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5 Most Stunning Scuba Diving Sites in the Philippines


Boasting of 7,107 islands and one of the most enviable marine ecosystems in the world, the Philippines has exceptional scuba diving sites spread across its archipelago.
The waters surrounding this tropical Southeast Asian country are enriched by the currents coming from the South China Sea in the west, Indian Ocean in the southwest, Celebes Sea in the south, the Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean in the east, and East China Sea in the north.
It is no wonder why the Philippines has astonishing amount of marine life – fishes, shells, corals, and invertebrates – that makes it one of the most preferred diving destinations in the Indo-Pacific region.
In fact, there are several diving destinations in each of the major Philippine island group:
1. Luzon
- Batangas
- Busuanga
- Coron
- Donsol
- El Nido
- La Union
- Puerto Galera
- Subic Bay
- Tubbataha
2. Visayas
- Bohol
- Boracay
- Camiguin
- Dumaguete
- Leyte
- Mactan
- Malapascua
- Moalboal
- Pandan
3. Mindanao
- Dakak
- Davao
- Misamis Oriental
- Sarangani Bay
If it is possible to name the five most stunning scuba diving sites in the Philippines, then the following sites would have to be included.
1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan
About 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan lies the pristine and protected 130,000-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a diver’s paradise inscribed as a natural wonder in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
As a natural wonder, Tubbataha Reefs possesses superlative features: extremely steep and perpendicular walls that have very deep bottoms, impressive sandy lagoons, and reef platforms that occupy large swaths of space.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is also a diver’s paradise because it is a refuge to about 350 species of coral, 500 species of fishes, and marine animals that grow to humongous proportions: sharks, mantas, whales, wrasse, dolphins, groupers and turtles.
Gigantic sponges and sea fans also line the seabed of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
2. Coron Bay, Palawan
Somewhere between the Busuanga and Culion islands in northern Palawan, Philippines is the Coron Bay, arguably one of the finest wreck diving destinations in Asia, if not the whole world.
In Coron Bay, divers can dive 10 to 43 meters in clear water and set eyes on 12 historic sunken ships that are still structurally intact, as long as 160 meters, with large blast holes on their hulls, and home to soft and hard corals as well as other mysterious marine animals.
These sunken ships were actually Japanese supply ships sunk during a blitzkrieg launched by the US Navy during World War II.
Other than the sunken ships, Coron Bay also features reefs, which are gaining popularity because of the local’s efforts to create fish sanctuaries.
3. Donsol, Sorsogon
The ideal diving site for divers and snorkelers wanting to witness the beauty of manta rays, whales, hammerhead sharks and other exotic marine life is Donsol in Sorsogon, Philippines.
In Donsol, manta rays visit between the months of December and May while whale sharks come between the months of January and May.
Whale sharks come to Donsol to mate and feed on planktons and krill that flow through the nearby San Bernardino Strait.
Because of the generous amounts of planktons and krill, whale sharks in Donsol can grow up to 18 meters.
Oftentimes, about 15 to 20 of them swim and eat together, creating a sight to behold for divers who are actually free to interact gently with these sea animals.
Other points of diving interest in Donsol are the Manta Bowl, where divers can see very large manta rays; San Miguel Island, where corals are said to be overwhelmingly beautiful; and St. Jerome’s Rock, where a rock teems with varied kinds of fish.
4. Negros Island
The fourth largest island in the Philippines with dazzling white-sand beaches, Negros boasts of diving sites perfect for underwater photography.
Perhaps the most popular diving site is the Apo Island, which is a small volcanic island that is a rich sanctuary for a large amount of sea creatures.
Among the creatures found here are clownfish, pipefish, lionfish, waspfish, sea horses, eels, and bobtail squids.
Another popular diving site is Sipalay, which has canyons, coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and breathtaking underwater scenery.
5. Islands of Cebu
Nestled in the middle of the Philippines is Cebu, a place known for its warm water where divers can dive almost any time of the year.
