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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Philippines
Ready to check out the best sites in Philippines for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 100 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in Philippines to suit your needs.
#1 - Sombrero Island
Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas
intermediate
(2)
Gorgonians, black coral, turtles, rays, jacks, snappers...
NE side end of Maricaban island (Named Sombrero cos of its shape).
#2 - Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary
Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas
beginner
(2)
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.
#3 - Sabang Beach
Philippines, Pacific
beginner
(4)
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.
#4 - Coral Garden Philippines
Philippines, Pacific
Unrated
(1)
Immature white-tip reef sharks, surgeonfish, triggerfish and moray eels.
Off Mindoro Island's Sabang Beach
#5 - Sabang Wrecks
Philippines, Mindoro, Puerto Galera
beginner
(1)
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.
#6 - Daryl Laut
Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas
beginner
(1)
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.
#7 - Mainit Bubbles
Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas
Unrated
(1)
Gradual/Steep slope & drop off. Hot spring with bubbles coming from under.
#8 - Apo Island Marine Sanctuary
Philippines, Pacific
Unrated
(1)
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.
#9 - Mainit Point school
Philippines, Luzon, Anilao and Batangas
intermediate
(1)
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.
#10 - Marine Reserve of Masaplod Norte
Philippines, Pacific
Unrated
(1)
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.
#11 - Monad Shoal (Shark Point)
Philippines
beginner
(1)
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!
#12 - The Cathedral, Anilao
Philippines, Pacific
beginner
(3)
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.
#13 - Dolphin House
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
beginner
(2)
The dive site is located in front of the Dolphin Resort, NW of Moalboal peninsula.
#14 - Cordova White Sand
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(1)
20 min fron marine Station by banker boat
Cordova White Sand is also known as Cordova.
#15 - Santa Rosa
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Olango island
intermediate
(0)
You can meet Dolphins sometime in the area!
W of Olango island. 20 min from Kon-Tiki.
#16 - Nalusuan Island
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Olango island
beginner
(0)
10km S of Olango island. 27min from Kon-Tiki.
Nalusuan Island is also known as Nalusuan Island Resorts and Marine Sanctuary.
#18 - Bas Coral
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Olango island
intermediate
(0)
Current may be strong sometimes... Take care!
SW of Olango island. 12min from Kon-Tiki.
Bas Coral is also known as Cathedral.
#19 - Hadsan
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
Maribago, Mactan island. 2min from Kon-Tiki.
#20 - Daquit Shoal
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
Top of the shoal is only 5m deep.
E from Villanueva, Siquijor Island. 2h30min from Alona Beach by Banca.
#21 - Bas Diot
Philippines, Pacific
beginner
(0)
clownfish, lionfish and altheas.
Off the western side Cebu Island of the Visayas group.
#22 - Garden Eels
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Panglao
beginner
(0)
S of Panglao Island, Danao.
W side of Alona Beach (approx 100m).
#23 - Habagat Wreck
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Panglao
intermediate
(0)
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.
#26 - Bat Cave
Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay
intermediate
(0)
Eastern side of the north point of Boracay Island.
#28 - Paliton Wall
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
W side of Siquijor, S of Paliton Staghorn dive site
#29 - Coco Grove
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
San Juan, just in front of the dive shop, W Siquijor Island.
#30 - Paliton Staghorn
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
Nice coral structures.
W side of Siquijor Island (Just S of West Point)
#31 - Mactan
Philippines, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
clownfish, lionfish and altheas.
Off Cebu Island of the Visayas group, next to the shore diving resorts.
#32 - Costa Bella
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
Interesting stuffs between 10m and 20m.
Soong, Mactan island. 6min from Kon-Tiki.
#33 - Kasai Point
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
beginner
(0)
W of Moalboal peninsula. The dive site is in front of two appartments (one white and the other yellow).
#34 - Tonga Point
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
This dive site is normally calm but there can be very strong curents sometimes...
There is a gentle slope down to 12m that leads to a huge drop-off that goes more than 65m !
Many beautifull corals (including leather corals, soft-corals), fansand sponges and lots of colorful fire hydroids. Pelagic fishs can be seen deeper...
Tonga point is located at the northern end of the southwest arm of Siquijor Island.
Tonga Point is also known as Tongo Point.
#36 - Kon-Tiki
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
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.
#37 - Salagdoong
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
Gradual slope from large semi-submerged rocks. Lots of invertebrates such as butifull corals, soft corals and also staghorns, pipes, tunicates and sometime blue spotted rays and turtles.
West from Maria city.
#38 - Olympia Maru
Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat
intermediate
(0)
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
#39 - Whale Rock
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
Maribago, Mactan island. 3min from Kon-Tiki. Dive the NE part of the rocks.
Whale Rock is also known as Dakit Dakit.
#40 - Tongo point
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
intermediate
(0)
Turtles are often seen at Tongo point
S point of the Copton Peninsula
#41 - Tulapus
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
beginner
(0)
NE of Siquijor island (NE from Villanueva).
Tulapus is also known as Tulapus Sanctuary.
