish. The reserve also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region.”

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is divided into three main areas, North Atoll, South Atoll, and Jessy Beazley Reef.

There are dive sites around each of the three areas that are moored to prevent damage to the reefs in this world heritage site.

Diving is by permit only with only about 15 liveaboards allowed each year.

The park is over 350 square miles (9o6 Square Km) in size, so you will not likely see anyone while you are there.

Getting to the reef takes at least 10 hours, and the dive season last about 3 months from mid March to mid June.

The trip is worth it, this is one of the best dive sites in the philippines, and in Asia.

Francisco Bangoy International Airport also known as the Davao International airport (DVO) services 13 domestic destinations and a limited number of international destinations.

The majority of the flights to and from the airport are to Manila and Cebu.

What Is Your Favorite Philippine Dive Destination?

We looked at best 16 dive spots in the Philippine, at least from my view. How about your view?

Do you have your own comments for this list of philippines diving spots? Or, maybe you have another destination you love? Feel free to post your comments.  

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Scuba Diving Trips & Liveaboards in the Philippines

Scuba diving vacations in the philippines.

Ultimate Dive Travel provides affordable and luxury scuba diving packages in the Philippines designed to help you and your family foster memories. Ultimate Dive Travel also provides a large selection of scuba dive resorts, liveaboards, and scuba dive trip options on the Philippines to help you customize your dream vacation.

The beauty of the Philippines rests in both its pristine natural characteristics and its countless options for scuba divers. The country consists of over 7,000 islands, with over 1,200 species to discover. Many WWII ships and aircraft lay beneath the waters of the Philippines among the thriving underwater ecosystems, and you can take on the clean and clear waters from the shoreline or a boat. The Philippines are a must for any scuba diver. The clear water, large abundance of sea creatures, and the underwater ecosystems make the Philippines the ultimate destination for scuba divers.

There are numerous of dive sites in the Philippines, and no matter which dive experience you choose to explore, you’re always in for a treat! The Philippines is the perfect destination for gaining and perfecting new scuba skills while enjoying a wide array of underwater life and an easygoing vacation above the water.

To experience the beauty of the Philippines, book your next scuba diving trip with Ultimate Dive Travel! Contact us today to reserve your next trip. 

Scuba Dive Resorts in the Philippines

Aiyanar resort.

One of the top resorts in Anilao, Philippines! Very spacious rooms, with large swimming pool, camera room, organized dive shop on site. Banka boats are large and roomy for a relaxed ride to your dive sites, which are not far away. While macro is the draw for photographers and divers, they do have some coral sites as well, and if weather permits, they can take you to Verde Island also, one of Philippines top dive sites for large schools of fish and excellent coral formations. Restaurant on property and meals served both buffet style and ala carte.

Kasai Village Beach Resort

The Kasai Village Resort is the destination for SCUBA divers and nature enthusiasts who are searching for first-class dive spots away from overcrowded commercial areas. Kasai Village Resort offers beautiful accommodation in a tropical setting. Sea View rooms and Poolside rooms are spacious and available with either a king size bed or two twin beds. All accommodations have their own terraces as well as two lounge chairs for suntanning and reading outdoors. Not to mention they are equipped with air conditioning systems and ceiling fans.

Alona Vida Beach Resort

Alona Vida Beach Resort is located in the middle of the vivid Alona Beach. Onsite are the popular Coco Vida Bar and Restaurant. The resort has 27 rooms located in 4 two-story buildings. All rooms are equipped with air-condition, hot shower, mini-bar refrigerator, kettle as well as a safety deposit vault. There are 2 different categories of rooms, Deluxe rooms and Superior rooms. The fresh water pool is located in the middle of the resort. WiFi is available in the whole resort from the beach until back in all rooms.

Atlantis Resort Dumaguete

Surrounded by an amazing tropical garden with some of the rarest plants to be found in the Philippines, The Atlantis is just a short trip to some of the most renowned SCUBA dive sites in the Philippines and all of Asia – Apo Island, Balicasag reef, and of course, the local Dauin Marine Sanctuaries. This is what SCUBA diving in Asia, and scuba diving the Philippines is all about.

Atlantis Resort - Puerto Galera

Atlantis Puerto Galera is beautifully built into the hills of Sabang Beach of Puerto Galera. Atlantis’s forty guest rooms and suites are elegantly designed to give you maximum comfort, privacy and relaxation throughout your stay. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia located at the very heart of the ‘Coral Triangle’. Atlantis’ Five Star PADI Career Development Centers offers you the highest standard of dive education, first class facilities and world class dive guides.

Atmosphere Resort & Spa

Indulge yourself and surrender to Atmosphere where the warmest of Philippine hospitality is combined with first class amenities and service to bring you an unforgettable experience within the stunning Philippine archipelago. Beautifully situated within an old seven acre coconut plantation on the island of Negros, Atmosphere enjoys a spectacular beach front location alongside the warm coastal waters of the Philippine Sea. Whether you want to scuba dive, indulge in the enchanted spa or simply read a book by the pool, you can look forward to an unforgettable stay.

El Galleon Beach Resort

Located on the small beach of Lalaguna in the Philippines, El Galleon’s cottages afford the peace and tranquility of private rooms nestled among palm trees, with the crystal clear waters of the Philippine Sea only a stones throw away. Asia Divers, the in-house, full-service scuba dive operator, offers one of the most complete diver training programs in Puerto Galera, Philippines. You can feel at ease putting all your scuba diving needs in their expert hands, so you can enjoy all that scuba diving the Philippines has to offer!

Marco Vincent Dive Resort

Enter the world of Marco Vincent Dive Resort. This Mediterranean inspired property boasts 38 tastefully furnished rooms that are the most spacious in the Puerto Galera Area. 3 restaurants (2 onsite and 1 beach front ), function rooms an indoor pool and Jacuzzi complete this one of a kind vacation destination. We have a standby generator to ensure your uninterrupted comfort.

Pura Vida Resort

Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort was built by scuba divers, for scuba divers. The all-inclusive scuba diving resort has a real tropical atmosphere with lots of coconut palm trees throughout the lush Philippines property. Not far from the resort is Apo Island, home to some of the best scuba diving in the Philippines. Pura Vida is a very spacious, well-designed resort that welcomes scuba divers of all experience levels and preferences – they want to share the wonder and beauty of scuba diving the Philippines with you!

