Palawan, often referred to as the "wild west of the Philippines," offers a diving experience that is both thrilling and diverse, attracting adventurers from around the world. The archipelago, comprised of over 1,800 islands, is renowned for its stunning, unspoiled beauty — from pristine white sand beaches to lush jungle interiors. Diving enthusiasts will find an underwater paradise teeming with vibrant marine life, including colorful coral reefs, majestic sea turtles, and a variety of tropical fish. Diving in Palawan is as varied as its landscape. The world-famous Tubbataha Reef is a diver's dream, accessible only by liveaboard trips during its short season from March to June. In Coron, history meets adventure with the opportunity to explore sunken World War II shipwrecks, offering a unique peek into the past. Puerto Princesa, the capital, invites daring cave divers to explore its mysterious underwater caves, while El Nido's calm, shallow reefs are perfect for beginners. For those seeking a comprehensive experience, Palawan's dive resorts and centers provide opportunities for all levels of divers, from novices to technical experts. Whether you're diving from shore, boat, or liveaboard, each dive site promises its own distinct charm. Despite its growing popularity, Palawan remains a relatively uncrowded jewel in the Philippines, making it a perfect getaway for those seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.
The tiny island of Dimakya is located on the northern end of the archipelago, and they offer quiet stays and a fantastic variety of dive sites.
Beautiful corals, especially big lettuce corals and sponges, as well as shoals of fish, such as fusiliers, snappers or batfish await you in Busuanga.
Expect jaw-dropping WWII wrecks and cave dives around Coron Island.
Head to Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a World Heritage site, for the ultimate diving experience of the Philippines.
Dive into the waters of Puerto Princesa and see lionfish, cardinals, snapper, sweetlips, nudibranchs, and also find plenty of magnificent corals.
In El Nido Bay, experience spectacular dive sites with incredible walls, mesmerizingly colorful coral gardens and magnificent marine life.
It is no understatement to say that Palawan diving offers some of the best diving in the world. Apo Reef is huge and often visited by liveaboards from Palawan. The house reefs surrounding all the diving locations like Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa all boast many healthy reef ecosystems which make for excellent dives. Tubbataha Reef is routinely listed as a bucket list dive and for good reason - the diversity on the reef is exceptional and it offers the chance to see some amazing things like tiger sharks and manta rays.
There are some opportunities for cave diving here. Cathedral Cave in Coron has a stunning, sunlit chamber leading to a stalactite filled room in which you can surface. El Nido has Dilumaca Tunnel to explore. Puerto Princesa offers the chance to dive the longest underwater river system in the world.
Known as the wreck capital of South East Asia, the Japanese WWII wrecks in Coron Bay will satisfy the fussiest wreck divers. The wrecks litter the seabed and most allow penetration in multiple places. There are also several other small wrecks such as the one on Apo Reef.
One of the only places which can also offer lake diving, Coron has two lakes to try - Barracuda and Keyangan. Barracuda is unique in its extreme halocline where there can be up to a 10°C/50°C difference in water temperatures between the layers.
Liveaboard diving is popular here due to the large distances between the diving locations. Popular destinations include Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Tubbataha Reef and Apo Island. The Tubbataha liveaboards are limited to three months of the year so can be busy.
Palawan offers year-round diving opportunities, with conditions varying across the region. The dry season, from December to June, is the most favorable period for diving, characterized by calm seas and predictable conditions. Water temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, averaging around 28°C/82°F. However, exposed sites like Tubbataha can experience cooler temperatures. During this season, visibility is excellent, often exceeding 20 meters/66 feet and occasionally reaching up to 40 meters/131 feet.
The wet season, from July to November, brings increased rainfall—more pronounced in the north, which can experience monsoon-like conditions and occasional typhoons. Despite this, diving remains feasible, especially in the southern regions where rainfall is less intense. Currents are generally mild and consistent year-round, influenced by site and tide conditions. Divers should be mindful of the shorter dive season at Tubbataha, from mid-March to mid-June, when the ocean is calm enough for access.
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