Dive the Philippines: Everything you Need to Know

On the far edge of South-east Asia, the Philippinesarchipelago numbers more than 7,000 islands in over two million square kilometres of Coral Triangle waters: a veritable ‘Amazon of the Seas' which is considered the global centre of marine biodiversity.

The Coral Triangle is home to literally thousands of fish and coral species, from mantis shrimp to manta rays, underwater shoaling sardines to thresher sharks. To add to this diverse range of marine life, scuba diving attractions including historic wrecks, plentiful macro dive sites, sharks and whale sharks, plus an amazing array of above water charms of secret bays and white sand beaches.

Where to go

With so much to see in the Philippines, this is one destination that really does cater for all levels of diver experience and interest. We cover the best scuba diving in the Philippines across Tubbataha, Anilao and Puerto Galera, and the Southern Visayas including Malapascua, Bohol, Moalboal, and Dauin. Here's a taste of the dive highlights:

Malapascua Island

This tiny, picturesque, white sand beach island is just off the northern tip of Cebu Island (which is usually the starting point for most Philippines holidays). Divers rise early in the morning to encounter the elusive thresher sharks that frequent Monad Shoals, the key area to have made Malapascua famous in the diving world. Manta rays are also prevalent here, mostly in the rainy season (June to August). A short boat ride from the island, and usually found on deep dives, the thresher shark dives are suitable for advanced divers. If you’re very lucky, a hammerhead shark may also pass by. Nearby Gato Island is popular with macro diving lovers, where they can find a plethora of critters hiding in beautiful coral reefs. Beautiful fan corals camouflage pygmy seahorses, pipefish and an assortment of nudibranchs against a backdrop of pretty swim throughs. Be sure to pack in a night dive to discover mandarin fish, and schedule a visit to the wreck of the Doña Marilyn.

Dumaguete & Dauin

Southwest of Cebu and at the southern tip of Negros Island are Dumaguete and Dauin, home to some of the finest macro dive sites in the world, alongside the biodiverse marine ecosystem of Apo Island. The small bay at Dauin offers enough to keep critter fans entertained for a week with mimic octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, seahorses, mantis shrimp and all manner of tiny creatures to find. This area is an underwater photographer’s dream with the variation of both muck and macro diving. For those looking for challenging dive sites and a passion for the otherworldly environments, blackwater diving is conducted. Dumaguete is also home to the Marine Protected Area of Apo Island, a short boat ride from the main island it’s one of the most celebrated Philippine dive spots. The island may be just three kilometres across, but its waters are teeming with fish, pristine coral reefs, green turtles and the odd reef shark. Each dive site has something different to offer, from exhilarating drift dives out in the blue to impressive wall dives with whitetip sharks and colourful soft coral gardens covered with reef fish.

Bohol

The region of Bohol is an ideal stop in an island hopping scuba diving holiday, known for its steep wall dives and home to the great diving areas of Anda and Alona Beach. Off the beaten track, the area of Anda is a scuba diving paradise, with a range of marine life such as reef sharks and pristine coral reefs. There are a variety of dive sites including several macro diving areas, suitable for any level of recreational divers. A day trip to the secret bay of Lila provides the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks. 

The islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Cabilao are generally reached by liveaboard. Impressive hard and soft coral gardens flourish in current-rich waters and combine with steep walls and drift dives to offer something for all scuba divers. The fast currents mean a good chance of spotting pelagic fish such as manta rays and a whale shark if you're lucky (usual season November to April), turtles and eagle rays also frequent these dive areas. There's also a lot to see above water here including the picturesque Chocolate Hills and encounters with the world's smallest species of primate, the Tarsier.

Moalboal

Along with the four previous dive spots, this is the final one to complete the Southern Visayas region. On the western side of Cebu Island is the idyllic Moalboal, suitable for any dive trip. Shallow dives on the house reefs brilliantly combine with a short boat ride into the Tanon Strait to witness the shimming underwater shoals of sardines numbering in their thousands. The colourful corals and reef sharks add to this area's charm, and is a regular stop on many Philippines liveaboard sailings. 

Puerto Galera & Anilao 

Easily accessible from Manila in just a few hours are the neighbouring dive spots of Anilao and Puerto Galera. Separated by Apo Reef, their proximity makes them an excellent addition to any island hopping scuba diving holiday. Anilao is known as the 'home of scuba diving' in the Philippines, and is a must for any macro diver enthusiast. Accommodations cater to underwater photographers with ease. Apo Reef Natural Park is accessible by day trip, and is famed for its dramatic drop-offs and sightings of turtles, manta rays, barracudas and large reef sharks. Puerto Galera is a lively area with a wonderful blend of action and relaxation, this area boasts abundant marine life on its colourful coral reefs, and is one of the other dive spots thresher shark can be spotted along with eagle rays and whitetip reef sharks. 

