Dauin Dive Sites and Day Trips

Pura Vida Housereef – A Top Dauin Dive Site

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’27.28″N 123*16’17.78E

One of the most popular Dauin dive sites, located just in front of the resort is the Pura Vida housereef. What used to be an underwater “sahara” has now become small oasis for marine life. This artificial reef consists of several wrecks, interesting concrete blocks, and a steel pyramid were lionfish, sea-horses, stingrays, snappers, and batfish are at home. Sometimes rare species are also found here. This site is also suitable for night diving.

Luca Sanctuary – Popular Dauin Day Trip

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’31.27N 123*16’18.96″E

Just a short walk away, Luca Sanctuary is one of our favorite Dauin day trip destinations which is accessible by a short walk. Here we have a great combination between sand and beautiful coral blocks that make this site very interesting. You can see several stingrays, snappers, eels, morays, groupers, different kind of frogfish, as well as colorful shrimps, and anemonefish. It is an excellent dive site to start your underwater adventure with us.

Sarah’s Place

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’49.44N 123*16’31.46E

One of the most scenic Dauin dive sites and day trips, Sarah’s Place is made out of old truck tires which over the years transformed into a beautiful reef. Schools of yellow snappers, frogfish, nudibranchs and seahorses are commonly seen. The maximum depth is around 26m.

Bonnet’s Corner

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’14.51N 123*16’16.16″E

A favourite among our Dauin day trip guests, Bonnet’s Corner – named after our very own crew member – is a dive site only for the macro enthusiasts. The site consists of sand alone, and no corals. However, in this site, some of the most unique creatures have been spotted, such as mimic octopus, wonderpus, blue-ring, and mototi octopus. Other creatures such as flamboyant cuttlefish, snake eels, and frogfish can also be seen there if you are lucky.

Banka Wreck

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’10.41″N 123*16’04.96″E

One of the more unique spots among Dauin dive sites and day trips, just around the corner is a special treat waiting for you: seahorses, ghost pipefish, sea moths and frogfish are not uncommon in this sandy area. Down the sand slope at 28m to 30m rests an old Philippine-made outrigger boat also known as the banka wreck. Although there is not much coral life to see, you will be surprised with the unique marine diversity that is living there. The perfect site for macro lovers, photographers, advanced and nitrox divers.

Car Wreck

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’10.79″N 123*16.01.22E

Another great stop among Dauin dive sites and day trips for macro lovers is the Car Wreck. In this sandy area, you can find robust ghost pipefish, unique crabs, seamoths, moray eels, and other interesting creatures. Two car wrecks are located between 24-28 meters, surrounded by concrete pipes and steel boxes. This makes it a perfect hideout for many creatures. The sand slopes may seem lifeless, but you may be surprised by the creatures that can be found there. Flashlights and nitrox are recommended.

Dauin North and South

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’10.79″N 123*16.01.22E

These two connected Dauin dive sites offer a great mix of muck and reef diving in the Coral Cove area. Concrete blocks and artificial structures scattered along the seabed create ideal hiding spots for frogfish, seahorses, and other macro critters. A relaxed site suitable for divers of all levels.

Ginama Point

GPS Coordinates: 9*10’51.22″N 123*15’34.57E

Ginama means “man made” in the local dialect. This huge artificial reef is one of the most unique Dauin dive sites and day trips destinations, consisting of numerous truck tires which have been there for more than a decade. Completely inhabited with corals and sponges, this site is an excellent hideout for frogfish, unique shrimps and colorful nudibranchs. A sea grass area is also nearby where you can spend some time looking for other special things. It is also a great dive site for night diving. Maximum depth is 20 meters.

Masaplod

GPS Coordinates: 9*10’47.71″N 123*15’31.83″E

One of the oldest sanctuaries in the area is the Masaplod sanctuary, one of the quieter Dauin dive sites. Only 10 minutes away with our boats, this sanctuary boasts of its rich marine biodiversity. Big coral formations in the shallow area as well as in the deep area make it home to schools of small jacks, trevallies, sweetlips, and snappers. You can also see stingrays, nudibranch, triggerfish, big turtles, and groupers. Sandy slope is going down to 21m.

Mainit

GPS Coordinates: 9*12’58.43″N 123*17’14.08″E

It is one of the larger sanctuaries on a Sandy Slope with big coral blocks all around, lots of soft coral formations, and big schools of fish like barracudas, sweetlips, surgeonfish, and snappers. Usually a drift dive all the way through with a underwater hot spring source at the end of the dive at 5 meters. Maximum depth is around 18m.

San Miguel

GPS Coordinates: 9*11’57.47″N 123*16.41.06″E

A small and very old artificial reef composed of truck tires. The tires are overgrown with soft and hard corals which provide a good hiding place for many creatures. It is an excellent site for a relaxing dive and looking for critters such as frogfish, ghost pipe fish and even harlequin shrimps. Maximum depth is around 20m.

Panabolon

GPS Coordinates: 9*09’40.54″N 123*14’46.57″E

Part Corals, part artificial reef, Panabolon offers a simple dive with interesting highlights such as leaffish, blennies hiding in wine bottles and other critters. At the end of a late afternoon dive, you will be able to see a couple of mandarin fish displaying their act of love in full color. The sandy slope is going down to 17m.

