Explore Padre Burgos

Nestled in the province of Southern Leyte, Padre Burgos stands as a jewel in the Philippines' diving crown. This area is renowned for its pristine aquatic environments, offering some of the most breathtaking underwater experiences in the region. Divers are greeted by vibrant reefs adorned with both hard and soft corals, along with majestic barrel sponges that create a colorful underwater tapestry. The dive sites here feature dramatic walls, steep drop-offs, intriguing caves, and even a couple of wrecks, making it a versatile destination for divers of all levels.

Marine life in Padre Burgos is nothing short of spectacular. The waters teem with dwarf gobies, mandarinfish, and an array of nudibranchs. Larger marine visitors include the impressive Napoleon wrasses, harlequin sweetlips, barracudas, trevallies, and steephead parrotfish. With visibility often extending up to 40 meters/131 feet and dive depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters/19 to 131 feet, the conditions are ideal for both shore and boat dives. Whether exploring shallow reefs or venturing deeper into the blue, divers find themselves immersed in an ecosystem that is rich and diverse, making each dive a memorable adventure.

Dive Activity

Diving in Padre Burgos

Padre Burgos, nestled in Southern Leyte, Philippines, offers divers a treasure trove of underwater experiences. This area is celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity, including the famous Napantao Marine Sanctuary. Shore dives are particularly popular here, allowing easy access to stunning coral gardens teeming with colorful fish. One of the highlights is exploring the rich macro life, where nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses showcase their unique beauty.

For those seeking adventure, the night dives in Padre Burgos reveal captivating nocturnal marine behaviors, offering a different perspective of the underwater world. While wreck dives aren't the primary attraction, the region's diverse dive sites cater well to both shore and liveaboard diving enthusiasts. This blend ensures that divers of all preferences can discover and enjoy the underwater marvels of this enchanting destination.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Padre Burgos

Padre Burgos, located in the Philippines, is a renowned diving destination celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity. The area is teeming with common reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, and clownfish. These colorful species are easily spotted throughout the year, making them a staple of any dive in the region. The coral reefs here provide a thriving environment for these fish, ensuring that divers can enjoy a kaleidoscope of colors under the sea.

In addition to the regular inhabitants, Padre Burgos offers seasonal highlights with the possibility of encountering larger marine creatures. Whale sharks, for example, are occasionally observed between November and May, offering a thrilling experience for divers. Likewise, green sea turtles can often be seen grazing along the seabed, and eagle rays may be seen gliding gracefully through the waters. These sightings are more frequent during specific times of the year, providing an added incentive for divers to plan their visits accordingly.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
105 Sightings
J
17
F
17
M
12
A
9
M
8
J
2
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
4
N
12
D
21

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
68 Sightings
J
6
F
10
M
12
A
3
M
6
J
0
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
6
N
8
D
12
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
37 Sightings
J
6
F
8
M
3
A
0
M
4
J
0
J
3
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
8

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
26 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
1
A
2
M
4
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
5
D
4

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

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
20 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
7
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
2

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
16 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
2
N
2
D
2
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
15 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
4
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

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

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
8 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

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
126 Sightings
J
22
F
16
M
10
A
3
M
13
J
1
J
4
A
2
S
0
O
5
N
13
D
37

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
101 Sightings
J
12
F
17
M
15
A
2
M
5
J
1
J
3
A
4
S
0
O
5
N
10
D
27
Show More

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

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
83 Sightings
J
8
F
12
M
11
A
1
M
10
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
5
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: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
77 Sightings
J
11
F
9
M
10
A
1
M
9
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
9
D
23

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
75 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
9
A
2
M
11
J
0
J
4
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
6
D
25

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
73 Sightings
J
11
F
8
M
6
A
2
M
9
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
6
D
24

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

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
73 Sightings
J
7
F
10
M
10
A
1
M
8
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
8
D
22

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

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
65 Sightings
J
12
F
11
M
12
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
16

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
53 Sightings
J
8
F
12
M
4
A
1
M
4
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
6
D
12

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

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
48 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
9
A
1
M
6
J
1
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
5
D
8

