Explore El Nido

El Nido, nestled in the heart of the Philippines' Palawan province, offers a diving experience that is both diverse and breathtaking. The region, part of the protected Bacuit Bay archipelago, is a paradise for divers seeking adventure beneath the waves. With its 45 islands, El Nido's seascape is a vibrant tapestry of coral reefs, towering limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Divers can explore intricate underwater landscapes featuring walls, tunnels, and caves that promise surprises at every turn. The area is renowned for its biodiversity, where encounters with sea turtles, dugongs, whale sharks, and manta rays are common.

For those fascinated by macro life, spotting frogfish, seahorses, and ghost pipefish among the 447 species of coral can be a highlight.
Diving in El Nido is accessible through dive resorts and centers along the mainland of Palawan, especially from the charming Corong Corong Beach. Traditional boats transport divers to spectacular sites around Bacuit Bay, where they can immerse themselves in vibrant coral gardens and dramatic underwater walls. Notable spots include Helicopter Island with its 131-foot-long/40-meter-long underwater cave and Miniloc Island's mesmerizing coral gardens and impressive walls. For divers seeking more extensive exploration, liveaboards offer a chance to discover the wider Palawan region. El Nido's dive sites are not only stunning but also offer a unique glimpse into the rich marine life and pristine environments that make this destination truly special.

Upcoming Events

    • Basic Diver

    Basic Diver

    In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

    Deep Blue Dive Seafari Inc., Serena Street Barangay Buena Suerte, 5300, El Nido, Palawan, PHL
    May 14, 2026 +231 More
    $89.40
    ₱5,500.00
    Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    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.

    Deep Blue Dive Seafari Inc., Serena Street Barangay Buena Suerte, 5300, El Nido, Palawan, PHL
    May 14, 2026 +218 More
    $390.12
    ₱24,000.00
    Try Scuba

    Try Scuba

    The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

    Deep Blue Dive Seafari Inc., Serena Street Barangay Buena Suerte, 5300, El Nido, Palawan, PHL
    May 14, 2026 +231 More
    $89.40
    ₱5,500.00
    Find Courses & Events

    Dive Activity

    Diving in El Nido

    As well as the incredible coral reefs with unparalleled levels of small fish, El Nido diving also offers fascinating marine life that can be found in sandy patches. At Helicopter Island, in a shallow muck dive, divers can spot a vast array of weird and wonderful critters while sea turtle feast on seagrass. Due to Bacuit Bay’s sheltered position behind the small limestone islands, rough winds and strong currents are rare. This creates the perfect conditions for novice divers to take part in dive courses at sites with a mix of reef and sandy bottom.

    Gaze in awe at the labyrinth of rock formations at Paglugaban and Popolcan or journey through underwater tunnels and caves. There are walls that drop down as far as 40-metres at Entalula Wall as well as gently descending slopes adorned with a vast array of soft and hard coral. Whether experienced or a beginner, there is a site for everyone.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in El Nido

    While scuba diving in El Nido, you are sure to see both small macro life and pelagic fish. As a marine protected area, 447 species of coral, 888 species of fish and 1700 species of crustacean and nudibranch have been counted, along with 5 species of sea turtle.

    Macro highlights of the area are seahorse, nudibranch, and scorpionfish while star-gazers, ghost pipefish, and sea moths can all be seen on muck dives. There’s also a plethora of crustaceans, from hermit crabs to lobsters while jawfish and blennies occasionally poke their heads out from their refuges. With a flashlight in hand, look for the night critters of El Nido’s reefs. Flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, moray eel, and spider crabs can all be found going about their nighttime activities in the calm sites.

    All the usual suspects of reef fish can be seen, from clown-fish, angelfish, trumpet fish, and parrotfish, you name it and you’ll find it in the waters of El Nido. Big fish sightings include reef sharks, eagle rays, marble rays, barracuda and grouper. Dugongs, whale sharks and manta rays all visit the beautiful sites and occasionally even whales and dolphins will make a guest appearance.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    941 Sightings
    J
    113
    F
    96
    M
    108
    A
    118
    M
    63
    J
    48
    J
    60
    A
    33
    S
    39
    O
    35
    N
    93
    D
    135

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

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    630 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    62
    M
    85
    A
    74
    M
    31
    J
    24
    J
    28
    A
    30
    S
    26
    O
    44
    N
    79
    D
    105
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    397 Sightings
    J
    58
    F
    23
    M
    47
    A
    48
    M
    15
    J
    27
    J
    17
    A
    8
    S
    7
    O
    18
    N
    54
    D
    75

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

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    222 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    28
    M
    22
    A
    25
    M
    7
    J
    10
    J
    16
    A
    13
    S
    6
    O
    7
    N
    39
    D
    25

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

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    116 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    11
    M
    10
    A
    23
    M
    4
    J
    1
    J
    13
    A
    9
    S
    7
    O
    15
    N
    10
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    108
    F
    118
    M
    122
    A
    184
    M
    70
    J
    55
    J
    59
    A
    45
    S
    45
    O
    72
    N
    111
    D
    140

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    750 Sightings
    J
    76
    F
    70
    M
    78
    A
    104
    M
    33
    J
    34
    J
    44
    A
    31
    S
    30
    O
    32
    N
    99
    D
    119

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

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    698 Sightings
    J
    51
    F
    70
    M
    69
    A
    105
    M
    46
    J
    33
    J
    43
    A
    30
    S
    29
    O
    28
    N
    78
    D
    116

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

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    585 Sightings
    J
    57
    F
    88
    M
    61
    A
    97
    M
    23
    J
    24
    J
    25
    A
    21
    S
    28
    O
    33
    N
    48
    D
    80