Shangri-La, Mactan Island, CEBU

The Shangri-La resort has 537 guestrooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite, two Shangri-La specialty suites and the Ocean Club, situated on the highest floors of the resort’s Ocean Wing. All accommodation facilities give guests spectacular views of verdant greens, the tranquil ocean and the outlying islands surrounding Cebu.

Liveaboards & Scuba Dive Trips in the Philippines

Atlantis azores.

The Atlantis Azores has set new standards in liveaboard diving in the Philippines and Asia. Azores is the perfect place from which to explore some of the best SCUBA diving in the world – we offer four distinct itineraries showcasing parts of the Philippines, or schedules only possible by liveaboard. What stays the same are the creature comforts, great food and welcoming crew.

Discovery Adventure

This former Yasawa Legend passenger ship was constructed in 1987 to conform to the safety standards and excellence set by the American Bureau Standards (ABS). She is now owned by a Filipino company and goes by the name Discovery Adventure. She provides “divers only” cruises to Tubbataha, one of the pristine dive sites in the Philippines.

Discovery Palawan

Built in 1972 in Groningen, Holland as a three-masted schooner that cruised the Caribbean. She was later rebuilt as a navigation training ship then refitted in 2006 with a new and more powerful engine with all modern navigational equipment. She was moved to the Philippines to serve as an adventure cruise ship. In 2013, she was renamed Discovery Palawan and underwent a USD 1.5 million renovation for a fresh, modern look.

Call us today at  (800) 737-3483 to book your dive trip to the Philippine Islands. Or simply reserve your Philippines dive trip online today by clicking below.

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DIVE Magazine

Scuba Diving Luxury Travel Magazine

The best diving in the Philippines

15 November 2021 8 minutes

The Philippines has some of the best diving on the planet – this vast archipelago of 7,641 islands scattered across 300,000 sq km of ocean has nearly nine per cent of the world’s coral reefs and is the epicentre of global marine biodiversity. From historic wrecks to stunning roller-coaster drift dives; from migrating giant whales sharks to record numbers of nudibranch species – the Philippines has a mind-boggling array of wonderful diving. Here are our choice of the top sites… 

1) coron bay.

Type: Wreck • Suggested level: Beginner to intermediate • Watch out for: Macro critters hidden in the wrecks’ coral cover • From our archive:  The Wrecks of Coron Bay  by John Nightingale

On 24 September 1944, a squadron of 24 US bombers burst out of the sky above Coron Bay on the northern tip of the island of Palawan, the most westerly of the Philippine islands, located the Japanese supply fleet hiding among the islands below, and proceeded to blow it apart. Today Coron Bay has the best wreck diving in Southeast Asia, all packed into one relatively small area. There is nothing quite like the feeling of standing on a jetty, knowing that you have at least half a dozen huge wartime vessels lying within a short boat ride. Each wreck has its own special characteristics, but on the whole, they are big, mostly intact, within reasonable diving depth and full of amazing artefacts. The constant flow of plankton and nutrient-rich waters may make the viz a tad murky, but this is more than compensated by the impact it has had on the wrecks themselves. They are festooned with life – corals and invertebrates clinging to every surface and this lush growth attracts hordes of fish.

Highlights include the Okikawa Maru, a 160m (525ft) tanker. The top of the ship’s superstructure sits at 10m (32ft) below the surface, making this a great wreck for all levels. Also don’t miss the wrecks of the Kogyo Maru and the Taiei Maru.

Another dive worth checking out on Coron island is Barracuda Lake. This often overlooked site in a lake full of light distorting thermoclines and an alien underwater landscape, also boasts the legend of a monster-sized barracuda said to be the size of five large oil barrels and hundreds of years old.

2) tubbataha reef

Type: Reef, seamounts, drift, liveaboard • Suggested level: Intermediate • Watch out for: Reef sharks, big schools of fish • From our archive:  How Tubbataha Was Saved  by Steve Jones

Out in the middle of the Sulu Sea is one of the region’s star attractions – the wonderful Tubbataha National Marine Park. It is a 12-hour sail from Puerto Princesa in Palawan out to Tubbatha but the dramatic walls that surround the oval reefs are well worth the effort. Three of the reefs – Jessie Beazley, North Reef and South Reef form a marine park which is designated a World Heritage site. Being so exposed in the middle of the Sulu Sea means they can only be dived for a couple of months each year in the late spring when the liveaboard crossing isn’t too challenging. Lots of pelagic action with white tip reef sharks, manta rays and whale sharks. In total, more than 600 fish species, 359 coral species, 11 shark species, and 13 dolphin and whale species have been recorded here. Amos Rock, part of Tubbataha’s North Reef, is one of the best dives with a gorgonian-covered wall plus lots of soft corals and massive schools of fish. Keep your eyes peeled for large reef sharks.

3) malapascua

Type: Shoal • Suggested level: Advanced • Watch out for: Thresher sharks • From our archive:   Wide-eyed and Whiptailed  by Douglas David Seifert

This tiny, picturesque island, you can walk around in less than an hour, is one of the few places in the world where there are regular sightings of thresher sharks. Monad Shoal is a flat-topped, submerged seamount about 8km from the island and is a cleaning station used by the usually deep water thresher sharks. But they get there really early so expect to be on the reef by dawn! There is a very high chance that you will see manta rays at the same time. Moreover, there is not a huge amount of coral on top of the sunken island but there is a great location for macro photography as there is a vast array of critters, ranging from pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, mantis shrimps and more. Currents can be strong in some areas.

Type: Reef, muck, seamounts • Suggested level: Beginner to intermediate • Watch out for: Night dives • From our archive:  Islands & Currents  by Douglas David Seifert

On the northern shore of the Verde Island Passage is the 13km Calumpang Peninsula, better known under the general name Anilao, geographically consisting of the villages of Anilao, Balingit and Mabini. Anilao is only a couple of hours drive from Manila and has seen tremendous development over the past 40 years, with dozens of operators and resorts to choose from. The dive sites range from seamounts and pinnacles to current-washed coral reefs, to shipwrecks, coral gardens, and soft-sediment, seagrass and sponge, coralline algae and coral-patch muck sites. Of all the locations of the Philippines, the 900,000 sq km Verde Island Passage is arguably the richest, most biodiverse region.

