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Philippines

The Philippines is one of the top diving destinations in the world, offering diverse marine life, pristine coral reefs, and unique underwater experiences.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

  • Location: Sulu Sea, 150 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
  • Highlights:
    • Extensive coral atolls with vertical walls and deep drop-offs.
    • Protected marine park with over 600 species of fish and 360 species of corals.
    • Encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and sea turtles.
  • Best Time to Dive: Mid-March to mid-June (short liveaboard season with best visibility and calm seas).
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS), Palawan.
    • Take a liveaboard diving expedition (10-hour boat journey from Puerto Princesa).

Apo Reef Natural Park (Second-largest contiguous coral reef in the world)

  • Location: Occidental Mindoro.
  • Highlights:
    • Stunning drop-offs, coral gardens, and reef walls.
    • Large schools of barracudas, reef sharks, manta rays, and occasional hammerhead sharks.
    • Excellent for both deep and shallow diving.
  • Best Time to Dive: November to May (calm seas and best visibility).
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport).
    • Take a domestic flight or ferry to San Jose, Mindoro.
    • Arrange a dive trip from San Jose to Apo Reef via liveaboard or boat transfers.

Malapascua Island (Best for Thresher Shark Diving)

  • Location: Northern Cebu.
  • Highlights:
    • Monad Shoal is the only place where thresher sharks are regularly seen.
    • Gato Island features caves, sea snakes, and macro critters.
    • Healthy coral reefs, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and manta rays.
  • Best Time to Dive: Year-round (thresher sharks seen daily, but November to May offers best conditions).
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB).
    • Take a bus or private transport from Cebu City to Maya Port (3-4 hours).
    • Take a boat from Maya Port to Malapascua Island (30-40 minutes).

Moalboal (Best for the Sardine Run)

  • Location: Southwestern Cebu.
  • Highlights:
    • Massive sardine schools attracting tuna and trevallies.
    • Pescador Island offers vibrant reefs, sea turtles, and occasional whale sharks.
    • Tongo Point and Talisay Wall are great for soft corals and reef fish.
  • Best Time to Dive: November to May (best visibility and calmer seas).
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB).
    • Travel by bus or private transport to Moalboal (2.5-3 hours).

Anilao (Best for Macro Photography & Muck Diving)

  • Location: Mabini, Batangas (near Manila).
  • Highlights:
    • Known for nudibranchs, frogfish, mimic octopuses, and tiny critters.
    • Great for underwater photography and beginner-friendly diving.
    • Easy access from Manila, making it a weekend diving destination.
  • Best Time to Dive: November to May (clear waters and best conditions).
  • How to Reach:
    • From Manila, take a 2-3 hour drive or bus to Mabini, Batangas.
    • Local dive resorts offer easy access to dive sites.

Coron Bay (Best for WWII Wreck Diving)

  • Location: Northern Palawan.
  • Highlights:
    • Multiple WWII Japanese shipwrecks like Irako, Akitsushima, and Okikawa Maru.
    • Wrecks encrusted with corals, housing reef fish, barracudas, and lionfish.
    • Barracuda Lake offers a unique thermocline experience (warm and cold water layers).
  • Best Time to Dive: October to June (best visibility and sea conditions).
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga Airport, USU).
    • Take a van or taxi to Coron town (30-45 minutes).

Dauin & Apo Island (Best for Turtles & Coral Reefs)

  • Location: Negros Oriental, near Dumaguete.
  • Highlights:
    • Dauin is famous for muck diving with frogfish, seahorses, and flamboyant cuttlefish.
    • Apo Island has one of the healthiest coral reefs in the Philippines.
    • Frequent sightings of sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and jacks.
  • Best Time to Dive: November to May.
  • How to Reach:
    • Fly to Sibulan Airport (DGT) in Dumaguete.
    • Travel by road to Dauin (30-45 minutes).
    • Boat transfers to Apo Island from Dauin or Dumaguete.
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