Scuba Diving in the Philippines: Explore the Visayas
The Philippines is one of the world’s most exciting scuba diving destinations.
Warm water, colourful reefs, unusual marine life, and beautiful islands attract divers from around the world. Better yet, the Visayas offers many different types of diving within one region.
With Sea Explorers Philippines, you can dive in four unique destinations:
Each destination offers something different. Therefore, you can choose one location or combine several during your holiday.
Why Go Scuba Diving in the Philippines?
Scuba diving in the Philippines offers great variety.
You can explore coral gardens, walls, wrecks, sandy slopes, and marine sanctuaries. You may also encounter both large animals and tiny marine creatures.
Possible sightings include:
- Sea turtles
- Thresher sharks
- Frogfish
- Seahorses
- Nudibranchs
- Octopuses
- Cuttlefish
- Schooling jacks
- Barracuda
- Reef fish
Of course, marine animals are wild. As a result, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, every dive offers a chance to discover something special.
Dauin: Small Creatures and Shore Diving
Dauin is famous for muck diving and macro marine life.
Many dive sites have dark volcanic sand. At first, the bottom may look empty. However, a closer look can reveal frogfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and octopuses.
Many Dauin dives also begin from the shore. Therefore, it is a convenient place for courses, refresher dives, night diving, and underwater photography.
In addition, certified divers may join a day trip to Apo Island. The island is known for coral reefs, walls, turtles, and schooling fish.
Trips depend on weather, sea conditions, and the required number of guests.
Learn more about diving in Dauin.
Cabilao: Quiet Reefs and Beautiful Walls
Cabilao is a peaceful island near Bohol.
The area is known for coral walls, colourful reefs, large sea fans, and small marine life.
Divers may encounter pygmy seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs, turtles, and schooling fish.
Cabilao is also quieter than many popular tourist destinations. For this reason, it is a great choice for photographers, couples, and divers who prefer smaller groups.
Some sites are shallow and relaxed. Meanwhile, others offer deeper wall diving. The dive team will choose a suitable route based on your experience and the conditions.
Sipalay: Uncrowded Reefs and Wrecks
Sipalay is located on the southwestern coast of Negros Island.
Sea Explorers Sipalay is based along Sugar Beach. The area has a quiet atmosphere and beautiful sunsets.
Underwater, divers can explore coral gardens, walls, sandy areas, canyons, and wrecks.
Some sites may be suitable for new divers. However, deeper reefs and wrecks may require more experience or training.
Wreck penetration also requires special training. Therefore, divers should never enter a wreck without the correct certification, equipment, and guide.
Sipalay is ideal for guests who want varied diving without large crowds.
Plan a diving holiday in Sipalay.
Malapascua: Thresher Sharks and More
Malapascua is famous for pelagic thresher sharks.
Many current encounters take place at Kimud Shoal. Divers visit the site early in the morning to observe the sharks near cleaning stations.
However, Kimud Shoal has specific Marine Protected Area rules. Some divers may need extra supervision or a buoyancy workshop.
Read the current Kimud Shoal diving rules.
Malapascua also offers many other dive experiences. These include:
- Gato Island
- Kalanggaman Island
- Capitancillo
- Local reefs
- Macro diving
- Night diving
- Mandarin fish dives
- Small wrecks
Therefore, Malapascua is not only for shark diving. It is also suitable for guests who enjoy reefs, macro life, and island adventures.
Explore Malapascua’s dive sites.
Which Destination Is Best for You?
Choose Dauin for macro life, shore diving, and Apo Island trips.
Choose Cabilao for quiet reefs, coral walls, and large sea fans.
Choose Sipalay for uncrowded sites, varied reefs, and wrecks.
Choose Malapascua for thresher sharks, offshore diving, and island day trips.
Still, you do not have to choose only one. Sea Explorers can help arrange a multi-destination diving holiday.
View our scuba diving rates and packages.
When Is the Best Time to Dive?
Diving is possible throughout much of the year in the Visayas.
The months from November to May are usually drier. As a result, these months are popular with travellers.
However, the greener months can also offer excellent diving. From June to October, there may be fewer guests and quieter dive sites.
Rain on land does not always mean poor diving. Still, strong wind or rough seas may affect boat trips.
For this reason, it is best to keep your schedule flexible.
Can Beginners Dive in the Philippines?
Yes. Many sites are suitable for beginner divers.
However, not every famous dive site is easy. Strong currents, deep walls, wrecks, and offshore sites may require more training.
Sea Explorers offers courses and experiences for different levels:
- Discover Scuba Diving
- PADI Scuba Diver
- PADI Open Water Diver
- Back to the Water
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Your instructor or guide will recommend a suitable program based on your experience and confidence.
Explore all Sea Explorers PADI courses.
Tips for Planning Your Diving Holiday
Book your accommodation, diving, and transfers early. This is especially important during busy travel periods.
Also, tell the dive center about:
- Your certification
- Your number of logged dives
- The date of your last dive
- Your equipment needs
- Your experience with currents
- Any medical concerns
In addition, request special equipment before arrival. This may include Nitrox, 15-litre cylinders, DIN regulators, or unusual rental sizes.
Finally, leave enough time between your last dive and your flight.
Protect the Underwater World
Responsible diving helps protect reefs and marine animals.
During every dive:
- Maintain good buoyancy.
- Keep your equipment secured.
- Never touch or chase marine life.
- Do not stand on coral.
- Follow local marine-park rules.
- Avoid leaving rubbish behind.
- Take only photographs and memories.
Small actions can make a big difference.
Start Your Philippine Diving Adventure
Scuba diving in the Philippines offers something for every diver.
You can search for tiny creatures in Dauin, explore coral walls in Cabilao, enjoy uncrowded reefs in Sipalay, or dive with thresher sharks in Malapascua.
Choose one destination or combine several for a complete Visayas diving holiday.
Explore our diving destinations, view our rates and packages, or contact Sea Explorers Philippines.
Tell us your travel dates, certification level, and what you would like to experience underwater.
Dive with a Smile!