5) puerto galera

Type: Reef, drift, muck • Suggested level: Beginner to intermediate • Watch out for: Macro critters 

Just across the Verde Island Passage is the island of Mindoro and Puerto Galera, the archipelago’s dive central – bustling, fun and great value. It has crystal clear waters, abundant marine life (more than 800 species of nudibranch alone have been identified in the past 20 years) and a huge variety of diving environments. One of the most exciting areas is known as the Canyons, where nutrient-rich currents sweep divers through three stunning gulleys covered in soft corals and sponges. Lots of large schools of fish including barracudas, batfish, snappers, emperors and trevally. Whatever you do don’t miss a night diver here – every nook and cranny is crawling with fascinating marine life.

6) apo reef

Type: Seamount, drift, liveaboard • Suggested level: Advanced • Watch out for: The big stuff 

Out in the open ocean between the island of Mindoro to the north and Coron to the south is the Apo Reef Natural Park, the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This isolated and wonderful reef is best dived from a liveaboard (many dive operators require at least 100 dives in your logbook as this is only for the experienced). Highlights include Apo 29 –  one of the best but most challenging dive sites in the area. The large seamount rises to 25m below sea level – so the dive is fairly deep and the currents are strong. Expect to see lots of reef sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads, manta rays and big schools of pelagic fish. The best time to go is between November and May. 

Type: Muck, drift • Suggested level: Beginner to intermediate • Watch out for: Frogfish • From our archive:  The Greedy Frogfish

The village of Dauin is located down the coast from Dumaguete on the island of Negros Oriental. The main draw here is world-class muck diving in a remote area but with great hotels and dive centres. In April it sees the invasion of the frogfish – on one site in one dive we saw 13 different individuals from at least six different species from the size of a pea to that of a clenched fist. This is one of the most well-documented and best-protected marine sanctuaries in the country. Apo Island (not to be confused with Apo Reef – see above) located off Dauin has a great drift dive called the Washing Machine. Not for the faint of heart – but plenty of action with huge schools of pelagic fish, banded sea kraits and sea turtles. Occasionally bait balls form. So find a sheltered spot and watch the action unfold.

Type: Drift • Suggested level: Intermediate • Watch out for: Manta rays, whale sharks 

Out in one of the main migratory routes in the archipelago which passes Ticao Island sits a large submerged shoal known as Manta Bowl. This seven hectares of flat reef is washed by the plankton-rich waters of the Ticao and Burias Passes. With constantly flowing current, the alley has become a magnet for manta rays as both a cleaning and feeding station. The best time is between December and May. It is also a great site for whale sharks with reports of as many as 15 seen on one dive!

A major whale shark migratory route passes through this area

9) DIMAKYA ISLAND

Type: Seagrass bank • Suggested level: Beginner  • Watch out for:  Green turtles & dugongs

Seeing green turtles is virtually guaranteed in the sandy, seagrass banks around Dimakya Island, north of Palawan. Another resident is the far more wary dugong – an encounter with these gentle herbivores is an unforgettable experience.

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Scuba Diving Trips in the Philippines

Upcoming trips.

The Philippines is an archipelago nation located in Southeast Asia, comprised of over 7,000 islands. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and friendly people.

The Philippines is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of experiences for visitors. Its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefs make it a top destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and island hopping. The country is also home to numerous natural wonders, such as the Chocolate Hills, underground rivers and volcanoes.

It is a world-renowned destination for scuba diving, offering a diverse range of dive sites with rich marine life, colorful coral reefs and unique underwater landscapes. The waters surrounding the Philippines are part of the Coral Triangle, which is considered the global center of marine biodiversity.

What To Expect

Scuba diving.

The waters surrounding the Philippines are full of history. Divers can immerse themselves in history by diving sites full of World War II wrecks. Supply ships, freighters, planes and more can be found.

In and on the wrecks, there are a variety of artifacts still intact. Some items divers can see include munitions, machinery, ladders, kitchen utensils, cement bags and more.

Keep your eye out for:

• Whale sharks
• Thresher sharks
• Triggerfish
• Nudibranchs

Recommended Specialty Courses

• Fish identification
• Night & limited visibility
• Perfect buoyancy
• Deep diving
• Boat diving

Atlantis Azores Liveaboard

After a full day of diving on the liveaboard you can rinse off in the warm, freshwater showers on the dive deck and grab a snack. All of the meals on board are prepared with fresh ingredients every day and cater to all dietary needs. All rooms have climate-controlled air conditioning, hairdryers, shower gel and you have your own private bathroom.

Philippine culture is a unique and diverse mix of customs, traditions, beliefs and values. Filipinos are friendly, hard-working, family-oriented, respectful and place a high value on traditions and culture. Their culture is a rich and diverse mix of influences with a strong influence on family, community, religion and traditions. The country is extremely biodiverse with rich forests and an abundance of marine life underwater.

Banaue Rice Terraces

The Banaue Rice Terraces are known for their ancient rice paddies and were built over 2,000 years ago. The thousands of rice paddies are arranged in a series of steps along the steep mountainsides, a testament to ancient farming practices and cultural traditions. Continuing from generation to generation, they are an important source of food and livelihood for the local communities. Visitors can admire the beauty of the terraces and to learn about the local way of life.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation in the center of the Philippine island of Bohol made up of over 1,200 cone-shaped hills. They are referred to as “chocolate” because during the dry season, the grass on the hills turns brown, giving them a chocolate-like appearance. Visitors can climb up to a viewing deck located on one of the hills for a panoramic view of the landscape and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Chocolate Hills.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park is home to a subterranean river, caves, waterfalls and limestone mountains. One of the caves features the second-largest underground river in the world along with stalactites, stalagmites and bats. Above ground, the national park is full of rich biodiversity, sure to stun flora enthusiasts as it is home to 800 plant species. This national park is a site to see, with caves, rivers and lush forests.

Mayon Volcano National Park

For thrill seekers, visit the Mayon Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the country. The volcano has an aesthetically pleasing symmetrical cone shape and is surrounded by lush vegetation and scenic landscapes. Although it’s an active volcano, visitors can hike and climb up it. Despite its potential dangers, the Mayon Volcano remains a popular destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural significance and geological wonder.

