Diving in the Philippines
With over 7,600 islands scattered across the heart of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is a diver’s paradise unlike any other. Beneath its turquoise waters lies a staggering diversity of marine life — from gentle whale sharks cruising off Cebu, to pristine coral walls in Palawan, and the world-famous thresher shark encounters in Malapascua. But it’s not just about the big animals — the Philippines is also a macro heaven, where every dive can reveal a tiny seahorse, flamboyant cuttlefish, or a rare nudibranch hiding in plain sight.
What makes it even more special is the mix of experiences: you can start the day with a drift over a kaleidoscopic reef, explore a historic WWII wreck in the afternoon, and finish with a blackwater dive searching for alien-like critters after sunset. Add in warm, clear waters year-round, dramatic volcanic and limestone landscapes above the surface, and the famously welcoming Filipino hospitality, and you’ll quickly understand why many divers say the Philippines offers some of the most rewarding and unforgettable diving in the world.
Why Dive in the Philippines?
🌊 7,600+ islands = endless dive diversity
🦈 Iconic encounters — whale sharks, thresher sharks, manta rays, dugongs
🪸 Incredible coral reefs — the Philippines sits in the global Coral Triangle
📷 A dream for photographers — from macro critters to wide-angle pelagics
🌞 Warm waters year-round (26–30°C / 79–86°F)
🌴 Dive spots for all levels — from beginner-friendly reefs to advanced drift dives
🗓️ Best Time to Dive
General diving: November to May (dry season, calm seas, best visibility)
Tubbataha: March to June (liveaboard only, peak conditions)
Whale sharks (Donsol, Cebu): February to May
Avoid: July to October — typhoon season can affect visibility and boat schedules
Travel Tips for Divers
✈️ Many dive spots require domestic flights + boat transfers — plan buffer days
🚤 Liveaboards are the only way to reach Tubbataha and the best way to cover remote areas
🎒 Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dive computer, and a safety sausage/SMB for drift dives
📸 Don’t forget extra batteries & memory cards — the Philippines is a photographer’s dream
🌊 Check your skill level — some sites (like Monad Shoal or Tubbataha walls) have strong currents
What You’ll See
The Philippines’ waters are overflowing with life. Here’s just a sample:
Big Life: Whale sharks, thresher sharks, manta rays, dugongs, turtles, reef sharks
Reef Life: Parrotfish, sweetlips, groupers, anemonefish, batfish
Macro Life: Nudibranchs, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish
Rare Sightings: Rhinopias, blue-ringed octopus, mandarin fish, mimic octopus
Last updated: March 2025
Top Dive Destinations in the Philippines
🐠 Coron (Palawan)
If you love wreck diving, Coron is a must. During WWII, a fleet of Japanese supply ships was sunk here — and today they’ve transformed into some of the most impressive wrecks in Asia, draped in soft corals and teeming with marine life. Some are shallow and beginner-friendly, while others plunge deeper and demand advanced certification. Beyond the wrecks, Coron also offers limestone lagoons, caverns, and nearby reefs, making it a versatile dive destination with a unique mix of history and natural beauty.
🤿Dive Style: Wreck diving, caverns, reefs
🐠Marine Life: Barracudas, groupers, macro life, turtles, reef fish
👌Access: Flights to Busuanga, then boat trips from Coron Town
📅Best Time: October to June
🐢 Apo Island (Negros Oriental)
A shining example of how community-led conservation can succeed, Apo Island is home to some of the most vibrant coral gardens in the Philippines. Divers are often surrounded by schools of jackfish moving in silver tornado formations, while resident sea turtles glide lazily over the reefs. Shallow coral gardens make it beginner-friendly, while drift dives keep things exciting for experienced divers. Apo proves that marine sanctuaries, when properly protected, can truly flourish.
🤿Dive Style: Shallow coral gardens, drift dives
🐠Marine Life: Turtles, jackfish, reef sharks, vibrant hard and soft corals
👌Access: Boat trips from Dauin or Dumaguete
📅Best Time: Year-round, calmest seas December–May
Anilao (Batangas)
Known as the macro and muck diving capital of the Philippines, Anilao is a paradise for underwater photographers chasing rare and tiny critters. Just a few hours’ drive from Manila, it’s incredibly accessible and offers everything from psychedelic nudibranchs to flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, and even rare species like rhinopias. With world-class muck sites and excellent night diving, Anilao is where you’ll find the weird, wonderful, and often alien-like side of the underwater world.
🤿Dive Style: Muck diving, reefs, night dives
🐠Marine Life: Nudibranchs, frogfish, rhinopias, shrimps, seahorses, cuttlefish
👌Access: 2–3 hour drive from Manila
📅Best Time: November to May — best conditions for photography
🦈 Malapascua (Cebu)
Malapascua is world-famous for thresher sharks, which can be reliably seen year-round at Monad Shoal — one of the only places on Earth where these rare sharks come up from the deep to visit cleaning stations.
But it’s not just threshers: you’ll also find manta rays, pristine reefs, and some of the best macro diving in the Visayas. Tiny critters like nudibranchs, seahorses, and frogfish thrive here, making Malapascua a diver’s paradise for both big encounters and small treasures.
