Explore Cebu

Cebu is a large island located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is an up and coming island with one of the densest populations in the country. Much of this population relies on the busy tourist industry, of which scuba diving is a major part.

Diving in Cebu is big business, with high profile diving towns like Malapascua, Moalboal and Mactan bringing in thousands of tourists each year. Malapascua is known for its thresher shark sightings, Moalboal for its infamous sardine run and Mactan for its stunning corals. Near the southernmost province of Santander lies Oslob - a town famous for its regular whale shark encounters, encouraged by feedings from the local fishermen. Off the coast of Oslob also lies Sumilon island, the first marine sanctuary in the Philippines which has some untouched marine biodiversity.

Top Regions to Explore

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    Diving in Cebu

    Cebu is a very large island and has many different types of diving to choose from. From deep shoal dives in Malapascua, to caves on Monad, to walls on Moalboal and drift and reef dives everywhere - there will be something to keep everyone happy.

    The islands popularity mean that there are plenty of dive resorts and dive centers to choose from. Some dive resorts offer dive and stay options, which can range from backpacker to luxury. Every dive center will offer dive courses up to professional levels, it’s just a challenge choosing between them all. It is a popular place to learn to dive because of the fantastic, relatively easy diving, ease of travel and pleasant atmosphere. There are many different areas to stay in so be sure to check which dive sites you would prefer before booking anywhere. Another option, if you wish to dive in multiple locations, is to book a liveaboard. There are several that depart from Cebu and visit most of the major dive sites.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    The best Months to dive in Cebu

    Cebu diving is possible all year round due to its generally warm climate. The dry season, and the best time for diving, is from February to early June as it has the most reliably dry and calm weather with water temperatures of about 29°C/84°F. From June to November, there is a higher chance of rain and bad weather, especially in September/October. The waters in December and January are the coldest they will be, at around 26°C/79°F. The north of Cebu tends to get more rainfall and typhoons than southern Cebu.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Cebu

    Diving in Cebu will delight you, whether you prefer macro filled muck dives or pelagic filled dives out in the blue.

    Malapascua offers one of the best chances in the world to see thresher sharks all year round. The cleaning station filled with moon wrasse draws them up from the deep and often has eagle rays and oceanic manta rays too. A different dive site offers the chance to see schooling hammerheads.

    Moalboal sardine run is a spectacular site, and if you dive to see fish - this is the dive for you. Millions of sardines congregate in a ball of fish that is dense enough to block out the sun. Other fish life in the area is typical of the reefs in the coral triangle - healthy coral with brightly coloured fish. The macro critters of Mactan Island are any photographers dream. You can even see the very rare mandarin fish.

    One of the sights most associated with Cebu is the whale shark. Though they can be seen organically at certain dive sites, especially during their migration, the whale shark sightings close to Oslob are now, sadly, artificial. As local fishermen began to feed the animals, more and more started to congregate and ignore their natural migration cycles as the food was so plentiful. It is one of the best chances to see them, but bear in mind that with all the snorkel boats and tours, it may not be the natural or peaceful encounter you are looking for.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    302
    F
    318
    M
    411
    A
    286
    M
    347
    J
    244
    J
    138
    A
    166
    S
    138
    O
    167
    N
    302
    D
    299

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    301
    F
    317
    M
    321
    A
    272
    M
    272
    J
    162
    J
    103
    A
    145
    S
    155
    O
    157
    N
    281
    D
    259

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Thresher Shark

    Thresher Shark

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    214
    F
    348
    M
    403
    A
    309
    M
    214
    J
    113
    J
    72
    A
    167
    S
    66
    O
    73
    N
    201
    D
    188
    Tiger Shark

    Tiger Shark

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    97
    F
    148
    M
    197
    A
    209
    M
    108
    J
    79
    J
    50
    A
    54
    S
    39
    O
    53
    N
    73
    D
    73
    Whale Shark

    Whale Shark

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    135
    F
    130
    M
    129
    A
    101
    M
    117
    J
    61
    J
    62
    A
    43
    S
    39
    O
    66
    N
    132
    D
    114