What prior travelers say

“This is a unique trip. Not only will you enjoy the macro marine life on the island of Dumaguete, but you will can also snorkel with the largest fish in the world–whale sharks! Bonus opportunitities await to see thresher sharks and cephalopods.”

Traveler Photos

Know Before You Go

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is required on all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN dive insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended for all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN trip insurance.

Must be valid 6 months beyond the date of your trip.

Tap water is NOT drinkable. Only drink bottled/purified water.

Vaccines Please check with your physician to see if you need any vaccines before you travel to the Philippines.

Children learn to speak both Tagalog and English in school so you’re unlikely to encounter anyone who can’t speak at least a little English. You’ll have no trouble reading street signs, menus or anything else as they’re all written in English.

Dress is very casual and traveling light is recommended – swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, sandals and possibly a sweatshirt or light jacket for the evenings. Hat, sunglasses and sun screen/protection are of course highly recommended, as the sun is very intense even on partially cloudy or cooler days.

Luggage restrictions

Philippines Office for Transportation Security has issued new rules that include ‘Scuba Diving Equipment’ (including regulators) on the list of blunt instruments that are not to be in carry-on/cabin baggage on flights originating within the Philippines. Please ensure that all scuba equipment is secured within checked-in baggage on all domestic flights and on all departing international flights.

Electricity

Power is 220V. Sockets are flat two or three pin – American style.

Need help packing?

We can’t pack for you, but we can share our packing list and travel tips.

Diving in the Philippines

Brilliant Colors and Underwater Adventures in All Sizes

From the tiny and hidden to the biggest fish in the sea, the Philippines delivers an unrivaled variety of marine life, along with a remarkably diverse range of diving environments. Macro enthusiasts will find acres of the fecund bottom to search, marine parks harbor thriving reefs, offshore walls and pinnacles provide dramatic settings for drifts with schooling fish. Big animal encounters include turtles, sharks and mantas, plus consistent interactions with whale sharks, less-expected encounters with dugongs, and one of the world's only opportunities to interact with the thresher shark. Ashore, the warm and inviting culture of the Philippines creates a welcoming environment for visitors.

• Best for: Coral cover and marine life diversity, ranging from the smallest nudibranch to whale sharks
• Best season to visit: Year round, with coolest and driest temperatures from Dec through June
• Weather: The Philippines is usually hot and humid. There are three seasons: tag-init or tag-araw, the hot dry season or summer from Mar - May; tag-ulan, the rainy season from June - Nov; and tag-lamig, the cool, dry season from Dec - Feb

Things to Do

• Animal Interactions
• Cultural Activities
• Mind and Spirit
• Paddle Sports
• Spa and Wellness

Philippines Information

About diving in the philippines.

The Philippines offer a wide variety of dive adventures from spectacular coral reefs to highly intriguing macro and muck diving. Depending on location, conditions are equally varied, with some sites such as Verda Island experiencing strong currents, while others such as Apo Island having placid waters. Access to sites range from shore dives directly off a resort to day-long boat excursions and live aboard cruises to remote islands. Though tropical, the Philippines experience seasonal variations in water temperatures. From June through October water temperatures can range from 79 to 87-F range, while the period from January through April can see waters drop to 73 degrees. Because of these numerous regional variations, it's best to contact the resort or dive operator when planning a trip in order to determine what conditions and environments are typical for that area.

Diving in the Philippines Tips

In locations like Anilao, Dumaguete and Puerto Galera, where muck diving is the main attraction, you'll want to hone your buoyancy skills so you don’t stir up the bottom. It's also advisable to invest in a reef or muck stick to serve as a stabilizing prop. For current dives, stow an inflatable surface marker and deployment reel in your BC.

Best Places to Dive in the Philippines

Rising from the depths, Cathedral Rock is covered in crinoids and anemones, and swarmed by enveloping clouds of damselfish and sergeant majors. At Dumaguete, wonderpuss, ghost pipefish, hairy frogfish and more can be found right off resort beaches. Divers ride the currents to fly over the vast hard coral fields of Apo Island, where green and leatherback turtles are joined by bump head parrotfish and schooling of trevally. Thresher sharks rise from the deep water to visit the cleaning stations off Malapascua Island. At Marigondon Cave, divers can enter a shadow-filled void in the wall that is lit by the eerie luminescent glow of flashlight fish. Napoleon wrasse and black saddle coral grouper patrol underwater cliffs at Tubataha's Wall Street, while The Washing Machine promises gray reef sharks in the amazingly clear water.

What to Pack for Diving in the Philippines

The tropical climate lends itself to simple, compact attire such as a few T-shirts, shorts and swimsuits for wearing around resorts or on liveaboards. But it's advisable to bring a least one nicer change of clothes for dining out, as downtown Manila offers some very trendy restaurants and nightspots.

Philippines

Magic island dive resort.

From $1,675 per person double diver

Magic Oceans Dive Resort

From $2,495 per person double diver

From $1,775 per person double diver

From $2,365 per person double diver

Atmosphere Resorts & Spa

From $1,999 per person double diver

Atlantis Dive Resort Dumaguete

Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort

From $2,325 per person double diver

Azure Dive Resort

From $2,150 per person double diver

From $1,639 per person double diver

El Galleon Dive Resort

From $1,484 per person double diver

Solitude Acacia Resort

Salaya Beach Houses

Atlantis Dive Resort Puerto Galera

Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort

Liveaboards

Philippine Siren

Call 800.328.2288 for Special Pricing and Information.

