© iStock/danilovi Diving in the Philippines Only a small portion of the more than 7,000 islands that compose the Philippines are inhabited. This is a unique country, multiculturally diverse and with an extraordinary cuisine. Tagalog is the official language of The Philippines; however, the majority of the inhabitants also speak English. This region has the best diving conditions from July to March. From shipwrecks and impressive marine life to idyllic beaches, this country offers incredible adventures for everyone. The Philippines is an archipelago composed of over 7,000 islands in three main regions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Some of the best variety of diving can be found in this country. The Philippines is also known for having one of the most significant biodiversity in the world. Each one of its islands has many pristine coral reefs, stunning deep walls, and historical wrecks. Scuba divers, XR divers, freedivers, and snorkelers will find the perfect adventure to enjoy. Fringing coral reefs surround many of the islands. The Philippines has many Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) with abundant marine life. Featured Training Centers Free Willy DivingSEA ADVENTURES AQUA SPORTS INCAnilao Bo Hotel & Eesome DiveSSISP-COAST GUARD CORDOVASEAMUS BEACH RESORTAmun Ini DiveAquaventure Reef ClubLILO-AN KINGDOM RESORTLE GRAND BLEU SCUBA DIVING OUTDOOR LEISURE SERVICEFANTASTIC DIVE This data is provided from the logbook information in the MySSI app Featured places to go in the Philippines © iStock/onfilmBicol RegionBicol is a region in the Philippines in the island group of Luzon. The main diving regions in Bicol are Donsol, Masbate and Ticao Island.Learn more © iStock/GoodOlgaCentral VisayasOne of Philippines’ main island group are the Visayas, which is made up of eight main islands: Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Siquijor, Panay, Masbate, Leyte and Samar.Learn more © iStock/Marc_OsborneEastern VisayasEastern Visayas is a region that includes the islands of Leyte and Samar.Learn more © AqualungTicao IslandTicao Island is famous for its pristine corals and a healthy array of macro life.Learn more © MaresMalapasquaHead to the northeast of Cebu Island to arrive at Malapascua Island, which offers a wide arrange of macro/muck diving with rock and coral formations.Learn more © MaresMoalboalTravel to southwestern part of Cebu to find Moalboal, which means “bubbling water”.Learn more © MaresMactanIn Central Visayas, you will find Mactan Island, that has many dive sites on the east side, all reachable by a short 15-minute boat ride.Learn more © MaresPanglaoScuba diving in Panglao Island is a popular activity offering many areas that are full of long coral covered walls teeming with an abundance of life.Learn more © MaresAndaAnda is a paradise with a long stretch of white sand beaches that have only recently started to be developed for tourists.Learn more © ScubaproCabilaoCabilao is a small island located about 30 km (18.6 miles) from Tagbilaran, just in front of Bohol’s north coast.Learn more © ScubaproPanay IslandPanay Island is the sixth-largest island in the Philippines, and it’s located southeast of Mindoro Island.Learn more © ScubaproBoracaySurrounded by crystal clear waters and healthy coral reefs that support a wide range of marine life, you will find Boracay island.Learn more © AqualungPadre BurgosIn the province of Southern Leyte you will find one of the Philippine’s most famous scuba diving destinations, Padre Burgos.Learn more © Shutterstock/ShutterhooksMindanaoIn the south of the Philippines you will find the second largest region of islands of this country, Mindanao.Learn more © AqualungDavao and SamalAll year round you will find perfect diving conditions in Davao, which has most of its dive sites concentrated on a group of islands to the east of Davao City.Learn more © iStock-holgsMindoroVisit the world’s second largest connecting coral reef system, Apo Reef, which is also one of the major diving attractions in the Mindoro region.Learn more © MaresPandan IslandVisit the tropical island of Pandan, which can be found on the west coast of Occidental Mindoro, in the Philippines.Learn more © MaresApo ReefAbout 15 nautical miles west of Occidental Mindoro province, and in the Mindoro Strait, you can find Apo Reef.Learn more © MaresPuerto GaleraPuerto Galera has plenty of shipwrecks waiting to be explored, as the Spanish used this place as a haven for their ships during the typhoon season.Learn more © MaresVerde IslandVerde Island is an important diving destination with strong currents perfect for advanced divers.Learn more © iStock/DKartNegrosNegros is world-famous for its amazing and diverse dive sites, where divers of all levels of experience can find some of the most beautiful diving sites.Learn more © MaresApo IslandExplore the beautiful volcanic Apo island surrounded by sloping reefs, dramatic walls, and endless drop-offs covered in stunning healthy corals.Learn more © ScubaproDauin and DumagueteDauin and Dumaguete are two mainly muck diving sites with one of a kind black volcanic sand, sloping reefs, and coral gardens.Learn more © ScubaproSiquijorFind a divers’ paradise in Siquijor Island, which is surrounded by beautiful walls, sloping reefs and coral gardens.Learn more © ScubaproSipalayMore than 40 exceptional dive spots for all levels of divers are part of this awe-inspiring region.Learn more © AqualungSipawayExperience the beautiful underwater wonders of Sipaway Island, which is part of Negros Occidental.Learn more © iStock/FreeartistPalawanAlso known as “The wild west of the Philippines“ due to its location and remoteness, the archipelago of Palawan is one of the largest provinces in the country.Learn more © AqualungEl NidoIn El Nido Bay, experience spectacular dive sites with incredible walls, mesmerizingly colorful coral gardens and magnificent marine life.Learn more © MaresPuerto Princesa/Honda BayDive into the waters of Puerto Princesa and see lionfish, cardinals, snapper, sweetlips, nudibranchs, and also find plenty of magnificent corals.Learn more © MaresTubataha ReefHead to Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a World Heritage site, for the ultimate diving experience of the Philippines.Learn more © MaresCoron IslandExpect jaw-dropping WWII wrecks and cave dives around Coron Island.Learn more © MaresBusuangaBeautiful corals, especially big lettuce corals and sponges, as well as shoals of fish, such as fusiliers, snappers or batfish await you in Busuanga.Learn more © MaresDimakyaThe tiny island of Dimakya is located on the northern end of the archipelago, and they offer quiet stays and a fantastic variety of dive sites.Learn more © Shutterstock/ARTYOORANCentral LuzonThe region of Luzon is home to many world-famous diving destinations like Anilao, Puerto Galera and Subic Bay.Learn more © ScubaproSubic BayOne of the highest number of historic ship, aircraft, and vehicle wrecks in the world can be found in Subic Bay, which is located about 120 km north of Manila.Learn more © ScubaproAnilaoAround 40 dive sites can be found in Anilao; the most famous are Sombrero Island, Maricaban Island, Cathedral and Mapating.Learn more Dive Sites in Philippines Travel Information for the Philippines Power Plug Type A, B, CAirports CEB, MNLCurrency PHPLanguage en, tlElectricity 220 V / 60 HzTimezone UTC+08:00Network Provider Smart Discover the Wonders of the Deep with SSI's Blog Join us on an exciting journey of discovery and learn more about exhilarating diving adventures, dedicated conservation initiatives, and innovative educational opportunities that will help you 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Let's explore the underwater world together and delve into the hidden wonders beneath the gentle waves. The descriptions provided here are intended as general information and personal experiences related to specific dive sites and locations and should not be construed as definitive advice or recommendations. Before diving, please confirm that diving is permitted at your chosen location, and comply with all relevant local laws, regulations, and posted signage. The responsibility for verifying the legality of the dive and assessing any associated risks rests entirely with you.