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    59
    F
    113
    M
    82
    A
    97
    M
    174
    J
    100
    J
    30
    A
    93
    S
    75
    O
    77
    N
    95
    D
    104

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    821 Sightings
    J
    79
    F
    59
    M
    84
    A
    139
    M
    91
    J
    76
    J
    26
    A
    49
    S
    11
    O
    25
    N
    94
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    820 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    66
    M
    64
    A
    43
    M
    139
    J
    60
    J
    25
    A
    82
    S
    80
    O
    73
    N
    55
    D
    98
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    575 Sightings
    J
    55
    F
    94
    M
    58
    A
    28
    M
    24
    J
    39
    J
    20
    A
    64
    S
    47
    O
    22
    N
    46
    D
    78
    Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    238 Sightings
    J
    29
    F
    30
    M
    31
    A
    53
    M
    22
    J
    12
    J
    0
    A
    15
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    24
    D
    21

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    8.6k Sightings
    J
    808
    F
    956
    M
    962
    A
    826
    M
    998
    J
    608
    J
    384
    A
    595
    S
    534
    O
    478
    N
    726
    D
    768
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    5.8k Sightings
    J
    563
    F
    749
    M
    882
    A
    793
    M
    590
    J
    310
    J
    181
    A
    259
    S
    208
    O
    247
    N
    488
    D
    536

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    4.6k Sightings
    J
    496
    F
    500
    M
    475
    A
    372
    M
    526
    J
    285
    J
    200
    A
    301
    S
    316
    O
    240
    N
    411
    D
    430

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    404
    F
    502
    M
    380
    A
    350
    M
    566
    J
    327
    J
    147
    A
    304
    S
    265
    O
    247
    N
    336
    D
    395

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    401
    F
    489
    M
    356
    A
    339
    M
    568
    J
    335
    J
    145
    A
    304
    S
    291
    O
    231
    N
    307
    D
    434

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pipefish

    Pipefish

    3.5k Sightings
    J
    360
    F
    381
    M
    433
    A
    345
    M
    443
    J
    245
    J
    177
    A
    196
    S
    194
    O
    154
    N
    297
    D
    308

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    298
    F
    386
    M
    347
    A
    386
    M
    359
    J
    238
    J
    109
    A
    228
    S
    216
    O
    163
    N
    311
    D
    311

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    2.9k Sightings
    J
    322
    F
    315
    M
    298
    A
    343
    M
    322
    J
    169
    J
    67
    A
    155
    S
    144
    O
    119
    N
    291
    D
    307
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    215
    F
    334
    M
    398
    A
    397
    M
    334
    J
    149
    J
    79
    A
    151
    S
    130
    O
    105
    N
    236
    D
    290

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    223
    F
    234
    M
    218
    A
    220
    M
    324
    J
    196
    J
    59
    A
    220
    S
    176
    O
    144
    N
    211
    D
    283

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    206
    F
    250
    M
    235
    A
    180
    M
    279
    J
    123
    J
    46
    A
    174
    S
    184
    O
    115
    N
    197
    D
    229

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    155
    F
    213
    M
    172
    A
    174
    M
    299
    J
    164
    J
    84
    A
    206
    S
    174
    O
    119
    N
    176
    D
    163

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7

    Pygmy Seahorse

    Pygmy Seahorse

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    149
    F
    174
    M
    242
    A
    289
    M
    237
    J
    117
    J
    111
    A
    101
    S
    50
    O
    63
    N
    85
    D
    101

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    172
    F
    175
    M
    183
    A
    178
    M
    151
    J
    103
    J
    39
    A
    85
    S
    82
    O
    54
    N
    192
    D
    160

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    129
    F
    203
    M
    122
    A
    131
    M
    197
    J
    101
    J
    44
    A
    127
    S
    113
    O
    82
    N
    107
    D
    166

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    68
    F
    166
    M
    138
    A
    76
    M
    255
    J
    110
    J
    30
    A
    138
    S
    142
    O
    119
    N
    77
    D
    134

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    114
    F
    160
    M
    139
    A
    167
    M
    140
    J
    129
    J
    12
    A
    96
    S
    80
    O
    108
    N
    110
    D
    188

