Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Philippines

Gorgonians, black coral, turtles, rays, jacks, snappers... NE side end of Maricaban island (Named Sombrero cos of its shape).

Sabang Wrecks is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Mindoro, Puerto Galera which is accessible from shore based on 2 ratings.

This dive site is good for macro photography with schools of jacks, trevallies, small barracudas, snappers and batfish but also clownfish. It deserve at least two dives. Twin Rocks is a marine sanctuary located right in front of the Planet Dive Resort. There is a big effort to conservate this place which is considerated one of the best dive place in Anilao area.

Sabang Beach is the site directly in front of the Sabang resorts in Puerto Galera. The entry is complicated by boat mooring and traffic and there is lots of debris in the water, but once you get out to the wrecks, the dive is quite worthwhile. Between the wrecks are many isolated coral bommies and small stretches of reefs. An hour underwater here will deliver most of the usual Pacific marine life and dozens of macro subjects worth photographing. I recommend hiring a guide the first time out to find the highlights of the dive. Rather than driving, taking a boat from the Luzon mainland at Batangas harbor to Puerto Galera is the usual route. There are streets and cars in Puerto Galera and a thriving, if somewhat seamy, nightlife but neither is a necessary part of the adventure.

Immature white-tip reef sharks, surgeonfish, triggerfish and moray eels. Off Mindoro Island's Sabang Beach

This is a 20m local pig boat that sank in 1993.

Monad Shoal is a Thresher Shark Paradise. Monad Shoal, also known as Shark Point, has now become a World famous dive site. It is the best place in the world and in the Philippines to see the rare and timid Thresher Sharks! This is actually the place that made diving in Malapascua Island famous, with a sunken coral plateau about 20m deep! Here you have the chance of spotting Thresher Sharks which use Monad Shoal as a cleaning station. These sharks normally live in deep water but come here early in the morning to the cleaning station. It is important to stay as quiet as possible when diving there as the Thresher Sharks are very shy creatures. Sightings are not guaranteed but if you dive there for a few days, you have quite high chances to encounter them several times! If there are no Thresher Sharks in sight, you could also keep your eyes out for the the superb Manta Rays gliding around the reef. Or you could always keep your eyes out for Monad Shoal. It is also a great location for Underwater Macro Photography and for critter lovers! Pygmy Seahorses, various species of Nudibranchs, Mantis Shrimps and so much more! The conditions are generally pretty good with 10m to 15m visibility, however with a maximum depth of 24m and occasionally quite strong currents, Padi Open Water Advanced divers will fully enjoy this wonderful dive! It takes about 30min by boat to reach Monad Shoal from Malapascua Island. This is a dawn dive around 6am!

Black forest is the main attraction of Balicasag island. A nice slope full of small fishes, and deeper, the black forest. Except the black coral, you also can see large schools of silver jacks / surgeon fish, and turtles. SW of Balicasag island. S from the school. Black forest is also known as Northeast slope.

Gradual/Steep slope & drop off. Hot spring with bubbles coming from under.

Municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental Island. Easy shore entry, medium sized reef in relatively shallow water (top part of reef is in 30ft of water, bottom part of reef is in 75 to 80ft. of water). Lot's of marine life, large snappers, rock cod, sweetlips, trumpetfish, schooling jacks, barracuda, batfish, garden eels, a very large resident turtle with remoras, and tons of reef tropicals. This is a must dive for the area.

I dove the site twice and was moved by the grandeur of the coral formations. Entering from the nearby site, Kang-Oran, is especially impressive since you move from a very impressive wall to a sloping mass of coral structures that are on the scale of California's Redwoods. They make most other coral reefs look like second or third growth forests in comparison. I've been diving in the best that Indonesia, Palau and Fiji have to offer but nowhere have I seen hard coral structures to match these. You can't drive to this location. There are no roads and no cars on the small island, but there are coral gardens older and more majestic than Wakatobi's.

Location of the structural remains of a casino that sank many years ago. Average depth is about 16m (~50ft) to 35m (~120), but the site's maximum depth can drop off to 45m (~148ft). Western side of Caban Island. Daryl Laut is also known as Dari Laut.

