The Philippines, renowned for its rich biodiversity, magnificent coral reefs, and crystalline waters, is a treasure trove for scuba enthusiasts of every skill level. Each dive site in this nation presents a unique blend of underwater beauty, hosting an array of exotic marine life and captivating landscapes.
We’ve got the inside scoop on the top 10 most amazing dive spots here, each with its unique underwater magic, perfect whether you’re just curious or already a seasoned diver. Ready to see which incredible underwater wonderlands you should visit in the Philippines? Let’s dive in!
What Makes the Philippines One of the Best Diving Destinations in the World?
So, why is the Philippines consistently hailed as one of the world’s best diving destinations? It begins with the sheer magic beneath its waves! This nation is blessed with extraordinary marine biodiversity, a dazzling gift from its prime location in the Coral Triangle, which is home to an incredible 37% of all fish species in the world!
Imagine yourself gliding through crystal-clear waters, exploring hauntingly beautiful World War II shipwrecks, and discovering the paradise spread underwater across its 7,000+ islands. This variety and richness are glued to its fame, guaranteeing an unforgettable adventure for every diver, from curious beginners to seasoned pros.
Top 10 Diving Spots in the Philippines
Alright, ready to explore those can’t-miss spots we talked about? Let’s explore some of this aquatic paradise as we highlight the spots that simply can’t be missed!
1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is our first stop on this journey through the Philippines’ underwater wonders. Nestled in the middle of the Sulu Sea and accessible only by liveaboard, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park spans nearly 100,000 hectares (that’s about 386 square miles), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s on the wish list for many divers around the world.
Because of how vast this natural park is, you can expect encounters with over 600 fish species, 11 shark species, and around 13 species of dolphins and whales in the area. When visiting, you can also expect dramatic underwater topography, including steep walls, vibrant coral gardens, and a plethora of fish species. Visibility here is exceptional, reaching up to 40 meters between March and June, making it the prime time for spotting sharks, turtles, and schools of fish.
You can make the most of your Tubbataha experience by choosing a liveaboard. A liveaboard is a specially designed dive boat where you stay, eat, and dive directly from the vessel, giving you access to remote sites with ease. Our vessel, Solitude One, is known for its experienced dive guides, comfortable en-suite cabins, and thoughtful hospitality. It’s the perfect way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site in comfort and style.
2. Apo Reef
Next up, let’s journey to Apo Reef, floating in the Mindoro Strait! It’s the world’s second-largest connecting coral reef system, which is a massive underwater city and a protected natural park with over 30 dive spots to explore. We’re talking about a reef system that stretches across roughly 34 square kilometers (approx. 13 square miles), full of lifeforms.
In Apo Reef, you’ll find dramatic walls dropping off into the deep blue, decorated with an incredible variety of soft and hard corals, creating these amazing underwater gardens. And the fish! Get ready for over 500 different kinds, from tiny colourful critters to bigger stars.
The water here is often incredibly clear, sometimes you can see as far as 40 or 50 meters (approx. 130-165 feet). The best time to dive is generally from November to May. Most divers explore Apo Reef via liveaboard, which is a fantastic way to soak in this somewhat remote, but truly unforgettable, underwater paradise.
3. Malapascua Island
Our next must-see spot takes us to the charming Malapascua Island, just off the northern tip of Cebu. Why is this little island a global diving superstar? Two words: thresher sharks!
Malapascua is world-famous as one of the few places on Earth where recreational divers can reliably encounter these incredibly elegant pelagic thresher sharks. This encounter usually happens at Monad Shoal, a submerged seamount that acts as a cleaning station where these normally deep-dwelling sharks come up to the shallower depths (around 20-30 meters or 65-100 feet) in the early morning to get spruced up by cleaner wrasses. It’s a breathtaking experience like no other!
But the underwater adventure around Malapascua doesn’t stop with threshers. The island offers a surprisingly diverse range of dive experiences. You might spot graceful eagle rays gliding by, and if you’re lucky, you could even have an awe-inspiring encounter with schools of hammerhead sharks.
