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THE PHILIPPINES: Some of the top dive sites in the world
THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines are a collection of over 7,100 beautiful islands that enjoy stunning white sandy beaches, warm waters and a fabulous tropical climate. With a coastline that is twice the length of the United States, over 40,000 km² of coral reefs, and an abundance of amazing marine life, it is little wonder that this gorgeous Asian destination has become one of the top places in the world to go for a diving holiday. The waters are crystal clear, and offer great diving sites to suit all abilities. The Philippines are home to over 80% of the world’s known coral species, as well as more than 2,000 varieties of fish. Divers can expect to find turtles, rays, sharks and whale sharks, as well as many unusual types of fish, some of which are only found in this part of the world. The Philippines are an excellent place to learn how to dive, as the diving here is reasonably priced and there are many sites that are suitable for beginners.
The Philippines Highlights
Puerto Galera is an area of outstanding beauty in the province of Oriental Mindoro, and is host to many of the best diving sites in Asia. It has a huge range of different types and difficulties of diving to choose from, making it one of the top destinations in the Philippines for diving holidays. The strong surrounding currents and deep walls at some of the sites, such as Canyons, make it a perfect place for drift diving. Divers can expect to see eagle rays, turtles, sharks, tuna, snappers and emperors. The area has been an established marine reserve and research station since 2006.
Boracay is a stunning part of the world, with some of the world’s most beautiful white sandy beaches, surrounded by picture-perfect turquoise waters. The calm waters and easily accessible sites make it a perfect place for beginners to learn how to scuba dive. There are also sites more suitable for experienced divers, such as the amazing Yapak, with its coral encrusted steep wall that drops down to 60 metres in places. This site has and abundance of big Pelagics, including hammerheads and gray reef sharks.
Malapascua Island is one of the best places in the Philippines to see thresher sharks, manta rays, devil rays and whitetip sharks. The island offers divers all sorts of sites, including wrecks, reefs, coral gardens, caves, wall dives and muck dives, ensuring that there is something to suit all diving levels.
Subic Bay used to be the largest US Naval facility in the Far East. As a result, there are lots of impressive wartime shipwrecks, as well as some good reef dives. There are hardly any currents here, so it is suitable for diving all year round. The most famous wreck to dive here is the USS New York, which is teeming with lionfish, barracuda, grouper, lobsters, and spotted sweetlips.
Bohol, in the Visayas region of the Philippines, has some of the best diving in the country, thanks to its sheltered position. There is great diversity in the dive sites here, allowing for divers of all abilities to explore the underwater environment. Certain sites in this area are excellent for night diving. Cabilao island is where to go if you want to dive with hammerhead sharks, and Pamilacan island is great for manta rays.
Tubbataha Reef has some of the most beautiful corals in the world for divers to explore. The area is actually made up of two atolls, pushed up through the Sulu Sea by volcanic activity, that are separated by 4 nautical miles of water. The reefs were declared a National Marine Park1988, and are now also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the careful conservation of the area, the pristine reefs are by far one of the best places to dive in the world. There is an astonishing diversity of marine life, including colourful fish, sharks and Pelagics. The reef is only accessible by live-aboard boat, and is very popular as part of an itinerary of a diving vacation to the Philippines.
The Philippines are a collection of over 7,100 beautiful islands that enjoy stunning white sandy beaches, warm waters and a fabulous tropical climate. With a coastline that is twice the length of the United States, over 40,000 km² of coral reefs, and an abundance of amazing marine life, it is little wonder that this gorgeous Asian destination has become one of the top places in the world to go for a diving holiday. The waters are crystal clear, and offer great diving sites to suit all abilities. The Philippines are home to over 80% of the world’s known coral species, as well as more than 2,000 varieties of fish. Divers can expect to find turtles, rays, sharks and whale sharks, as well as many unusual types of fish, some of which are only found in this part of the world. The Philippines are an excellent place to learn how to dive, as the diving here is reasonably priced and there are many sites that are suitable for beginners.
The Philippines Highlights
Puerto Galera is an area of outstanding beauty in the province of Oriental Mindoro, and is host to many of the best diving sites in Asia. It has a huge range of different types and difficulties of diving to choose from, making it one of the top destinations in the Philippines for diving holidays. The strong surrounding currents and deep walls at some of the sites, such as Canyons, make it a perfect place for drift diving. Divers can expect to see eagle rays, turtles, sharks, tuna, snappers and emperors. The area has been an established marine reserve and research station since 2006.
Boracay is a stunning part of the world, with some of the world’s most beautiful white sandy beaches, surrounded by picture-perfect turquoise waters. The calm waters and easily accessible sites make it a perfect place for beginners to learn how to scuba dive. There are also sites more suitable for experienced divers, such as the amazing Yapak, with its coral encrusted steep wall that drops down to 60 metres in places. This site has and abundance of big Pelagics, including hammerheads and gray reef sharks.
Malapascua Island is one of the best places in the Philippines to see thresher sharks, manta rays, devil rays and whitetip sharks. The island offers divers all sorts of sites, including wrecks, reefs, coral gardens, caves, wall dives and muck dives, ensuring that there is something to suit all diving levels.
Subic Bay used to be the largest US Naval facility in the Far East. As a result, there are lots of impressive wartime shipwrecks, as well as some good reef dives. There are hardly any currents here, so it is suitable for diving all year round. The most famous wreck to dive here is the USS New York, which is teeming with lionfish, barracuda, grouper, lobsters, and spotted sweetlips.
Bohol, in the Visayas region of the Philippines, has some of the best diving in the country, thanks to its sheltered position. There is great diversity in the dive sites here, allowing for divers of all abilities to explore the underwater environment. Certain sites in this area are excellent for night diving. Cabilao island is where to go if you want to dive with hammerhead sharks, and Pamilacan island is great for manta rays.
Tubbataha Reef has some of the most beautiful corals in the world for divers to explore. The area is actually made up of two atolls, pushed up through the Sulu Sea by volcanic activity, that are separated by 4 nautical miles of water. The reefs were declared a National Marine Park1988, and are now also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the careful conservation of the area, the pristine reefs are by far one of the best places to dive in the world. There is an astonishing diversity of marine life, including colourful fish, sharks and Pelagics. The reef is only accessible by live-aboard boat, and is very popular as part of an itinerary of a diving vacation to the Philippines.
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