Coron Bay, Palawan

In the southwest of the Philippines lies an archipelago of almost 1,800 islands and islets hailed by Jacques Cousteau as ‘the most beautiful place I ever explored'. Palawan offers spectacular scenery above and below water and some of Philippines diving finest treasures. On the northern most tip is one for the wreck diver, a short boat ride from Coron Bay is Busuanga and the tiny island of Sangat. A fantastic variety of dive sites can be accessed including around a dozen remains from the WWII Japanese supply fleet. The wrecks of Coron include Kyokuzan Maru, Kogyo Maru and Morazan Maru to name a few. Accessible to recreational divers, many wreck divers consider the diving here to be second only to Micronesia's Truk Lagoon. 

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Central Palawan is the gateway to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site and MPA of Tubbataha. One of the world’s most isolated and best diving destinations can only be reached via liveaboard during its narrow diving season. Those that make the journey are rewarded with pelagic fish such as whale sharks and manta rays, large reef sharks and eagle rays, whilst sightings of tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks are not unheard of. The pristine corals of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park are covered in shoals of marine life. The conditions can provide challenging dive sites, so this area is more suitable for advanced divers. 

How to go (Resort vs Liveaboard?)

The geography and diversity of the Philippines makes this location the perfect southeast Asian island hopping diving destination. Most Regaldive guests choose to combine two or three different diving locations to make the most of their Philippine holiday. Our travel team have considerable experience in planning tailor-made trips to this region. Many have visited these areas so can provide firsthand advice and curate your itinerary to the best diving spots in the Philippines for you.

If you want to 'eat sleep dive repeat', then a liveaboard offers the chance to discover more of the Philippines underwater. Regaldive offers a wide choice of itineraries aboard multiple liveaboards, including the SY Philippine Siren and Atlantis Azores where you can visit some of the biodiverse marine ecosystem in the Coral Triangle. A Visayas itinerary takes in many of the central islands and can be considered an ideal introduction to Philippines diving giving scuba divers beautiful coral reefs and thresher shark action. Suited to the advanced diver, Tubbataha has exhilarating walls dives and vibrant soft coral reefs, and a change to see pelagic fish including whale sharks and manta rays. Seasonal itineraries to areas such as Sogod Bay, in Southern Leyte, also provide the opportunity to see whale sharks alongside some of the most untouched reefs in the Philippines, diving is much less challenging here so suitable for all levels of recreational divers. 

When to go

Diving is good all year round in the Philippines with average air temperatures of 30°C and water temperatures between 26-30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (December to May) offers the highest temperatures, but many regular visitors consider the best time to visit is the wet season (June to November). The heaviest rainfall is usually expected in July/August but with few rivers on the islands, and therefore low run-off, visibility isn't generally affected.

Resort-based diving holidays are more popular in the dry season, as calmer weather makes for smoother boat rides and entry and exits on house reefs. In Dauin and Dumaguete octopus season is generally October through to January, whereas frogfish are spotted in greater numbers from February to June. Fortunately for shark enthusiasts, thresher sharks are spotted on Monad Shoals, Malapascua, all year round!

Your choice of liveaboard itinerary is more likely to be influenced by seasonal weathers which often dictate the diving seasons. Due to its remote location in the middle of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is generally inaccessible outside of the short February to May season, whilst whale sharks come to feast on plankton in Southern Leyte around the same period.

Above water attractions

Despite the fact there's so much to discover underwater it would be a pity to miss out on experiencing the beauty of the Philippines topside. These islands are home to spectacular tropical scenery, world-class white sand beaches, emerald rice fields, lively cities and vibrant festivals. Combined with the renowned Filipino hospitality and warmth in a true melting pot of cultures, when you visit the Philippines an unforgettable dive holiday awaits.

Experience the Philippines

Whatever your wish list, the Regaldive Team will help you plan the perfect Philippines holiday. Our tailor-made packages offer the ultimate in flexibility to meet your personal requirements and your budget. We feature a wide range of accommodation and flight options, plus the option to combine two or more resorts, liveaboard options and city extensions in one, wonderful holiday.

Contact the specialist Regaldive team today on 01353 659999 to find out more – your Philippines dive adventure awaits!