W side of Siquijor, S of Paliton Staghorn dive site

Dauin Sanctury is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Soong, Mactan island.

Mainit Point school is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

The Cathedral is one of the more famous dive sites around the Anilao area. It became famous when former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos placed a concrete stone cross which was even blessed by Saint John Paul II. This cross is located between the 2 giant rocks making the view look like an altar in a cathedral. It is a relatively easy dive site and is it where most diving students do their check-out dive. I did a night dive here before during my check out dive for my advance course few years back.

This is a very small shoal, lost in the sea. Kimut Shoal is for me better than Monad cos smaller and with less divers. Marine life is great and you probably see Thresher Sharks ! Top of the shoal is 15m deep. Pelagic fishes can be seen there. 9.3 nautical miles east southeast from Malapascua Island. Approx the double distance than Monad Shoal. Kimut Shoal is also known as Kimud Shoal - Kemod Shoal.

The dive site is located in front of the Dolphin Resort, NW of Moalboal peninsula.

N side of Panglao island.

20 min fron marine Station by banker boat Cordova White Sand is also known as Cordova.

Akitsushima is the only warship sunk in Coron Bay. Boat type: Japanese Navy Seaplane Tender Size: 113m long, 16m wide W of Lusung beween Lajo island and Mangalet close to the Okikawa Maru wreck

Bahura is a 3.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

From the shore of Boracay opposite of Calypso Diving Center

Wreck type: Japanese civilian tanker / oiler Size: 180m long This tanker left Coron partly sunk September 24th, 1944 and definitly October 9th. S of Conception (Busuanga Is.).

You can meet Dolphins sometime in the area! W of Olango island. 20 min from Kon-Tiki.

W of Balicasag Island.

Certainly a world class dive. Famous for its inhabitants, ranging from gray reef to white tip sharks, with reported sightings of hammerhead sharks. Schools of barracudas, jacks, tuna, surgeon fish, snappers, sweetlips and rainbow runners, as well as occasional large groupers, turtles and napoleon wrasse are commonly seen. Also a good dive site for technical and trimix diving.Calypso Diving School 5-Star IDC Center Calypso.ph

W of Sangat island, close to some pearl farms. Tangat wreck is also known as Morazon Maru (?).

By boat from Boracay

10km S of Olango island. 27min from Kon-Tiki. Nalusuan Island is also known as Nalusuan Island Resorts and Marine Sanctuary.

SW side of Apo Island.

Eastern side of the north point of Boracay Island.

Libaong. 4km E from Alona Beach.

Current may be strong sometimes... Take care! SW of Olango island. 12min from Kon-Tiki. Bas Coral is also known as Cathedral.

S of Balicasag Island.

Rock point borders a protected underwater area. W side of Cabilao island.

Habagat wreck is S from the great wall, at 36m deep. This banca was sunk by the Seaquest Dive Center in 2000. SW of Panglao Island.

Maribago, Mactan island. 2min from Kon-Tiki.

clownfish, lionfish and altheas. Off the western side Cebu Island of the Visayas group.

S of Panglao Island, Danao. W side of Alona Beach (approx 100m).

NNE of Balicasag island.

This is a protected marine site, with large jack shoals. W part of Balicasag island, starting just S of the BIDR resort. Fish Sanctuary is also known as Marine Sanctuary.

clownfish, lionfish and altheas. Off Cebu Island of the Visayas group, next to the shore diving resorts.

Great wall with big Gorgonians. Small caves and overhangings. NW of Cabilao island, just S of shark point view.

Nice wall and sandy plateau. Numerous varieties of hard and soft corals, invertebrates... In front of Looc village, N of Cabilao island. Looc is also known as Talisay Wall.

Good night dive spot. Turtlesn cuttle fish (night) and a lot of sea slugs and shrimps. Southern Leyte Divers House Reef. Just southeast of the boat channel exit.

