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.

Places to Explore

Mactan

30 Divesites 35 Centers

In Central Visayas, you will find Mactan Island, that has many dive sites on the east side, all reachable by a short 15-minute boat ride.

Moalboal

17 Divesites 2 Centers

Travel to southwestern part of Cebu to find Moalboal, which means “bubbling water”.

Upcoming Events

More

Diver Level Programs / Courses

E&Z Diving Center

Deep Diving

14 Nov 2025 + 147 more

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

E&Z Diving Center

Navigation

14 Nov 2025 + 238 more

In this specialty program, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, how to leave and return to a designated point, plus basic navigation patterns. You will also be taught how to combine navigation techniques to enhance your diving experience. All of which hones your underwater observation skills, improves your dive safety and helps you to get the most out of every dive. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Navigation Specialty certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Kasai Village Dive Academy

Open Water Diver

15 Nov 2025

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

DIVESTORY

Open Water Diver

15 Nov 2025 + 7 more

这个全球认可的认证项目是您作为一名认证水肺潜水员开始终身冒险的最佳方式。个性化的培训与水下练习相结合，确保您拥有真正适应水下环境所需的技能和经验。您将获得SSI开放水域潜水员证书。

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Philippines

Instructor Evaluation - IE

15 Nov 2025

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to:

• Conduct academic sessions
• Lead confined water training
• Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more
• Develop student management and communication skills

Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more.
Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

50BAR SSI DIVING CENTER CEBU

Advanced Open Water Diver

15 Nov 2025 + 1 more

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

CEBU DIVE

Deep Diving

16 Nov 2025

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

CEBU DIVE

Open Water Diver

19 Nov 2025 + 2 more

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

CEBU DIVE

Advanced Open Water Diver

21 Nov 2025

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

CEBU DIVE

Advanced Adventurer

29 Nov 2025

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Adventurer program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Adventurer Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Adventurer training towards them.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Philippines

Instructor Evaluation - IE

03 Dec 2025

Start today - You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at own pace and with a flexible schedule.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Philippines

Instructor Evaluation - IE

13 Dec 2025

Start today - You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at own pace and with a flexible schedule.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Nalusuan Island

Located just off the bottom of Olango Island the Nalusuan site takes around 30 minutes to reach from Mactan. It offers a large sflat flat descending to a deep wall with superb corals. Also shallow reefs and walls on the southern end of the marine park.

2,189
Logs
615
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kontiki Reef

This is a great beginner dive spot in Mactan. Closely situated to the Airport, this is a beloved site by dive centers all over the small island, as it is the perfect location for courses,and refresher dives.

5,535
Logs
1,149
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary

Gilutongan Island, also called Hilutungan Island, Hilotongan Island or Lutungan Island, lies 30 minutes by banka boat from Mactan Island. The island is home to numerous coral reefs and sea grass meadows.

1,971
Logs
626
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ E&Z DIVE CENTER

EZDC House reef is a white sand beach good for swimming, snorkeling and confined Open Water Diver training. It is a slight slope from shallow 3m/9.6feet upto 18m/59feet. A place rich for macro and wideangle photography.

1,646
Logs
242
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Kontiki House Reef

Kontiki House Reef Point is located 30 seconds away from Mactan Fantastic Dive Point and is a point where you can safely receive training in scuba diving, technical diving, and freediving. The distance to the wall is clear so it is very easy to get in and out. . The kitchen rope creates a safety border, making the

2,130
Logs
559
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Abaca House Reef

Blue Monsta Houseleaf is a five-minute drive from Maktan Newtown and you can see a variety of marine life, especially turtles, trigger fish, grouper, crown fish, trumpet fish, sardines, fan coral and seahorses.

1,258
Logs
295
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Guinabasan Port

Guinabasan is a sitio of Tubigagmanok, a barangay in the municipality of Asturias, in the province of Cebu. The place is called Barangay Tubigagmanok, in other words, a place where an abundance of water which was accidentally discovered by the chickens.

92
Logs
13
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Monad Shoal

Monad Shoal is considered the best dive site in the world to see the rare and timid Thresher Sharks. These sharks normally live in the deep but regularly come here early in the morning for the cleaning station.

