With 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers opportunities for every level. Experienced divers can enjoy deep wrecks, while beginners will appreciate easy beach entries. The Philippines has thousands of dive sites. These are spread out mostly around the Luzon and Visayas regions however other regions offer incredible diving too.
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In the Luzon region, nearby Manila, Puerto Galera is the perfect place for diving including for those with less experience. With easy beach entries and plentiful macro life it is a favorite of many divers. For those in the Manila region and looking for wreck diving, Subic Bay offers divers the chance to get up close and personal with sunken warships. Further south in the Luzon region, Palawan has long been considered a top dive destination. A variety of warships and planes lie at various depths. Today, soft corals, turtles, a plethora of fish species and sea snakes call the wrecks home.
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Divers interested in pelagics should make a point of heading to the central Visayas. In Malapascua, visitors can see skittish thresher sharks. The biodiversity doesn’t end there. Moalboal, Balicasag and Apo Island are world-class dive sites rich in marine life such as schools of jacks, sardine balls, rays and the occasional shark.
The Philippines has over 1200 marine species and 400 of the world’s 500 coral species. It is a great area for spotting barracuda, emperor fish, scorpion fish, moray eel, tuna, batfish, Moorish idol, trevally, and flute mouth. On the more unusual side of things, the Philippines is also home to lionfish, triggerfish, pygmy seahorses, trumpet fish, mantis shrimp, unicorn fish, wrasse, squid, parrot fish and octopus. Pelagics are plentiful in the Philippines, too. Sightings may include whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, devil rays and sharks such as hammerheads and thresher sharks.
Climate
You can dive year-round in the Philippines, but there are three distinct seasons that affect dive conditions. December through March is the northeast monsoon that can bring strong winds. April through June is usually dry with warm days and little wind. July through November is the southwest monsoon, which is wet but the water is warm.
Topside activities
When you aren’t diving, the Philippines has a plethora of activities to keep you active. Sun and sand are the name of the game in this island nation with some of the best white sand beaches in the world. For more adventure, visitors can hike the Taal Volcano, visit gorgeous rice terraces in Banaue, or seek out rare wildlife such as the gremlin-like tarsier. Of course, a day spent sleeping in, eating delicious Filipino BBQ and watching the sun sink into the water while dreaming of your next dive is also a worthy option.
The Philippines is the perfect destination for gaining and perfecting new scuba skills while enjoying a wide array of underwater life and an easy going vacation above the water.
Locate a PADI Dive Shop to explore this amazing tropical destination.