In Cebu, expert and novice divers can see fishes, corals, sponges, hammerhead sharks, and whale sharks in clear water.
Some of the most famous dive sites in Cebu include the following:
- Capitancillo = an uninhabited island with three excellent snorkeling sites, with up to 100 meters of underwater visibility
- Moalboal = ideal for diving and snorkeling, as beautiful shallow reefs and abundant marine creatures can best be seen in the months of January to May
- Sunken Island= an underwater pinnacle where groupers, sea snakes, anemones, corals, ferns, sharks and turtles are found
Copyright © 2011 Kerlyn Bautista
All Rights Reserved
More About Travels in the Philippines
- 10 Best Island Destinations in the Philippines
- 4 Most Exquisite Baroque Churches in the Philippines
- Priceless Cultural World Heritage Sites in the Philippines
- UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites of the Philippines
- Top 20 Places to Visit and Things to Do in the Philippines
- Top 10 Philippine Festivals that Filipinos Love
Diving in Tubbataha, Palawan, Philippines
The Philippines on the Map
Comments
Nice topic
Great list! I have been to Batangas (specifically Anilao) and Puerto Galera and I will say they are really wonderful sites a diver should not miss. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad somebody sees the beauty of the Philippines and proud to tell the world about it. Keep it up Kerlynb!
All the five places you have mentioned for scuba diving in your country,are simply superb! The photos are live in nature. very beautiful and voted as beautiful.
Really wonderful, I had no idea there were so many islands in the Philippines! I went scuba diving once it was spectacular. Perhaps I should see if there are an opportunities for artists to make money there (I am an oil painter and a sculptor) then I could move there and do some real scuba diving!
Ben
Such a beautiful and interesting hub.
I have to vote up up and away here.
Take care and have a great day.
Eiddwen.
i am not a dive enthusiast but i would love to go to Donsol to see the whale sharks. season stars in November. i hope to visit before it ends in May.
Thanks for the great post..Nice
Thanks Kerlyn! I've always wanted to write about my hometown but I haven't got the time. By the way, My middle name is Bautista I just noticed that your surname is Bautista too!
..stunning indeed but perhaps not as stunning as your smile - and please do me a big favor because big brother epi likes to hook people up - and check out the hubs of PRISANA - she is residing in your country I believe and has world class hubs just like you - thank you so much for putting this beautiful hub together and taking me to a place far away from here ..... although I live 100 feet away from a great lake - in lake erie time 3:07am ontario canada
a Beautiful hub. I love to experience scuba diving but somehow could not get it done. I am scared to some extent also. But the photographs and videos you presented inspire me to go for it. Your place is not in my reach but I would definitely do it here in my country. Thanks.
I've gone snorkeling in Palawan and it was amazing. I'd like to try scuba diving sometime. Thanks for giving some ideas on where to go. :)
This is absolutely a stunning hub, kerlynb. I'd like to experience diving at Tubbataha Reef and the rest of the featured diving spots one at a time (and the money, LOL!).
Thanks for promoting it.
Yep! I grew up in a small town in Ticao Island and yes, Bicol has so many wonderful sceneries.
I love reading hubs about sea and water animals and I especially love reading about them from a Filipino. I really enjoyed this hub. I came from an island south of the Bicol Peninsula and it's called Ticao Island and we also have manta rays there. Keep up the good work!
What a great hub! Voted up! I am going to have to visit the Philippines some day. The photographs are gorgeous and your islands just look so beautiful and tranquile. I'm not a sea diver, but I could learn in a beautiful atmosphere as the Philippines.
Of all the sites the island of cebu is really attreactive and worth a praise.
Surely this hub is eleigible for bookmarkign and using it when required to jump into scubadiving.
I had voted this up and useful
I am following you with pleasure and hoping to hear from you in my hubs
Absolutely beautiful! I don't scuba-dive - more of a snorkeler myself - but my partner loves it. Coron Bay looks positively surreal. Hope to visit it one day!
Love the scenery and those 1000 islands..especially Cebu.
Great info and research. voted up!
LORD
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