Best Dive Sites in the Philippines

It seems to be the reason that the Philippines is one of the top diving locations in the world with so many islands to discover. Divers are invited to explore the breathtaking reefs, whale sharks, manta rays, and underwater UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Pacific.

Amazing scuba diving can be found almost anywhere, but liveaboard diving boats offer the best diving experiences in the Philippines. These luxurious vessels will take you to reefs that are otherwise inaccessible and let you dive the best locations throughout numerous islands in a short period of time.

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The top dive spots in the Philippines:

Monad Shoal – Malapascua

Monad Shoal, the best shark dive in the Philippines, is where thresher shark sightings are frequent. Divers are almost guaranteed to see the crazy-tailed shark at least once throughout the course of two diving days at a depth of 100 feet (30 meters).

In addition to being the only location where a thresher shark was seen giving birth, this is the thresher shark’s most reliable breeding ground in the entire planet. Gather your equipment and travel to this remote sanctuary for an exhilarating dive.

Type of Dive: Shoal
Level advised: Advanced
Thresher Sharks are the featured creatures.

Canyons – Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera, a diving haven with crystal clear seas, an abundance of marine life, and a diversity of diving settings, is conveniently located near Manila.

Although there are several diving sites worth noting, Canyons is the most popular. Divers are carried by currents through three breathtaking canyons that are home to a wide variety of soft corals and sponges. To find big schools of fish, such as barracudas, batfish, snappers, emperors, and trevally, inside these structures, take your time.

Type of Dive: Drift
Level advised: Advanced
Barracuda, batfish, snappers, trevally, and emperors are among the featured species.

Manta Bowl: Donsol, Ticao Pass

Manta Bowl is a 7 acre underwater shoal that is located between the plankton-rich waters of the Ticao and Burias Passes. With constantly flowing current, the alley has become a magnet for manta rays as both a cleaning and feeding station.

The months of December through May are the greatest for spotting these elegant animals. Huge hammerhead, tiger, and whale sharks are among the other sporadic guests.

Type of Dive: Drift (with reef hooks)
Level advised: Intermediate
Manta rays are the featured animals.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park’s Amos Rock

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, one of the most remote diving locations in the Philippines, is only accessible by liveaboard from March to June. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to 11 species of sharks, 600 kinds of fish, and 360 varieties of coral.

You’ll need a week to see everything, but be sure to visit Amos Rock, where a wall covered in gorgonia is home to numerous soft coral species and enormous schools of fish. The big reef sharks in the area are well known.

Reef Dive Type
Level advised: Intermediate
Reef sharks, groupers, and enormous schools of reef fish are among the featured animals.

Apo Reef Natural Park, Apo 29

Apo Reef Natural Park is the second reef in the Philippines to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is thought to be the second largest coral reef in the world. The ideal way to dive Apo Reef is from a liveaboard because it is quite a distance from the other islands.

It’s important to remember to include Apo 29 in your dive itinerary as it’s frequently cited as one of the best yet most difficult dive sites in the region. The massive seamount rises to a depth of 82 feet (25 meters).

Here you might spot several reef sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads, manta rays and schools of pelagic fish. The ideal months to go are November through May, although many dive operators need 100 dives as a condition for an Apo Reef dive safari.

Type of Dive: Seamount
Level advised: Advanced
Featured Animals: Hammerhead, reef, thresher, and manta ray sharks

Island of Apo, Coconut

Apo Island, not to be confused with Apo Reef, is situated off of Dauin, close to Dumaguete. The entire region is a top-notch diving location, but drift divers should add Coconut to their bucket list.

This location, known locally as the Washing Machine, is not for the timid. However, there is a good chance that you will see a ton of fascinating marine species, such as large schools of pelagic fish, banded sea kraits, and sea turtles. Sometimes, bait balls form. So locate a protected area and see the event.

Type of Dive: Drift
Level advised: Advanced
Featured Animals: Sea turtles, sea kraits, trevally, and barracuda

Coron Bay, Palawan: Okikawa Maru

During World War II, a number of Japanese warships temporarily berthed in Coron Bay, which was sometimes referred to as the “Poor Man’s Chuuk Lagoon,” but 11 of these ships were sunk by an Allied air raid in September 1944.

The Okikawa Maru, a 525-foot (160-meter) long tanker, is one of the most accessible of these amazing diving locations today. This wreck is perfect for divers of all skill levels because the top of the ship’s superstructure is just 32 feet (10 meters) below the surface. Just be warned that periodically there may be severe currents.

Type of Dive: Wreck
Level to Start: Beginner
Macrolife is the featured creature.

Boracay – Yapak

Beyond the beaches of pure white sand that spread as far as the eye can see, Boracay offers more. This paradise has excellent diving, with Yapak being the greatest site. Along this 106-foot (32-meter) wall, everything is possible.

Drift around while keeping an eye out for tuna and sharks that are casually floating by. Find macro life, such as colorful nudibranchs and tiny seahorses, by turning to the wall. You might even catch a glimpse of the weird mola mola rising from the depths if you’re very fortunate.

Type of Dive: Wall
Level advised: Advanced
Featured Animals: Pygmy seahorses, tuna, and nudibranchs

Conclusion

Your focus and awareness will increase when you learn to dive. Despite the weight you are carrying, you are able to maintain your balance when swimming underwater by coordinating your arm and leg movements. In addition, as you explore the undersea world, you make an effort to avoid harming the corals, fish, and other marine life nearby.

As it benefits you personally, it also broadens your understanding of how to preserve the Philippines’ water resources. Don’t be reluctant to acquire travel insurance before going underwater for your safety net against unforeseen circumstances when traveling.