Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Philippines

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Soong, Mactan island.

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

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 1 ratings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

N side of Panglao island.

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.

Verde Island Diving is excellent, with warm water, 30m plus on average visibility and good fish and coral life all add up to a world class destination. Depending on state of tide the current on the wall face can be nothing to very strong >3 knts and very easy to miss the duck back around/over the wall, at the end to get out of current and into shelter, and not get swept away from the island. But a drift along the wall is a must. Southeast of verde island; there are two rocks at the surface. Verde Island Wall is also known as Verde Island Drop Off.

Bonets Corner is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

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

Its an easy dive site.Drop down between different big rocks on the sandy bottom in about 4 meters.You can follow the rocks to the east and swim through. slowly going deeper and follow small reef side then if you like to decent until 30 meters there are again big rocks and some big fishes. Almost every dive turtle passing by. Ascend to the shallow part like a sandy platform going back between the rocks in to end the dive in shallow water.

Malapascua - Ubang Bato is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Malapascua - Dakit Dakit is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Lawigan Sanctuary is also known as Bugtong Bato Wall.

W side of Siquijor, S of Paliton Staghorn dive site

Here you will find beautiful coral decorated reefs teeming with marine life. Bonus is that Agnay Sanctuary is situated in a protected bay area, making this dive easy to handle. Calm sea conditions and much to see and explore. A good place to see eagle rays and frogfishes. This spot can be reached in 5 minutes from Lonos, Romblon or 15 minutes from Romblon Town. This spot can be visit 12 months a year.

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

Descend directly to a fantastic coral reef at 27m. Always good visibility. For experienced divers.

Sand Bar Sanctuary is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, South Cebu which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Correct name is Taiei Maru (with an I not a L) Taiei Maru is also known as Japanese Freighter.

this dive site can be reached by boat from Coco Loco (Green 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

Lancair, postal delivery plane, 1993. Observed in 1998. Nice second dive. NW of Copton Penninsula, between White beach and Copton Point. There are eroded pillars of rock on the surface. Airport Point is also known as Umbrella Point, Wreck Point.

This dive is one of South Leyte's premier muck dives and night dives. It is a fantastic site for a night dive. Lots to see including stargazers and standard sized seahorses, nudis, octopus, Pegasus fish. The only negative for this dive is that all the divers in the area were there diving with us, in shallow water, at night. It was quite a zoo! Our guide from South Leyte Divers was very good at keeping us away from the zoo and showing us all the great things to see. The town only opens the pier for night diving Mon, Wed, and Fri. If you could find a night when there were not so many divers, I'd give it a 5 star rating. (if you're into shallow water macro night dives). Also, if there is a strong east wind, getting into the water is challenging. My strobe quit working so pics are not great, sorry. Shore dive, using steps to go down into the sand

Relatively shallow dive, suitable as second dive of the day. Best suitable for beginners or as introduction. Nicely populated steep wall. Occasionally barracudas, but more the tiny things. Many tiny naked snails and sea spiders, some schools of hump head parrot fishes. Boat dive, about 6 min., 1.5 km.

This is a drift dive along the eastern part of Anda's reef. This dive is great for the numerous Pygmee Seahorses that can be found in gorgons at 20m and lower.

NE side of Apo island, E from the lighthouse.

Ariara Island formely know as Gued Island Acces to the divesite by live aboard or by boat from San Pedro Linapacan. The dive site is also accessible from the pier of Ariara Island.

Small wall at 20m; great spot for macro. In front of the jetty of the eponym hotel.

Strong currents, nice wall, Whitetip and Grey Reef sharks South of Sepok Point, on the NW end of Maricaban island. Mapating Rock is also known as Sharks' Reef.

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

Well House Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Large boulders with small cracks and caves.

Steep face with coral formation that let you think of a spiral.

this dive site can be reached by boat from Coco Loco (Green Island)

Ayer's Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros, Sipalay which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

This was chosen by the government of Legazpi City Philippines to become a Fish Sanctuary thru the leadership of current Mayor Noel E. Rosal and Company, the Bicol Divers Association, DENR, DA, Small Fishers folk Organization and to her concerned people. Some of my data may not be correct it is subject for correction with the other professional diver. Red Buoy is also known as Pulang Buya.

This site is only known of by the 5 of us. as far as we know no one else has ever been here. This is an L shape tunnel cave at 30 meters... it is 10 meters wide. You need to get here by private boat. Look for the house with the blue roof and head 150 south... this is the entry point. Once in the water get down to 30 meters and head north... you will find the cave. Erics Cave is also known as Eric's Cave.

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

Jurassic Park is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

A nice drift through corals and at the end hot underwater springs.