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    512 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    36
    M
    57
    A
    77
    M
    34
    J
    24
    J
    36
    A
    28
    S
    28
    O
    11
    N
    56
    D
    90
    Show More

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

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    507 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    43
    M
    88
    A
    75
    M
    15
    J
    29
    J
    20
    A
    33
    S
    6
    O
    16
    N
    64
    D
    88

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    504 Sightings
    J
    37
    F
    30
    M
    50
    A
    101
    M
    33
    J
    29
    J
    30
    A
    26
    S
    32
    O
    24
    N
    58
    D
    54

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    494 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    38
    M
    41
    A
    70
    M
    34
    J
    30
    J
    39
    A
    23
    S
    34
    O
    27
    N
    56
    D
    78

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    479 Sightings
    J
    32
    F
    53
    M
    71
    A
    110
    M
    14
    J
    18
    J
    38
    A
    20
    S
    6
    O
    43
    N
    18
    D
    56

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

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    451 Sightings
    J
    32
    F
    34
    M
    27
    A
    97
    M
    26
    J
    15
    J
    41
    A
    24
    S
    30
    O
    15
    N
    44
    D
    66

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    446 Sightings
    J
    41
    F
    3
    M
    14
    A
    91
    M
    36
    J
    27
    J
    41
    A
    19
    S
    30
    O
    21
    N
    48
    D
    75

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

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    303 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    24
    M
    35
    A
    42
    M
    17
    J
    12
    J
    11
    A
    24
    S
    18
    O
    10
    N
    37
    D
    57

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

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    188 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    6
    M
    10
    A
    28
    M
    5
    J
    0
    J
    27
    A
    3
    S
    24
    O
    1
    N
    11
    D
    62

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

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    126 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    57
    M
    11
    J
    5
    J
    9
    A
    4
    S
    20
    O
    0
    N
    17
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    123 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    18
    M
    9
    J
    6
    J
    16
    A
    0
    S
    18
    O
    8
    N
    34
    D
    13

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    83 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    2
    M
    16
    A
    15
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    5
    A
    3
    S
    13
    O
    6
    N
    0
    D
    22

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

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    78 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    12
    J
    2
    J
    10
    A
    3
    S
    7
    O
    5
    N
    9
    D
    30

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    75 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    10
    M
    10
    A
    15
    M
    6
    J
    6
    J
    10
    A
    9
    S
    6
    O
    3
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The best Months to dive in El Nido

    Diving in El Nido is available all year, but conditions vary seasonally. Water temperatures range between 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F throughout the year, providing comfortable dives. Visibility is typically best from March to October, with clearer waters ideal for observing marine life. The high season, from December to May, is the most popular time for divers, with sightings of whale sharks and manta rays during the plankton season from December to February. From June to September, El Nido experiences a rainy season, which can reduce underwater visibility due to increased runoff. Additionally, this period is prone to typhoons that may cause strong winds and currents, potentially affecting dive plans. While diving is possible throughout the year, planning trips during calmer months ensures better conditions and a richer diving experience.

    Dive Centers

    Deep Blue Dive Seafari Inc.

    Deep Blue Dive Seafari Inc.

    Serena Street Barangay Buena Suerte, 5300 El Nido, Palawan - Philippines

    Dive Sites

    Mares
    Paglugaban Island <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Paglugaban Island (★4.5)

    Paglugaban Dive Site in El Nido is located in the Miniloc Area. The highlight of this dive site is the amazing rock formation and boulders with numerous swim-throughs. The site goes down from a shallow corral garden to about 30 meters.
    Scubapro
    South Miniloc <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    South Miniloc (★4.6)

    South Miniloc is about 10 minutes by speeedboat from El Nido, 20 minutes by bangka from El Nido. Gentle slope going down to 21 meters but with the best corals at between 14-16 meters.
    Scubapro, Stephen Frink
    Twin Rocks, El Nido <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Twin Rocks, El Nido (★4.4)

    Twin Rocks is located on the North Side of Miniloc Island, near the famous El Nido Small Lagoon. The dive site slopes from 10 to 21 meters and has a rich sandy bottom.
    Mares
    North Rock El Nido <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    North Rock El Nido (★4.3)

    Discover the wonders of North Rock, a small, secluded rock that can be explored by divers in favorable currents. This renowned dive site boasts a remarkable array of pelagic marine life and breathtaking hard and soft corals.
    Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
    Nat Nat Bacuit Bay <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Nat Nat Bacuit Bay (★4.3)

    A remarkable dive site is situated in the southern section of Cadlao Island, within the El Nido region.The area is a friendly site for beginners to the experience. Its home to a diverse array of coral, fish, and macro life.
    Mares
    Paradise <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Paradise (★4.4)

    Paradise is a calm site suitable for training. It has a sandy bottom and usually “pool like“ conditions. The maximum depth is six meters and access is with boat.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Helicopter Island <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Helicopter Island (★4.4)

    Divers can explore a wide variety of marine life and coral formations. During the summer, sea grass attracts green sea turtles for feeding, and all seven species of anemone fish found in Bacuit Bay can be spotted here.
    Aqualung
    Popolcan Island <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    Popolcan Island (★4.2)

    Popolcan Island is a scenic and beginner-friendly dive site in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, known for its healthy coral reef and sloping wall. The dive typically begins on a shallow coral garden at around 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet), which gradually slopes down to deeper areas reaching approximately 25 to 30 meters
    Scubapro, Stephen Frink
    Entalula wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Entalula wall (★4.3)

    Entalula Wall is a popular wall dive in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, featuring a shallow coral garden at 5–10 meters (16–33 feet) that drops into a vertical limestone wall reaching depths of 30–35 meters (98–115 feet). Conditions are usually calm with mild current and visibility up to 30 meters.