Explore Boracay
Nestled in the Visayas region of the Philippines, Boracay is a diving paradise with its turquoise waters and vibrant marine life. The island's dive sites are known for their ease, making them ideal for beginners or those seeking a relaxed diving experience. Typical marine life includes colorful reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, as well as more exotic species like blue-spotted stingrays and moray eels. The healthy coral reefs around Boracay support this diverse ecosystem, offering divers a visual feast beneath the waves.
In addition to its marine diversity, Boracay offers a variety of diving environments that cater to different preferences. From serene shore dives to adventurous boat dives, and even liveaboard experiences, there's something for everyone. Seasonal highlights include encounters with vibrant nudibranchs and the chance to observe fascinating behaviors of species like mantis shrimps and sea snakes. The island's peaceful atmosphere, free from the bustling party scene of the past, now complements the tranquil diving experience, making Boracay a standout destination for both novice and seasoned divers alike.
Dive Activity
Diving in Boracay
Most of the diving on Boracay is reef diving, with a backdrop of fine white sand everywhere. There are wall dives to enjoy too. There can be gentle drifts along the longer (East and West) sides of the island which are good for beginners. The currents in the channels between Boracay and Carabao, and Boracay and Panay can be fierce, so be sure to follow a guide.
The island is well catered to tourism and there are plenty of dive centers and dive resorts to choose from. Some dive resorts cater to the luxury end of the market and some have cheaper options available. There is lots of accommodation, of varied pricing, all over the island for those wishing to dive at a center. It is a popular island for dive courses, especially for beginners as the water looks so appealing! The dives are fairly easy and provide great training opportunities. Some liveaboards pass by this area, but as most dives are very close to shore, it may be easier to stay on the island.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Boracay
The coral reefs of Boracay are healthy and very pretty. They play host to an abundance of reef fish. More than 25 species of boxfish can be found in Boracay’s reefs. Other common sites are anemonefish, damselfish, angelfish, parrotfish and triggerfish. Macro photographers will be kept happy with all the nudibranch, peacock mantis shrimp, ribbon eels and pipefish. Bigger fish are seen often too like stingrays, moray eels and sea snakes. Schooling fish like fusiliers and jacks swim in the blue above the reef with the hunters like tuna, trevally, white and blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks accompanying them.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
238 Sightings
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18
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18
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6
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17
M
7
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16
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41
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43
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31
O
21
N
5
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15
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
113 Sightings
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8
F
11
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0
A
9
M
14
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8
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18
A
9
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18
O
8
N
10
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
57 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
A
3
M
3
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8
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14
A
9
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5
O
2
N
12
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
51 Sightings
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5
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1
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6
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1
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8
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6
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2
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7
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6
O
4
N
5
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
940 Sightings
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119
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81
M
74
A
60
M
85
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64
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80
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104
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52
O
62
N
87
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72
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
607 Sightings
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70
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43
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26
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45
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54
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59
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59
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88
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34
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35
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58
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36
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
596 Sightings
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75
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39
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23
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34
M
52
J
60
J
62
A
84
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32
O
36
N
53
D
46
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
410 Sightings
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50
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8
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24
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19
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21
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44
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50
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69
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21
O
24
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52
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28
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
410 Sightings
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55
F
30
M
17
A
17
M
35
J
34
J
39
A
63
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31
O
40
N
46
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
390 Sightings
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57
F
36
M
38
A
14
M
34
J
28
J
18
A
37
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21
O
38
N
52
D
17
The best Months to dive in Boracay
Boracay can be dived year-round, but the optimal season is from October to June. This is the driest season, and the weather can be slightly wetter for the rest of the year.
During the warm, dry months between April and June is when the visibility is best, sometimes exceeding 50 meters/164 feet. Between December and February, cooler water comes in, which encourages a plankton and algae bloom, reducing the visibility to as low as 5 meters/16 feet at times.
The air and water temperatures are fairly constant year-round at about 30°C/86°F. The water can drop as low as 26°C/79°F in December–February. The wet season from July–October has the biggest variations in air temperature; they can soar to 38°C/100°F and plummet to 20°C/68°F during storms.