Rockpile

About 10 minutes south of the dive center is the latest addition to our dive sites, Rockpile. This artificial reef consists of small steel pyramids, cars, and steel crates and is home to many critters like Frogfish, ghost pipe fish, seahorses, and even harlequin shrimps have been spotted here. The site is also next to a dry riverbed where large boulders and rocks are gathered together and form perfect shelter for fish, crabs, eels and urchins.

Bobs Place

A sandy slope formation with basically no corals but a lot of secrets. But if you look hard enough, you can find many unique critters like tiny frogfish, ghost pipe fish, seahorses, ambon scorpion fish and even octopuses.

Masaplod Sur

South of the masaplod sanctuary is a small area of corals on a sandy slope. It is an excellent site for photographers who want to find new critters. Highlights vary depending on the season from seahorses, to ghost pipe fish, small school of snappers and sometimes even turtles.

 

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Apo Chapel

The dive site is right in front of the main docking area of the island which is close to the only chapel on Apo Island. The dive site has a small wall that starts at 5m going down to 25m. Along the wall you can find some nudibranchs, as well as leafish, frogfish and ribbon eels, especially near the small cave at 18m. A beautiful coral garden can be found at the 5m plateau on top of the wall.

Apo Katipanan

This great dive-site can be done in both directions depending on the mild current. In the shallows you will see the best soft coral gardens of the island between 5 and 10 meters deep. For that reason it is the best snorkelling site of the island. After seeing the turtle area in front of the village you can see here the colourful soft corals. Bottom composition throughout the dive is more or less the same with nice hard corals between 10 and 18 meters deep.

Apo Rock Point West

Rock Point West is located on the southern tip of the island. Similar to other sites the slope starts to go down at 7m, all the way to 30m. The interesting part is between 5m to 18m where you can see beautiful coral formations, along with juvenile sweetlips, sea snakes, turtles, and fire clam shells. Current can occur sometimes, but you can easily go with the current. Make sure to bring inflatable signal buoys.

Apo Coconut Point

One of the best dive sites in Apo Island. Entry is at the northern side of the island fronting a small group of coconuts near the shore, hence its name. It is usually a drift dive going heading westwards. The coral slope is filled with colorful feather stars, hard and soft corals. A lot of fish such as parrotfish, red tooth triggerfish, snappers and trevallies can be seen at the beginning of the dive. A school of jacks is usually gathering near a sandy slope in the middle of the dive, depending on the strength of the current. This dive site is recommended for advanced and experienced divers only. Make sure to bring inflatable signal buoys.

Apo Largahan

Largahan is located on the northwest side of the Island. It is also the exit point for divers coming from Coconut Point. The cliff offers an easy dive with soft and hard corals such as tube anemones, black corals and others. There is also a sandy area near the end of the dive where you can see gas bubbles emerging. Lookout for turtles, seasnakes and also bumphead parrot fish. A real unique experience also suited for beginners.

Oslob Whale Shark Diving

Oslob offers divers the opportunity to encounter whale sharks in the coastal waters of southern Cebu. These gentle giants often swim close to the surface, allowing divers to observe them in clear, shallow water. All guests must follow the local interaction guidelines by keeping a respectful distance and avoiding touching, chasing, or blocking the whale sharks. This experience is normally combined with reef diving around nearby Sumilon Island.

Sumilon Sanctuary

Sumilon Sanctuary features a beautiful shallow reef with healthy hard corals, sandy areas, and a gentle slope leading into deeper water. The site is suitable for relaxed diving and is home to colourful reef fish, nudibranchs, moray eels, and occasional turtles. The shallower coral garden also offers excellent natural light, making it a pleasant site for underwater photography and less experienced divers.

Sumilon Coral Landscape

Coral Landscape is known for its impressive coral formations, sandy passages, and varied underwater scenery. Large coral structures provide shelter for butterflyfish, angelfish, groupers, and many other reef inhabitants. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks may also be encountered. With its beautiful coral scenery and occasional currents, the site is well suited for an enjoyable drift dive.

Sumilon Lighthouse

Lighthouse offers a combination of colourful coral gardens, a sloping reef, and deeper sections along the edge of Sumilon Island. Schools of reef fish can often be seen above the corals, while moray eels, scorpionfish, nudibranchs, and other marine creatures hide within the reef. Depending on the current, larger fish may also pass along the deeper section of the dive site.

Siquijor Day Trip

A day trip to Siquijor offers a refreshing contrast to the volcanic sand and macro-diving sites of Dauin. The island is surrounded by coral gardens, gentle slopes, walls, sandy areas, and seagrass beds. Divers may encounter turtles, schooling reef fish, moray eels, nudibranchs, shrimps, and other macro creatures. The final dive sites are selected according to the weather, sea conditions, currents, and experience level of the group.

Paliton Wall

Paliton Wall begins over a gently sloping coral reef before reaching a wall decorated with soft corals, sea fans, sponges, and colourful reef growth. Divers can look for turtles, schooling fish, moray eels, scorpionfish, nudibranchs, and other smaller creatures hiding among the corals. Its combination of shallow reef and deeper wall makes it suitable for both wide-angle and macro photography.

Tubod Point

Tubod Point features a healthy coral reef with abundant tropical fish and varied underwater scenery. The dive generally begins in shallow water before gradually descending along the reef. Hard corals, soft corals, anemones, and coral blocks provide shelter for turtles, reef fish, nudibranchs, shrimps, and other marine life. Its shallower sections make it an enjoyable site for relaxed diving and photography.