15,452
Logs
10,271
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Gilutungan Coral Plateau

Hilutongan is 30mins. away from Jpark Marineboy Dive Center via Speedboat, and it is under the Municipal of Cordova, it is a small island close to Nalusuan

1,582
Logs
568
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Talima

large sandy slope dotted with corals till around 12-17m where the wall starts. There is a memorial for some long gone wooden wrecks at around 12. Nice corals, depth exceeds 40m and currents can be strong on an outbound tide.

3,468
Logs
1,112
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Jpark Marine Boy House Reef

Site is suitable for beginners and experienced divers. With its convenient location and diverse marine ecosystem, this site is perfect for those looking for a relaxing dive. Diving Features Depth: 5m ~ 25m Visibility: 10m ~ 20m on average (varies depending on weather and currents) Current: Mild to moderate.

189
Logs
108
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Nenskie’s wall

an extensive shield reef, 3 -10 m, with sandy slopes and rocky points till around 22m where the wall starts. Nice corals, depth exceeds 40m and currents can be strong on an outbound tide.

30
Logs
12
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ PCR

A lovely wall dive with abundant local life and corals. The site is populated by human size statues of the 12 zodiac signs and other mythical beast.

356
Logs
237
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Marigondon Beach

An easy shore entry takes you to 3-8m/ 6 to 25 ft shallow reef ending in a vertical wall, descending to 40m+ depths. Ideal for all levels of divers, however care should be taken on outbound tides as the currents can be very strong.

1,355
Logs
451
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Palm Beach

An easy shore entry takes you to 3-8m reefs ending in a vertical wall, descending to 40m+ depths. Ideal for all levels of divers, however care should be taken on outbound tides as the currents can be very strong.

148
Logs
73
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

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.

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 29oC. From June to November, there is a higher chance of rain and bad weather, especially in September/October time. The waters in December and January are the coldest they will be, at around 26oC. The north of Cebu tends to get more rainfall and typhoons than southern Cebu.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Jpark Marineboy

Jpark Island Resort and Water Park, 6015 Lapulapu City, Cebu - PHL

Oceanblue Dive Resort

KALUBIHAN, MARBEACH MARIGONDON LAPU-LAPU CITY 6015, 6015 LAPULAPU CITY, Cebu - PHL

PSI DIVE

Looc, 6025 Oslob City, Cebu - PHL

DIVESTORY

PALM BEACH RESORT, 6015 LAPU - LAPU, Cebu - PHL

Blue Dream

punta Engan~o Rd, 6015 Lapu-lapu PHILIPPINES, Cebu - PHL

CNC SCUBA ACADEMY

Tongo Beach Marigondon, 6015 Lapu-lapu, Cebu - PHL

WOOJU WORL WIDE CORP.

FD Bldg., Matumbo, Pusok, 6015 Lapu-lapu, Cebu - PHL

Jaime Dive Center

After Marigbao Elem. School,, 6015 Lapu-lapu City, Cebu - PHL

RK DIVE

Marigondon, 6015 Lapu Lapu City,, Cebu - PHL

BIGBOSS DIVE - CEBU

DATAG MARIBAGO, 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu - PHL

E&Z Diving Center

Marigondon Beach,, 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu - PHL

Kasai Village Dive Academy

Kasai Village Dive Resort Tuble, 6032 Moalboal, Cebu - PHL

CEBU JUMP DIVE

Kontiki Maribago, 6015 Lapu-lapu City, Cebu - PHL

DYNAMIC DUGONG

Marina Kontiki, 6014 Lapulapu, Cebu - PHL

Dive Spot Asia

N.Bacalso Avenue,, 6024 Boljoon, Cebu - PHL

Scuba Star Dive Center

Buyong Beach Maribago, 6015 Lapu-lapu City, Cebu - PHL

Sunny Divers

c/o Konti, Maribag, Lapu-lapu, Cebu - PHL

SSI Service Center Philippines

Unit 2i, BF Mactan Strip II, M.L. Quezon Avenue,, 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu - PHL

KAI DIVE CENTER

Baybayun Maribago, 6015 Lapu-lapu City, Cebu - PHL

DOLGORAE

Sitio Lawis,, 6015 Lapu-Lapu, Cebu - PHL