Best Diving in the Philippines: 12 Destinations We Actually Recommend

We’ve been diving the Philippines since 2004. We’ve run a dive shop on Malapascua Island for over two decades. We’ve personally dived every destination on this list. So when we say “best diving in the Philippines,” we’re not aggregating TripAdvisor reviews from a desk in London. We’re telling you where we’d send our friends.

The Philippines sits in the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. Over 7,600 islands. More than 2,000 species of reef fish. Thresher sharks, whale sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, WWII wrecks, and macro life that makes underwater photographers weep. It’s also shockingly affordable compared to the Maldives, Galapagos, or Indonesia’s Raja Ampat.

Here’s our honest guide to the best of it.

1. Malapascua Island, Cebu (Our Home Base)

What makes it special: Malapascua is the only place in the world where you can see pelagic thresher sharks on virtually every dive. They visit cleaning stations at Monad Shoal, a sunken island at 22-27 metres depth, every morning between sunrise and 9am. Sighting rates run above 90%. Nowhere else on Earth offers this level of consistency with threshers.

But Malapascua isn’t a one-trick island. Gato Island has whitetip reef sharks sleeping in underwater tunnels. Kemod Shoal delivers hammerheads in season. The macro diving around the island is quietly exceptional. And the island itself has a relaxed, uncommercialised feel that places like Boracay lost years ago.

Best for: Shark encounters, advanced divers, underwater photography, anyone who wants something genuinely unique.

How to get there: Fly into Cebu (CEB), 3-4 hours north to Maya port, 30-minute boat to the island.

Our recommendation: Thresher Shark Divers (that’s us). We pioneered thresher shark diving here and we’re still the most experienced operator on the island. Read our Complete Guide to Malapascua Diving for the full breakdown.

2. Moalboal, Cebu

What makes it special: The sardine run. Millions of sardines in a swirling, pulsing ball just metres off the shore at Panagsama Beach. It’s one of the most photographed underwater spectacles in the Philippines, and unlike South Africa’s sardine run, it happens year-round. Walk off the beach, swim 10 metres, and you’re in it.

Beyond the sardines, Moalboal has excellent wall diving at Pescador Island (with a stunning cathedral-like cave), regular turtle sightings, and solid macro on the house reef.

Best for: All levels, sardine run, easy shore diving, combining with Malapascua for a Cebu double-header.

PDT partner: We work with vetted operators in Moalboal through Philippines Dive and Travel.

3. Bohol: Anda, Panglao & Cabilao

What makes it special: Bohol is three dive destinations in one. Panglao has easy, colourful reef diving and is the most accessible (Bohol-Panglao International Airport). Anda, on the eastern side, is a hidden gem with pristine walls, caves, and macro life that rivals Anilao without the crowds. Cabilao Island is a small, quiet island with hammerhead sightings in season and some of the best wall diving in the Visayas.

Bohol also has the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and enough above-water activities to keep non-diving travel companions happy.

Best for: Mixed groups (divers + non-divers), macro photography, wall diving, off-the-beaten-track exploring.

PDT partners: We have trusted partners in Anda (Cabagnow Seaside Resort), Cabilao (Cabilao Island Resort), and Panglao through Philippines Dive and Travel.

4. Coron, Palawan

What makes it special: Coron is the wreck diving capital of Southeast Asia. During WWII, American planes sank a fleet of Japanese Imperial Navy ships in Coron Bay. Today, over 10 of those wrecks sit at recreational diving depths (15-35m), encrusted with coral and teeming with life. The Irako, Akitsushima, and Olympia Maru are the standouts.

Between wrecks, Coron has crystal-clear freshwater lakes (Kayangan and Barracuda Lake, the latter a thermocline experience you won’t forget), coral gardens, and dramatic limestone karst scenery above water.

Best for: Wreck diving, advanced divers, history buffs, combining diving with island-hopping.

PDT partner: Available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

5. El Nido, Palawan

What makes it special: El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines above water, with towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and white sand beaches that look photoshopped. The diving is solid rather than spectacular: healthy reefs, turtles, reef sharks, and good visibility. But the total package of scenery + diving + adventure is hard to beat.

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, combining diving with kayaking and island-hopping, people who want stunning photos above and below water.

PDT partner: Available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

6. Puerto Galera, Mindoro

What makes it special: Puerto Galera sits in the Verde Island Passage, which marine scientists have called the “centre of the centre” of marine biodiversity. The diving is varied and impressive: walls, drift dives, coral gardens, and macro sites, all within a short boat ride. It’s also the easiest quality dive destination to reach from Manila (3-4 hours by road and ferry).

Best for: Manila-based divers, weekend trips, all levels, biodiversity nerds.

PDT partner: Asia Divers, available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

7. Dumaguete & Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental

What makes it special: Dumaguete is a university town with a lively food scene and easy access to Apo Island, one of the Philippines’ great marine conservation success stories. The coral here has recovered beautifully under community-managed protection, and turtle sightings are virtually guaranteed. Zamboanguita, just south, offers house reef diving that’s among the best in the country for macro.

