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Philippines

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Explore Philippines

The Philippines, with its more than 7,000 islands, offers an unparalleled diving experience that captures the adventurous spirit of divers worldwide. Known for its vibrant marine biodiversity, the country is home to some of the world's most stunning coral reefs and diverse marine habitats. Dive enthusiasts can explore colorful coral gardens teeming with life, from playful clownfish to majestic sea turtles. With dive sites spread across the vast archipelago, the Philippines boasts an array of underwater landscapes, including steep drop-offs and fascinating wrecks that tell stories of their own. For those seeking variety in their diving adventures, the Philippines does not disappoint. Whether you prefer the convenience of shore diving along pristine beaches or the thrill of boat and liveaboard trips to remote sites, options abound. Regions like Palawan and Cebu offer unique experiences year-round, though the best conditions are typically from July to March. The country also features seasonal highlights, such as the spectacular sardine run in Moalboal. These natural wonders, combined with the rich cultural tapestry and the welcoming hospitality of the locals, make diving in the Philippines a truly unforgettable journey.

Power Plug Type
A, B, C
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping is discretionary; service charges are often included, and additional tips are appreciated for good service.
Currency
PHP
Dial Code
+63
Electricity
220 V / 60 Hz
Time
UTC+8 (PST)

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

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Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Philippines

The Philippines is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, making it a paradise for divers. The country's coral reefs are teeming with vibrant fish species such as clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish, commonly seen in areas like Tubbataha Reefs and Apo Reef. These reefs offer year-round opportunities to observe these colorful marine creatures.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of whale sharks, particularly in Donsol and Oslob, from November to June. Sea turtles are also frequent visitors, with the Green and Hawksbill turtles often spotted around the beaches of Palawan and Moalboal. Additionally, manta rays are most commonly seen between December and May in places like Manta Bowl in Ticao Island, offering divers an exhilarating experience.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

24k Sightings
J
2.7k
F
2.5k
M
2.7k
A
2.6k
M
2.4k
J
1.7k
J
1.7k
A
1.6k
S
977
O
1.3k
N
2.1k
D
2.3k

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Thresher Shark

Thresher Shark

20k Sightings
J
2.1k
F
2.6k
M
2.9k
A
2.6k
M
2k
J
1.1k
J
742
A
913
S
566
O
774
N
1.6k
D
1.7k

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

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

15k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1.5k
M
1.7k
A
1.6k
M
1.5k
J
1.1k
J
984
A
1k
S
700
O
1k
N
1.4k
D
1.3k

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

6.3k Sightings
J
495
F
568
M
682
A
735
M
727
J
517
J
371
A
454
S
263
O
396
N
517
D
545
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

5.5k Sightings
J
575
F
659
M
602
A
514
M
495
J
331
J
331
A
338
S
212
O
273
N
521
D
635

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

4.1k Sightings
J
336
F
336
M
417
A
627
M
505
J
400
J
269
A
291
S
107
O
187
N
298
D
316

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

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

2.6k Sightings
J
134
F
164
M
268
A
362
M
393
J
256
J
222
A
184
S
164
O
135
N
131
D
206
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

1.3k Sightings
J
154
F
140
M
174
A
153
M
133
J
67
J
81
A
55
S
40
O
71
N
139
D
126
Tiger Shark

Tiger Shark

1.3k Sightings
J
107
F
148
M
210
A
229
M
135
J
81
J
68
A
54
S
39
O
53
N
73
D
73

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

40k Sightings
J
3.9k
F
4k
M
4.2k
A
4.2k
M
3.9k
J
2.8k
J
2.8k
A
2.8k
S
1.9k
O
2.3k
N
3.4k
D
3.4k

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

23k Sightings
J
2.3k
F
2.4k
M
2.5k
A
2.2k
M
2.2k
J
1.6k
J
1.5k
A
1.6k
S
1.2k
O
1.4k
N
2k
D
2k

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

20k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.8k
M
2.1k
A
2k
M
2.1k
J
1.6k
J
1.5k
A
1.5k
S
1k
O
1.3k
N
1.6k
D
1.6k

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

20k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.9k
M
2k
A
1.9k
M
2.1k
J
1.6k
J
1.6k
A
1.6k
S
1.1k
O
1.2k
N
1.6k
D
1.6k

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

18k Sightings
J
1.7k
F
1.8k
M
1.9k
A
2k
M
1.7k
J
1.4k
J
1.1k
A
1.3k
S
892
O
935
N
1.5k
D
1.5k

