About Philippines
DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Puerto Galera is a diving paradise, boasting crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and a variety of diving environments. Underwater photographers particularly seek out its famous muck diving. Another highlight is the Canyons, where currents sweep divers through three stunning canyons adorned with soft corals and sponges. Take your time exploring these structures to spot large schools of fish, including barracudas, batfish, snappers, emperors, and trevally. Opposite Puerto Galera is Verde Island. Here you will find vast coral formations and high-voltage scuba diving sites.
Dumaguete is a world-class scuba diving destination, and drift-lovers should add Coconut to their must-dive list. Known locally as the Washing Machine, this site isn’t for the faint of heart, but it offers the chance to see a wide variety of marine life. closeby, the Apo Island dive sites offer lush coral gardens, blue ring octopus and many fish species. Divers can encounter huge schools of pelagic fish, banded sea kraits, and sea turtles. Occasionally, bait balls form, providing a spectacular display if you find a sheltered spot to watch the action unfold. Before going, read our blog story: Destination Spotlight: Philippines.
Central Visayas Region
Cebu’s coastline offers everything from sandy beaches to dramatic limestone cliffs, providing a wide variety of diving experiences — from critter dives on sandy bottoms to breathtaking 100-foot walls. Moalboal is home to an incredible range of marine life, from the tiny Denise Pygmy Seahorse to the sleek and powerful Thresher Shark, often seen hunting the massive school of sardines at Panagsama Wall. The sardine bait ball is a spectacle in itself: over a million fish move as one, shifting and changing shape as predators swoop in for a meal. Watching this underwater ballet unfold is simply mesmerizing. To learn more about dive trips in this area, read our blog post: Cebu and the Visayas Islands.
Bohol is a top Philippine diving destination, offering everything from vibrant coral reefs and abundant pelagic fish to reef sharks and spectacular wall dives. Dive sites range from muck sites and coral-covered walls to sandy slopes, small caves, mangroves, and lively sandy bottoms. The marine life in this area is also incredibly diverse. It features everything from tiny pygmy seahorses and colorful nudibranchs to large schools of fish, passing whale sharks, and even the occasional manta ray.
Liveaboard Dive Trips in the Philippines
One of the most remote diving destinations in the Philippines, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is accessible only by dive liveaboards from March to June. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Apo Reef is the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system. Together, they boast 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 13 whale and dolphin species, and 11 species of shark. Coron is best known for its WWII wrecks in its shallow, protected waters.Accommodations
Compared to many other destinations, the Philippines offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every traveler, including dive resorts, hotels, guest houses, and liveaboards. Visitors will also enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people, who love to gather for singing, dancing, and sharing meals. Here are a few of the liveaboard dive trips and dive resorts available in the Philippines:
- Atlantis Adventurer (Asores): This scuba-diving yacht in the Philippines accommodates 16 guests in 8 staterooms. Onboard, guests enjoy delicious meals, a spacious dive deck with camera stations, and opportunities for snorkeling and land excursions.
- Atlantis Infinity: Liveaboard dive trips on the Atlantis Infinity provide easy access to a variety of dive destinations and also allow travelers to see marine life like hammerhead and great white sharks.
- Atlantis Resort Dumaguete: This dive resort features 32 dive sites and 38 rooms for travelers to choose from. Nearby dive locations include the Dauin Marine Reserve, Apo Island, Oslob, and more.
- Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera: Enjoy a dive resort with modern Spanish stucco and tile accents, providing a relaxing retreat after a day exploring the underwater world. Dive trips to nearby locations will allow individuals to explore wrecks, underwater walls, and coral gardens.
- Magic Island Dive Resort Cebu: Stay at this dive resort with around 30 nearby dive sites and bungalow accommodations with amenities like air conditioning, fans, and hot showers.
- Magic Oceans Dive Resort Bohol: This dive resort offers easy access to 30 sites where divers can explore features such as walls, caves, and tunnels.
- Atmosphere Resort & Spa: An upscale boutique resort with luxury suites near Dumaguete in Dauin on Negros Oriental Island with shore diving and proximity to 32 dive sites including Apo Island.
