...Highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, schooling fish & big pelagics, great macro life/ marine diversity...
...Diving environment: healthy reefs, walls, drift diving, wrecks, caverns, beginner & advanced divers, off the beaten track...
The Philippines is a South-east Asian nation comprising more than 7,100 islands. Being in the Coral Triangle of marine biodiversity and with so much coastline, it is little wonder that the Philippines is home to such a wide range of fabulous scuba diving opportunities; there are almost 9% of the world’s coral reefs here and over 2,200 species of fish! There are many distinct destinations within the country and there is some dispute as to where the best diving is. Everyone has their own favourite! ...
The central islands of Cebu, Malapascua and Bohol are often the first names mentioned when it comes to the best diving in the Philippines. These islands, their surrounding islets and submerged reefs have some of the most diverse and colourful diving anywhere. This central area which forms part of the Visayas region, also includes places like Apo Island, Siquijor and Oslob, and it's one of the favourite regions for Philippines liveaboards. With thresher sharks at Malapascua, hammerheads in Cebu, whale sharks in Oslob, and the healthiest reefs and schooling fish in Bohol, no wonder it's such a popular liveaboard route.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is another world-class liveaboard destination, and is the leading area in the country in terms of marine biodiversity. These remote unspoiled reefs in the Sulu Sea are populated by large numbers of sharks and rays, plus turtles, barracuda, tuna and many schools of fish. For many divers the main reason to visit the Philippines is for the extraordinary array of Japanese WWII wrecks in Coron. Here the aerial bombardment of these supply ships in September 1944 comes alive before your very eyes.
We highly recommend liveaboards as the best way to experience diving in the Philippines. The dispersed nature of this island nation and the difficulty of getting around it (planes, ferries, jeepneys) make land-based diving quite a logistic headache. A liveaboard that simply cruises from one amazing diving area to another, whilst taking in some of the best land attractions as well, makes it an absolute breeze.
Further details on each of the best destinations for diving the Philippines:
Being a nation of so many islands, it's easy to understand why we recommend liveaboard safaris as the best way to experience the diving in the Philippines. The boat operators schedule trips in different regions of the country, depending on the best time to go to each area..
You will find cruises to Tubbataha, to the best of the Visayas (Malapascua, Bohol, Apo Island, Dauin), to Apo Reef and Coron (near Mindoro), and from Batangas to Bicol (Anilao, Verde Island, Romblon and Masbate). Trips can be as short of 3 nights and as long as 2 weeks, depending on the chosen route.
To find a trip that's the best macth for you, and for more details on all the travel information you might need to visit, see our Philippines liveaboards section.
For those that prefer to stay on land, we offer a selection of resort diving packages in some popular areas of the Philippines.
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You can dive in the Philippines all year round, and the liveaboards operate in different regions of the country in order to offer divers the best experience at each time of year. Generally speaking, the dry season is from late-October to May, with the hottest month being May and the coolest month January. The rainy season runs from June to early-October. It should be noted though that the dry season and rains begin earlier in the western regions, the dry season and rains extend later in the eastern regions. The typhoon season runs from July through October, but their effect are not felt evenly throughout the country as they usually blow in from the east - eastern Luzon, and the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions usually take the brunt of the storms. Visit Wikipedia for more details on the climate of the Philippines.
Tubbataha can only be dived between March and June. Outside of this period the seas can be too rough. The Visayas regions of Cebu, Malapascua, Dumaguete and Bohol can be dived all year round, but their peak season is January to May, when there is less chance of rain. Dolphins are more frequently seen from March to June, and December to June is for hammerhead sharks at Cabilao and Malapascua. The Mimaropa region of Palawan, Mindoro, Romblon, and Anilao is also a year round destination, but best conditions are found between December and April. Consult our detailed dive site pages for more details on the diving season of each Philippine destination.
Review our maps below of the Philippines' location in the world. Here, you will find information on how to get to the Philippines.
5 - >40m
5 - 40m
Can be very strong
Calm
25 - 30°C
Beginner - advanced
~500
1 - 3 weeks
I really appreciated your quick and comprehensive information, it was an outstanding experience. I am sure that in future (with a bit better planning on our side) we will ask for your services again!
Philippines liveaboards