The Philippines is a world-renowned scuba diving destination, offering a diverse range of underwater experiences for divers of all levels. Located in the Coral Triangle, with thousands of islands and tropical, warm waters, the country boasts stunning coral reefs, fascinating wrecks, and abundant sea life. Its marine bio-diversity is second to none.
Dumaguete is a great base for a diving vacation as there are many dive sites to choose from, both for beginners and experienced divers. Apo Island is a protected marine sanctuary with a wide variety of coral reefs and fish. It's a great place for underwater photography and to see pelagic fish like barracuda and trevally. Dauin is a small town but a big name in muck diving, which allows you to see cephalopods, crustaceans, and other rarely seen marine creatures in their black sand environment. Nearby Siquijor Island offers some of the best wall diving in the Philippines.
Known as the 'Nudibranch Capital of the World', Anilao is a haven for macro photography enthusiasts. Its muck dives offer a unique opportunity to observe a staggering variety of marine species such as shrimps, seahorses, frogfish, and, of course, nudibranchs. There are many sites along its shallow and sheltered shoreline.
Puerto Galera is one of the most popular destinations in the country, both for scuba divers and for those just wishing to escape from Manila for a few days. It is renowned for its diverse local dive sites, ranging from shallow reefs to deep walls, several wrecks, and the current-fueled abundance of Verde Island.
Although liveaboard cruises offer the attraction of accessibility to a greater range of dive locations over any fixed period of time, dive resorts in the Philippines do offer greater flexibility. You can start your vacation whenever you want, and stay for as long as you want. You also have a greater say in the dive sites that you will visit.
As an archipelago of over 7,100 islands, the Philippines boasts a diverse range of natural wonders too. Palawan is home to the picturesque El Nido, with its hidden lagoons and pristine beaches, as well as a subterranean river. Bohol's attractions include the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and the stunning beach holiday destination of Panglao. Boracay draws crowds from all across Asia to enjoy its fine beaches and heady nightlife. Surfing spots, rice terraces, cultural attractions, volcano tours, island hopping, the Philippines has plenty to offer visitors.
We offer a variety of dive resorts and lodges in the Philippines to meet a wide range of budgets. We encourage our guests to visit the websites of each property to view the details of each option. We are disclosed agents for each resort and we handle all client enquiries and process bookings at the very same prices that you see on their websites. However, in addition, our clients will benefit from our impartial advice and qualify for extra discounts through our loyalty program in all of the major dive destinations around the world.
Anilao is the birth place of scuba diving in the Philippines, one the world's best muck dive destinations and, as well as being the "The Nudibranch Capital of the World", there is an unbelievable number of shrimps and crabs, rhinopias, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus and wonderpus, lacy and weedy scorpionfish, stargazers, pygmy seahorses, bobbit worms and frogfish. [More information on these dive sites: Anilao].
Solitude Acacia Resort is a luxury option and the best dive resort in the Anilao region; it is a seafront property where tranquillity meets adventure. 25 modern rooms, 100 sqm swimming pool, glass-walled restaurant with a wide range of cuisines, bar area, free wi-fi. Packages are full board dive and stay (3 boat dives per day + complimentary shore diving). 3 hour road transfers from Manila are available. EANx and dive courses available. In addition to scuba diving around Anilao and nearby Verde Island, there are underwater photography workshops, hikes, beach exploration, and volcano day trips: Solitude Acacia Resort.
Dumaguete is the base for a number of excellent destinations in the area, including Dauin, Siquijor and Apo Island. The region boasts an impressive diversity both in terms of creatures and the nature of the sites. The diving is a fantastic blend of marvellous macro, rainbow reefs and prowling pelagics. Dauin/Zamboanguita are known as the Frogfish Capital of the Philippines and are a unique destination for critter diving. Apo Island is a marine sanctuary with large schooling fish, and nearby Oslob is a haven for whale sharks: Dumaguete].
