Destination Guide
The Best Dive Sites in the Philippines: An Underwater Paradise
Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world, known for its crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning coral reefs.
Here are some
of the top diving spots in the Philippines that you don't want to miss:
1. Tubbataha Reef
Tubbataha Reef is a protected marine park located in the Sulu Sea. The
reef is made up of two large coral atolls and is considered one of the best
dive spots in the world due to its diverse marine life and pristine coral
reefs.
Tubbataha Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to over 600
species of fish, 360 species of coral, and various species of sharks and rays.
Some of the marine life that can be seen at Tubbataha Reef include whale
sharks, manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and barracuda.
The best time to dive at Tubbataha Reef is from mid-March to mid-June,
as the water is calmest and the visibility is the clearest during this time.
2. Apo Island
Apo Island is located in Negros Oriental and is a marine sanctuary that
is home to over 650 species of fish and various species of sea turtles. The
island has several dive sites, including Coconut Point and Chapel Point, which
are known for their vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish. The island is also
known for its resident sea turtles, which can often be seen grazing on the sea
grass beds that surround the island.
The best time to dive at Apo Island is from April to June, as the water
is the calmest and the visibility is the clearest during this time.
3. Anilao
Anilao is a small town located in the province of Batangas, about two to
three hours south of Manila. It is known for its world-class diving and is
considered to be one of the top macro photography destinations in the world.
One of the most popular dive sites in Anilao is Secret Bay, a muck diving site home to a variety of unusual marine life, such as
frogfish, seahorses, and octopuses. Another popular dive site is Cathedral, known for its unique underwater rock formations and home to schools
of batfish and jacks. Other popular dive sites in Anilao include Basura,
Kirby's Rock, and Twin Rocks.
The best time to dive in Anilao is from November to May, when the water
is clear, and visibility is high.
4. Malapascua Island
Malapascua Island is located in Cebu and is known for its thresher shark
sightings, as well as its colorful coral gardens and schools of fish. The
island has several dive sites, including Monad Shoal and Gato Island, which are
known for their thresher shark sightings. Monad Shoal is a cleaning station for
thresher sharks, which means that the sharks come here to have their parasites
removed by cleaner fish. Malapascua Island is also home to several wreck dive
sites, including the Dona Marilyn and the Tapilon Wreck.
The best time to dive at Malapascua Island is from November to April, as
this is the dry season, and the water is the clearest.
5. Moalboal
Moalboal is a small town in the province of Cebu, in the central
Visayas region of the Philippines. Moalboal is home to a variety of dive sites,
including Pescador Island, which is considered to be one of the best dive sites
in the country. Pescador Island is a marine sanctuary home to various marine life, including colorful coral formations, schools of fish, and sea
turtles. Other popular dive sites in Moalboal include Sunken Island, Tongo
Point, and Kasai Wall.
One of the unique features of diving in Moalboal is a
sardine run. This natural phenomenon occurs when millions of sardines gather in
a massive school, creating an incredible underwater spectacle. Divers can swim
through the sardine school and watch as the fish move in unison, creating
mesmerizing patterns.
The best time to dive in Moalboal is from November to May when the
water is clear and visibility is high.
6. Coron Bay
Coron Bay is located in Palawan and is known for its shipwrecks,
including the World War II Japanese shipwrecks that have become artificial
reefs and are now home to a variety of marine life. The wrecks range in depth
from 10 to 40 meters and are suitable for beginner and experienced divers.
Some marine life seen at the wrecks includes lionfish,
scorpionfish, and schools of jacks. Coron Bay is also home to several reef dive
sites, including the Coral Garden and the Barracuda Lake.
The best time to dive at Coron Bay is from October to June, as the water
is the clearest during this time.
7. Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera is in Mindoro and is a popular dive destination in
the Philippines. The area has more than 30 dive sites that cater to divers of
all levels, from beginners to advanced. The marine life in Puerto Galera is
diverse and includes a variety of colorful fish, coral, and invertebrates.
One of the most popular dive sites in Puerto Galera is the Verde Island
Passage, which is known for its strong currents and abundant marine life. The
passage is home to over 300 species of coral and more than 1,000 fish species, including schools of jacks, barracudas, and tuna. Other popular dive
sites in Puerto Galera include Monkey Beach, which is known for its schools of
batfish and snappers, and the Canyons, which is a series of canyons that are
home to a variety of marine life.
Puerto Galera is also home to several wrecks, including the Alma Jane and St. Christopher. The Alma Jane wreck is a cargo ship that
sunk in 2003 and is now home to various fish, including lionfish and
batfish. The St. Christopher wreck is a World War II ship that sunk in 1944 and
is now covered in coral and home to various marine life.
The best time to dive in Puerto Galera is from November to May, as this
is the dry season, and the water is the clearest. However,
diving is possible year-round in Puerto Galera. The area has several dive shops offering courses and guided dives for all levels and equipment
rental.
These are just a few of the many amazing dive spots in the Philippines.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, the Philippines has
something for everyone.