Malapascua - Bantigue is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Pura Vida Housereef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The Oryoku Maru was a Japanese ship sunk by United States Navy fighter planes during World War II. Oryoku Maru left Manila on December 13, 1944, with moe than 1620, mostly American, prisoners of war (POWs) packed in the holds. US Navy planes from the USS Hornet attacked the unmarked ship, over the next two days, causing it to sink on December 15. About 280 died of suffocation aboard the ship or were killed or shot in the water as they tried to escape. The survivors were loaded on the Japanese ship Enoura Maru. The Enoura Maru took a direct hit from a US Navy bomber killing or wounding about 500 men. The survivors were put aboard the Brazil Maru which arrived in Moji, Japan on January 29, 1945. Only 550 of the original 1620 were still alive. Only 400m off Alava Pier

An exciting large reef with various interesting formations and an outstanding display of corals and marine life including turtles, rays, eels, Scorpionfish and more. Outstanding bottom topography makes for great photo opportunity.

Free descent down to 18m. Three big coral formations with many nice hard and soft corals. Often big fishes.

Very nice wall dive Between Crocodile Island and Boracay Bouranga is also known as Buruanga.

In Duka Bay Port, you start the dive on the slope est of the Pier. You move west toward the pier and finish the dive under the pier. The slope is a muck dive and the pier is enriched with corals, sponges and many frog fishes.

Deep dive for experienced divers only. Great Gorgonian Fans & Giant Sponges.

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

Pink Wall is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Mindoro, Puerto Galera which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

SW of Moalboal peninsula.

Lusong Gunboat is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Dilumacad is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Palawan, El Nido which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Acropolis is also known as Fortune Island.

Beautiful coral garden. Beginning at 25m and raising up along many coral reefs to 5m. At the first coral block you can be lucky to find a grey reef shark in a cave.

Nice coral structures. W side of Siquijor Island (Just S of West Point)

Diving along a wall of the front reef of Obon Point. A little current is possible.

Eastern side of the north point of Boracay Island.

Finger reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Palawan, Puerto Princesa which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Type: Cargo ship Size: 140m long Superstructures are very nice, covered with soft corals and bushes of black corals. Many lionfishes lives around. Olympia maru is NOT Taiei maru NW of Sangat Island, close to Busuanga Island

Just detected, suitable for beginners. Normally the boat will stay and carries tanks for the second dive. Between the titanic rocks there is a lot of life to detect, also an interesting cave in only 14m depth. Boat dive, about 30 min (from Flower Beach dive center).

Biton Resort Housereef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Anda which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Perfect place for dive training. Wall starts at about 5 meters debt. 100m out from Alona Beach Alona Beach is also known as House Reef.

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.

Dauin Sanctury is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Visayas, Negros which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

WWII Japanese patrol boat Wreck

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.

An interesting, little slope reef wall. You will see many Batfishes. Most of the time nice visibility.

Sandy slope with good hard & soft corals. Eels, parotfish, napoleon... West side of Talicud Island

Shallow (max. 14m) dive. Large area of stone coral forest with small channels to pass. 25 min from Flower Beach Reesort

Southwest corner of Sarangani Bay; about 50km from Gen.

Irako is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Great coral garden with giant table corals (between 5 and 15m). Large fish shoals. Lots of caves and overhangings with sometime White Tip Sharks. S point of Cabilao island South point is also known as Southtip, Shark cave.

Beautiful reef top.

Top of the shoal is 12m, going deep down to 200+m! This is a unique place to meet the rare Thresher shark (morning). Also a good place for Mantas (afternoon)... SE of Malapascua island, in open seas. Several buoys for mooring are available (white bamboo sticks). Monad Shoal is also known as Shark Point.

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

Reef slope down to 30m deep. Black corals, large sponges, mantas (in season), frog fish, Hawkbill turtles... East side of Jigdup reef. Jigdup Reef is also known as Jigdup Slope.

Batalan Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Simple site, nice steep wall and many grottos. Many different fish, chance to meet "Bruno" - a giant octopus. 24 min from Flower Beach Resort.

This is an interesting dive on reef. There are deep cracks in the reef which I have yet to explore (I need a dive Buddy) which look great. Numerous reef critters but net fishing by locals seems to keep the larger fish population down. Masbate looks to me to be completely unexplored by divers, there are no tank filling services on the island but I soon will have a compressor.

Giant rock at 45m deep; great marine life. Just out of Sinandigan Wall; down by the slope.

This beautiful site contains different coral formations with some really interesting sea life. This is a good place to find hidden smaller animals like ghost pipefish, special shrimps, nudibranchs and scorpion fish. With enough luck you find sea snakes, turtles and frogfish. This site is good for and attracts macro photographers. This spot can be reached in 30 minutes from Romblon Town or Lonos, Romblon. This spot can be visit 12 months a year. Coral Garden East is also known as Cobrador Coral Garden.

This wreck, just off Malapascua, is variously called the 'Pioneer' (it isn't) and the 'Unknown Maru'. Terry Dukes found a reference to a Japanese Personnel Carrier, 'AP Oakita Maru' sunk on 12th September 1944 at coordinates close to the wreck site (N 11-21; E 124-07 reference The Official Chronology of the US Navy in World War II). Source: panagadivers.com Sunk on September 12, 1944 AP Oakita Maru 22 nm S of Masbate Is. (11-21N, 124-07E) Oakita Maru is also known as Pioneer, Unknown Maru.

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

Slope of loss gravel with sand patches; lot of soft corals and marine critters Sammy's Point is also known as Sammy's Garden.

Slope with mini-wall.