Boasting 7,000 islands, warm waters, and impressive marine biodiversity, the Philippines is home to some of the world's best dives. There's something for everyone in the Philippines: pristine coral reefs, lush coral gardens, and a myriad of fish species big and small. Topside, the Philippines is no less beautiful and charming and is one of our favorite destinations for both solo travelers and families. Famous Filipino hospitality, picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, and tropical weather will warm your hearts.
Depending on where you stay in the Philippines, you can find a good number of land-based dive operations, many of them located by the sea, from budget to luxury. The diving season in most of the Philippines runs all year if you don't mind some bursts of rain in the months of June through September.
Find out more about our Preferred Partner in the Philippines, Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards.
Looking for a liveaboard option? View our selection of liveaboards in the Philippines.
Jump to: Philippines Dive Resorts
Philippines Dive Resort Areas
All the information you need to book your Philippines dive vacation and learn about Philippines dive resorts.
Anilao, Batangas
Discover the country's capital of muck diving, just a 2- to 3.5-hour drive from Manila. Anilao is one of the easiest scuba diving destinations to get to in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The macro photography opportunities are simply world-class, and diving in the area is land-based. Most of the dive resorts are photographer-friendly, making Anilao a favorite among macro photography enthusiasts around the globe.
See the amazing photos and read all about Bluewater owner Scott Geitler's 2018 trip to Anilao here
ANDA, BOHOL
Anda is an off-the-beaten-path dive vacation spot, offering white beaches, a laid-back and lush environment, and an abundance of marine life. It's a great spot for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bohol. Diving the 3-+ dive sites around Anda is typically done from resorts. Four to five dives a day, including a sunset or night dive to see mating mandarin fish, is quite common.
Dauin & Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
It's arguably the best all-in-one luxury dive vacation spot in the Philippines. In Dumaguete, you can find excellent muck dives along the Dauin coastline, great coral reefs at nearby Apo Island, and a great selection of luxurious beachfront dive resorts, which are relatively affordable compared to other diving destinations in the world. Most resorts in the area also offer a day trip to Oslob, where you can swim up close with whale sharks.
Read more about diving in Dumaguete in Trip Leader Ron Watkins' Bluewater Photo Workshop in Dumaguete here
Moalboal, Cebu
Moalboal hosts a very diverse and vibrant diving scene. Best known as the country's hotspot to witness massive schools of sardines, divers can also see big schools of fish, beautiful walls, fascinating topography, and great macro life. Dive resorts can be easily found in the area, and some liveaboards often include Moalboal on their itineraries.
MALAPASCUA, CEBU
Encounter thresher sharks at the tiny Malapascua Island, known as the only place in the world where these unique sharks can be consistently seen daily at their cleaning station. You can also find excellent macro, wrecks, and colorful corals rich in marine life in the area. Throw its pristine waters and white beaches on top of all that, and you've got yourself an idyllic dive vacation spot. Malapascua can be dived via a resort or a liveaboard, usually in combination with other areas in the Visayas.
Check out Bluewater Trip Leader and Travel Advisor Katie Yonker's 2019 trip to Malapascua and the Visayas here
PUERTO GALERA, MINDORO
Puerto Galera offers an extensive range of dive spots, with great macro within a 10-minute boat ride from most resorts and world-class wide-angle dives at nearby Verde Island. You can find many land-based options in Puerto Galera, catering to all kinds of budgets. Topside, PG is a lively and social place, with easily walkable restaurants, picturesque happy hours on piers overlooking the water, and a long list of things to do to keep you occupied.
Find more information on the diving season, marine life, dive sites, and how to get to the destination of your choice on our in-depth guide to diving in the Philippines
Dive Resorts in the Philippines
Bluewater Travel can help you book a dive resort in the Philippines and over 40 destinations in the world at the same price or even lower than booking any other way. We are experts in accommodation, diving, and logistics in the Philippines. Email us today or leave us a message through the live chat box to start planning your dream dive vacation in the Philippines!
