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Explore Visayas

The Visayas are a group of islands located in the central Philippines. They consist of the main island groups of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, Guimaras, Panay, Romblon, Samar and Leyte - with many small islands to explore in between. The Visayas are a disparate bunch, with each island offering a unique flavour.

Scuba diving in the Visayas has long been one of the most popular activities in the region. It is a well developed diving area too, with many different dive centres, dive resorts and liveaboards to choose from. There is a mix of easy and more challenging diving but there are plenty of easier reef dives for those wishing to undertake beginner dive courses and deeper ones for those wishing to continue their education.

Located in the coral triangle, the waters are rich and the species are diverse - some dive sites offer one of a kind animal encounters, like the near guaranteed sightings of thresher sharks off of Malapascua. Dramatic wall dives, huge bait balls of sardines off Pescador Island, vibrant coral gardens and some of the best muck diving in the world means that you will be sure to find your perfect dive.

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Diving in the Visayas

The Visayas region in the Philippines is a diver's paradise, boasting a variety of dive sites that cater to both novice and experienced divers. Malapascua Island is renowned for the unique experience of diving with thresher sharks. These elusive creatures can be seen year-round, making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers. Nearby, Gato Island offers intriguing underwater tunnels and vibrant marine life, perfect for shore dives. Wreck enthusiasts will find the Dona Marilyn wreck near Malapascua fascinating. This sunken ferry provides a hauntingly beautiful site teeming with marine life. For those interested in night dives, Apo Island offers spectacular underwater vistas where divers can witness the mesmerizing behavior of nocturnal creatures. The Visayas offers a balance between shore diving and liveaboard adventures, allowing travelers to tailor their experiences to their preferences, making it an unforgettable destination for dive enthusiasts.

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The best Months to dive in the Visayas

The Visayas region in the Philippines offers divers a year-round opportunity to explore its vibrant underwater landscapes. Water temperatures typically range between 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F, providing comfortable conditions for diving throughout the year. Visibility can be excellent, often extending up to 30 meters/98 feet, though it can vary with seasonal weather changes.

Weather factors such as monsoons affect diving conditions. The northeast monsoon (Amihan) from November to April can bring stronger winds and affect visibility, while the southwest monsoon (Habagat) from May to October generally brings calmer seas and better visibility. While diving is possible all year, the period from June to September is considered less favorable due to increased rain and occasional typhoons, potentially affecting water clarity and safety for divers.

Top Wildlife Sightings in the Visayas

The Visayas, a central region in the Philippines, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, a major attraction for divers. The coral reefs are home to an abundance of reef fish, including colorful clownfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are commonly seen across various dive sites. These species thrive in the warm, nutrient-rich waters that characterize the region. Seasonal highlights include the majestic whale shark, often spotted around the waters of Cebu, particularly in the town of Oslob, predominantly between November and May. Sea turtles, such as the green sea turtle and hawksbill turtle, are frequently encountered in areas like Apo Island, drawn by the rich feeding grounds. Divers may also have the chance to see manta rays around the waters of Tubbataha Reefs between March and June, when these graceful creatures are most prevalent. These seasonal spectacles, coupled with the diverse reef inhabitants, make the Visayas a compelling destination for marine enthusiasts year-round.

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 approx.: 3

Thresher Shark

Thresher Shark

19k Sightings
J
2.1k
F
2.5k
M
2.9k
A
2.6k
M
2k
J
1.1k
J
740
A
853
S
563
O
774
N
1.6k
D
1.7k
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

19k Sightings
J
2.2k
F
2.1k
M
2k
A
1.9k
M
1.7k
J
1.3k
J
1.4k
A
1.2k
S
775
O
1.1k
N
1.7k
D
1.8k

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

9.8k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.1k
A
897
M
855
J
588
J
637
A
607
S
431
O
593
N
943
D
981

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

4.3k Sightings
J
388
F
437
M
410
A
396
M
446
J
342
J
254
A
344
S
225
O
299
N
390
D
374
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

3.7k Sightings
J
398
F
528
M
379
A
320
M
331
J
182
J
228
A
250
S
162
O
170
N
344
D
408

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

3.2k Sightings
J
293
F
284
M
365
A
517
M
386
J
298
J
183
A
179
S
73
O
129
N
257
D
281

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

1.5k Sightings
J
63
F
115
M
112
A
110
M
159
J
127
J
157
A
154
S
115
O
100
N
98
D
145
Tiger Shark

Tiger Shark

1.3k Sightings
J
107
F
148
M
210
A
229
M
133
J
81
J
62
A
54
S
39
O
53
N
73
D
73
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

1.2k Sightings
J
150
F
130
M
157
A
113
M
129
J
62
J
81
A
54
S
40
O
70
N
139
D
118

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

28k Sightings
J
2.8k
F
3.1k
M
2.9k
A
2.8k
M
2.7k
J
2k
J
2k
A
1.9k
S
1.3k
O
1.5k
N
2.5k
D
2.5k