Best for: Turtle encounters, marine conservation, macro diving, combining with Bohol or Cebu destinations.

PDT partner: Available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

8. Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte

What makes it special: Sogod Bay is the Philippines’ best-kept diving secret. Whale sharks visit between November and March for plankton blooms in the bay, but it never got the crowds that Oslob or even Donsol attract. Beyond whale sharks, the bay has pristine walls, giant barrel sponges, and a genuinely off-the-grid feel. If you want to feel like you’ve discovered something, this is it.

Best for: Adventurous divers, whale shark encounters (in season), people who want to avoid tourist infrastructure entirely.

PDT partner: Sogod Bay Scuba Resort, available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

9. Donsol, Sorsogon

What makes it special: Donsol is the ethical whale shark capital of the Philippines. Unlike Oslob, where whale sharks are baited with food and habituated to boats (which we will never support or recommend), Donsol offers genuinely wild encounters. The whale sharks arrive naturally to feed on plankton, and interactions are snorkel-only, regulated by trained local guides. Season runs November to June, peaking February to April.

Best for: Whale shark encounters, snorkellers and non-divers, ethical wildlife tourism.

PDT partner: Available through Philippines Dive and Travel.

10. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

What makes it special: Tubbataha is the crown jewel of Philippine diving and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 600 fish species, 360 coral species (roughly half of all coral species on Earth), 11 shark species, manta rays, and pristine reef walls dropping into the abyss. It’s regularly ranked among the top 5 dive sites on the planet.

The catch: it’s liveaboard-only, accessible only from mid-March to mid-June, and requires advance booking (trips sell out months ahead). It’s worth every bit of the effort.

Best for: Experienced divers who want a bucket-list trip, liveaboard enthusiasts, underwater photographers.

Note: Tubbataha is not part of the PDT network (liveaboards are a different animal), but we’re happy to advise on operators.

11. Anilao, Batangas

What makes it special: Anilao is macro diving paradise. It’s the Philippines’ original dive destination and remains the top spot for nudibranch hunters, frogfish seekers, and macro photographers. Seven shots taken at Anilao won awards in the 2025 Ocean Art photo contest. It’s also the closest quality diving to Manila (2-3 hours by road).

Best for: Macro photographers, nudibranch nerds, weekend warriors from Manila.

12. Ticao Pass & Donsol (Manta Rays)

What makes it special: Ticao Pass, near Donsol in the Bicol region, is one of the Philippines’ most reliable manta ray sites. During the right season (roughly November to May), large oceanic mantas cruise through the nutrient-rich currents. Combined with Donsol’s whale sharks, the Bicol region offers a pelagic one-two punch that’s hard to beat anywhere in Asia.

Best for: Manta ray encounters, combining with Donsol whale sharks.

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Philippines Dive Trip

Here’s the thing most people don’t realise: you don’t have to pick just one. The Philippines’ best diving is spread across multiple islands, and combining two or three destinations into a single trip is not only possible, it’s the smart play.

Some classic itineraries we build regularly:

• The Cebu Circuit: Malapascua (thresher sharks) → Moalboal (sardines + turtles) → 7-10 days
• The Visayas Loop: Malapascua → Bohol (Anda or Cabilao) → Dumaguete/Apo Island → 10-14 days
• The Palawan Adventure: Coron (wrecks) → El Nido (scenery + reefs) → 7-10 days
• The Pelagic Tour: Malapascua (threshers) → Donsol (whale sharks) → Sogod Bay → 10-14 days

Philippines Dive and Travel exists specifically for this. We handle all the logistics, transfers, and bookings across our partner network so you get a seamless trip with one point of contact. Every operator in our network has been personally vetted by our team. No guesswork, no dodgy gear, no nasty surprises.

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

The dry season (November to May) is ideal for most destinations. December to April is peak season with the best conditions. The Philippines is diveable year-round, but typhoon season (June to November) can bring rough seas to some areas. Malapascua’s thresher sharks don’t care about seasons; they’re there every morning, all year.

Costs

The Philippines is one of the best-value dive destinations on Earth. Fun dives run USD $25-45. PADI Open Water courses are USD $300-450. Budget accommodation starts at $15/night; mid-range resorts at $50-100. A week of diving here costs a fraction of what you’d spend in the Maldives, Galapagos, or even parts of Indonesia.

Getting Around

Domestic flights connect the major hubs (Cebu, Manila, Puerto Princesa for Palawan, Tagbilaran for Bohol). Ferries and buses fill the gaps. It’s not always fast, but it works. We handle inter-island logistics for PDT bookings.

Certifications

You can get certified (PADI, SSI, SDI) at any of our recommended destinations. If you’re already certified, bring your card and logbook. Nitrox certification is recommended for Malapascua’s deeper thresher shark dives.

This guide is written and maintained by the team at Thresher Shark Divers, Malapascua Island. We’ve been here since 2004. If you want to plan a Philippines dive trip, start with our Complete Guide to Malapascua Diving or get in touch with Philippines Dive and Travel for multi-destination itineraries.