The Philippines is one of the world’s largest archipelagos with over 7,000 islands scattered over 2 million sq km of ocean. It is a prime liveaboard destination. Divided from north to south there are the main islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Several of the famous reefs visited by liveaboards are the Tubbataha National Marine Park, Apo Reef Natural Park, the Spratlys, and new on the scene- Maniguin and Panagatan Cay. There is diving year round at many spots and the water temperature is from 27-32 degrees celcius.
The Tubbataha National Marine Park is located 160 km southeast of Puerto Princessa, Palawan in the Sulu Sea. It is considered the Philippines’ premier dive site and national treasure. It is guarded 24/7 by armed park rangers and navy personnel. You can dive walls, wrecks, and shallow reef tops. You can expect to see large pelagics, whale sharks, hammerheads, white tips, napolean wrasse, eagle and manta rays, mackerel and tuna as well as a plethora of healthy hard and soft corals. The average visibility is a staggering 40 meters or more. Late March to early June is the only time to dive here and booking ahead is strongly recommended.
The Apo Reef Natural Park boasts the largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines. Apo Reef is a submerged platform created by several reefs separated by a 30m deep channel. Expect to see lots of small stuff like nudibranches and lobsters and large stuff like hammerheads, white tips, giant tunas, eagle and manta rays, turtles, and surgeonfish. Diving is year round but during the summer there is less chance of rain (March to May) and in the winter a greater chance of spotting big animals (December to February).
The Spratlys are the most remote diving destination in the Philippines. They are made up of over 100 remote islets, atolls, and seamounts in the South China Sea. The total land area is only 5 sq km, yet 6 nations claim them as their own due to surrounding oil deposits and rich fishing grounds. Reef tops and wall dives with visibility in the 30-40m range. Home to large hammerheads, tunas, jacks, manta and devil rays, barracudas, and huge schools of fish constantly swimming by. If that wasn’t enough, you can also dive two wrecks (one a submarine). March to May is the time to visit the Spratlys.
Managuin/Panagatan Cay are pelagic magnets. Managuin is a small island rimmed with white sand also known as hammerhead island. Divers generally camp out during overnight trips. Tons of drop offs and crevices usually housing a shark or two. Panagatan Cay is three small islands jutting out of a 20km atoll. Both are 5 star dive destinations. Here you can spot the elusive and rare mola- mola and sometimes the thresher shark. Whale sharks in March through June are often spotted. Diving is year round, but March through May mean better vis and December to February offer more big animal encounters.
If diving from a liveaboard is not your thing....there are many options for shore dives and boat dives from shore all over the country.
The people and culture of the Philippines is a mix of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American influence. The Filipinos are naturally warm and friendly and known for their hospitality. Tagalog is the national language, however English is widely spoken. All visitors with a valid passport are issued a free 21 day visa, which may be extended. October to June are the driest months, with March to May being the hottest. July and August are the wet months with the most typhoons.