Discover The Most Popular Destinations In The Philippines

Do you want to lay eyes on over a hundred species of corals? If so, lend an ear. Apo Reef is a fantastic diving spot that lies between the islands of Coron and Mindoro in MIMAROPA Region. As the world’s second largest marine reserve, it is a refuge for stingrays, gray reef sharks, hammerheads, threshers, manta rays, whitetips, blacktips, and many others. Surrounding the Apo Reef Natural Park are the 3 uninhabited islands that you should also explore:

• Apo Island is a volcanic island that is around 74 kilometers. Situated 7 kilometers away from Negros Island and south of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental Province, this marine reserve is put under the care of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) in the Philippines.
• Binangaan Island is located in Mindoro Occidental, northwest end of the Island of Cebu. Also known as Apo Menor, it is a rocky island made of limestone with very little vegetation.
• Cayos del Bajo is an island in Sablayan, in the Province of Occidental Mindoro. It is home to a flat coralline rock formation with no existing vegetation on the lagoon near the eastern edge of the reef. This island has an area of approximately 34 square kilometers, and is protected by the Sablayan Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Apo Reef National Park is one of the most popular dive sites in the Philippines. This is why many divers come to the Occidental Mindoro province to experience the seemingly surreal underwater world, and book an accommodation in one of its many hotels and resorts.

Accommodations in Pandan Island or the Sablayan mainland are popular among divers because of the availability of trusted dive operators to book a tour from.

You might be wondering about the best time to come for a dive in the largest dive spot in the Philippines. Here’s the catch. As long as the sea is calm, Apo Reef Natural Park is at its best during the months of April, May, October, and November.

As one of the crown jewels of tourism in the Philippines, Apo Reef is listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means authorizing the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to undertake the development and management of the area.

Another popular tourist destination in the Philippines is Boracay. This charming adventure spot lets you experience the abundance of marine life in the country. On top of being a famous island-hopping destination, Boracay is a perfect location for newbie divers. Sounds fun? Yes, it definitely it is.

It is also good to note that there are reputable diving schools in this area that provide PADI licensing for both local and foreign guests.

Located in the town of Yapak, Southeast of Boracay Island Western Visayas, Yapak Beach is a diving destination in the Philippines that is rated 5 stars among tourists. Diving at Yapak Beach is a must-try. Don’t dare miss a close encounter with tuna, rays, and sharks swimming along effortlessly with the current. Smaller creatures like pygmy seahorses and nudibranch can be seen living amongst the corals too.

Whether you are an experienced diver or a newbie, you can see plenty of diving spots in Bohol. Its rich marine life is home to exquisite corals, seahorses, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, sea snakes, turtles, and dolphins. Here are some Bohol dive sites that you might want to include in your itinerary.

•Alona Beach
• Arco Point
• Balicasag Island
• Cabilao Island
• Pamilacan Island

Although the most famous are still Alona Beach, Pamilacan and Balicasag, however, all the above-listed dive sites have captivating underwater life. Give them a try, will you? Bear in mind that the best time to dive at these spots is from November to May.

Coron Bay is one of the best diving sites in the Philippines, where divers encounter lionfish, scorpionfish, and schools of large batfish.

Seeing the wrecks of the historic sunken ships lying across the ocean floor is the highlight of Coron diving and adventure. The most popular World War II Japanese shipwrecks are the Olympia Maru, Akitsushima, Kagyu Maru, and Okikawa Maru.

Note: December to March is the best time to dive because the water visibility is at its best during these months.

Have you heard of El Nido before? El Nido is one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines that can surely bring you into an adventure like no other. Note that the best time for diving in this wonderful spot is from March to May, as long as the currents are mild and calm. You are lucky if you get the chance to explore the amazing diving adventures in El Nido, namely:

• Dilumacad Tunnel has several ceiling holes. The stunning beauty of Soft Coral, Lionfish, Moray Eel, etc. awaits you inside the tunnel.
• Paglugaban Cave has an underwater forest with amazing Soft Corals and incredible rock formation.
• South Miniloc has beautiful shallow water, coral gardens, and a colorful variety of reef fishes visible in crystal clear waters.

Isn’t it awesome to catch a sight of approximately 100 kinds of stunning corals, staggering limestone cliffs, turtles and more than 800 species of fish in this area? Remember, El Nido is a perfect adventure spot for beginners and experienced divers, and the most popular island-hopping destination in the Philippines.

This charming and famous diving island in the Philippines is located in the northern part of Cebu. It has one of the best beaches in the country. The entire area is well-maintained and surrounded by many gorgeous dive sites in the Philippines.

