Explore Masbate
Masbate Island is located just south of Luzon in the Philippines. In the region of the same name also lies Ticao and Burias Islands. This region does not attract many tourists and is a very quiet place with paradise beaches. The diving is characterised by beautiful reefs, strong drifts and large pelagic encounters with whale sharks, manta rays and other big fish.
There is only one dive resort, located on Ticao Island. There is also a dive center here, affiliated with a seperate resort. Because they aren’t many tourists, dive courses aren’t big business, though they are offered. Some dives have strong drifts, however and aren’t suitable for new divers.
Top Dive Sites Map
Diving in Masbate
Reef diving is fantastic in Masbate - the diversity of the corals are awesome and the reefs are vibrant. Some of these dives offer drift dives. These can be gentle but can reach up to 6 knots, requiring a negative entry, a reef hook and a strong nerve! It is worth it though, as these currents bring in the ocean giants. There are no dedicated liveaboards in this area, as it is quite remote, but a couple stop by nearby Donsol.
The best Months to dive in Masbate
The diving in Masbate is characterised by seasons. The dry season is from November to May, which is the best time to dive here as the winds and seas are calm and the rainfall is minimal. It is also the best season to see whale sharks.
The monsoon season is from June to November and brings heavy rain and strong winds. Diving is still possible and the weather is warm but there is an increased risk of typhoons and dive trips being cancelled.
Statistics
Historical data and trends