>

Philippines

© iStock/danilovi

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 approx.: 3

Thresher Shark

18k Sightings
J
2.1k
F
2.5k
M
2.9k
A
2.3k
M
1.3k
J
812
J
552
A
824
S
556
O
770
N
1.6k
D
1.7k

Green Turtle

18k Sightings
J
2.1k
F
1.9k
M
2.1k
A
2k
M
1.2k
J
997
J
1.1k
A
1.1k
S
788
O
1k
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 approx.: 200

Moray Eel

10k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.3k
A
1.1k
M
715
J
563
J
513
A
657
S
500
O
687
N
969
D
1k

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

5.2k Sightings
J
446
F
546
M
620
A
624
M
513
J
283
J
245
A
354
S
261
O
360
N
464
D
488

Hawksbill Turtle

4.3k Sightings
J
479
F
549
M
524
A
417
M
327
J
237
J
233
A
260
S
178
O
204
N
404
D
507

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

3.1k Sightings
J
312
F
298
M
393
A
501
M
230
J
200
J
150
A
196
S
91
O
150
N
275
D
273

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

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

1.9k Sightings
J
107
F
145
M
222
A
229
M
200
J
143
J
106
A
166
S
154
O
130
N
111
D
170

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

29k Sightings
J
3k
F
3.3k
M
3.4k
A
3.1k
M
2.2k
J
1.7k
J
1.6k
A
1.9k
S
1.5k
O
1.8k
N
2.6k
D
2.8k

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

16k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.9k
M
1.9k
A
1.6k
M
1.2k
J
861
J
829
A
1k
S
891
O
1k
N
1.5k
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

13k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.5k
M
1.5k
A
1.3k
M
1.1k
J
889
J
727
A
1k
S
785
O
875
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 approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

13k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.5k
M
1.5k
A
1.4k
M
1k
J
879
J
755
A
914
S
769
O
917
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 approx.: 130

Pufferfish

13k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.5k
M
1.5k
A
1.5k
M
927
J
731
J
590
A
820
S
683
O
650
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 approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

11k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.3k
M
1.4k
A
1.4k
M
831
J
447
J
374
A
585
S
393
O
545
N
855
D
1.2k

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

9.6k Sightings
J
934
F
1k
M
1.2k
A
1.1k
M
847
J
619
J
495
A
689
S
537
O
534
N
824
D
873

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

9.3k Sightings
J
892
F
898
M
1.1k
A
967
M
771
J
598
J
472
A
715
S
539
O
607
N
889
D
853

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

7.6k Sightings
J
657
F
678
M
866
A
925
M
730
J
577
J
394
A
642
S
454
O
445
N
628
D
571

Whitetip Reef Shark

7.4k Sightings
J
733
F
915
M
1.3k
A
1.2k
M
644
J
368
J
205
A
282
S
244
O
270
N
552
D
659

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

5.8k Sightings
J
636
F
705
M
753
A
585
M
532
J
353
J
334
A
320
S
293
O
235
N
498
D
524

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

5.4k Sightings
J
525
F
440
M
562
A
551
M
413
J
390
J
320
A
472
S
308
O
337
N
555
D
483

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

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

5.1k Sightings
J
497
F
504
M
526
A
599
M
516
J
366
J
294
A
425
S
309
O
327
N
359
D
417

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

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

4.6k Sightings
J
491
F
580
M
585
A
493
M
303
J
230
J
144
A
327
S
205
O
262
N
487
D
521

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

4.5k Sightings
J
522
F
499
M
578
A
488
M
251
J
282
J
214
A
354
S
268
O
268
N
469
D
346

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

4.4k Sightings
J
371
F
361
M
467
A
525
M
383
J
351
J
272
A
374
S
343
O
256
N
357
D
365

Common Seahorse

4.4k Sightings
J
377
F
551
M
689
A
631
M
410
J
190
J
148
A
223
S
206
O
194
N
371
D
410

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

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

4.3k Sightings
J
478
F
510
M
569
A
514
M
359
J
238
J
254
A
237
S
165
O
262
N
427
D
336

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

4.3k Sightings
J
288
F
483
M
518
A
504
M
277
J
326
J
140
A
349
S
246
O
336
N
349
D
488

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

4k Sightings
J
284
F
323
M
416
A
410
M
450
J
306
J
240
A
373
S
292
O
318
N
298
D
324

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

4k Sightings
J
275
F
352
M
509
A
524
M
470
J
313
J
182
A
272
S
233
O
279
N
229
D
382

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

2.7k Sightings
J
253
F
302
M
374
A
262
M
193
J
153
J
116
A
139
S
127
O
181
N
275
D
311

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

2.5k Sightings
J
134
F
146
M
210
A
322
M
217
J
180
J
141
A
259
S
222
O
259
N
179
D
233

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

2.5k Sightings
J
134
F
157
M
312
A
309
M
294
J
195
J
112
A
206
S
181
O
190
N
175
D
225

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

2.5k Sightings
J
191
F
207
M
254
A
309
M
168
J
206
J
106
A
285
S
177
O
229
N
160
D
180

Banded Sea Krait

2.3k Sightings
J
282
F
316
M
344
A
262
M
184
J
88
J
112
A
101
S
73
O
62
N
192
D
261

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

2.2k Sightings
J
116
F
177
M
176
A
279
M
255
J
226
J
68
A
253
S
203
O
206
N
103
D
173

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

2.1k Sightings
J
231
F
206
M
271
A
332
M
272
J
142
J
134
A
137
S
54
O
90
N
125
D
141

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

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

1.6k Sightings
J
154
F
211
M
152
A
196
M
99
J
84
J
59
A
98
S
78
O
66
N
152
D
254

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

1.4k Sightings
J
121
F
89
M
170
A
168
M
97
J
95
J
96
A
105
S
112
O
70
N
126
D
200