If you ask scuba divers where the best diving spots in the world are, the Philippines is undoubtedly on their list. With 7,641 islands to explore, it’s natural that the Philippines is one of the best diving destinations in the world, as the country is home to numerous excellent diving spots.
What draws divers from all over the world is the Philippines’ underwater treasure. They are home to spectacular reefs, whale sharks, manta rays, and UNESCO World Heritage underwater sites. It’s unsurprising that the Philippines was named the world’s top diving destination in the 2019 World Travel Awards.
And this 2021, the country won 2 prestigious awards in the Asia Categories of the 28th World Travel Awards. The country successfully bagged Asia’s Leading Beach Destination 2021 and Asia’s Leading Diving Destination 2021. Meanwhile, in the world categories, the country holds five nominations including the beach destination, dive destination and island destination of the year.
Truly, the Philippines is home to the best beaches and islands to dive and enjoy so here is a quick list of the best diving and scenic spots you should visit in your lifetime.
1. Sulu Sea’s Tubbataha Reefs
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of the Sulu Sea in Palawan. It is abundant with amazing underwater creatures and reefs, which is why many consider Tubbataha to be the best diving spot in the Philippines.
Tubbataha, on the other hand, is only for experienced divers due to the potentially dangerous currents. However, the rewards are substantial—sightings of white and blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and hammerhead sharks.
2. Anilao, Batangas
Anilao is one of the country’s most popular diving destinations. Anilao is abundant in stunning sightings of vibrant coral reefs, fish, turtles, sharks, barracuda, pygmy seahorses, and other rare critters. It’s an excellent diving spot in Batangas because it’s a veritable paradise for muck diving, blackwater diving, and macro photography.
3. Coron, Palawan
If you’re the type of diver who enjoys learning about history underwater, Coron is the place to be! Coron is home to several World War II wrecks; Japanese supply ships sunk during the Battle of Coron Bay in September 1944 by American forces.
Large, ghostly vessels such as the Akitsushima, Iraku, and Olympia Maru are fascinating to visit. Additionally to diving in Coron, be sure to check out the famous Barracuda Lake and Gunter’s Cathedral.
4. Mindoro’s Apo Reef
Apo Reef Natural Park, frequently referred to as “little Tubbataha,” is a 27,469-hectare natural marine park located between Mindoro and Palawan provinces.
Apo Reef is the world’s second largest continuous coral reef and the Philippines’ largest atoll. There are numerous sharks, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, massive schools of snapper and tuna, manta and eagle rays, and other pelagic species to see. As a result, many divers regard this as one of the best diving locations in the Philippines.
5. Dauin, Dumaguete
Negros Oriental is another world-class diving destination in the Philippines. The majority of the Philippines’ best diving spots are located along the coastline of Dauin in Dumaguete City.
The area is most well-known for its excellent muck diving, nearby coral reefs, and an array of luxurious beachfront dive resorts that are reasonably priced in comparison to other diving destinations worldwide.
6. Moalboal, Cebu
Be prepared to be greeted and swim alongside millions of sardines when you dive in Moalboal. The highlight of diving there is seeing the massive school of sardines, which makes this one of the best diving spots in the Philippines.
Pescador Island, just a 10-minute boat ride off the beach, is another excellent diving spot in Moalboal. At Rhonda Bay, there is also a sunk Cessna plane wreck with some massive gorgonian fans at 30 meters, which is ideal for morning dives.
Moalboal offers a diverse range of excellent diving with minimal effort required to access it. This is ideal for backpackers and novice scuba divers.
7. Cebu’s Malapascua Island
Apart from being one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, Malapascua is an excellent diving location in Cebu.
It is most well-known for the almost-certain sighting of Thresher Sharks. Additionally, you can see whitetip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, devil rays, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, frogfish, blue-ringed octopus, and a plethora of nudibranchs and shrimp.
Monad Shoal, Gato Island, and Kemod Shoal are the best diving spots in Moalboal.
8. Donsol, Sorsogon
While swimming with whale sharks is the most popular activity in Donsol, Sorsogon, the town is rapidly growing in popularity as a diving destination in the Philippines. It is home to an impressive array of corals, rock formations, and sand bottom formations.
Donsol has gained popularity among tourists due to the abundance of marine life and fish species. There are also some wrecks in the area, but they are only accessible to those with technical diving experience.
9. Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental
Puerto Galera, like the diving spot in Batangas, is located close to Manila. It’s only a two-hour drive, which attracts tourists looking for diving spots without having to hop on a plane.
Puerto Galera is a scuba diver’s paradise, with crystal clear waters and a plethora of marine life. While several dive sites are worth mentioning, the most popular is Canyons, where currents sweep divers through three stunning canyons covered in a variety of soft corals and sponges. Additionally, you’ll find large schools of fish inside these structures, including barracudas, batfish, snappers, emperors, and trevally.
10. Bohol
Bohol is best known for its Chocolate Hills, but the province is also gaining popularity for its excellent scuba diving locations, which include the islands of Balicasag, Cabilao, and Panglao.
What draws scuba divers there is the abundance of marine life. There are eels, octopuses, sea snakes, numerous fish species, hammerhead sharks, and, of course, coral reefs.
11. Siargao’s Sugba Lagoon
To conclude our list of diving spots in the Philippines, we’ll include Sugba Lagoon on Siargao. It is a well-known Siargao diving spot due to the spectacular view and turquoise waters. Although it is one of the most famous diving spots in the Philippines, tourists who are afraid of heights come here to take photographs. Whatever the case may be, Sugba Lagoon is an excellent location!
Suggested Read: Top Reasons Why Siargao is Asia’s Best Island for 2021
Own a Home Close to Scenic Diving Spots in the Philippines
If you love to explore the waters and diving is your true love, then owning a home closer to your passion might be something you are considering.
Camella Manors offers condo for sale units located close to the best diving spots in the Philippines. You can own a piece of Puerto Princesa and Butuan City in Camella Manors and you can get closer access to the best diving spots in Coron and Siargao when you live in the closest developed cities away from these dive spots.
Camella Manors Verdant and Camella Manors Soleia welcomes future investors and condo buyers in the area who loves the adrenaline rush of diving in Coron and Siargao. If you wish to inquire on both ready for occupancy or RFO and pre selling condo units in Camella Manors, simply click the form to inquire or message directly via this website official chat box or through the brand’s official social media channels.
Suggested Read: Invest in Palawan: Why is it perfect to pursue the ‘Best Island In The World’?