Atlantis Dumaguete is a mid-budget option on Dauin beachfront, just outside of Dumaguete City. 44 rooms built around a lush tropical garden and a waterfront bar & restaurant, unlimited internet access, a spacious camera room, a pool, and a spa. Packages of 4+ nights are full board dive and stay (5 boat dives per day, including night diving). 20 minute road transfers from Dumaguete and domestic flights are available. EANx and dive courses available. In addition to scuba diving around Dumaguete, there is a city tour, visit to Malatapay Market, Twin Lakes, a quad bike tour, and bird watching: Atlantis Dumaguete Resort
Thalatta Resort is a value for money option on Zamboanguita beachfront, just outside of Dumaguete City. 16 rooms, outside bar, international & seafood restaurant, unlimited internet access, a deep sea water swimming pool, and a spa. Packages are B&B/HB/ or FB basis dive and stay (3 boat dives per day). 30 minute road transfers from Dumaguete are available. The closest option to Apo Island. EANx and dive courses available. In addition to scuba diving around Dumaguete, there is snorkelling at Apo Island, a city tour, visit to Malatapay Market, Twin Lakes, ATV tours, caving, dolphin watching, waterfalls and hot springs, and hiking: Thalatta Resort
Puerto Galera in Mindoro, 110 km south of Manila, is a designated UNESCO 'Man and Biosphere Reserve' that has over 40 dive sites along its coast, with great diversity: from relaxed critter diving (heaven for photographers), to wonderful drift dives, a couple of small wrecks, and a day trip to the incredible Verde Island. Several inner bays offer shallow coral gardens and sandy patches, while the outer bay walls offer vivid corals, with canyons, swim throughs, rock formations and a couple of small wrecks with heaps of reef fish.
Atlantis Puerta Galera is a mid-budget option on Sabang Beach. 40 rooms built in to the hillside, a beachfront "50 Bar", a restaurant with daily changing chalkboard lunch and dinner menus, theme nights, plus a Mongolian Wok, unlimited internet access, a spacious camera room, a pool, and a spa. Packages of 4+ nights are full board dive and stay (5 boat dives per day, including night diving). 3-hour land and sea transfers from Manila are available. EANx and dive courses available. In addition to scuba diving around Puerto Galera, there is a sunset cruise, visit to Tamaraw Falls, Mangyan Village, Tukuran hidden paradise, golf, kayaking, trekking, walking, running, and island/beach hopping: Atlantis Puerta Galera Resort
Casalay is a boutique dive resort located in a tranquil part of Puerto Galera, on a pristine stretch of beach remote from Sabang. 11 luxury villas built in to the secluded hillside, a beachfront bar, restaurant (international and local Filipino food), unlimited internet access, 2 pools, a spa, complimentary snorkelling, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Packages are full board dive and stay (4 boat dives per day, including night diving and day trip to Verde Island), including 3-hour land and sea transfers from Manila. EANx, dive courses, muck diving on house reef all available. In addition to scuba diving around Puerto Galera, there are motorised watersports, visit to Tamaraw Falls, Mangyan Village, and island/beach hopping: Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort
The Philippines has a humid tropical climate characterized by high temperatures (range between 22-29°C (72-84°F) throughout the year. Humidity levels are high and there is plenty of seasonal rainfall. The wet season (May to October) brings the heaviest rains, especially in the western parts of the country, when typhoons sometimes hit. The dry season (November to April) brings cooler temperatures and less rainfall, especially in the eastern regions.
Each of our resort destinations is open for diving all year round although there are some seasonal factors and regional differences in diving conditions. Check out our Philippines dive site descriptions for more information on the best time to plan a visit to each location. One factor you can always rely on in the Philippines though, is that the water will always be warm, ranging from 27-30°C/81-86F, warmest in May/June, coolest in January-March.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila [MNL]) is the main arrivals point for most visitors to the Philippines, with direct flights from most of Asia, North America, Australasia and Europe. There are other international airports such as Cebu (CEB) and Puerto Princesa (PPS), with direct flights from Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Dubai, Taiwan and China. The country has a good network of low cost domestic flights, served by Cebu Pacific/Cebgo, Philippine Airlines/PAL Express, and Air Asia.
Dumaguete (for Dauin and Zamboanguita) - the city in the south of Negros is 900 km south of Manila and 150 km southwest of Cebu City. There are direct flights from Manila and Cebu City with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines to Dumaguete City Sibulan Airport (DGT). The flight time from Manila is 1½ hours. Dumaguete is also well connected with several islands by a ferry service, including Cebu and Bohol.
Puerto Galera - this resort town is located in northeast Mindoro, 140 km south of Manila. Transfers are provided from Manila by minibus and boat, and it takes about 2½ hours, depending on traffic and your location in Manila.
Anilao - Anilao is in Mabini, on the peninsula that divides the bays of Batangas and Balayan. Taxis and minibuses take about 1½ hours to make the journey 100 km south from Manila.
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I had a very enjoyable trip and was more than satisfied. Easy to book with and the discount is appreciated. A seamless experience.
