The Philippines comprised by some 7,107 islands is situated between Japan, Indonesia and the western reaches of the Pacific Ocean. Recent scientific studies showed that the archipelago is the “Center of Global Marine Biodiversity”, a cradle of diversity for the world’s coral reefs, with more species of both corals and fishes found here than any other place in the world. The center of the center in the Philippines is the “Verde Island Passage” which lies between Batangas, Mindoro, Lubang Island, Marinduque and Romblon.
With almost 36,000* kilometers (“Department of Environment and Natural Resources Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service e-Library”, 2004) of coastlines, the Philippines is considered the best diving destination in the world, with its tropical climate, warm waters, white sandy beaches and a wealth of diverse, colorful corals, fishes and amazing critters. Whether skin diving with whale sharks,or SCUBA diving with manta rays, observing thresher sharks, exploring caves and WW I or II shipwrecks, or simply enjoying the underwater sceneries, such as, dropoffs/walls, wide expanse of coral reefs and schools of fish – there is something for everyone, from a novice to the more experienced diver. The Philippines has almost everything!
*Department of Environment and Natural Resources Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service e-Library. (2004). From https://faspselib.denr.gov.ph/sites/default/files//Publication%20Files/ARCDEV%20FRAMEWORK.pdf
TOP DIVE DESTINATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
- Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park, Sulu Sea
- Apo Reef, Mindoro Occidental
- Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental
- Verde Island, Batangas
- Anilao, Mabini in Batangas
- Balicasag Island, Bohol
- Apo Island, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
- Moalboal, Cebu
- Monad Shoal, Malapascua, Cebu
- Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte
- Coron, Palawan
- El Nido, Palawan
DIVE SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES
LUZON
Anilao
Puerto Galera
La Union
Subic Bay
Palawan
Romblon
Ilocos
Occidental Mindoro
VISAYAS
Boracay
Cebu
Dumaguete
Siquijor
Bohol
Leyte
Panay Island
Antique
Ilo-Ilo
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Sorsogon
Albay
MINDANAO
Camiguin
Davao
General Santos
Sulu