Diving — Philippines
Philippines Diving Guide 2026
World-class macro, whale sharks, thresher sharks, and WWII wrecks. The Philippines sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle — the most biodiverse marine region on earth.
Top Dive Sites
Tubbataha Reef
Sulu Sea (liveaboard only) · Gateway: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
The crown jewel of Philippine diving. Remoteness means pristine conditions. Permits are limited — book liveaboards 6–12 months ahead.
- › UNESCO World Heritage Site
- › Hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays
- › Pristine untouched coral walls
- › Liveaboard only — 10+ day trips from Puerto Princesa
- › Strict permit system — limited divers per year
Apo Reef
Mindoro Strait · Gateway: Manila → Coron or Puerto Galera
An unprotected marine sanctuary 45km off Mindoro. Day trips or liveaboards from Coron. Less visited than Tubbataha, more accessible.
- › Second largest contiguous coral reef in Asia
- › Grey reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse
- › Shark Channel — defined current feeding area
- › Day trip from Coron possible
- › UNESCO World Heritage extension
Puerto Galera
Mindoro (2h from Manila) · Gateway: Manila → Batangas pier → bangka
The go-to destination for Manila-based divers. VERDE Passage is scientifically the most biodiverse marine area on earth. Outstanding macro photography.
- › VERDE Island Passage — highest marine biodiversity on earth
- › Excellent macro: pygmy seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs
- › Sabang dive sites: The Canyons, Monkey Beach, Washing Machine (current)
- › Affordable dive packages ($30–50/day)
- › Easy Manila weekend trip
Coron, Palawan
Northern Palawan · Gateway: Direct flights from Manila (55 min)
The world capital of wreck diving. 10+ WWII Japanese ships sunk in a single 1944 US air raid. Now coated in coral and teeming with fish.
- › WWII Japanese fleet wrecks from 1944 (10+ ships)
- › Irako Maru, Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru wrecks
- › Barracuda Lake — halocline diving experience
- › Coral gardens around the Calamian Islands
- › Base for liveaboards to Tubbataha
Malapascua
Northern Cebu · Gateway: Cebu → Maya → bangka
The thresher shark capital of the world. Monad Shoal is a cleaning station where threshers visit every morning at dawn. Bucket list for shark divers.
- › The only place in the world with reliable daily thresher shark sightings
- › Thresher sharks at Monad Shoal (5am dawn dive)
- › Mandarin fish spawning at dusk at Lighthouse
- › Nurse sharks at Gato Island
- › Small island, pure dive focus
🤿 Philippines Diving Practicalities
Best dive season
Nov–May is dry season for most sites. Tubbataha is Mar–Jun only (liveaboard access). Year-round possible in most areas but visibility and conditions improve in dry season.
Dive costs
Amongst the most affordable in the world. Puerto Galera: $25–35/dive, $80–120/day for 3 dives + equipment. Coron: $30–45/dive. Tubbataha liveaboard: $3,000–5,000 for 10 days.
Certification requirements
PADI/SSI Open Water minimum for most recreational sites. Advanced Open Water for deeper sites (Tubbataha, Coron wrecks). Wreck Diver specialty recommended for Coron.
Getting around
Bangka (outrigger boat) transfers are standard. Manila is the main hub. Direct flights to Cebu, Puerto Princesa (Palawan), and Coron available from Manila, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Philippines the best diving destination in the world?
It consistently appears in the top 3 globally, alongside Indonesia and Egypt. The Philippines' edge is diversity: world-class macro (Puerto Galera), the only regular thresher shark dives (Malapascua), UNESCO reef systems (Tubbataha), and WWII wreck fields (Coron). The Coral Triangle, which the Philippines anchors, is scientifically the most biodiverse marine region on earth.
Do I need a visa to dive in the Philippines?
Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, extendable to 59 days for $26. For extended dive trips (Tubbataha season + island hopping), a 59-day extension is usually sufficient. No dive-specific permit needed for tourists.
How do I get to Tubbataha Reef?
Tubbataha is accessible only by liveaboard departing from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The season is March–June only. Trips run 7–12 days. Boats are capped at 10 divers per vessel and require a permit. Book 6–12 months ahead through reputable operators. Cost: $3,500–6,000 all-inclusive.