Nice sandy slope. Many small invertebrates to look for. E side of Cabilao island

Don't miss the large schools of barracudas! SW side of Cabilao island

Nicely populated steep wall with a panoramic view into the open water. 29 min from Flower Beach Resort

Interesting stuffs between 10m and 20m. Soong, Mactan island. 6min from Kon-Tiki.

To visit the wreck you have to pay 150 pesos to the local responsible people (they come to you with their little banca). It's a big wreck (superferry)the top of the wreck is around 35 meters, the bottom is at exactly 50 meters, not really a marine life (shoal of batfish and few soft coral) the bottom is a sand, to penetrate the wreck is easy, but careful to not be lost inside. They said that the wreck was burn, but i didn't see any trace of fire, some people think that they sank it to get the insurance's money. The mark is the buoy with a little tree on it, just follow the rope of the buoy to go directly on the wreck Liloan Wreck is also known as Liloan superferry, San Juan Wreck.

Two great walls. Probably the best dive site but for advanced divers only (depth, current). Pelagic fishes. Yapak 1 is less well known and less frequently dived than it's more famous brother Yapak 2 and is for experienced divers only. We will jump in at the northwest tip of the island and make a head first descent to 35m where we will find the top of the wall which drops vertically to 55m plus. We will swim along the top edge where we can see cactus, black and fan corals and the larger reef fish. Sharks, rays, tuna and jacks are common and there is a nice chimney 3m wide which we can enter at 38m deep and exit on top of the wall at 32m. Northwest side of Boracay Island

W of Moalboal peninsula. The dive site is in front of two appartments (one white and the other yellow).

Interesting wreck with tight entries. Allowed for CMAS** / AOWD only due to depth. Many large fish, can find pigmey seahorse, other rare species. Western side of Boracay Island, in front of White Beach

Dog Drift is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Crocodiles, sea snkes, and a nice wall running down to 24m Southwest side.

Napantao is a Fish Sanctuary where fishing is forbidden. There is a tax fee (approx 200 pesos). This is a fantastic wann cover by black corals, with an incredible density of fishs. Pelagic can be seen off the wall. The top of the wall is covered by Tubastrea sp. The dive site is very different in the morning and in the afternoon. You really have to dive several time napantao. There is also a cave; entrance is near 40m deep ! Marine life: Great gorgonians, black corals, turtles, barracuda, groupers, batfish... Napantao Fish Sanctuary is located on the west side of Panoan Island, in front of padre Burgos. Napantao Fish Sanctuary is also known as Napantaw, Ilijan Point, Rio's Wall, Toshi's Wall.

Nice dive. The larger of the two islands has an 8m wide swim-through tunnel. Southeast of Boracay, after Crocodile island.

SW of Moalboal peninsula.

W side of Apo island (Near Paul's Diving).

A classic dive of Mactan island. Ghost pipefish can be seen there. Only 5km from Kon-Tiki. NE of Mactan island.

Very nive corals at 10m deep. Wall is great. For all divers. Biodiversity is great! Watchout for Frogfish, Mandarin fish, Ghostpipe fish, Blue ring octo etc. Hadsan Beach Cove, Maribago, Mactan Island Kon-Tiki is also known as Kon Tiki.

There is a small airplane at the end of the slope (22m deep), surrounded by truck tires. Soong, Mactan island. 8km from Kon-Tiki.

Impressive wall ! There is a larger cave at about 30m... Gentle slope with sandy channels on the E side of the dive site. Just in front of the village of Cambakis, NE of Cabilao island.Start on the S side of Cambaquiz beach. Cambaquiz is also known as Cambakis Point.

This site is well known for its large fish shoals, sponges and gorgonians. Lot of Lion Fishes are on the S side. A must! This is the site where the 1st underwater wedding ceremony in Asia was officiated by a Catholic parish priest in Sangi Sunken island, Badian, Cebu, Philippines. Underwater plateau located S of Copton peninsula, SW of Badian Point. Sunken island is also known as Sunken Island Cebu.

Great site for Macro-photography. Near Marine village.