Lying close to the village of Malapascua, the Monad Shoal is a world-famous site for adventure where manta rays, thresher sharks, eagle rays, and hammerheads are spotted. It is believed to be the only place on the planet where Thresher Sharks can be seen swimming every day.

For these reasons, the local government and non-government organizations ensure that environmental laws are observed. These agencies work together to protect Malapascua Island’s natural resources.

Planning to visit the island? Have it somewhere between December to April because it is the best time to come and dive. During these months, the weather is good, so expect high tourist visits. Discover Cebu City travel guide: Philippines top tourist sites destination, know where to stay, what local delicacies to try, and what activities to do.

The good news does not end there because there are many great diving spots around Puerto Princesa that stretch towards the Sulu Sea. One of them is Honda Bay, where you can see sea turtles, white-spotted eagle rays, manta rays, and stingrays.

The sustainable preservation of natural resources through ecotourism practice in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, located in western Philippines, makes Puerto Princesa one of the top adventure and diving spots in the Philippines.

Just like many divers who came to experience Puerto Princesa’s abundant marine life, you will love to meet them in the eye. The white-sanded beaches are irresistible. Numerous dive shops operate in Puerto Princesa provide a full range of dive courses, equipment rental, and guiding for inexperienced divers. If you happen to be in this category, you don’t have to worry! May to November are the perfect times to explore Puerto Princesa and islands in Honda Bay.

Puerto Galera in Mindoro Island (MIMAROPA Region) is famous for its long- stretched beautiful white sand beaches, natural seawall, exciting dive sites, and lush mountains. Verde Island has most of the sites with dive shops that offer gear rental and divemaster for hire.

It has plenty of amazing dive sites for newbies and veterans. From April to September, you can relish the great visibility of the beautiful reefs, thriving marine life and colorful species like crabs, shrimps, and sea anemones. Fantastic, right?

Looking forward to a rustic feel in a lovely province? Pack for a Romblon adventure! Lying east of Mindoro and west of Masbate, Romblon in the region of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) is an island province that has one of the most interesting adventure and diving spots in the Philippines. Romblon is distant and homely, making it perfect for a diver who is not afraid to trek on the astonishing beauty hidden beneath the Sibuyan Sea (province of Romblon).

October to June is the best time to visit Romblon for a dive because the possibility of a heavy rainfall is less. Start the day by an early morning sight of the varieties of fish, large shoals, and tiger shrimps. Although whale shark encounters are rare, these friendly giants are noticeable from April to June.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of diving in Romblon is the famous Blue Hole. It is a chimney of corals and a home to groupers, crabs, lobsters and sea snakes (Walo-walo as it is called in Cebuano).

Lying south of the main Island of Luzon, the main diving sites in the Bicol Region can be found off the coast of Bulan in the Ticao Pass, Sorsogon. The popular dive site is called Manta Bowl Shoal. Spotted here are Manta rays, multi-colored coral reefs, and different types of marine life.

The most ideal time to visit Sorsogon is between December and May. You will get a chance to snorkel with the gentle giants, “Whale Sharks”, locally known as Butanding. Whale sharks are generally not harmful and dangerous to humans. In fact, they are seen to lure around the area with divers. But, this activity is highly regulated by the local Department of Tourism (DOT) through its local office in Donsol.

Go see Tubbataha Reef for another stunning adventure to the Philippines. This famous diving site is also renowned as one of the world’s best sites to explore. It has a spectacular wall of pristine coral reefs that goes more or less 100 meters long. It is densely populated with endless varieties of marine species, has two coral islands, and intricate lagoons.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located approximately 181 kilometers Southeast off the coast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, specifically in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Because of Tubbataha Reef's location, it will take around 10 hours from Puerto Princesa to reach it.

Here, you’ll get a glimpse of the colorful reef fish thriving in the corals, and notice sharks and whales dominating the drop-offs to the ocean. Meanwhile, native sea turtles and birds nest on its northern inlet. It is incredible to note that the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) protects this area from ship navigation, marine pollution, and fishing.

Here’s a heads-up! Due to strong ocean currents, diving in Tubbataha Reef is not recommended for beginners, and it may only be accessible by a licensed and reliable tour operator Liveaboard. The demand is quite high during the dive season, particularly from July to October. So, it is always advised to book your Philippines dive trips ahead of time.

Make sure to check out our page on Safety While Traveling In The Philippines for a more enjoyable, fulfilling, and safer adventure in the Philippines.