Do you want to discover why you should dive in the Philippines, the best dive sites, the marine life you’ll find, and more? Then keep reading because this is for you… Let’s get started!
Why dive in the Philippines
We know that the Philippines is a highly sought-after destination for divers worldwide, and there are plenty of reasons to visit this wonderful archipelago and fall in love with its underwater landscapes, paradise beaches, and lush green scenery.
In general, diving in the Philippines, much like in Indonesia, offers a great mix of reef diving, wall diving, and plenty of macro life. Both destinations are among the top locations for macro diving.
The reefs may not be as spectacular as those in Indonesia, as the Philippines has been affected by strong monsoons in recent years, but they are still stunning and full of marine life.
This destination can be explored from either a resort or a liveaboard. However, liveaboards tend to be significantly more expensive. At the same time, they allow divers to cover more dive regions in a single trip without the hassle of land, air, or local ferry transfers.
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the western Pacific, comprising over seven thousand islands. Therefore, it’s difficult to define a single diving experience, as it varies greatly depending on the region. Here, we will outline some of the best diving regions in the Philippines:
Best dive sites in the Philippines
1. Tubbataha National Park
This is probably the best diving area in the entire Philippines, especially for big marine life. The diving season here is very short (March to June), and it can only be accessed via liveaboard due to its remote location.
It is also the most expensive dive destination in the Philippines. The trip involves a 12-hour boat ride from Puerto Princesa in Palawan to Tubbataha, but the dramatic walls surrounding the reefs make it well worth the journey.
Three of the reefs—Jessie Beazley, North Reef, and South Reef—form a UNESCO World Heritage marine park. Its exposure in the middle of the Sulu Sea means it can only be dived for a few months each year in late spring when the crossing is manageable.
A high chance of encountering whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. In total, over 600 species of fish, 359 species of coral, 11 species of sharks, and 13 species of dolphins and whales have been recorded here.
2. Moalboal
This region is located on Cebu Island, on the opposite side of the airport city, and offers beautiful and diverse diving opportunities. It’s ideal for shore dives, making it a great option for those who want to do multiple dives or carry cameras.
Just a few steps from shore, you can already enjoy macro-rich reefs, including mandarin fish habitats.
This area is famous for its walls, a huge sardine run, plenty of turtles, and incredible macro life. It can be easily combined with Malapascua, Bohol, and Dauin (without needing an internal flight). If you’re looking for a single island with a diverse range of diving, this might be the best choice.
3. Malapascua
This small and beautiful island of Malapascua can be walked across in less than an hour. It is one of the few places in the world where you can see thresher sharks regularly.
Monad Shoal is an underwater seamount about 8 km from the island, serving as a cleaning station where thresher sharks rise from the depths. However, they appear very early, so dives usually begin before sunrise.
There is also a good chance of spotting mantas. While the coral isn’t extensive, it’s an excellent spot for macro photography, featuring pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, and more.
Currents can be strong in some areas. It’s also recommended to do a day trip to Pescador Island and the Sea Snake Sanctuary. If your goal is to see thresher sharks, Malapascua is the best place to dive in the Philippines.
4. Dauin
Located on the coast of Dumaguete on Negros Oriental Island, Dauin is renowned for its muck diving and nearby Apo Island.
This area has some of the best-documented and well-protected marine sanctuaries in the country. Apo Island, just offshore, offers an incredible drift dive known as The Washing Machine, featuring large schools of pelagic fish and sea turtles.
There are many other fantastic dive locations in the Philippines, such as Anilao, Puerto Galera, Coron, and more. The Philippines guarantees an incredible diversity of macro life, beautiful reefs, and walls.
If you have any questions or would like to organize a diving trip, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to help! 🙂