Atlantis Azores

The Philippines sit at the eastern edge of the bio-diverse coral triangle, supporting more than 500 types of coral, 3,000-plus species of fish, and more than twice that number of small and unique invertebrates. Counts continue to go up as new species are discovered almost weekly. The archipelago is composed of some 7,000 islands that offer a combined 22,500 miles of coastline. Obviously, there is no shortage of diving opportunity, and the challenge for visitors is often deciding which of many excellent regions to select. The primary hubs for diving center around Anilao and Puerto Galera to the north, along with Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, and Coron in the central region of the Philippines. Diving in Anilao is primarily done in small open boats known as  bancas,  set up for groups of four to as many as 10 to 12. Because dives sites are usually just 15 to 30 minutes from resorts, daily schedules usually provide two dives in the morning, followed by a lunch back at the resort, with another 1 to 2 afternoon/night dives. Night dives in Anilao are highly recommended. Because there are shallow components to many sites, it's not uncommon for  multi-level profiles  to exceed 70 to 80 minutes. Having a Nitrox certification can be a big advantage. Some of Anilao’s top sites include Twin Rocks, Basura, Mainit Muck, Kirby's, and Bethlehem, all of which offer consistently target- rich environments for underwater macro photographers. Nearby Beatrice provides excellent wide-angle opportunities on slopes covered in soft corals and crinoids, with schooling anthias as thick as raindrops. Dumaguete is widely known for muck diving, but a 45-minute boat ride away is  Apo Island,  which offers a distinctly different venue with stunning coral gardens and prolific fish life. At sites like Chapel Point, Cogon and The Sanctuary the reef ends with a gorgeous steep mini-wall down to 100 feet with a healthy blend of hard and soft corals. In addition to a bevy of moray eels, reefs are thick with anthias, clownfish and shrimp gobies, and both hawksbill and green sea turtles are quite common. Across the Verde Island Passage from Anilao is  Puerto Galera,  which features some 30 dive centers and resorts along the north coast at Sabang Beach and White Beach. With shores washed by currents from the South China Sea, most dives are conducted as drifts, which carry divers along an underwater landscape covered with soft corals and sponges and carved with small drop-offs and canyons. Divers can duck into one of these recesses to escape the currents and watch snapper, sweetlips, barracudas, jacks and an occasional white-tip shark cruise by. Among the long list of must-do dive sites in the area are Canyons, where a trio of deep clefts in the wall allow divers to drop out of the way of the current and discover sandy alcoves that are home to octopus, scorpion fish and sea snakes, then return to blue water frequented by manta rays,  thresher sharks  and hammerhead sharks. Moving south, Bocaray is known for drift dives along walls visited by whitetip and grey reef sharks, schools of tuna, manta rays and eagle rays. At the northern tip of Cebu the small island of Malapascua is famous for thresher sharks, but also delivers walls, spectacular soft coral growths and a diverse roster of marine life that includes batfish, flutemouth, barracuda, tuna, mantis shrimp, pipefish, scorpionfish, lionfish, Moorish idols,  schooling bannerfish , unicorn fish, squid, octopus and various moray eels. Just off Cebu's eastern coast, Mactan Island is one of the most popular diving destinations in the Philippines, with short boat rides of sites along a deep channel. Best known is Marigondon Cave, which is a large tunnel in the side of the wall that is home to luminescent flashlight fish. Another favorite is Tingo Point where thresher sharks are sometimes joined by passing hammerheads. Across the channel, the southern coast of Bohol and Panglao Island are jumping off points from trips to the marine sanctuary at Balicasag. A dramatic wall starts at depths of 10 feet and plunges to more than 200, but even more impressive are the huge schools of jacks that blanket the wall in a living curtain, and the numerous grouper and large wrasse that congregate at cleaning stations. The sanctuary is also known for smaller finds such nudibranch, eels, frogfish, scorpionfish and leaf fish. Live-aboards provide seasonal access to the World Heritage Site of  Tubbataha Marine Park . This remote reef is renowned for both the density and diversity of marine life. Here, walls and reefs are overgrown with forests of multi-hued soft corals, and frequented by pelagics such as mantas, sea turtles and sharks.

Passport and/or Visa Requirements

Entry Requirements:  All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport. Your passport must contain at least one blank page for entry stamp and proof of onward or return airline ticket may be required. Visas upon arrival are issued for 30 days for tourist stays.

Exit Requirements: All persons leaving the Philippines pay a Government Departure Tax of approximately USD $17.

Immunizations

There are no required vaccines for entry into the Philippines, although you should always check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at  cdc.gov .

Culture and Customs

The Philippines are a blend of East and West. Centuries of Spanish and US influences mix with Asian cultural traditions and cuisines. Sophisticated urban centers such as Manila contrast with village life in small fishing communities and mountain settlements. Music is a common love that unites Philippine people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, whether the performance takes the form of a spirited karaoke rendition of a pop favorite or a  traditional rondalla . It is a culture where people are quick to sing, laugh easily, and place high values on family, friendships and hospitality. Clear waters and spectacular beaches attract vacationers to coastal resorts, while adventure-minded travelers have a wide range of activities to choose from. Nature lovers can trek, bike or bird in one of the world's most diverse biospheres, home to nearly 80 percent of the world’s plant and animal species. Though better known for its beaches, the Philippines is also a land of towering mountains, with peaks rising to heights of more than  9,000 feet . In addition to trekking and climbing, the highlands provide thrilling whitewater rafting and paddles through underground rivers. Indigenous wellness traditions live on in healing arts such as Hilot touch therapy and Dagdagay foot massage and in the traditional greeting of “Mabuhay,” which is a wish for good health, peace, and harmony.

Electricity, Phone and Internet Access

Electricity in the Philippines is 220 volts, 60 Hz, so an adapter will be needed for U.S. visitors. If your electronic device does not accept 220 V input, you may also need a step down transformer.

The  country code  for the Philippines is 63. Check with your cell phone provider for International plans which may include text, data and voice. Many hotels offer WiFi.

Water Quality

The water is safe to drink at the larger chain hotel and in major cities, which offer purified water, but it is recommended to drink bottled water while in the Philippines.

Language & Currency

The Philippines is the 3rd largest English-speaking country in the world. Tagalog (Filipino) is spoken by nearly 1/3 of the population as a first language and as a second language by the other 2/3 of the population. Filipino is the official language of education, but English is also an official language. The local currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP) but U.S. dollars are accepted in most places. Check the currency rate  here .

The Philippines observe Philippines Time or PHT which is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+8 GMT). The Philippines does not observe daylight savings time.

Location, Size and Population

The Philippines are located in Southeast Asia, in the Western Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam and northeast of Malaysia. The Philippines are made up of 7,107 islands. The three main islands are Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the Central Region and Mindanao in the South. The capital city of the Philippines is Manila. The islands take up approximately 115,830 square miles. The islands vary in size with Luzon being the largest at 42,458 square miles, it is also the 15th largest island in the world and the 4th most populated island in the world, to some of the smaller places like popular Dumaguete, which is only around 13 square miles and located in the Visayas.