4. Anilao, Batangas
Looking for a world-class critter hunt that’s super easy to get to? Then say hello to Anilao, Batangas! Just a quick 2 to 3-hour drive south of Manila, this spot is an absolute legend in the diving world, especially if you love macro photography or getting up close with tiny, unique, and wonderful underwater creatures.
So, what’s the big deal? Anilao is a critter paradise! Think vibrant coral slopes, mysterious sandy muck dive sites, and cool volcanic underwater landscapes. This is where you come to find an almost unbelievable variety of nudibranchs, seriously, there are hundreds of different kinds in every color and shape imaginable!
Anilao also has beautiful coral gardens and some lovely reef dives teeming with colorful fish, making it great for snorkelers and even beginner divers. And for the photographers, many resorts, like the fantastic Solitude Acacia Resort, are totally geared up for you with camera rooms and expert guides who are masters at spotting the teeniest, most hidden creatures.
5. Balicasag Island, Bohol
Balicasag Island is a definite highlight for many divers visiting Bohol. Just a short boat ride from Panglao Island, imagine postcard-perfect underwater scenes with vibrant, healthy coral gardens teeming with colorful reef fish and dramatic walls that drop off into the deep blue.
Moreover, this small, circular marine sanctuary is also famous for its friendly turtle population! You will have a very high chance of spotting Green sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles here, often seen munching on corals or just calmly swimming by, and they seem quite accustomed to respectful divers. Be sure to look out for big schools of jackfish, sometimes forming mesmerizing vortexes, along with groups of barracuda and snappers.
What’s great about Balicasag is its appeal to all kinds of divers. The shallow reef tops, often starting around 5 meters (about 15 feet), are wonderful for snorkelers and new divers to explore beautiful coral gardens in generally clear, calm waters. For more experienced divers, the walls offer exciting drift dives, sometimes with currents that can add to the adventure.
6. Puerto Galera
Next up is Puerto Galera, a super accessible diving hotspot on the northeastern coast of Mindoro Island. Why is it so popular? Because it packs an incredible variety of diving, all within easy reach. With over 40 dive sites, you can bounce from thrilling drift dives along vibrant walls to fascinating muck diving expeditions hunting for bizarre critters, sometimes all in the same day!
Puerto Galera sits right in the heart of the Verde Island Passage, often called the “Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity,” so you know the marine life is going to be off the charts. You can spend hours searching for hundreds of species of colorful nudibranchs, shy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and all sorts of tiny, fascinating crustaceans.
Visibility in the area typically ranges from 15 to 25 meters (approx. 50-80 feet) depending on the site and conditions, and diving is great year-round, though November to May is often considered the peak season for the calmest seas. Puerto Galera is also a fantastic place to learn to dive or take your next course, with loads of experienced dive centers.
7. Coron, Palawan
Get ready to head to Coron in Palawan, a mesmerizing dive site where history comes to life! Nestled within the beautiful Calamian Islands, this place is one of the world’s best wreck diving spots, filled with a whole fleet of WWII Japanese supply ships that sank in a 1944 air raid.
Today, these steel giants rest on the seabed, transformed into incredible artificial reefs bursting with marine life. But Coron isn’t only about the wrecks, amazing as they are. You can also dive the unique Barracuda Lake, a volcanic crater lake known for its dramatic underwater cliffs and wild thermoclines where the water temperature can change dramatically as you descend.
Visibility around the wrecks can vary (often 10-20 meters or 30-65 feet), but it’s usually good enough to appreciate their scale. Getting to Coron usually involves a flight to Busuanga (USU) airport, followed by a van or boat ride to Coron Town. For a truly unforgettable journey into underwater history, Coron is hard to beat!
8. Moalboal, Cebu
Get ready for something truly special in Moalboal. It’s home to one of the ocean’s most incredible spectacles: a massive, year-round sardine run! Just a few meters off Panagsama Beach, literally millions of sardines move in unison. You can snorkel or dive right into the heart of this living vortex, and it’s a mind-blowing experience as the school parts around you.
But wait, there’s more! Keep your eyes peeled for turtles cruising by, whitetip reef sharks patrolling the depths, schools of colorful anthias, and maybe even a frogfish or two camouflaged on the sponges. The diversity of reef fish here is fantastic.
