The Philippines

The Philippines has undeniably some of the best diving spots in Asia,

The archipelagic state is part of the heart of the Coral Triangle, the world’s centre of marine biodiversity. It has the third-largest area of coral reef in the world at 25,060 km2 that is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and an abundant biodiversity that includes 3,000 species of fish. The government, environmental organizations, and local residents are working together to protect this rich marine biodiversity.

The Philippines is a vibrant, colourful country and this extends to the marine life that is thriving under its seas. Health protocols are also being put into place at each destination for the safety of travellers while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Philippine seas. Join us as we ‘visit’ eight of the diving hotspots in the country.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is said to be one of the country’s oldest ecosystems. It covers 96,828 hectares of underwater adventures. This atoll reef has a very high density of marine biodiversity, with more than 700 fish species, over 360 coral species, 11 shark

The Philippines contain 7,107 islands, but only about 2,000 are inhabited, leaving plenty of deserted islands to explore. These thousands of islands form three main island groups, including Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

We take a whistlestop tour around eight of the top diving locations in the Philippines, which was declared Asia’s Leading Dive Destination by the 28th World Travel Awards - the third consecutive year it has won the title

Photographs by Jerome Kim, Sylvia Jenkins, Robert Yin, Gerald Nowak & Dugong Dive Center

Nudibranchs are a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod molluscs. Some are known for their extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given fun nicknames to match, such as ‘splendid’, ‘dragon’, or ‘dancer’ to name but a few...

species, and 13 dolphin and whale species already recorded, and its North Islet serving as a nesting site both for birds and two species of endangered marine turtles – the green turtle and hawksbill turtle. The site has a spectacular 100m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands, with exciting pelagic action involving whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, and whalesharks.

Anilao, in the Municipality of Mabini, is located just a short drive away from the Philippines’ capital of Manila. This has made it a haven for weekend diving enthusiasts from the city, especially those who are into underwater photography. It is located along the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro, which is considered as the centre of marine shore fish biodiversity with 319 species swimming in its blue waters that coral taxonomist Douglas Fenner says is home to 74 genera of hard corals. Anilao is a destination for both macro and muck diving enthusiasts, with rare critters like rhinopias, and colourful nudibranchs. It is also a perfect place to perfect blackwater and bonfire diving skills in macrophotography.

The Municipality of Dauin has many dive spots for different levels of enthusiasts. These spots are protected marine sanctuaries that look after the sea’s biodiversity. Dauin is a big draw for those who are into muck diving, owing to the fascinating tiny creatures that dwell camouflaged along the corals, sea grass, and rock formations. Exciting sightings can start close to the shoreline, and these include different kinds of pipefishes, razorfish, frogfishes, sea horses, waspfish, snake eels, sea moths, dragonettes, flounders, snapper, stargazers, and crabs and turtles.

Because of the Philippines’ long colonial history, Filipinos display a unique mix of culture. You’ll find pieces of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American and Pinoy tradition. In addition, the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in Asia. In addition to great marine biodiversity, the Philippines also features 1,100 terrestrial invertebrates, 100 mammal species and 170 bird species, making it one of the ten most mega-diverse countries. Every year new species are found above and below the water.

A scenic 30-minute boat ride from Dumaguete brings divers to Apo Island, a marine sanctuary organized by its local community. It offers myriad opportunities to explore on the ground with its volcanic rock formations, and undersea where 400 coral species where over 650 species of fish reside. There is a community of sea turtles that don’t mind swimming serenely alongside divers and having these awesome moments captured on camera. For a feeling of exclusivity, book a stop at the Marine Sanctuary found southeast off of Apo Island, where only 100 divers are allowed per day to preserve its ecological balance.

Apo Reef is the largest atoll-like coral reef in the Philippines. Covering an area of 34 square kilometres, it is the second largest connecting coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The pristine waters of the 30m deep channel are teeming with 385 species of fish have been identified in the area, including angel fish, parrot fish, jacks, and trevallies. Divers can also encounter reef sharks, moray, giant squid and giant clams. It has a mangrove forest which serves as source of food, spawning ground, and sanctuary of several marine and bird species.

Among that activities available for travelers are scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, lagoon rafting, and watching the birds, dolphins and turtles that abound in the area.

