PHILIPPINES

DIVE IN…

With 7,641 islands, the Philippines is an archipelago blessed with incredible dive sites. Diving in the Philippines is generally divided into four regions: Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, and the Visayas.

Luzon includes the famous Puerto Galera and Anilao, premier dive destinations that offer an array of sites. Note that currents can be very strong on some sites, such as Mapating Rock in Anilao and the aptly named Washing Machine in Puerto Galera.

Palawan boasts Coron Bay, known for its wreck diving, and Tubbataha Reef, a marine sanctuary in the middle of the Sulu Sea that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site – so protected you can only dive the area via approved liveaboards.

Mindanao is home to the Sunken Cemetery site that sits in the depths of Camiguin’s “underwater underworld”, and Samal Island and Talikud Island offer an extensive array of colourful reef fish, large pelagics, and beautiful coral.

The Visayas are the place to go if you have specific boxes to tick on your wish list. Thresher sharks can be found at Malapascua, hammerheads at Cabilao Island, and whale sharks at Southern Leyte.

Diving in the Philippines is similarly divided with its island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.