Philippines – a country of 7,641islands where more than 100 million people live. Located in the heart of the coral triangle it is a diving paradise. There are many healthy coral reefs to see teaming with life. On topside there are beautiful beaches, mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls and fiestas-festivals. Most people, including outside of big cities, speak English. Here are some places to see and things to do – underwater and topside.

Anilao – Excellent macro diving attracting many underwater photographers. Anilao is dubbed by some “Nudibranch capital of the world” or “Philippines Lembeh” and only 3 hours drive from Manila. Read more

Apo Reef – is the second largest in the world coral reef system. You can see sharks, tuna, barracuda, variety of reef fish and coral reefs in a very good condition. Read more

Dauin and Apo Island – Excellent muck diving at Dauin with day trips to Apo island with nice walls with healthy corals and rich marine life.  There are also waterfalls, hotsprings and nice hikes in the area. Read more

Malapascua – Monad Shoal off the coast of Malapascua north of Cebu island is the best place to see thresher sharks in the Philippines. There is also good macro, a wreck and a nice beach on small island without cars. Read more

Manta Bowl, Donsol – Manta Bowl is a shoal at about 20 meters deep in the middle of a channel between Luzon and Ticao islands near Donsol. You can see whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, white tip sharks, schools of jacks, tuna and juvenile barracuda. Read more

Moalboal – On the west coast of Cebu island, Moalboal is a place to dive with a huge school of sardines year round.  There is also great macro diving along the shore and at Pescador island, waterfalls and hikes in the area. Read more

Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte – Located at the entrance of Sogod Bay at the tip of Southern Leyte Padre Burgos is a small town with only a handful of diveshops offering excellent diving and possibility to see whale sharks. Read more

Sabang, Puerto Galera – Great diving with healthy coral reef, wide variety of fish, critters and nudibranchs and lively topside scene. Located in the north of Mindoro island Sabang is a 3-4 hour trip from Manila not requiring air travel. Read more

Tubbataha reef – UNESCO World Heritage and the best place to see sharks, mantas and variety of fish in the Philippines accessible only by liveaboard March through June. Read more

Verde Island – Verde Island located in the middle of the channel separating Luzon and Mindoro islands is one of the best places in the Philippines for seeing large schools of fish and walls with coral in pristine condition. Read more