The population of the Philippines is over 102 Million (2016).

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Liveaboard Diving in Philippines

With 7,107 islands, liveaboard diving in the Philippines is still top of the list with its abundant and highly diverse marine life at around 2,000 species of fish.

Liveaboard diving in the Philippines offers an abundance of world-renowned sites, and with over 7000 islands dotting its tropical blue seas, there will be plenty to choose from. Located at the northern corner of the Coral Triangle, breathtaking biodiversity is a given; scuba divers visit the Philippines all year round to see amazing corals, encounter whale sharks, explore historic wrecks, and wonder at the wealth of odd-shaped critters. Serious divers head to the remote atolls of the world-famous Tubbataha Reef National Park, where large pelagic marine life cruises over thriving coral gardens 150 kilometers away from land. The Visayas is another incredible liveaboard destination, offering Coral Triangle icons like pygmy seahorses and mandarin fish and thrilling divers with sightings of elusive thresher sharks in Malapascua . Other favorite Philippine dive drips include Apo Reef, Coron or Puerto Galera wrecks, and whale shark encounters in Donsol, Oslob, or Sogod Bay. Our Philippines liveaboards offer a wide selection of dive trips throughout the year, combining many islands in one holiday and enabling you to reach far-flung dive sites not accessible from shore. Liveaboards in the Philippines offer divers so many choices of destination and marine life that your hardest decision might be where to go! These Philippine dive cruises offer everything from Malapascua, the Visayas, to Tubbataha.

Liveaboard diving in Malapascua , a deliciously sleepy island off the north of Cebu, is all about thresher sharks, some of the most graceful and elusive elasmobranchs in the ocean. Malapascua's Monad Shoal is the only location in the world where these special creatures can be reliably seen, along with manta rays and other pelagic wonders. However, beginner divers should know that Monad Shoal sometimes experiences strong currents and that its depth makes a nitrox certification very useful. On land, Malapascua entrances its visitors with a laid-back island vibe stemming from the lack of cars and the profusion of friendly locals. Liveaboards in Malapascua include Sea Doors and the Philippines Siren.

The length of liveaboard itineraries in Malapascua is usually six or ten nights, with a budget of around 300 euros per night. The best time to dive Malapascua is from June to December; visibility during these summer months is at its best, and the water temperature averages a comfortable 27-30 C. Malapascua liveaboards depart from Cebu City, whose international airport receives constant flights from Manila and direct international flights from other Southeast Asian locations. Other destinations visited by Malapascua liveaboards include Cebu, Negros, Leyte, and more.

In-the-know divers herald liveaboard diving in the Visayas as a great way to see the best of the Philippines' underwater scene. Encompassing a group of large and small islands in the central and eastern parts of the country, the Visayas offers premier macro-life, whale sharks, thresher sharks, swirling masses of sardines, and dive sites beloved for their coral diversity and health. Visayas liveaboard destinations can include Moalboal in Cebu with its massive sardine schools, Apo Island in Negros (the world's model for community-based marine protected areas), volcanic Camiguin, Bohol and Siquijor , and Southern Leyte. Experienced and entry-level divers can all find their niches in Visayas dive sites—liveaboards in the Visayas range from M/V yacht types to refurbished merchant vessels.

The length of liveaboard itineraries in the Visayas is six to ten nights, though select extended itineraries run for twelve or thirteen nights. Budgets range from 250 euros to 500 euros per day. The best time to dive in the Visayas is year-round, though some liveaboards will not run Visayas trips from March to June because they're in Tubbataha. Many Visayas liveaboards depart from Cebu City, whose international airport receives constant flights from Manila and direct international flights from other Southeast Asian locations. However, some Visayas liveaboards depart or land at Moalboal (reachable by road from Cebu City), Malapascua (reachable by road/ferry from Cebu City), or Dumaguete (reachable by domestic flight from Manila or flight/road/ferry from Cebu City).

Liveaboard diving in Tubbataha Reef National Park tops the wish list of many divers due to its designation as a World Heritage Site and its reputation as one of the best dive areas in the world. The remote Sulu Sea atolls of this national marine park are only accessible by liveaboard, and making the trip to see them rewards divers with a healthy mix of hammerhead sharks and pelagic life, plenty of turtles, dramatic underwater landscapes, and pristine coral, plus an overflowing of incredible macro life that only the Philippines can offer. Tubbataha dive sites at the North and South Atolls and Jessie Beazley Reef are for experienced divers who can handle currents and appreciate the diversity of marine life. However, conservation does not end underwater at Tubbataha; the atolls are also a bird sanctuary. Liveaboards in Tubbataha range from M/V yacht types to refurbished merchant vessels.

Apo Island snorkeling is considered to be some of the best in the world, and it has become world famous for the biologically vibrant 225,000 square meters marine habitat full of pristine corals and countless marine species, including sea turtles, clownfish, lionfish, parrotfish, Moray eels and, if you're lucky, maybe even a whale shark.

The length of liveaboard itineraries in Tubbataha is usually six or seven nights, and trips run from March to June for ideal visibility and calm seas. The budget for a Tubbataha liveaboard can range from 300 to over 500 euros per night. Most liveaboards depart from the port of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, which a 1.5-hour flight from Manila can reach. However, Seadoors and Philippine Siren offer a few extended itineraries that combine Tubbataha with the Visayas and depart or land in the Visayas region.

More about diving in the Philippines

• Marvel at the conservation success of fish-filled Apo Island , one of the world's first community-based marine protected areas.
• Float over Balicasag Island's dancing fish and an explosion of colorful coral- and don't miss the crowds of green turtles in the seagrass.
• Dive Dauin to hunt for wonderpus, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, and seahorses.
• Hop from Mactan to Olango Island for whitetip sharks, barracuda, and other pelagics, including an occasional hammerhead.
• Take your pick from Mactan's coral gardens, wrecks, walls, and caverns.

Best Time to Travel

Philippines diving season is all year round, but there are distinct seasons that affect dive conditions, such as during typhoons in the months of September to December. The dry season from March to June is usually when the water is warmest and the visibility best, making it the best time to dive in the Philippines. Water temperature in the Philippines during dives vary at around 23-30 C / 73-86 F depending on the season. Visibility ranges from around 5-45 meters/16-148 feet but carries strong seasonal and local variability. Certain marine wildlife also appears during particular months, such as the whale shark, which appears around March to May, and premier dive spots, such as Tubbataha Reef, are best dived during the seasons of March to June when visibility is best.