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

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

16k Sightings
J
1.7k
F
1.7k
M
2k
A
2k
M
1.7k
J
1.1k
J
850
A
982
S
623
O
883
N
1.3k
D
1.6k

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

14k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.3k
M
1.6k
A
1.5k
M
1.6k
J
1.1k
J
987
A
1.1k
S
742
O
771
N
1.1k
D
1.1k

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

13k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.3k
M
1.4k
J
1.1k
J
963
A
1.2k
S
677
O
806
N
1.1k
D
1.1k

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

11k Sightings
J
928
F
855
M
1.2k
A
1.2k
M
1.3k
J
1k
J
851
A
1k
S
626
O
639
N
825
D
703
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

8.8k Sightings
J
803
F
979
M
1.4k
A
1.5k
M
1k
J
597
J
293
A
346
S
255
O
278
N
594
D
731

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

7.9k Sightings
J
694
F
529
M
752
A
775
M
802
J
696
J
621
A
785
S
412
O
505
N
720
D
648

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

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

7.3k Sightings
J
696
F
628
M
681
A
824
M
803
J
617
J
494
A
678
S
404
O
457
N
474
D
578

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

7k Sightings
J
723
F
760
M
816
A
723
M
828
J
547
J
480
A
420
S
304
O
277
N
568
D
553

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

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

6.8k Sightings
J
685
F
702
M
789
A
731
M
628
J
453
J
335
A
470
S
266
O
380
N
657
D
682

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

6.6k Sightings
J
732
F
633
M
788
A
695
M
533
J
472
J
358
A
517
S
348
O
397
N
627
D
475

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

6.2k Sightings
J
468
F
576
M
708
A
697
M
578
J
555
J
304
A
505
S
308
O
461
N
480
D
607

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

6.2k Sightings
J
523
F
425
M
617
A
725
M
602
J
583
J
484
A
540
S
405
O
371
N
428
D
479

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

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

6.1k Sightings
J
629
F
636
M
721
A
730
M
616
J
397
J
417
A
370
S
227
O
369
N
568
D
441

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

6.1k Sightings
J
409
F
404
M
549
A
576
M
803
J
555
J
517
A
619
S
401
O
439
N
403
D
413

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

5.4k Sightings
J
343
F
422
M
607
A
651
M
768
J
531
J
362
A
327
S
257
O
337
N
282
D
466
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

5k Sightings
J
398
F
565
M
734
A
730
M
551
J
294
J
196
A
251
S
230
O
216
N
403
D
427

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

4.1k Sightings
J
228
F
188
M
348
A
491
M
522
J
403
J
312
A
387
S
300
O
357
N
252
D
319

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

3.8k Sightings
J
355
F
355
M
491
A
422
M
320
J
291
J
191
A
207
S
165
O
263
N
347
D
410

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

3.5k Sightings
J
211
F
224
M
305
A
406
M
467
J
306
J
212
A
388
S
287
O
325
N
164
D
216

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

3.4k Sightings
J
205
F
239
M
290
A
400
M
373
J
384
J
289
A
378
S
203
O
260
N
193
D
226

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

3.4k Sightings
J
185
F
207
M
423
A
436
M
480
J
276
J
185
A
300
S
203
O
220
N
193
D
277
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

2.9k Sightings
J
303
F
389
M
387
A
321
M
263
J
171
J
194
A
151
S
93
O
92
N
236
D
287

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

Total number of species approx.: 7

Pygmy Seahorse

Pygmy Seahorse

2.5k Sightings
J
283
F
218
M
301
A
403
M
316
J
179
J
156
A
152
S
85
O
102
N
129
D
150

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

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

2.1k Sightings
J
203
F
238
M
187
A
302
M
166
J
142
J
95
A
114
S
104
O
84
N
177
D
293

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

2k Sightings
J
157
F
124
M
215
A
211
M
186
J
156
J
174
A
180
S
145
O
97
N
153
D
236

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

1.8k Sightings
J
160
F
178
M
121
A
125
M
201
J
161
J
164
A
174
S
132
O
125
N
152
D
121

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

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

1.7k Sightings
J
155
F
134
M
136
A
284
M
154
J
157
J
99
A
140
S
124
O
121
N
77
D
114

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

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

1.6k Sightings
J
104
F
127
M
267
A
380
M
204
J
153
J
82
A
29
S
21
O
27
N
66
D
129

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

1.5k Sightings
J
189
F
127
M
171
A
204
M
179
J
72
J
89
A
129
S
43
O
40
N
94
D
114

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

1.3k Sightings
J
41
F
82
M
121
A
248
M
174
J
151
J
50
A
123
S
118
O
115
N
37
D
53

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