Philippines Resorts

Where’s the best resort-based diving in the Philippines?

From Anilao to Sipalay, Malapascua to the wrecks of Coron, there is a huge choice of wonderful resort-based diving adventures to be had in the Philippines.

Many choose to combine two or three locations into one island-hopping adventure, and the central Visayas region is ideal for this, with numerous combinations possible in relatively close proximity. The most accessible of the Visayas’ diving spots, Moalboal, is a wonderful place to start or end a diving holiday, with beautiful reefs, plenty of turtles and the thrills of Pescador island.

To the north of Cebu island, Malapascua is a perennial favourite, with regular thresher sightings just one reason to visit. In south-eastern Bohol, there is more exceptional diving, while photographers will love the abundance of rare and unusual marine life in Dumaguete. Farther round the coast, Sipalay has more great diving opportunities.

For those arriving into Manila, the more northerly regions of the Philippines offer further high calibre diving opportunities. Wreck lovers will naturally be drawn to Coron Bay, where an entire Japanese fleet was sunk in WWII, while Anilao is great for photographers. Puerto Galera, across the Verde Channel from Anilao, offers a little of everything.

What to see when

Much of the Philippine’s famous marine life sightings can be seen throughout the year, including whale shark, turtle and the thresher sharks of Malapascua. Manta ray can also be seen from Malapascua, with the best months generally between June and August, while hammerhead sightings are possible between December and April.

Lovers of smaller marine life and macro photographers will find a treasure trove of species at any time of year, however, even benthic marine life ebbs and flows. The best month to see frogfish in Dumaguete is April, while octopus and cuttlefish are seen most commonly from September through to December.