Visayas
Explore Visayas The Visayas are a group of islands located in the central Philippines. They consist
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)
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
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
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
Alamy/imageBROKER
Thresher Shark
17k Sightings
J
2k
F
2.5k
M
2.2k
A
1.7k
M
1.3k
J
810
J
552
A
822
S
550
O
766
N
1.6k
D
1.7k
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
16k Sightings
J
2k
F
1.9k
M
1.7k
A
1.3k
M
1.2k
J
986
J
1k
A
1.1k
S
765
O
978
N
1.6k
D
1.8k
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
9.2k Sightings
J
1k
F
1.1k
M
967
A
761
M
696
J
520
J
485
A
605
S
467
O
644
N
927
D
974
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
4.9k Sightings
J
433
F
535
M
486
A
506
M
501
J
269
J
237
A
349
S
257
O
354
N
461
D
471
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
4k Sightings
J
452
F
534
M
438
A
318
M
322
J
224
J
227
A
244
S
165
O
184
N
400
D
495
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
2.6k Sightings
J
299
F
298
M
225
A
328
M
213
J
177
J
147
A
185
S
76
O
146
N
274
D
255
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
1.7k Sightings
J
100
F
134
M
165
A
161
M
201
J
142
J
99
A
161
S
151
O
120
N
108
D
176
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
26k Sightings
J
2.9k
F
3.2k
M
2.6k
A
2.2k
M
2.2k
J
1.6k
J
1.5k
A
1.8k
S
1.4k
O
1.7k
N
2.5k
D
2.7k
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
15k Sightings
J
1.7k
F
1.9k
M
1.4k
A
1.1k
M
1.1k
J
807
J
774
A
958
S
846
O
939
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: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
12k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.4k
M
1.1k
A
945
M
1k
J
823
J
717
A
884
S
731
O
855
N
1.1k
D
1.2k
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
12k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.4k
M
1.1k
A
887
M
1.1k
J
831
J
676
A
959
S
747
O
810
N
1.2k
D
1.2k
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
11k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.4k
M
1.2k
A
981
M
914
J
683
J
541
A
768
S
637
O
610
N
1.2k
D
1.1k
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
9.1k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.3k
M
950
A
866
M
789
J
412
J
355
A
535
S
353
O
485
N
819
D
1.1k
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
8.8k Sightings
J
903
F
1k
M
899
A
747
M
838
J
582
J
469
A
658
S
525
O
516
N
817
D
859
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
8.3k Sightings
J
854
F
855
M
782
A
605
M
755
J
558
J
440
A
675
S
521
O
567
N
876
D
830
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
6.7k Sightings
J
733
F
906
M
1k
A
864
M
646
J
367
J
205
A
277
S
244
O
270
N
552
D
657
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
6.7k Sightings
J
630
F
654
M
612
A
605
M
705
J
534
J
371
A
599
S
444
O
416
N
617
D
554
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
5.3k Sightings
J
618
F
660
M
584
A
434
M
518
J
336
J
309
A
315
S
283
O
230
N
491
D
507
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
4.9k Sightings
J
509
F
433
M
407
A
389
M
404
J
360
J
300
A
442
S
298
O
319
N
542
D
476
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
4.6k Sightings
J
475
F
489
M
403
A
371
M
512
J
336
J
278
A
399
S
298
O
296
N
353
D
401
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
4.1k Sightings
J
507
F
482
M
437
A
324
M
246
J
273
J
207
A
341
S
250
O
254
N
457
D
337
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
4k Sightings
J
350
F
346
M
349
A
373
M
376
J
318
J
254
A
360
S
338
O
238
N
345
D
347
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
3.9k Sightings
J
451
F
524
M
434
A
315
M
274
J
206
J
128
A
287
S
165
O
219
N
455
D
481
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse
3.9k Sightings
J
370
F
540
M
495
A
469
M
392
J
175
J
137
A
212
S
184
O
179
N
352
D
393
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
3.8k Sightings
J
272
F
461
M
390
A
299
M
267
J
303
J
122
A
321
S
232
O
317
N
347
D
468
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
3.7k Sightings
J
450
F
479
M
420
A
283
M
341
J
211
J
235
A
212
S
151
O
235
N
414
D
296
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
3.6k Sightings
J
269
F
307
M
312
A
260
M
443
J
289
J
221
A
359
S
283
O
295
N
291
D
312
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
3.6k Sightings
J
263
F
346
M
352
A
364
M
464
J
310
J
180
A
266
S
232
O
260
N
226
D
366
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
2.3k Sightings
J
121
F
131
M
162
A
232
M
219
J
166
J
126
A
245
S
218
O
245
N
177
D
230
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
2.2k Sightings
J
125
F
157
M
242
A
214
M
289
J
184
J
88
A
196
S
171
O
183
N
171
D
214
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
2.2k Sightings
J
184
F
202
M
191
A
166
M
163
J
202
J
95
A
277
S
173
O
226
N
161
D
177
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
2.2k Sightings
J
234
F
259
M
254
A
183
M
168
J
133
J
97
A
120
S
95
O
157
N
242
D
273
AdobeStock-Richard Carey
Banded Sea Krait
2.1k Sightings
J
277
F
314
M
308
A
187
M
182
J
86
J
103
A
98
S
67
O
58
N
183
D
255
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
2k Sightings
J
120
F
164
M
129
A
186
M
248
J
212
J
65
A
239
S
194
O
183
N
99
D
170
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
2k Sightings
J
223
F
203
M
247
A
282
M
252
J
132
J
121
A
123
S
54
O
77
N
123
D
126
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
1.3k Sightings
J
151
F
191
M
83
A
116
M
100
J
74
J
56
A
85
S
57
O
55
N
147
D
223