| Walls, canyons, wrecks and coral gardens can be | | | | Located in Mindoro Oriental province, this location |
| found in many of the 7000 plus tropical islands | | | | not only has some of the most diverse coral |
| which make up the Philippines. There are hundreds | | | | reefs and marine life diving, it also is known for its |
| of dive centers, some very remote, spread | | | | sun, sand and wild nightlife. Diving is king, with |
| throughout the nation. Philippine sites are famous | | | | drinking coming in a close second. There are many |
| for the diversity and range of marine life of the | | | | dive options, with plenty of intermediate and |
| small to medium sized variety. They are among | | | | beginning dive sites, frequently used for |
| the world's best, both for the experienced and | | | | certification purpose, as well as plenty of |
| novice divers. | | | | advanced dive site. |
| The best time to dive in the Philippines is during | | | | Getting there is by way of a tourist coach (bus) |
| the months of November through May. The wet | | | | from Manila to Batangas, from which you then |
| season for most of the country is July to | | | | catch a ferry to Puerto Galera. The total trip |
| September, and should be avoided, as this time | | | | takes about 4 -- 5 hours. |
| corresponds with typhoon season. Beginning in | | | | 4. Camiguin |
| November and ending in May is what is considered | | | | Camiguin is a small volcanic island off the central |
| the dry season. At this time, the sea becomes | | | | north coast of Mindanao. Drop it down in the |
| flat, calm and a brilliant azure, with incredible | | | | water next to the big island of Hawaii or next to |
| visibility especially during April and May. | | | | Maui and it wouldn't look out of place. This is due |
| Here are some of the most sought after dive | | | | to its imposing volcanic silhouette. It has more |
| sites in the Philippines, locations that I consider to | | | | volcanoes per square meter than any other island |
| be the 6 Top Spots for scuba diving in the | | | | on earth. There is also lots of white sand beaches |
| Philippines. | | | | and hot springs on the island. |
| 1. Apo Island | | | | Camiguin is accessible by air from both Manila and |
| This is a small volcanic island off the southeastern | | | | Cebu City by flying into Cagayan De Oro in |
| tip of Negros Island. This site is considered to be | | | | Misamis Oriental Province (which is on the North |
| the best site in all of the Philippines - the Mother | | | | coast of Mindanao). There is now a fast craft |
| of all dive sites in the Philippines. It is also home of | | | | ferry service from Cagayan De Oro to Camiguin. |
| one of the most successful and best - run marine | | | | There is also a daily boat from Camiguin to Bohol |
| sanctuaries in the Philippines. It is a favorite among | | | | and a Super Shuttle ferry from Camiguin to Cebu |
| divers for its excellent visibility. It is home to big | | | | every Sunday. |
| fish, mantas, white tip, hammerhead and whale | | | | 5. Coron Bay |
| sharks. However, currents are strong so it is not | | | | This is one of the most famous dive sites in the |
| for a novice beginner. | | | | Philippines. It is located on Palawan. What makes it |
| Apo Island is available by a one hour flight from | | | | so famous are the great number of famous |
| Manila to Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros | | | | wrecks. Wreck diving is the name of the game at |
| Oriental, or by a 40 minute flight from Cebu City | | | | this site. Coron Bay is a world-class destination for |
| in the Visayas. Apo Island is about 25 km south | | | | wreck diving. The visibility is awesome and the |
| of Dumaguete. The departure point to Apo Island, | | | | sunken Japanese WWII fleet of ships are known |
| which is only 7 km offshore, is Malatapay Beach. | | | | around the world. There are at least 10 of them |
| It takes about 30 minutes to get to Apo from | | | | available to wreck divers. |
| Malatapay Beach by way of a charter boat. | | | | Coron is accessible by air from Manila by way of |
| 2. Anilao | | | | Busuanga, and by sea with Superferry and |
| This site is a small 13 km peninsula in the | | | | Negros Navigation. Air Phlippines, Cebu Pacific, PAL |
| Batangas province, easily accessible by car or bus | | | | Express and SEAIR airlines all service Coron. |
| from Manila. This is a very popular weekend dive | | | | 6. Panglao Island |
| site due to its close proximity to Manila, but it | | | | Located near Cebu City, in the Visayas, is Bohol's |
| offers a wide variety of corals and marine life. | | | | Panglao island, where the action is concentrated |
| The most famous dive site in Anilao, and perhaps | | | | around Alona Beach. The entire area is full of |
| in the country is Cathedral Rock, a marine | | | | great dive sites, but the highlight is Balicasag |
| sanctuary just offshore the Dive 7000 Resort. | | | | Island, which is 45 minute boat ride from Alona |
| However, for those looking for night life to go | | | | Beach. It has a marine sanctuary, where |
| with your diving, there is not much to keep you | | | | impressive submarine cliffs drop as deep as 50 |
| entertained. In recent years, It has been | | | | meters. Both soft and hard corals can be found |
| overtaken in popularity by places like Puerto | | | | around the cliffs. Many diving veterans consider it |
| Galera and Alona Beach on Bohol Island. However, | | | | the best dive site in the country, after the |
| for a dive easily accessible to Manila, Anilao is the | | | | remote reef systems of Apo Reef National park |
| place to go. | | | | (see 1 above). |
| 3. Puerto Galera | | | | |