Share The LOVE Best Diving Spots In The Philippines You Shouldn’t Miss The Philippines has a vast collection of over 7,000 islands within the Indo-Pacific region’s Coral Triangle. These many islands mean only one thing: one of the best scuba diving experiences on the planet. Plenty of coral reefs, coral gardens, shoals of fish, critters, manta rays, and even the awe-inspiring whale sharks make the Philippines every scuba diver’s dream destination. If nature is kind to the Philippines, so is a selection of dive operators providing diving, dive resort, and dive liveaboard options. Complimented by the inviting warmth of the waters and breathtaking landscapes, it becomes a memorable experience for any scuba traveller. Given the choice of islands and the best diving options scattered throughout the region, selecting the ideal diving destination could be an exciting challenge. However, fear not! Having spent two decades in the Philippines, we reckon we’re in a good place to give you some dive advice. So, we have compiled a list of the best scuba diving locations in the Philippines to aid your holiday planning. So, let’s get diving! Anilao, Batangas Anilao is one of the world’s best destinations for blackwater diving and capturing stunning close-up shots of rare critters. Its incredible diversity and abundance of subjects surpass even the wildest of imaginations. Anilao offers an extraordinary range of dive experiences, from vibrant coral sites to sandy bottoms, rubble and muck. What sets it apart is its exceptional accessibility: It is a reasonably short transfer on the newish highway from NAIA International Airport in Manila. We can help you arrange your transfer with ease. There is a massive array of small-scale sea life and critters, including nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish, and countless others. Apart from that, Anilao also boasts beautiful coral reefs, mesmerizing schools of jacks, turtles, jellyfish, and even the occasional sighting of reef sharks. Often touted as ‘the place’ to see some of the rarest nudibranchs on the planet, Anilao rivals Lembeh in Indonesia as the macro diving capital of the world. Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is in the Sulu Sea, Palawan, and is widely considered one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines. It is definitely one of our top 8 best diving spots, and it is also one of the most biodiverse diving spots on the planet. It is only open for diving from March to June and only by liveaboard. This underwater paradise boasts an astonishing array of marine life, including no less than 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals (approximately 50% of the world’s coral species), 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins, and whales. While diving in Tubbataha, you have a fantastic chance to encounter awe-inspiring manta rays, clusters of barracuda and tuna, and smaller sea life such as nudibranchs, ornate ghost pipefish, seahorses, and frogfish. The vibrant and diverse ecosystem of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park offers a world-class underwater experience, making it a must-visit diving destination. The dive site, Amos Rock, captivates divers with its vibrant display of colourful soft corals, massive schools of fish, and the presence of large reef sharks. The North Atoll’s Washing Machine is renowned for offering the best visibility within the marine park, serving as a haven for grey reef sharks and abundant tropical reef fish. Black Rock, a popular dive spot in the South Atoll, beckons divers with its whitetip sharks, rays, and impressive schools of grouper and giant trevally. Each Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park dive site offers a unique and awe-inspiring underwater world, making it a paradise for those scuba divers able to make it during the short season. Dauin, Dumaguete Alongside Negros Island lies another world-class diving destination for scuba lovers. Situated alongside the coast of Dauin are the bulk of the best dive sites. The Dumaguete area is celebrated for its exceptional muck diving, nearby great coral reefs, and beachfront dive resorts, which are a bit more affordable than other diving destinations in the Philippines. Apo Island, a nearby marine sanctuary accessible by a 30-40 minute boat trip, boasts vibrant coral reefs, abundant fish schools, sea snakes, and sea turtles. At Coconut Point on Apo, divers can enjoy a thrilling drift dive along a sloping wall, spotting bump-head parrotfish, marbled groupers, and green sea turtles gliding with the currents. Moalboal, Cebu Moalboal in Cebu is known for its world-famous humongous sardine bait ball, Sardine Run, which can be witnessed at Panagsama Beach. Millions of sardines reside in this area, creating a mind-blowing spectacle that can be experienced while scuba diving, snorkelling, or freediving. Scuba diving in Moalboal is vibrant, offering an array of underwater wonders. Divers can expect to encounter enormous schools of fish, beautiful walls, caves, and fascinating macro life. Pescador Island features a dramatic wall adorned with colourful soft corals teeming with anthias and a large cathedral on the west side, providing some of the best dives in the Philippines. Other highlights include the scenic Talisay Wall, featuring various cave explorations and abundant black coral, batfish, and barracuda. Tuble Reef is known for its caves and forests of sea fan