Visibility in Moalboal is generally good, often ranging from 10 to 30 meters (approx. 30-100 feet), and the water is warm year-round. Whether you’re floating amidst a million sardines or exploring the dramatic walls of Pescador, Moalboal offers a truly unique and unforgettable Philippine diving adventure.
9. Dauin, Negros Oriental
Our next stop is Dauin, right on the southeastern coast of Negros Oriental. If your idea of a perfect dive involves slowly exploring dark volcanic sandy slopes, seagrass beds, and cleverly placed artificial reefs to find unique and most wonderful tiny marine life, then Dauin is your heaven.
Get your checklist ready for A-list critters like the electrifying blue-ringed octopus (yes, plural!), flamboyant cuttlefish doing their dazzling displays, a whole family of ghost pipefish (ornate, robust, delicate), and camouflaged frogfish of all shapes and sizes. But the list goes on! Keep your macro lens focused for seahorses, wonderpus, mimic octopus, Ambon scorpionfish, sea moths, a wild variety of nudibranchs, and unique shrimps and crabs.
Most of these amazing finds are in surprisingly shallow waters, typically between 10 to 20 meters (approx. 30-65 feet), meaning you get lots of time to patiently observe and photograph these masters of disguise. Also, many dive resorts along the Dauin coast cater specifically to divers and photographers, with excellent dive experts at spotting these elusive critters.
10. Verde Island, Batangas
Verde Island is our grand finale! We’re plunging into a place that truly earns its legendary status, often called “The Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity.” This area is an absolute explosion of life. If you’re looking for a dive with jaw-dropping scenery and big fish action, Verde Island is calling your name.
The diving here is famous for its often strong and sometimes unpredictable currents, which act like a nutrient highway, feeding the incredibly lush coral walls and attracting a staggering amount of marine life. Imagine being surrounded by colossal schools of jacks and barracuda, clouds of vibrant anthias, and hunting trevallies and tuna.
Visibility is generally very good, often exceeding 20-30 meters (approx. 65-100 feet), allowing you to take in the sheer scale of the underwater landscapes. Due to the potential for strong currents, many of Verde Island’s sites are best suited for experienced to advanced divers who are comfortable with drift diving.
How to Prepare a Diving Trip in the Philippines
A little prep work for your diving trip will ensure an amazing underwater adventure when the time comes! Planning means less stress and more time enjoying the stunning marine wonders that await. Here are some things you need to prepare:
- Certificate & Skill Level: Double-check that your dive certifications are current and suitable for your planned dives. If it’s been a while, consider a quick refresher course.
- Book Ahead: Research dive locations that excite you and match your skill level. Book your flights, accommodations, and reputable dive operators or liveaboards in advance.
- Secure Dive Insurance: This is a non-negotiable. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers scuba diving activities, including medical emergencies.
- Plan Your Dive Gear: Decide whether to bring your essential gear (i.e., your mask, fins, and dive computer for comfort and familiarity) or if you’ll rent equipment at your destination.
With these essentials covered, you’ll be all set for a truly incredible and smooth diving experience in the Philippines. For an even more thorough checklist and a deep dive into every planning detail, head over to our Scuba Diving in the Philippines: Travel Guide for 2025 to help you plan your trip!
Plan Your Dream Adventure in the Philippines Today!
Why just dream of these world-class dives when you can experience them in unparalleled style and comfort with Solitude? Each of these top diving spots offers a distinct aspect of the Philippines’ underwater beauty, from the mesmerizing Tubbataha to the easily accessible shores of Anilao!
With our renowned vessel, Solitude One, we offer unparalleled access to these remote dive sites and ensure an unforgettable adventure! For those seeking a more land-based experience, Solitude Acacia Resorts provides exquisite accommodations and seamless access to premier diving in the Philippines’ most sought-after destinations.
Furthermore, our dedicated team of experts is ready to craft personalized dream itineraries, perfectly matching your diving desires with the ideal locations and Solitude’s exceptional services.
Contact us today, and let’s start designing your ultimate underwater escape to the Philippines!