Nice dive site for second dive. There is small caves at 27-30m deep. S of Dolphin house

Suba Basbas, Mactan island. The dive site is a litle bit after Marigondon Public Beach. 15min from Kon-Tiki.

Maribago, Mactan island. 3min from Kon-Tiki. Dive the NE part of the rocks. Whale Rock is also known as Dakit Dakit.

Off white beach, just south of Copton Point and Airport point. White beach is also known as Saavedra.

Suba Basbas, Mactan Island. 22min from Kon-Tiki.

E point of Apo island, just S of Mamsa Point.

Torch is strongly recommended, as well as a serious deep dive experience! N from Malapascua Island

The current may be very strong in this area. Take care! Only for diver with current experience. Extreme N of Apo Island.

NW side of Apo Island

Danao. SW of Panglao Island.

NW side of Panglao Island. 15km from Alona Beach.

Look for garden eels at the 20m sandy floor. Near Marine Village. Entry point is S of a nice white cimetery bow-chapel. Santa Maria is also known as Garden Eels.

NE side of Apo island, E from the lighthouse.

Great dive site. Well known for 'Clownfish city' (only 5m deep). SE side of Apo island. Marine Sanctuary is also known as Clownfish city.

NE of Oslob. 1h+ from Marine Village. Luisan Shoal is also known as Caceres Reef.

There are many chances to see Thresher Sharks in the morning. Extreme N of Olango Island. 25min from Kon-Tiki.

Access to Sunok dive site is with boat local dive operator Sogod Bay Scuba Resort. Contact www.sogodbayscubaresort.com This dive site has become very popular because of the whale sharks. There has been 8 pairs of whale sharks spotted in the last 6 months. Best time to see them is near or on the full moon. Fish Sanctury fees apply. You can dive on air or snorkel. Whale Sharks are seen on a regular basis. Sunok is also known as SBSR Whale Shark dive site.

In front of Vista Mar building. 3min from Shangri-La. Mar y cielo is also known as Vista Mar.

Just off Bagalangit Point, approx 250 feet right from Eagle Point Resort. 10 minutes swim from the beach.

There is almost 5 dive sites around the Island, but this is forbidden to dive here as this island has become a marine sanctuary. This is a good dive site for snorkelling. Just southeast of Mahaba Island. Hinukilan Island is also known as Himukitan Island, Himokilan Island.

One of the most beautiful coral reefs in Sipalay. Table corals, whip corals, soft corals, etc.

Northeast of Mahaba island. This is the smallest of the four islands. Didjo Island is also known as Daquio Island.

San Ricardo is the place to meet Whale Sharks. The best is not to dive but meet the sharks by snorkeling ! Spotters from Sunok fishing village can help to find sharks. Southern tip of Panoan Island.

Mahaba Island is famous for its sea-turtles. This is a good dive site for snorkelling. There is a tax to access the fish sanctuary (approx 200 pesos / divers). Approx 12 nautical miles southwest of Baybay. The fish sanctuary is at the south tip of the Island.

Large coral rock covered with gorgonians. Just south of San Roque.

Good dive site for macro photography with a good diversity of sea life: cuttlefish (with flamboyants), sea snakes and snake eels, seamoths, dragonfish, Pegasus and batfish, seaslugs and a lot of shrimps. Small Island between Cebu tip and Malapascua Island.

Dolphins, sea turtles, seahorses... West of Mahaba Island. Apid Island is also known as Island Aped, Apit Island.

As far as I know, this dive site is still FORBIDDEN ! Extreme N of Moalboal penninsula.

Wall covered with large black corlas. In the middle of the east side of the island.

Very nice wall running from 30m to 50m deep; with large gorgonian fans, puffer fishes and schools of fusiliers. 20 nautical miles south of Malapascua Island. There is a lighthouse on this small reef.

The top of the shoal is approx 10m deep, then a nice wall on the southeast down to 45-50m. Southeast side of the island.

Great wall with coves and overhangs covered with bushes of black coral. Northeast of the island

Two dives are possible at Rock Point: The E side and the W side of the cape. The E side goes deeper... Extreme S of Apo Island.