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Scuba diving in Philippines offers a mesmerizing underwater experience, with over 7,000 islands and some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. The country is part of the Coral Triangle, boasting colourful coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, and rare marine species like whale sharks and manta rays. Divers of all skill levels can explore crystal-clear waters teeming with fish, sea turtles, and even thresher sharks. From the UNESCO-listed Tubbataha Reefs to the eerie wrecks of Coron Bay, the Philippines remains a top-tier destination for underwater adventurers seeking unforgettable dives.
Top Places For Scuba Diving In Philippines
Scuba Diving in the Philippines takes you to some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater landscapes offering an unparalleled adventure beneath the waves.
1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
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Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea, is famous for Scuba Diving in Philippines due to its exceptional biodiversity and clean underwater landscapes. The park features dramatic coral walls, marine life, and depths reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet), making it ideal for advanced divers. Visitors often encounter whale sharks, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks, enhancing the thrill of diving. Its remote location minimizes human impact, preserving its natural beauty and making it one of the best diving destinations globally.
Nearest Airport: Puerto Princesa International Airport, 160 km
Best Time To Visit: March to June
Nearby Attractions: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Honda Bay
2. Anilao, Batangas
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Anilao, Batangas, Philippines, is a prime location for accessible muck diving and macro photography. Anilao is considered the birthplace of Scuba Diving in Philippines. Divers are drawn to Anilao for its rich reefs, incredible diversity, and variety of fish. Divers can spot nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, and pipefish. Secret Bay and The Pier are well-known dive sites. Anilao faces Balayan Bay, part of the Verde Island Passage, known as the centre of the world’s marine biodiversity.
Nearest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), 80 km
Best Time To Visit: November to May
Nearby Attractions: Islands of Tinglo
3. Dauin And Dumaguete
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Dauin and Dumaguete in the Philippines are known as an all-in-one scuba diving destination, offering a mix of resorts, a nice-sized town, and excellent muck diving. Dauin is famous for its macro life, with rare critters found along its coastline, while Apo Island provides wide-angle opportunities. Divers can see frogfish, cuttlefish, and ghostpipe fish. Many dive resorts in Dumaguete also provide opportunities to snorkel or dive with whale sharks near Oslob. These features make the area a premier location for Scuba Diving in Philippines.
Nearest Airport: Dumaguete Airport (DGT), also known as Sibulan Airport, 4 km
Best Time To Visit: January to May
Nearby Attractions: Divers can explore Casaroro waterfall
4. Moalboal, Cebu
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Moalboal, Cebu, is a prime location for Scuba Diving in Philippines, famous for its mesmerizing sardine bait balls and marine biodiversity. Divers can witness the famous Sardine Run, where millions of sardines congregate. Pescador Island, a protected marine park in the Tañon Strait, offers soft corals and diverse macro life. Its dramatic walls, teeming with marine life, create an unforgettable “Pescador Experience”. Moalboal’s unique underwater topography and thriving ecosystem make it a must-visit destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.
Nearest Airport: Cebu International Airport, 100 km
Best Time To Visit: November to May
Nearby Attractions: Kawasan Falls (canyoneering), White Beach
5. Puerto Galera, Mindoro
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Puerto Galera, Mindoro, is a well-known destination for Scuba Diving in Philippines, boasting beautiful beaches and diverse dive sites. With over 30 dive sites, it is a hub of marine biodiversity, offering opportunities for macro, critter, and wide-angle photography. The Verde Island Passage, accessible from Puerto Galera, is part of the Coral Triangle and home to 1,700 fish and 300 coral species. Divers can explore coral reefs, shipwrecks, muck dive sites, and encounter green sea turtles, sea snakes, nudibranchs, and various reef fish.
Nearest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
Best Time To Visit: November to May
Nearby Attractions: Monkey Beach, Wreck Point, and La Laguna
6. Anda, Bohol
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Anda, Bohol, is rapidly gaining recognition as a prime destination for Scuba Diving in Philippines. This hidden gem features diverse marine life and stunning coral reefs, making it a favourite among divers seeking less crowded spots. The underwater landscape includes muck dives, wall dives, and opportunities to see unique species like mandarin fish and whale sharks. Anda’s ecosystems offer a peaceful diving experience, distinct from more popular locations like Balicasag and Panglao.
Nearest Airport: Tagbilaran Airport, 108 km
Best Time To Visit: December to June
Nearby Attractions: Chocolate Hills, Loboc River
7. Malapascua, Cebu
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Malapascua, Cebu, is well known for scuba diving, particularly for its frequent sightings of thresher sharks, earning it the nickname “Thresher Shark Capital of the World”. The most popular dive site is Monad Shoal, where divers can reliably observe these elusive sharks. Divers dive early in the morning to witness the threshers at the cleaning station. Malapascua also boasts vibrant macro life, especially around Gato Island, where seahorses and nudibranchs can be found. Scuba Diving in Philippines is often synonymous with Malapascua due to its unique marine biodiversity and thrilling pelagic encounters.
Nearest Airport: Mactan-Cebu International Airport, 115 km
Best Time To Visit: December to April
Nearby Attractions: Moalboal, Oslob, and Mactan Island
8. Coron Bay
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Coron Bay in Palawan, Philippines, is famous for its accessible WWII wreck diving, making it a unique and exciting destination for Scuba Diving in Philippines. In September 1944, a US Navy air strike sunk a fleet of Japanese ships, which now rest in relatively shallow waters, ranging from 3 to 43 meters, making them accessible to recreational divers. These well-preserved wrecks have transformed into artificial reefs, teeming with marine life, offering divers the chance to explore historical artefacts and observe colourful underwater ecosystems.
Nearest Airport: Busuanga Airport (USU), 30 km
Best Time To Visit: December to May
Nearby Attractions: Aside from wreck diving, Coron offers island hopping
9. Apo Reef
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Apo Reef, the second-largest contiguous coral reef system globally, spans 34 sq km in the Mindoro Strait. This natural park boasts around 400 coral and 385 fish species, attracting scuba divers to its thriving reefs, walls, and diverse marine life. The excellent visibility enhances the experience of observing sharks, manta rays, and more in this popular scuba diving location in the Philippines. Depths range from 6 to 30 meters, making it accessible for divers with Open Water certification.
Nearest Airport: San Jose Airport, 70 km
Best Time To Visit: January to April
Nearby Attractions: Coron and Mindoro Islands
10. El Nido, Palawan
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El Nido, Palawan, a picturesque coastal town in the Philippines, is famous for its stunning limestone cliffs and clear waters, making it a haven for underwater photography and Scuba Diving in Philippines. El Nido’s underwater features vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique rock formations, attracting divers of all levels. Divers can explore swim-throughs, caverns, and healthy coral gardens teeming with colourful fish, turtles, and various critters. The area is also known for its white-sand beaches and laid-back tropical vibe, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Nearest Airport: El Nido Airport, 5 km
Best Time To Visit: December to May
Nearby Attractions: Miniloc Island, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Scuba Diving in Philippines is a dream come true for underwater explorers, offering a blend of biodiversity, history, and adventure. Whether you seek the thrill of swimming alongside thresher sharks in Malapascua or discovering century-old shipwrecks in Coron, the country’s dive sites promise unforgettable experiences. The Philippines’ warm waters, diverse marine life, and welcoming dive resorts make it an ideal destination for both beginners and experienced divers. Plan your diving adventure today with TripXL’s exclusive travel packages and explore the best dive sites in the Philippines with expert guides and top-tier accommodations.
Cover Photo: Ayden Zaki / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