🤿Dive Style: Deep cleaning stations, macro, reefs
🐠Marine Life: Thresher sharks, manta rays, nudibranchs, seahorses, frogfish
👌Access: Boat transfer from Maya Port, Cebu (after 3–4 hours by car from Cebu City)
📅Best Time: Year-round, best visibility November–May
Diving in the Philippines is as diverse as its islands. Whether you’re drifting with thresher sharks in Malapascua, exploring WWII wrecks in Coron, or marveling at tiny critters in Anilao, every dive reveals something extraordinary.
It’s a destination where both first-timers and seasoned divers will find adventure — set against a backdrop of white sand beaches, lush jungles, and some of the warmest hospitality in Asia.
Pack your gear, charge your camera, and get ready to explore the Philippines — a place where every dive feels like discovering a new world. 🌊🐠
Conservation & Responsible Diving in the Philippines
The Philippines’ reefs are spectacular — but they face threats from overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change. Divers can help protect them:
💙 Perfect your buoyancy to protect fragile reefs
🚫 Never touch or chase marine life (especially whale sharks & turtles)
♻️ Say no to plastic — refill water bottles & avoid single-use items
🌱 Support eco-friendly dive operators (look for those linked to Marine Protected Areas or NGOs like Project AWARE)
🐠 Respect community-run sanctuaries like Apo Island — your fees help reef conservation
How Divers & Travelers Can Help Protect Coral Reefs
🌱 Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm corals. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
🐠 Follow "Look But Don’t Touch" Rules – Never touch, stand on, or break coral. Even slight contact can cause damage.
⚓ Practice Responsible Diving & Snorkeling – Avoid stirring up sand, as it can smother corals. Always secure dive gear to prevent accidental contact.
🚤 Support Eco-Friendly Tourism – Choose dive operators committed to sustainable practices, such as reef restoration and responsible waste management.
🗑️ Reduce Plastic Use – Plastics break down into microplastics, which are harmful to marine life. Always dispose of waste properly and participate in beach cleanups.
🐟 Eat Sustainable Seafood – Overfishing depletes reef fish populations. Use seafood guides (like the WWF Seafood Guide) to make responsible choices.
🔬 Support Coral Restoration Efforts – Many organizations, like Coral Restoration Foundation and REEFCheck, are working to plant and restore corals. Consider volunteering or donating.
Where Can You Still See Healthy Coral Reefs?
While some reefs are suffering, many still thrive, especially in marine-protected areas. Here are a few of the best places to see vibrant coral reefs:
Raja Ampat, Indonesia – One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world.
Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with pristine coral.
The Maldives – Home to spectacular coral atolls and marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – While parts have suffered bleaching, conservation efforts are helping reefs recover.
The Red Sea, Egypt – Warm, clear waters and incredible reef diversity.
Coral reefs are fragile but resilient—with the right actions, they can recover and thrive. As divers and ocean lovers, we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.
Let’s keep our reefs alive! 🐠
✅ Must-Haves (Don’t Skip These)
Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Go reef-safe (and it actually works in the humidity). This one’s great https://amzn.to/426EeAr
Universal Travel Adapter – A universal adapter is a lifesaver if you’re bouncing to other countries.
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Portable Power Bank – Keep your phone alive during long bus rides or power cuts.
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Reusable Water Bottle (with filter if possible) – Stay hydrated without buying endless plastic bottles.
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Bug Repellent – Jungle + dusk = mosquitos. Go DEET-free or natural if you prefer.
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Essential Packing For Your Upcoming Adventures 🎒
✨ Nice-to-Haves (Make Your Trip Way Easier)
Waterproof Camera (GoPro) – For underwater snorkeling, surf footage, and waterfalls.
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📸Why it’s worth it: If you're all about waterfalls, snorkeling, and surfing — aka places you don’t want to risk a regular camera. A GoPro is waterproof, durable, and perfect for capturing underwater adventures or strapping onto your surfboard. The newer models also have killer stabilization, so even jungle hikes look smooth on video.
Camera (Good but Affordable) – If you want better photos without going pro-level, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 with a kit lens is a solid travel pick: https://amzn.to/3HAU67w
📷Why it’s worth it: Not everyone wants a bulky DSLR. If you want high-quality photos without spending thousands, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 is a great balance. Both are lightweight, great in low light (hello, jungle sunsets), and come with decent kit lenses for beginners.
DJI Mini Drone – Capture epic coastlines and jungle views without carrying a giant drone.
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✈️Why it’s worth it: Imagine flying over the jungle canopy or filming a sunset on the Pacific coast — a drone completely changes how you capture your trip. The DJI Mini series is lightweight (under 250g, so no license hassle), packs easily in a day bag, and gets amazing shots without pro-level skills.
Headlamp / Compact Flashlight – Jungle nights get dark fast.
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Earplugs – Between howler monkeys and surf towns with late-night music, you’ll want them.
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Travel Hammock (lightweight packable) – Perfect for chilling on the beach or jungle stays.
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Sun Hat/Cap – Foldable ones pack easily. This one works well: https://amzn.to/4pfaAmP
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