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
46 Sightings
J
14
F
7
M
8
A
1
M
5
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
5

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
46 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
3
A
1
M
7
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
6
D
17

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

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
42 Sightings
J
6
F
6
M
1
A
1
M
6
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
7
D
8

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

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
40 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
2
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
5
S
0
O
5
N
6
D
11

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

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
32 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
7
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
6
D
7

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

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
31 Sightings
J
7
F
4
M
8
A
4
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
8

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

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
30 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
3
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
5
D
8

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
29 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
2
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
3

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

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
28 Sightings
J
4
F
6
M
7
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
4

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
28 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
5
D
8

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

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
22 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
6
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
2
N
2
D
3
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
17 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
5
D
6

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
16 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
3
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
4

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
16 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
5
N
5
D
1

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
16 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
2
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
5
D
2

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

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
14 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
7

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

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
14 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
4

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

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
14 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
4
D
3

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
13 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
4
D
1

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

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
11 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
2
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
5
D
0

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

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
11 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
1
AdobeStock-Richard Carey

Banded Sea Krait
10 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
2

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

Total number of species: 7

iStock-atese

Pygmy Seahorse
10 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

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

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
9 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

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

Total number of species: 3

k

Cornetfish
9 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
5

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

Total number of species: 6

Peter-Schinck-SSI

Ghost Pipefishes
8 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
2
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
4
D
0

The best Months to dive in Padre Burgos

Padre Burgos, located in Southern Leyte, Philippines, offers excellent diving conditions throughout the year, making it a popular destination for divers. The water temperatures range from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F, providing a comfortable environment for diving. Visibility typically remains high, often exceeding 20 meters/66 feet, allowing divers to fully appreciate the marine biodiversity.

Diving is possible year-round, although the best conditions are often found from November to May. During these months, the seas are calmer, with less wind and currents. From June to October, the southwest monsoon can bring stronger winds and occasional storms, which might affect diving plans. However, even during these months, experienced divers can still find opportunities to explore the underwater wonders of Padre Burgos.

Dive Sites

Ursula J. (#3365624)

Voltaires rock (★4.1)

Nice divesite just outside Sogodbay divecenter. nice shallow area between 2-10 meters and from there a slope down to 32 and more. Plenty of big fish action when current is moving. Diverse soft and hard corals.
Mares

Gunter's Wall (★4.5)

Gunter’s Wall is named after the German owner of a dive shop at Southern Leyte. It is a reef wall extension heading south, begining at Adrien’s Cove.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Adrian's Cove (★4.4)

A few kilometers south of Tangkaan peninsula is Limasawa Island. On its eastern side, Adrien’s Cove lures divers as part of the largest marine sanctuary in southern Leyte.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Tangka-an Point (★4.5)

A peninsular dive spot on the southern tip of Padre Burgos. Exposed to a 3 sided waterfront from the south, east, and west make for a good drift dive when the currents pick up.
Mares

Turtle Rock (★4.1)

Divers plunge to the deepest depth of the wall at 20 meters & follow a bearing to the sandy slope westward to check out 4 massive rock boulder outcroppings.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

The Hole (★4.3)

A bit north of Turtle Rock on the Tangkaan Peninsula, ‘The Hole’ makes for special night dives and a great place to get certified. The reef top is at 3 – 5 meters. You descend to the bottom of the wall at 20 – 25 meters & gradually make your way up.
Aqualung

Medicare (★4.5)

Right in front of the Medicare facility on land. A mild current allows you to cover both dive sites. A steep rocky slope descends to 20 meters on Medicare South moving deeper to 25 – 30 meters towards Medicare North.
Mares

Padre Burgos Jetty (★4.5)

Some call it a jetty & some call it a pier, but still others call them concrete pylons or concrete pillars. ‘Padre Burgos Pier’ is one of the best diving locations in the world to check off macro critters in your diving lifetime.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Max Climax (★4.3)

Along Padre Burgos a few dive centers have lined up facing the east coast on the western side of Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte. ‘Max Climax’ is part of a wall more than a kilometer long that connects a few house reefs.