Ports of departure and how to get there

The departure location for most Visayas liveaboards (including Malapascua) is Cebu City , a booming metropolis and regional capital. From the port of Cebu City, liveaboards set off for Apo Island, Moalboal, Siquijor , Bohol, Camiguin, Leyte, and of course, Malapascua. Select Visayas itineraries also use Malapascua, Moalboal, Dumaguete, or (rarely) Puerto Princesa as a departure/arrival port (see Visayas section above). Visitors with extra time in Cebu City can either enjoy some creature comforts (though traffic is bad) or make use of the plentiful ferries and land transport options that take you to other islands or into Cebu's forested interior of jungles and waterfalls. Divers in Cebu City have the reefs of Mactan Island right at their fingertips, where entry-level divers are welcome.

Getting to Cebu City is easy with a 1.5-hour flight from Manila. Cebu City International Airport also receives direct flights from select Southeast Asian countries nearby and some international flights via transfers in neighboring regional countries.

Puerto Princesa , Palawan's capital city, is the departure location for most Tubbataha liveaboards. Visitors with some extra time here can take their pick from premier land and sea activities near Puerto Princesa, including island-hopping, jungle explorations, and Palawan's other World Heritage Site- the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Puerto Princesa is only a van ride away from many dive sites with 100% coral cover in areas like Port Barton and the famous El Nido. Entry-level divers in Palawan can enjoy these sites, many of which are shallow reef slopes in protected bays.

Flights to Puerto Princesa run regularly from both Manila and Cebu City. Travelers can choose between Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines. To get to Manila or Cebu City, direct flights are available from many Southeast Asian countries. International flights will usually transfer to the region before flying into the Philippines.

Philippines Diving Reviews

• 123 Verified Reviews

The area gives reasons enough to come again, with every dive we did.

Diving Philippines in July on the Philippine Siren

• 9.6 Exceptional

Really loved it

Diving Philippines in October on the Philippine Siren

• 8.0 Very good

nice place with lots of cool stuff to see

Diving Philippines in December on the Seadoors

• Jean-Francois C

Ocean full of coral gardens and so much different fishes and life being under water. Very good experience of diving.

Diving Philippines in February on the Seadoors

• 10.0 Exceptional

Philippines is one of the best spots for diving in the world! Right in the center of the coral triangle.

Diving Philippines in March on the Seadoors

• 8.8 Fabulous

I love diving around the year in the philippines and most of all hospitality of the people there...

Diving Philippines in May on the Discovery Palawan

Tubbataha is by far the best we dived in the Philippines, compared to Coron, El Nido, Malapascua and Moalboal.

Diving Philippines in May on the Philippine Siren

EXCELLENT !!!!

It is very different than Thailand, but the same quality.

• Charlotte R

I enjoyed it

Diving Philippines in April on the Discovery Palawan

Excellent, we had a lovely trip.

Loved it and will definitely be back!

Diving Philippines in November on the Seadoors

Love diving generally in the Philippines

Diving Philippines in January on the Infiniti

Phillipines is great with so many different things to see.

Diving Philippines in March on the Infiniti

• 8.4 Very good

Diving Philippines in March on the Discovery Palawan

Great! We live in PH so we have been all over the country and the visibility in Tubbataha (TT) is the best. Reef health in TT is good but not great, some bleaching particularly at JB Reef. Fair bit of damage to coral in various spots, not sure why. Glad to see it is all hooking up to buoys instead of dropping anchors.

Diving Philippines in April on the Seadoors

Easy diving with great service

• Mirosław K

Nice places, a lot of live, good people, good food, feeling safe!

I still haven't finished! But so far is 9 out of 10.

Diving Philippines in May on the Infiniti

A large variety of dive sites with big staff, macro, plenty of corals, huge school of fish...

Diving Philippines in June on the Infiniti

Tabbataha is very distinctive with mostly wall dives. The transition trip brings in more variety and a rare visit to Cagayancillo. Visibilty is generally good to very good. Starting from Puerto Princessa, I arrived a couple of days early and tried a couple of day trips to the local reefs, also good.

Excellent!! Better than expected. The boat could be a little newer and in better shape. The owner was aboard and told me that the ship will be remodeling in the next 3 months.

Diving Philippines in July on the Seadoors

Very beautiful; lots to see; very glad I got to do these dives

• 6.8 Review score

Good, but did notice that there were not a lot of fish this time...mostly macro. There were numerous frogfish and scorpion fish to see.

We have lived in Philippines for over 4 years and dived in various places. This is our 2nd Liveaboard and by far the best experience

Amazing. Will visit again.

Diving Philippines in October on the Infiniti

So many breathtaking spots under the water: beautiful corals and so much sealife! Perfect water temperature and easy dives

very Nice places where There is a lot of fish and coral

Diving Philippines in November on the Infiniti

Overall very good

Lovely, easy diving. People are so happy and friendly

Diving Philippines in December on the Infiniti

I was impressed with the diving in the Philippines: the reefs were in good shape and loads of life was to be found.

Once in a lifetime

Great, some sites are busier than others but overall great

Diving Philippines in January on the Seadoors

• Juan David B

Cant say about the rest of Phillipines, only about this itinerary. No big creatures, beautiful, healthy endless coral gardens.

Diving Philippines in January on the Philippine Siren

Some of the best diving I have experienced. More colors than the Caribbean, more life than Thailand

Great. Water temp 27-28C. No waves. Easy diving with the occasional drift dive

• YUEN FAI DICK W

good though there are some plastics here and there in the sea

Third time in the Philippines! Previous two trips were to Anilao in the summer. Way better visibility during warmer months. But overall, still the best diving I’ve done

Diving Philippines in February on the Infiniti

Excellent, some of the best diving I have done anywhere.

Excellent. Some of the best diving I have done. Saw lots of interesting things.

Great overall experience

Nice place to dive

Philippines have extreme variety of diving, Tubbataha is only one of them.