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 50

    Frogfish

    Frogfish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    141
    F
    179
    M
    163
    A
    222
    M
    142
    J
    86
    J
    23
    A
    40
    S
    37
    O
    32
    N
    132
    D
    94

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    110
    F
    94
    M
    104
    A
    121
    M
    176
    J
    95
    J
    34
    A
    121
    S
    122
    O
    73
    N
    109
    D
    112

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    80
    M
    87
    A
    70
    M
    170
    J
    111
    J
    42
    A
    133
    S
    109
    O
    96
    N
    67
    D
    100

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    71
    F
    116
    M
    101
    A
    84
    M
    156
    J
    76
    J
    36
    A
    104
    S
    130
    O
    73
    N
    104
    D
    113

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    97
    F
    80
    M
    86
    A
    78
    M
    195
    J
    132
    J
    24
    A
    111
    S
    86
    O
    89
    N
    49
    D
    112

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    117
    F
    127
    M
    142
    A
    138
    M
    58
    J
    52
    J
    26
    A
    71
    S
    76
    O
    45
    N
    146
    D
    86

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    1k Sightings
    J
    47
    F
    75
    M
    54
    A
    67
    M
    187
    J
    80
    J
    29
    A
    99
    S
    99
    O
    101
    N
    61
    D
    103
    Banded Sea Krait

    Banded Sea Krait

    907 Sightings
    J
    94
    F
    104
    M
    124
    A
    118
    M
    87
    J
    47
    J
    41
    A
    42
    S
    44
    O
    27
    N
    93
    D
    86

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    834 Sightings
    J
    23
    F
    71
    M
    48
    A
    56
    M
    138
    J
    89
    J
    7
    A
    95
    S
    100
    O
    86
    N
    31
    D
    90

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    831 Sightings
    J
    90
    F
    75
    M
    129
    A
    74
    M
    71
    J
    65
    J
    12
    A
    47
    S
    45
    O
    41
    N
    99
    D
    83

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish

    718 Sightings
    J
    63
    F
    92
    M
    62
    A
    99
    M
    61
    J
    58
    J
    19
    A
    42
    S
    26
    O
    28
    N
    62
    D
    106

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel

    682 Sightings
    J
    72
    F
    71
    M
    43
    A
    41
    M
    107
    J
    63
    J
    35
    A
    62
    S
    65
    O
    34
    N
    46
    D
    43

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    581 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    46
    M
    61
    A
    51
    M
    102
    J
    24
    J
    3
    A
    44
    S
    72
    O
    54
    N
    33
    D
    80

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Stonefish

    Stonefish

    365 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    32
    M
    48
    A
    45
    M
    43
    J
    25
    J
    12
    A
    16
    S
    22
    O
    7
    N
    41
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Squid

    Squid

    357 Sightings
    J
    33
    F
    29
    M
    47
    A
    57
    M
    38
    J
    30
    J
    0
    A
    25
    S
    20
    O
    16
    N
    30
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    320 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    28
    M
    11
    A
    44
    M
    42
    J
    34
    J
    6
    A
    20
    S
    49
    O
    10
    N
    9
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 6

    Ghost Pipefishes

    Ghost Pipefishes

    279 Sightings
    J
    25
    F
    27
    M
    70
    A
    59
    M
    66
    J
    2
    J
    6
    A
    8
    S
    11
    O
    1
    N
    4
    D
    0
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    259 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    41
    M
    38
    A
    25
    M
    29
    J
    22
    J
    0
    A
    12
    S
    1
    O
    12
    N
    27
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    258 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    41
    M
    37
    A
    41
    M
    22
    J
    1
    J
    8
    A
    9
    S
    11
    O
    2
    N
    24
    D
    38

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    249 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    44
    M
    7
    A
    19
    M
    12
    J
    26
    J
    4
    A
    29
    S
    17
    O
    1
    N
    13
    D
    65

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    233 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    2
    M
    6
    A
    26
    M
    47
    J
    25
    J
    9
    A
    2
    S
    33
    O
    11
    N
    16
    D
    41

    Curated by Interest

    Events by Lifestyle Category

    Underwater Beginner