Explore Negros

Negros, the fourth-largest island in the Philippines, offers an exceptional diving experience for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Nestled in the heart of the Visayas, it is divided into Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, each boasting unique underwater attractions. Divers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, including whale sharks often spotted in these waters. One of the premier diving spots is Apo Island near Dauin, celebrated for its breathtaking coral gardens and abundant biodiversity. The island's proximity to Cebu, known for its own marine wonders, adds to the allure of diving in Negros. The diving environment in Negros is varied, with options ranging from stunning reef dives to intriguing wreck explorations. Sipalay, located in the northwest, features beautiful beaches and reefs, as well as shipwrecks waiting to be explored. For those interested in muck diving, Dauin on the southern coast offers a unique opportunity to observe rare marine species in their natural habitat. Additionally, the marine reserve of Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental is a well-preserved haven for both divers and wildlife enthusiasts. The island provides an intimate glimpse into the vibrant underwater world, ensuring a memorable diving adventure. Negros' diving appeal is enhanced by its accessibility, with two airports and a ferry service connecting visitors to this underwater paradise. Whether it's the thrill of encountering a majestic whale shark or the serenity of drifting over a vibrant reef, Negros stands out as a premier dive destination in the Philippines.

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Dive Activity

Diving in Negros

There is lots of diving available on Negros - there is stunning reef and wreck diving for those wishing to explore fantastic coral formations and the resident life. There are also deep wall dives for the suitably experienced. Some of the most famous diving on Negros is muck diving. The macro life that can be seen is some of the best in the world and is a dream for an underwater photographer. The night dives also offer fantastic diversity.

There are lots of dive centers and dive resorts on Negros, but as the two sides of the island are far apart, see which side you would prefer to dive before you book. There are a variety of prices available including some high end dive resorts. Most dive centers offer dive courses too. There are a couple of liveaboards which operate in this area and many incorporate other areas of the Visayas region too.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Negros

The healthy reefs of Negros offer an abundance of species. As well as colourful reef fish, you may see the big fish famed on nearby Cebu - whale sharks. The macro life is unparalleled here and the muck diving will satisfy even the most demanding divers. Wonderpus, blue-ringed and mimic octopus, nudibranch, pipefish, seahorse, squid, mandarin fish, frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish mean that every dive is a bucket list dive.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

1.7k Sightings
J
242
F
219
M
194
A
98
M
159
J
92
J
139
A
116
S
99
O
118
N
105
D
166

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

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

469 Sightings
J
84
F
35
M
35
A
22
M
46
J
16
J
48
A
47
S
25
O
46
N
18
D
47

Hawksbill Turtle

464 Sightings
J
78
F
78
M
47
A
54
M
28
J
25
J
30
A
18
S
27
O
27
N
17
D
35

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

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

213 Sightings
J
28
F
48
M
10
A
5
M
19
J
15
J
1
A
18
S
22
O
17
N
14
D
16

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

Total number of species: 300

Octopus

164 Sightings
J
20
F
3
M
7
A
6
M
1
J
17
J
17
A
37
S
7
O
16
N
15
D
18

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

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

1.2k Sightings
J
137
F
137
M
88
A
67
M
92
J
72
J
95
A
111
S
71
O
88
N
91
D
131

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

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

732 Sightings
J
108
F
108
M
64
A
54
M
58
J
43
J
57
A
49
S
27
O
47
N
46
D
71

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

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

633 Sightings
J
71
F
65
M
54
A
12
M
52
J
37
J
67
A
78
S
45
O
47
N
52
D
53

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

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

502 Sightings
J
55
F
52
M
38
A
14
M
39
J
32
J
36
A
56
S
44
O
37
N
46
D
53

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

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

501 Sightings
J
63
F
56
M
49
A
10
M
45
J
48
J
47
A
80
S
37
O
25
N
18
D
23

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

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

420 Sightings
J
51
F
54
M
32
A
4
M
44
J
39
J
37
A
57
S
28
O
11
N
28
D
35

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

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

406 Sightings
J
58
F
40
M
10
A
7
M
23
J
39
J
30
A
60
S
40
O
25
N
28
D
46

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

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

362 Sightings
J
40
F
46
M
25
A
2
M
28
J
27
J
22
A
57
S
29
O
23
N
28
D
35

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

340 Sightings
J
34
F
18
M
30
A
15
M
24
J
33
J
38
A
40
S
12
O
37
N
28
D
31

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

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

287 Sightings
J
40
F
15
M
12
A
16
M
26
J
25
J
24
A
28
S
34
O
26
N
20
D
21

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

Total number of species: 130

Pipefish

282 Sightings
J
33
F
37
M
8
A
13
M
31
J
22
J
19
A
33
S
29
O
21
N
11
D
25

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

Total number of species: 50

Frogfish

279 Sightings
J
18
F
29
M
28
A
43
M
26
J
30
J
40
A
20
S
7
O
15
N
10
D
13

Common Seahorse

264 Sightings
J
21
F
22
M
9
A
28
M
35
J
24
J
33
A
19
S
19
O
12
N
22
D
20

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

Total number of species: 120

Cuttlefish

255 Sightings
J
42
F
26
M
16
A
25
M
37
J
10
J
5
A
19
S
7
O
14
N
16
D
38

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

Total number of species: 6

Ghost Pipefishes

192 Sightings
J
25
F
26
M
3
A
18
M
46
J
19
J
11
A
11
S
17
O
1
N
2
D
13

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

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

183 Sightings
J
17
F
30
M
13
A
2
M
7
J
16
J
13
A
46
S
7
O
8
N
8
D
16

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

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

180 Sightings
J
23
F
6
M
8
A
6
M
22
J
30
J
3
A
46
S
15
O
5
N
3
D
13

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

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

177 Sightings
J
39
F
26
M
7
A
8
M
0
J
15
J
13
A
17
S
20
O
7
N
6
D
19

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

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

159 Sightings
J
12
F
19
M
10
A
6
M
17
J
18
J
21
A
14
S
3
O
15
N
9
D
15

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

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

158 Sightings
J
8
F
7
M
11
A
5
M
11
J
17
J
18
A
37
S
16
O
10
N
9
D
9

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

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

154 Sightings
J
19
F
9
M
6
A
7
M
6
J
13
J
9
A
16
S
8
O
17
N
17
D
27

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

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

145 Sightings
J
25
F
27
M
4
A
1
M
3
J
11
J
10
A
15
S
6
O
10
N
9
D
24

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

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

106 Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
5
A
2
M
0
J
2
J
7
A
27
S
15
O
15
N
0
D
13

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

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

100 Sightings
J
5
F
18
M
0
A
11
M
6
J
2
J
6
A
16
S
16
O
8
N
6
D
6

Spiny Seahorse

96 Sightings
J
14
F
9
M
2
A
3
M
13
J
11
J
15
A
6
S
5
O
6
N
1
D
11

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

Total number of species: 30

Sand Eel

93 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
6
J
4
J
11
A
3
S
1
O
23
N
20
D
15

Best Months to Dive in Negros

The tropical climate of the Philippines means that rain can come at any time. The best time for diving in Negros is between February and May, where there is slightly less rain - though it can be dived year round. The winds and rains are strongest around September/October so if you plan to dive at this time, maybe think about seasickness pills!

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Dive Sites