UPDATE: The Philippines was recently voted the world’s best diving destination in the World Travel Awards, and there is fair enough reason for it. Smack bang in the middle of the coral triangle and consisting of over 7200 islands, the Philippine archipelago, gives you plenty of places to scuba.
Comprising an array of different dive environments, you will surely find one suitable for your next dive holiday. Shallow reefs, plunging walls, scintillating drifts, black sand muck, historical wrecks and remote atolls are just some of the Philippines’ scuba adventures. Infinite Blue has had a base in the Philippines since 2009, so I am confident we can help you navigate the PH in plant-based style.
Philippine Siren
M/Y Atlantis Azores
Atlantis Azores
Alona Divers
Silver Reef Dive Resort
Atlantis Dive Resort
Seaquest | Oasis
With over 7000 islands, it’s only fair that the Philippines qualifies as a top dive destination! Some of the more notable ones that you won’t want to miss are Tubbabtaha Reefs, Southern Leyte, Apo Reef, Malapascua, Dumaguete, and Bohol’s surrounding seas. Oh, and for historical wreck enthusiasts, you should place diving in Coron firmly on your list. Oh, and yes, if you are an underwater photographer, into macro, then you can’t not dive Dauin or Anilao. There is a lot to like dive-wise in the Philippines. We have dived it for over a decade and a half, so let us help you decide where to go.
As part of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is well known for its marine biodiversity, sporting large numbers of fish and coral species. But also, not to be missed, are the megafauna that for a while, call the area their home. The Philippines has large numbers of whale sharks and other large pelagic species which you may just encounter. Helping to conserve the precious ecosystem, are many remarkable conservation programs and nonprofit organizations. Here we team up with Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute, (LAMAVE). A percentage of your dive travel payment will be donated to them to support their valuable work.
Scuba diving in the Philippines is affordable compared to other popular diving destinations, making it an ideal location for budget-conscious travellers. With its many dive sites and reasonable accommodations, divers can experience a world-class diving experience without breaking the bank.
We have done a lot of eating, alongside the diving, in the Philippines. And we can report, it can be a tricky place for divers on a vegan or plant-based diet. But never fear, there is no need to survive on eggplants, white rice and soy sauce! We can guide you through your dive travels, and ensure your dietary needs are taken care of.
The Philippines is situated in Southeast Asia, if not a little further north than the rest of the countries in the region.
The Philippine capital Manila is easily accessible, with many international flights daily; it is also one of the best places to transit to Palau. The other main international airport is in the city of Cebu, which is better for most of the dive destinations in the Philippines. Cebu is most easily accessed through Singapore, and transiting through Manila.
Unless you are diving Anilao, or heading to Coron, we recommend avoiding Manila international airport if possible.
You don’t need to be an experienced scuba diver to experience the incredible diving in the Philippines. There are dive destinations for every skill level. However, to experience the best dive sites in the Philippines, I recommend having some experience under your belt, especially for dive locations such as Tubbataha Reefs, and Apo Reef.
If you want to dive the wrecks in Coron, you will need deep diving certification, and a wreck speciality would be a good idea too. To experience sites with more current and night dives, which can be fantastic, getting your advanced certification is recommended.
Diving in the Philippines is comparatively cheaper than in the rest of the world. There are high-end dive liveaboards and dive resorts that match other Southeast Asian locations for the price, but if you have a hotel and dive package with a local dive shop, then the budget is comparable to Thailand. Examples of this are the dive shops we co-operate with in Bohol.
The Philippines is a great place to take a dive course.
The country is dense with mainly PADI and SSI dive shops where you can get certified as a diver or upgrade your current certification. The great thing is that while you are learning, you can experience some top-class scuba diving at the same time.
However, please be aware of your skill level and how this may affect your safety and the environment. Bohol, Philippines, is a great example of somewhere to work on your scuba certifications while doing some good scuba.
The best time to dive is all year round!
Although subject to the whims of the monsoon season, there are many micro-climates, and areas are protected from the prevailing conditions. World-renowned dive destinations such as Tubbataha Reefs are only open for diving from March to June; however, there is always somewhere else you can head to for your scuba fix.
The Philippines is located in the coral triangle, so it is one of the more nutrient-rich areas to dive on the planet.
Currents washing in from the Pacific Ocean and the depth of some of the seas surrounding the islands mean pelagics always come through.
The Philippines is one of the best destinations in the world to encounter Whale sharks. Some long-running Marine protected areas, such as in Dauin, Dumaguete offer fantastic diving. The Philippines is also home to some of the best muck diving in the world.
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