corals. Puerto Galera, Mindoro Puerto Galera is another excellent place to scuba dive in the Philippines. Many diving spots and beautiful beaches cater to divers of all levels and interests. Puerto Galera has something to offer everyone, if you are a beginner or advanced diver or even if you don’t dive. For thrill-seekers, the Canyons provide plenty of action with their strong currents. Those interested in underwater wrecks can explore the three sunken boats of the Sabang Wrecks. A day trip to dive at Verde Island is a must-do during your stay in Puerto Galera, as its passage offers some of the highest biodiversity in the Philippines. Puerto Galera has abundant nudibranchs, reef octopuses, frogfish, and seahorses. Adorning the reefs of this dream destination are stunning soft and hard corals. While some liveaboards include Puerto Galera in their itineraries, you can easily access most dive sites from a dive resort. Malapascua Island, Cebu Malapascua Island is among the best places on Earth to witness the majesty of thresher sharks. This tiny oasis is the only location where these elusive creatures are consistently spotted daily. Combine its pristine waters and milky-white beaches, and you have the perfect destination for a tropical dive vacation. Monad Shoal is the prime spot to dive with thresher sharks, but other sharks and rays are also commonly encountered. As of this writing, a resident tiger shark (Jawsome) can occasionally be spotted. At sunrise, you can see the shy sharks at Monad Shoal as divers rest approximately 90 feet on the sandy bottom, watching these magnificent creatures approach and be cleaned by smaller fish. Gato Island boasts exceptional macro marine life and hosts a distinctive marine reserve, including a sanctuary for sea snakes. While diving here, you can find cuttlefish, seahorses, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and mantis shrimp in action. While diving in Malapascua is possible year-round, it’s important to note that the weather can become rough during the typhoon season in the Philippines, from July to October. Balicasag, Bohol Bohol, with its white sandy beaches, relaxed vibe, green surroundings, and rich underwater life, is an excellent pick for scuba divers in the Philippines looking for a diving spot that offers other activities besides some of the best scuba diving in the Visayas. With kilometres of coastline and many of the best diving spots in the Philippines, Bohol offers diverse dive sites, including walls, slopes, sandy muck sites, and coral gardens. The varied underwater topography and rich critter population make Bohol a great destination to explore the Philippines’ marine wonders. Top-ranking dive sites are nearby, including Cabilao, Pamilican Island, Doljo, and Arco Point. The highlight of diving from Panglao, Bohol, is the small island of Balicasag, situated about an hour by Bangka boat from Alona Beach. This scuba gem is located in the Bohol Sea and smack-bang in the path of nutrients moving through from the Pacific Ocean. This scuba diving treasure in the archipelago has four main dive sites, each with its own characteristics. Philippines’ dive liveaboards all make Balicasag Island a stop in their itinerary for a good reason. The abundance of coral, reef fish, pelagics, and turtles definitely ranks this scuba spot among the top Philippine dive sites. It would be remiss of me not to mention the turtles once more! Balicasag Island has one of the healthiest green and hawksbill turtle populations in the Philippines if not the world. Coron Bay, Palawan Coron Bay, known for the Philippines’ top wreck dives, is famous for its stunning limestone cliffs and lagoons. With fascinating shipwrecks and beautiful scenery, Coron is a fantastic choice for wreck divers visiting the Philippines. The unique World War II shipwrecks in Coron, Palawan, stem from its history as a harbour for Japanese warships. In September 1944, an air attack sank 11 of these ships in Coron Bay. Today, these wrecks serve as reef systems, supporting diverse marine life, including scorpionfish, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, octopuses, and the occasional reef shark. At 525 feet, the Okinawa Maru is the largest shipwreck in Coron and a beginner-friendly dive site, with the top just 32 feet below the surface. Another famous wreck site is the Tangat Gunboat, a shallow submarine hunter that both beginner and advanced divers can enjoy. To Wrap it Up The Philippines is a true gem for scuba diving enthusiasts, offering an abundance of breathtaking dive destinations to explore. From Anilao’s captivating macro world to the vibrant Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, each location presents a unique and unforgettable underwater experience. Divers can also indulge in the enchanting wonders of Dauin in Dumaguete, the thrilling Sardine Run in Moalboal, the diverse marine life in Puerto Galera, the majestic thresher sharks of Malapascua Island, the hidden treasures of Anda in Bohol, and the historical wrecks of Coron Bay in Palawan. Embark on a remarkable journey and make lasting memories in the fantastic underwater playground of the Philippines. Do not hesitate to get in touch for inclusive, plant-based or vegan dive adventures in the Philippines! Written By: Mojo Rising An avid diver, marine conservationist and plant-based athlete. I roam the globe looking for the best places to scuba, documenting my journey as I go. See author's posts