The name Puerto Galera is Spanish for Port of the Galleons for the trading vessels that would anchor off its shores of this place. Today, it is popular for its numerous diving spots as part of the Verde Island Passage of the Coral Triangle of Asia. Its clear waters allow for high visibility that is perfect for diving among the hard and soft varieties of corals that house about 60 percent of the world’s shore fish. Puerto Galera is part of the Dive and Drive tourism circuit that has been developed by the Department of Tourism that includes important dive sites like Ticao Island in Masbate and Anilao in Batangas.

If the Coral Triangle is considered as the underwater Amazon Forest, Verde Island is at the centre of its heart. The Verde Island Wall – two rocks jutting out southeast of the island - is considered as the best dive sites in the Philippines, with excellent visibility and lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Colourful corals are home and playground to whitetips and other sharks, mantas, tuna and jacks with parrotfish, unicornfish, and Napoleons adding even more colour to the visual impact of clouds of anthias. For a spinning good time, head out to the Washing Machine, so-called for its wild current that is popular with divers who are looking to enjoy a unique thrill.

Located at the Northern part of Cebu, Malapascua Island is a must-visit for divers to enjoy the rare and thrilling experience of swimming with thresher sharks. The pristine waters of this tropical island paradise offers more unforgettable adventures. After a 5am thresher shark dive, enthusiasts can also go on shipwreck explorations, deep and tech dives, dusk mandarinfish spotting, and night dives to observe rare nocturnal creatures. Another dive attraction is the underwater tunnel that runs through the length of nearby Gato Island, a home to whitetip sharks. Here, divers can explore undercuts and small caves to discover the secret lives of marine animals such as cuttlefish, banded sea snakes, crabs, anthias, and lionfish. The beach life is just as grand, where you can walk anywhere in flip-flops to enjoy the charming, relaxed life on the island.

Moalboal in the local dialect means bubbling waters, owing to its freshwater springs. Its dive sites offer an array of exciting experiences, with Copton Point already offering two – the Copton Deep that has an aircraft wreck to explore, and Copton Shallow that has table corals and shallow corals through which dart a wide variety of fish. Likened to the effects of stained-glass windows at church, Pescador Cathedral is a magnificent cave that captures shafts of light at midday to bathe the surroundings with a heavenly glow.

Beautiful Bohol, with its breathtaking natural wonders such as the Chocolate Hills and man-made Mahogany Forest, along with historic sites such as its centuries-old churches is also a haven for divers. The warm sands of Bohol’s Alona Beach is the jump-off point for dive safaris to Anda, Balicasag, and Cabilao.

Anda is a relatively new dive destination and it is being developed with sustainable tourism in mind. Conservation efforts are supported by the friendly community, with guides who expertly help divers find the best spots. Coral-covered shallow flat reefs are home to a host of creatures such as hawkfish, fire urchins, and Coleman shrimp. Schoolers such as snapper, grouper, puffers and turtles like to converge in these clear waters. Cabilao has the small island charm. It has only five barangays or communities, but 20 dive sites. Underwater life ranges from small soft corals to large gorgonian sea fans. The Lighthouse 1 and 2 are popular dive photography sites. Balicasag is a protected area because it is a sea turtle meeting, breeding, and feeding area. There is a site that is literally named Diver’s Heaven, because here, each dive is a good dive.

Coron has been described as one of the best spots in the world for wreck diving. There are 24 Japanese ships that were sunk in the area by an American air raid during World War Two and the 12 wrecks that have been discovered are now home to corals and other forms of aquatic life. The shipwrecks are very well preserved and are all located in quite shallow water starting at 6m-10m, which is perfect for recreational diving. n

The Philippines is proactive in protecting its marine resources, not only through government mandates but also through community engagement. The locals of the areas understand the importance of caring for the environment as their source of livelihood and as their legacy to the next generations. The Philippine Department of Tourism works closely with the local government units of the popular dive sites and new circuits in order to ensure that the marine biodiversity is allowed to thrive through responsible and sustainable tourism efforts. Aside from showcasing these underwater attractions to the world, the DOT is preparing for the return of dive enthusiasts with standardized health and hygiene protocols for a safe journey throughout the country. As of 1 October, 55% of tourism workers in the country have been vaccinated. In the nation’s bustling capital of Metro Manila, 99% of tourism workers in DOTaccredited hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as 99% of tourism workers in accredited restaurants have had their anti-COVID jabs. In addition, this fascinating destination has received the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which selects destinations that meet international health and safety standards to travel without worries.