Other than Tubbataha, diving in the Philippines was solid average, IMO

Fantastic—Philippines diving is top notch

Diving Philippines in April on the Philippines Aggressor

Very friendly people (as always). Generally professional operators and staff. On-land infrastructure (not so relevant to liveaboard) rather basic in places. Overall, definitely worth visiting for the adventurous.

Diving Philippines in May on the Stella Maris Explorer

solid diving, but it's not really a place to see big stuff

This has been my only experience diving in the Philippines. The staff was polite and accommodating without being intrusive. The dive masters were competent and professional. The boat was clean, well maintained and didn't have any below engine cabins so seasickness was not an issue. There is a general pride about the environment shared by the Filipino staff that was refreshing as well. On this boat, the rules to protect the reef were well respected and enforced, which I very much appreciated.

Diving Philippines in June on the Stella Maris Explorer

• christine M

EVerything from macro, super-macro, to current dives with pelagics.

Diving Philippines in September on the Solitude One

More impressive than I had expected!

Very good , despite of the last typhon destruction signs were still very visible in some islands.

Great warm water diving, so much diversity.

The Philippines is one of the best countries for diving for myriad reasons.

Diving Philippines in October on the Philippines Aggressor

Traveling with MV Resolute means having a great time. I was on the Apo reef, Coron wrecks and the Dugong observation trip. Apo Reef is an amazing reef with beautiful coral gardens in the middle of the Zulu Sea. Coincidentally, the Manta also visited us during our dives. After that we dove in the ship graveyard before Coron. A journey into the past, now full of marine life. But the very next day we had an appointment with the protected dugongs from Calauit island. A feeling of happiness diving with them... goosebumps... Shortly before disembarking, the last dives in the Isla Verde Strait .. perfect end to a great diving trip with MV Resolute. I can recommend it.

Diving Philippines in November on the Resolute

• 5.6 Review score

It is fine, but... Sad to say more trash in the water here than other places around the world.

So different that our many experiences in the Caribbean. So much more coral life and new species we haven't seen before like frog fish, many types of nudibranch, and a ribbon eel.

I don't recall the details of where I dived since I came down with COVID and spent a few days recovering, but overall, this part of the Philippines is beatiful - pristine waters compared with the lower visibility I've seen in areas to the North such as subic bay.

Swift drift dives and colorful corals. Not many sharks. Cute clownfish. Walls with many crevices to explore.

Good coral condition.

Loved it - there was some cloudy weather given december-january timing, but it was my first Indo-Pacific dive trip and it was amazing!

Diving Philippines in December on the Philippines Aggressor

Really good with lots of usual critters & colorful corals

It was a fabulous experience. We look forward to visiting again in the future.

The Philippines has beautiful marine life and excellent diving conditions. It is great to dive there.

Diving Philippines in February on the Resolute

Amazing. Corals were beautiful.

Diving Philippines in February on the Philippines Aggressor

Not intense...but to be able to see Thresure sharks snorkeling was amazing

• 4.4 Review score

I wouldn’t do this trip again or recommend it to other divers. The boat travels between known dive site resorts- all you could easily do as land based. I don’t think we did a single dive that the local day boats didn’t beat us to. We missed out on Apo and Damaguete because the Coast Guard didn’t allow us to sail! Something I’ve never come across anywhere else in the world. The trip didn’t live up to expectation, but I can only compare with other places in the world - not having dived anywhere else in the Philippines - and I wouldn’t rush to come back!

A nice experience with everything you need. After 6 days the first cold beer on shore tastes better than ever with the diving memories

Diving Philippines in March on the Agos

Amazing people, very friendly

Diving Philippines in March on the Philippine Siren

The visibility is very high with great biodiversity.

Diving Philippines in April on the Palau Sport

I really enjoyed it. I also dived/dove in Coron Bay, doing several of the various wreck dives, which are amazing. Best wrecks ever. Also I got to do some macro photography for the first time, and got some great shots of clown fish :)

Diving Philippines in April on the Narayana

Very good, reasonable value

Excellent. After Apo Reef, I went snorkelling in Cebu with whale sharks and schools of sardines. What great options for water activities the Philippines has!

Diving Philippines in May on the Agos

A must go! If you love to dive and want to see healthy reefs go to Tubbataha!

Diving Philippines in May on the Philippines Aggressor

• KyooHwang H

Prices were low and I am satisfied with the clean sea and climate

Very nice and safe country with super friendly people. Very nice picturesque settings not overwhelmed by modernization.

Diving Philippines in June on the Philippines Aggressor

Fantastic both for wide angle and macro photography

• Sanjeevani R

Loved the mesmerizing coral

Diving Philippines in June on the Seadoors

10/10. Wrecks, Reefs, and Wildlife (large and small). Incredible variety and "wow" factor - all in one place called "Philippines".

Diving Philippines in July on the Navis 1

Sad to see the seas are fished out

Diving Philippines in July on the Philippines Aggressor

Beautiful walls with lots of colorful soft corals, drift dives, thresher sharks, colorful nudibranchs, bamboo sharks - diving in Philippines never disappoints.

Loved it. Such a treat to see all of the healthy coral and large fish populations.

Diving Philippines in November on the Philippine Siren

It was good.

Best diving I have had so far

Warm water, very comfortable, vis is good

Diving Philippines in January on the Navis 1

Severe lack of predators such as jacks, barracuda, sharks etc.

Not bad, but vis was not super, definately would be better in other seasons. Surprisingly no sharks other than whale sharks at Obslob.

Good, lacking larger predators I suspect due to over fishing in the area

Excellent experience diving in the Philippines. The Whalesharks were a highlight and we got to see them three times including at night with one following the boat.

• Alexandra C

Good, bit this time of year the visibility is not the best

Healthy corral life and just very beautiful dives

• Justin Francis G

Great. I saw wrecks on my own in Coron and then experienced Malapascua. Pleased and interested in Tubbataha. But other countries are higher on list first

Absolutely fantastic! Great crew and service. Made friends with other divers

• Mavourneen Eleanor M

Extremely experienced guides, made us feel very safe and confident 🙏👌

Very good experience ! Visibility reduced due to full moon. Very good dive guide !

We really loved almost all our dives. A couple were meh but overall the biodiversity and health of the reefs is stunning. We had such a wonderful trip!

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Scuba & snorkeling in philippines.

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