Palawan
Also known as “The wild west of the Philippines“ due to its location and remoteness, the archipelago of Palawan is one of the largest provinces in the country.
Explore Mimaropa
The Mimaropa (also known as the Southwestern Tagalog Region) is an administrative region of the Philippines, made up of Mindoro, Marindique, Romblon and Palawan. The name stems from the first letters of these places. Within these locations lies some of the best diving in the Philippines.
Coron in Palawan has the best wreck diving, arguably anywhere in the world - the seabed is littered with WWII wrecks. As many lie all or partly above 18m, it offers a rare chance for open water divers to explore these relics. It also has halocline lakes, with the weird mix of hot salt water and cooler fresh water. Puerto Princesa on Palawan has the opportunity to dive in a subterranean river - the largest in the world. This region also encompasses Apo Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world and Tubbataha Reef which has massive diversity and pelagics.
Mindoro is most famous for the diving resort town of Puerto Galera which attract thousands of divers year round to its stunning reefs, buzzing atmosphere and white beaches. Verde Island also offers some beautiful wall and drift dives in deep water.
Marinduque has some very unspoilt diving. It has myriad delights including a Japanese torpedo boat wreckage. There are also several cave dives here to explore.
Romblon is a macro haven. The area is pretty undiscovered by tourists and only has a couple of dive resort, but underwater photographers will adore the tiny critters than can be found on the rocks, reefs and sand here.
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Activity
Diving in Mimaropa
Mimaropa, an enchanting region in the Philippines, offers a plethora of top-notch dive sites perfect for enthusiasts. The Coron Bay is famed for its hauntingly beautiful World War II wreck dives, where submerged warships like the Irako and Akitsushima reveal fascinating histories to divers. These sites are teeming with marine life, presenting unique opportunities for underwater photography and exploration. For those preferring shore dives, Puerto Galera offers vibrant coral gardens and an impressive array of marine biodiversity. Known for its night dives, this area allows divers to witness nocturnal creatures and mesmerizing bioluminescent displays. Mimaropa provides a balanced mix of shore and liveaboard diving, catering to diverse preferences and ensuring unforgettable underwater adventures.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Mimaropa
Mimaropa, located in the Philippines, is a marine paradise teeming with diverse marine life. Its waters are home to vibrant coral reefs that host a variety of reef fish such as clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. These species are commonly seen year-round, providing an exciting experience for divers exploring the region. Seasonal highlights include the sighting of majestic sea turtles, particularly around Apo Reef, which is known for its rich biodiversity. Sharks, including the elusive thresher sharks, are occasionally spotted, especially during the cooler months from December to February. Additionally, rays, including manta rays, can frequently be encountered in certain areas like Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, making Mimaropa a must-visit destination for marine enthusiasts.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
1.9k Sightings
J
220
F
174
M
296
A
236
M
182
J
148
J
96
A
71
S
64
O
78
N
135
D
232
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
1.4k Sightings
J
99
F
89
M
169
A
230
M
165
J
137
J
72
A
73
S
69
O
91
N
125
D
115
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
1.3k Sightings
J
75
F
100
M
194
A
236
M
152
J
69
J
59
A
36
S
30
O
70
N
97
D
133
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
785 Sightings
J
86
F
43
M
122
A
86
M
71
J
73
J
39
A
15
S
19
O
32
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: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
499 Sightings
J
40
F
7
M
104
A
113
M
94
J
48
J
25
A
12
S
22
O
8
N
7
D
19
AdobeStock-b neeser
Dugong
278 Sightings
J
23
F
41
M
42
A
23
M
26
J
17
J
7
A
9
S
1
O
29
N
33
D
27
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
4.3k Sightings
J
439
F
453
M
518
A
525
M
423
J
251
J
220
A
220
S
171
O
269
N
349
D
448
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
3.1k Sightings
J
318
F
374
M
432
A
355
M
223
J
175
J
123
A
171
S
143
O
215
N
266
D
315
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
2.4k Sightings
J
203
F
221
M
348
A
334
M
310
J
147
J
108
A
104
S
110
O
118
N
167
D
245
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
2.4k Sightings
J
234
F
158
M
298
A
345
M
260
J
152
J
131
A
127
S
112
O
175
N
162
D
243
The best Months to dive in Mimaropa
Mimaropa offers year-round diving opportunities due to its tropical climate. The water temperatures generally range from 27°C to 30°C, providing comfortable conditions for divers throughout the year. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 30 meters, although it may fluctuate slightly with weather changes.
The region experiences a dry season from November to May, which is considered the optimal time for diving due to calmer seas and more predictable weather. The wet season, from June to October, can bring stronger winds and currents, potentially reducing visibility and making some dive sites less accessible. Despite these challenges, diving is still feasible during this period, albeit with careful planning and consideration of local weather conditions.