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

15k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.7k
M
1.5k
A
1.2k
M
1.4k
J
981
J
1.1k
A
949
S
774
O
817
N
1.4k
D
1.4k

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

13k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.4k
M
1.2k
A
998
M
1.3k
J
993
J
1.1k
A
993
S
672
O
756
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.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

13k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.4k
M
1.2k
A
1k
M
1.2k
J
974
J
1k
A
901
S
660
O
762
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.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

12k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.4k
M
1.2k
A
1.2k
M
1k
J
806
J
812
A
776
S
610
O
586
N
1.1k
D
1k

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

10k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.2k
A
1.2k
M
1.1k
J
590
J
472
A
535
S
349
O
407
N
853
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

8.7k Sightings
J
823
F
822
M
850
A
661
M
901
J
690
J
687
A
700
S
438
O
533
N
874
D
749

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

8k Sightings
J
784
F
819
M
809
A
623
M
789
J
620
J
636
A
636
S
417
O
410
N
743
D
702
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

7.1k Sightings
J
746
F
921
M
1.1k
A
1k
M
670
J
340
J
260
A
312
S
240
O
265
N
562
D
635

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

6.7k Sightings
J
671
F
750
M
789
A
674
M
820
J
529
J
452
A
371
S
291
O
244
N
539
D
536

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

6.1k Sightings
J
502
F
551
M
545
A
523
M
691
J
542
J
543
A
547
S
353
O
359
N
544
D
408

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

5.1k Sightings
J
509
F
568
M
618
A
514
M
456
J
355
J
267
A
317
S
226
O
240
N
515
D
539

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

4.8k Sightings
J
498
F
507
M
451
A
399
M
494
J
396
J
398
A
398
S
257
O
290
N
346
D
398

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

4.7k Sightings
J
459
F
548
M
590
A
593
M
459
J
290
J
306
A
249
S
140
O
256
N
456
D
354
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

4.7k Sightings
J
382
F
544
M
660
A
670
M
523
J
275
J
171
A
228
S
211
O
193
N
377
D
416

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

4.5k Sightings
J
427
F
370
M
376
A
361
M
457
J
392
J
367
A
402
S
242
O
262
N
473
D
348

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

4.3k Sightings
J
314
F
487
M
452
A
421
M
317
J
377
J
201
A
312
S
213
O
338
N
374
D
453

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

3.9k Sightings
J
493
F
423
M
446
A
317
M
250
J
232
J
229
A
302
S
203
O
213
N
451
D
319

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

3.8k Sightings
J
234
F
331
M
302
A
257
M
469
J
338
J
384
A
400
S
245
O
286
N
272
D
258

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

3.5k Sightings
J
258
F
294
M
329
A
263
M
423
J
352
J
267
A
265
S
182
O
232
N
230
D
366

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

3.3k Sightings
J
286
F
279
M
285
A
271
M
263
J
278
J
328
A
310
S
241
O
190
N
303
D
269

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

2.9k Sightings
J
265
F
300
M
397
A
298
M
218
J
214
J
133
A
129
S
133
O
169
N
284
D
325
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

2.4k Sightings
J
272
F
321
M
332
A
277
M
233
J
142
J
162
A
103
S
84
O
72
N
205
D
240

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

2.2k Sightings
J
153
F
154
M
151
A
157
M
214
J
250
J
212
A
264
S
156
O
182
N
157
D
181

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

2k Sightings
J
106
F
118
M
128
A
155
M
256
J
203
J
185
A
204
S
156
O
221
N
116
D
179

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

2k Sightings
J
188
F
190
M
259
A
347
M
275
J
139
J
128
A
123
S
60
O
77
N
108
D
125

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

1.7k Sightings
J
69
F
135
M
97
A
136
M
237
J
169
J
120
A
209
S
153
O
178
N
87
D
138

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

1.7k Sightings
J
141
F
186
M
166
A
241
M
134
J
124
J
69
A
92
S
69
O
58
N
135
D
237

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

1.4k Sightings
J
141
F
156
M
79
A
85
M
158
J
124
J
130
A
121
S
96
O
80
N
119
D
95

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

1.3k Sightings
J
71
F
85
M
154
A
126
M
179
J
97
J
86
A
139
S
99
O
93
N
84
D
134

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

975 Sightings
J
116
F
71
M
137
A
137
M
122
J
62
J
51
A
69
S
38
O
14
N
78
D
80

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

936 Sightings
J
77
F
51
M
65
A
90
M
109
J
89
J
78
A
79
S
95
O
56
N
57
D
90

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

774 Sightings
J
61
F
82
M
26
A
107
M
45
J
60
J
30
A
93
S
87
O
63
N
54
D
66

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Squid

Squid

770 Sightings
J
85
F
56
M
62
A
100
M
73
J
61
J
17
A
104
S
35
O
43
N
82
D
52

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

749 Sightings
J
71
F
108
M
122
A
138
M
57
J
24
J
58
A
13
S
14
O
19
N
40
D
85

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