Explore Subic Bay

Nestled on the island of Luzon, about a three-hour drive north of Manila, Subic Bay offers a diving experience steeped in history and natural beauty. Known for its stunning landscapes, surrounded by peaks, the bay is a sanctuary for divers who seek adventure beneath the waves. With over 25 historic wrecks, Subic Bay is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts and wreck divers. From remnants of the Spanish-American War to the Vietnam War, these underwater relics provide not just a window into the past but also serve as habitats for a rich tapestry of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter a colorful array of fish like clownfish, angelfish, and schools of barracuda, with the occasional appearance of turtles, rays, and even sharks.

Beyond wreck diving, Subic Bay's Lighthouse Reef offers a kaleidoscope of vibrant coral and marine life, perfect for those who enjoy the serene beauty of reef sites. The bay caters to all levels of divers, making it an ideal spot for beginners to experience their first wreck dive, while more experienced divers can explore deeper, more technical sites. Dive centers and resorts in the area provide dive-and-stay packages and specialized courses to enhance the diving experience. With its blend of historical intrigue, diverse marine life, and accessible dive sites, Subic Bay stands out as a premier diving destination in the Philippines, offering an unforgettable underwater journey for every diver.

Top Dive Sites Map

Mares

★★★★☆ Kyo Maru Wreck

Resting at 69 m, the Kyo Maru Dive Site in Subic Bay is now a favoured training dive for trimix courses and a preserved piece of history. The Kyo is broken in 2 pieces but otherwise fairly intact. Location outside the bay the dive is often done in blue water and making for nice decompression ride.

11
Logs
11
Divers
31.0 m
⌀ Depth
40.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★☆☆ Savage A2 AJ2 Bomber Wreck

Trimix dive. This wreck is in 72m of water very intact except some damage to the rear fuselage and 1 propellor missing. The propellor likely broke off as a result of the engine over speed. A blue water dive and a must for trimix divers to tick off their bucket list.

22
Logs
21
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ El Capitan (USS Majaba)

A well-known wreck in Subic Bay, divers of every level can explore this ship that once fought on one of the most intense battlegrounds during the Pacific War. Situated on a a shallow reef slope 20 meters deep, the El Capitan can usually be seen from the surface, even with the murky visibility.

218
Logs
133
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Upside Down Landing Craft Utility (LCU2)

The Landing Craft Tank was an assault craft designed to deliver tanks onto a hostile beach. This wreck offers a combination of small penetration opportunites and abundant marine life on the outside.

171
Logs
133
Divers
30.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★☆☆ L2D “Tabby“ (Japaness DC-3)

LST stands for “Landing Ship, Tank“ and she used to carry troops, tanks, and cargo directly onto a hostile beach. She is presumed to be an LST 1 class and the 331 is the only ship of this clas was lost in Subic Bay.

49
Logs
45
Divers
29.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Douglas Skyraider (Wreck)

The Skyraider is the most well-known piston-engined aircraft used by the United States during World War II. This unique AD-5N (redesignated as A-1G) wreck is still intact and in fantastic condition, making it a site to see for aviation enthusiasts.

29
Logs
26
Divers
31.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ USS New York (Wreck)

The only known wreck of an American pre-dreadought warship anywhere in the world. The Ship’s history and unique design makes divers from all over the world flock to her.

102
Logs
68
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Subic Bay

The diving in Subic Bay revolves around wreck diving. 19 shipwrecks have been identified here, mostly Japanese and American wrecks from WWII but some from the Spanish war in the late 1800s. There is even a jet fighter! Some of these sites are best suited to advanced divers due to the depth and the penetration opportunities, but most are suitable for open water divers. Liveaboards frequent this area, particularly those with shipwreck based itineraries which also visit Coron.

Reef diving can be found here too, and it is often overlooked. The vibrant reefs and bright arrays of fish make these some lovely dives. Canyons, Runway and Nabasan Reef are great examples of Subic Bay’s reefs, as well as the Barges which is an artificial reef. These sites can all be catered to any level.

The best Months to dive in Subic Bay

As with most areas of the Philippines, Subic Bay weather is dictated by seasons. Diving in Subic Bay is mostly possible year round, with some disruption during monsoon season.

The dry season runs between November and May, with the warmest (and most popular) months being March - May. the water temperatures vary between 27 and 29°C, with the coldest months between December and February. Air temperatures stay consistently in the low 30s. This is the best time to dive Subic Bay due to the low winds and rainfall, leading to calm ocean conditions and the best visibility.

The rainy season is June - November with potential for typhoons in July/August. Though the weather can sometimes be fine for weeks, dive trips can be cancelled due to the weather so bear this in mind when booking.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

2n2 Scuba Diving Resort

0205 National Highway, 2209 Subic Zambales, Luzon - PHL