#43 - White beach
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
beginner
(0)
Off white beach, just south of Copton Point and Airport point.
White beach is also known as Saavedra.
#44 - Tuble Reef
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
beginner
(0)
Nice dive site for second dive.
There is small caves at 27-30m deep.
S of Dolphin house
#45 - Sunken island
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
intermediate
(0)
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.
#46 - Cambaquiz
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
beginner
(0)
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.
#47 - Laurel Islands
Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay
beginner
(0)
Nice dive. The larger of the two islands has an 8m wide swim-through tunnel.
Southeast of Boracay, after Crocodile island.
#48 - Camia Wreck
Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay
intermediate
(0)
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
#49 - Yapak 1
Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay
intermediate
(0)
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
#50 - Fish Sanctuary
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Panglao, Balicasag
intermediate
(0)
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.
#51 - Cathedral wall
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Panglao, Balicasag
beginner
(0)
NNE of Balicasag island.
#52 - Gorgonia wall
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
intermediate
(0)
Great wall with big Gorgonians. Small caves and overhangings.
NW of Cabilao island, just S of shark point view.
#53 - Looc
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
beginner
(0)
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.
#54 - Rock-Point
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
beginner
(0)
Rock point borders a protected underwater area.
W side of Cabilao island.
#55 - Santa Cruz
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
beginner
(0)
Nice sandy slope. Many small invertebrates to look for.
E side of Cabilao island
#56 - White Beach
Philippines, Visayas, Panay, Boracay
beginner
(0)
From the shore of Boracay opposite of Calypso Diving Center
#57 - Black forest
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Panglao, Balicasag
intermediate
(0)
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.
#58 - Coconut
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Cabilao
beginner
(0)
Don't miss the large schools of barracudas!
SW side of Cabilao island
#59 - Akitsushima
Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat
intermediate
(0)
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
#60 - Panorama
Philippines, Visayas, Bohol, Anda
beginner
(0)
Nicely populated steep wall with a panoramic view into the open water.
29 min from Flower Beach Resort
#61 - Maria Elena
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, South Cebu
beginner
(0)
Great site for Macro-photography.
Near Marine village.
#62 - Sunken Island
Philippines, Visayas, Siquijor
intermediate
(0)
The top of the shoal is about 12m deep.
W from San Juan, Siquijor Island.
#64 - Tangat wreck
Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat
beginner
(0)
W of Sangat island, close to some pearl farms.
Tangat wreck is also known as Morazon Maru (?).
#65 - Parker
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
Suba Basbas, Mactan Island. 22min from Kon-Tiki.
#67 - Shangri-La House Reef
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
A classic dive of Mactan island. Ghost pipefish can be seen there.
Only 5km from Kon-Tiki. NE of Mactan island.
#70 - Okikawa Maru
Philippines, Palawan, Busuanga Coron Sangat
intermediate
(0)
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.).
#71 - Gato Island - Houseguard reef
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu
beginner
(0)
Start in front of the guard house, then dive along Gato to the south. There are large rocks covered of gorgonians. A nice dive.
Located N from Cebu, Gato Island is a small deserted island. The houseguard is located on the northeast side of Gato island.
#72 - Mamsa Point
Philippines, Visayas, Negros, Apo
intermediate
(0)
Sharks may be seen in deeper water.
E point of Apo island.
#74 - Coral Reef
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
beginner
(0)
Similar as Agus dive site.
Agus, Mactan island. 5min from Kon-Tiki.
#75 - Doña Marilyn Wreck
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu
intermediate
(0)
The Dona Marilyn sunk in 1984. It lays on its starboard. Top of the wreck is 17m, bottom is 35m.
SW of Manoc-Manoc island
Doña Marilyn Wreck is also known as Manoc Manoc.
#76 - Hiltongan Island
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Olango island
beginner
(0)
This is the best dive of Mactan area. Don't miss it!
7km S of Mactan Island, 20min from Kon-Tiki.
Hiltongan Island is also known as Hilutungan Island.
#77 - Rock Point
Philippines, Visayas, Negros, Apo
intermediate
(0)
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.
#78 - Sanctuary
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Moalboal
beginner
(0)
As far as I know, this dive site is still FORBIDDEN !
Extreme N of Moalboal penninsula.
#79 - Napantao Fish Sanctuary
Philippines, Visayas, Leyte, Panoan island
intermediate
(0)
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.
#80 - Blue Hole
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, Mactan
intermediate
(0)
Suba Basbas, Mactan island. The dive site is a litle bit after Marigondon Public Beach. 15min from Kon-Tiki.
#81 - Kan-Uran
Philippines, Visayas, Negros, Apo
beginner
(0)
E point of Apo island, just S of Mamsa Point.
#82 - Pioneer Wreck
Philippines, Visayas, Cebu, North Cebu
advanced
(0)
Torch is strongly recommended, as well as a serious deep dive experience!
N from Malapascua Island
#83 - Coconut point
Philippines, Visayas, Negros, Apo
intermediate
(0)
The current may be very strong in this area. Take care! Only for diver with current experience.
Extreme N of Apo Island.