© Scubapro
Explore Sipalay
Sipalay, nestled in the lush, laid-back region of Negros Occidental, is a diver's hidden paradise that offers an unparalleled underwater experience. This charming town, surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Philippines, promises a rich tapestry of marine life and diverse diving environments. From vibrant coral gardens teeming with colorful reef fish to dramatic drop-offs that entice more advanced divers, Sipalay caters to every level of scuba enthusiast. The proximity of dive sites, often just a short boat ride from local resorts, makes it an ideal location for both beginners and seasoned divers seeking to expand their skills.
The waters surrounding Sipalay are home to over 40 exceptional dive spots, each offering unique underwater landscapes. Among these, Julien’s Wreck near Turtle Island stands out as a must-see for wreck diving aficionados, providing a glimpse into Sipalay's storied maritime past. Photographers will find a haven here, with abundant macro life offering endless opportunities for stunning underwater shots. Additionally, the area's easily accessible walls and canyons provide thrilling adventures for technical divers. Whether exploring during the day or embarking on a night dive, Sipalay's underwater world is filled with surprises and unparalleled beauty, making it a memorable destination for any diving enthusiast.
Top Sipalay Dive Sites
Kuantan Wreck
Resting at a depth of 14–23 meters/46–75 feet, Kuantan Wreck is an 80-meter-long site known for its diverse marine life, including resident moray eels and visiting leopard and guitar sharks. Suitable for advanced scuba divers, it offers exciting underwater exploration opportunities.
Ma-Asin
This site features beautiful table corals hosting diverse macro life, ideal for both scuba and freediving. With depths ranging from 8–28 meters/26–92 feet, it caters to divers of all levels. The vibrant reef ecosystem makes it a must-visit spot for underwater photography enthusiasts.
MS Jojo
Sunk in the 1980s, this freighter wreck lies between 22–33 meters/72–108 feet, making it suitable for advanced scuba divers. The site is now home to abundant marine life, including large lionfish, offering an intriguing dive experience amidst the remnants of the past.
Mad Max
Located near Bulata, Mad Max offers a unique muck diving experience. The sandy floor with rocky formations attracts numerous juvenile fish, providing divers with exciting surprises each visit. Suitable for both scuba and freedivers, it offers a moderate adventure level.
SS Panay
This Japanese warship wreck rests at a depth of 33–42 meters/108–138 feet, accessible only to advanced scuba divers. Divers can explore the ship's history, occasionally finding artifacts like gas masks. The eerie beauty of this site makes it a significant ecological and historical landmark.
The best Months to dive in Sipalay
Diving in Sipalay is good all year round, with the best conditions found in the dry season, between December and June. During December/January, water temperatures can drop as low as 25°C/77°F. Conversely, May and June are the hottest months. It is also the busiest time of year, especially around holidays and weekends.
The rainy season (July–November) can bring more wind and rain, which can lead to rougher sea conditions. The windiest months are September/October when there is a threat of typhoons. The visibility can be lower at this time, though it is still mostly very pleasant diving.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Sipalay
This area is popular because of its healthy coral reefs. Hidden in this macro paradise is ghost pipefish, nudibranch, mantis shrimp, ribbon eels, frogfish, cuttlefish and more. Other fish found here are common species like moray eels, groupers, anemonefish, parrotfish and lionfish.
Above the reef, you will see schools of fish on nearly every dive. Snappers, jackfish and barracuda swirl in tornadoes among the larger fish like trevally and tuna. Turtles are common visitors to the reefs, as they like to eat the hard corals. Some sites boast larger fish like giant stingrays, hiding amongst the rocks. You can spy reef sharks here, along with the super rare guitar shark and leopard sharks, if you’re lucky!
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
46 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
8
A
7
M
3
J
2
J
2
A
9
S
2
O
0
N
5
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
39 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
6
A
4
M
0
J
1
J
4
A
11
S
2
O
3
N
2
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
19 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
8
A
2
S
0
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 approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
17 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
2
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
13 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
2
A
2
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
2
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 approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
12 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
4
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
1
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 approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
10 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
8 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
1
Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
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 approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
86 Sightings
J
3
F
10
M
16
A
15
M
0
J
1
J
13
A
7
S
1
O
0
N
12
D
8
