Diving in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the world’s top diving destinations, sitting at the heart of the Coral Triangle — the most biodiverse marine region on earth. With over 200 dive sites ranging from shallow coral gardens to dramatic drop-offs and historic WWII wrecks, there is something for every level of diver.

The best diving conditions are from November to May when visibility can exceed 30 metres. Coron in Palawan is famous for its Japanese WWII shipwrecks, while Tubbataha Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — offers pristine coral walls teeming with sharks, rays and turtles. Anilao in Batangas is the birthplace of Philippine diving and is just a few hours from Manila.

Most dive sites are accessible from major tourist hubs. Dive centres offer PADI courses for beginners and guided dives for certified divers. Water temperatures average 26–29°C year-round so a 3mm wetsuit is sufficient for most dives.

Browse our directory of 200+ dive sites below — click any listing to see photos, location, reviews and directions.

Exploring Diving in the Philippines

Diving in the Philippines offers some of the most diverse and rewarding underwater experiences in the world. The country sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, meaning divers can expect extraordinary marine biodiversity on almost every dive — from tiny pygmy seahorses and colourful nudibranchs to whale sharks, thresher sharks and giant manta rays.

North Luzon Dive Sites

Anilao in Batangas is considered the birthplace of diving in the Philippines and remains one of the best muck diving destinations in Asia. The area is famous for its incredible macro life and is easily accessible from Manila for a weekend diving trip. Subic Bay in Zambales offers excellent wreck diving including the USS New York, a Spanish-American War era vessel.

Palawan

Palawan is home to two of the most iconic diving destinations in the Philippines. Coron is world-famous for its fleet of Japanese WWII shipwrecks sitting in warm, clear waters — a bucket list experience for wreck divers. Tubbataha Reef, accessible by liveaboard from Puerto Princesa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last truly pristine coral reef systems in Southeast Asia, home to hammerhead sharks, manta rays and vast schools of fish.

The Visayas

The Visayas region offers some of the most varied diving in the Philippines. Moalboal in Cebu is famous for its sardine run — millions of sardines forming a swirling baitball just metres from shore. Malapascua is the only place in the world where thresher sharks can be seen on a regular basis at a cleaning station. Oslob offers the chance to dive or snorkel with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean.

Mindanao

Davao Gulf and Samal Island offer excellent reef diving in a less visited part of the Philippines. General Santos and the waters around Mindanao are home to pristine reefs that see relatively few divers, making them ideal for those looking to get off the beaten track.

Diving for Beginners

Diving in the Philippines is ideal for beginners. Most dive centres offer PADI Open Water courses starting from around ₱15,000 including all equipment and certification. The warm, clear waters and gentle currents at many sites make learning to dive here a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Responsible Diving

The Philippines is working hard to protect its marine ecosystems. Always follow responsible diving practices — never touch coral, maintain good buoyancy control, and avoid disturbing marine life. Choose dive operators who follow sustainable practices and support local marine conservation efforts.

For more information on marine protected areas visit the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation.

If you enjoy the outdoors also explore our Beaches, Surfing and Camping pages.

Browse all our dive site listings above and find your perfect diving destination in the Philippines. 🤿