When is the best time to see thresher sharks in Malapascua?

Thresher sharks are present year-round at Kimud Shoal. Dawn dives (5-6am) give the highest sighting rates, typically above 90%. Visibility is best from March to June, but sharks are there every day of the year.

What certification do I need to dive with thresher sharks?

The cleaning station at Kimud Shoal is at 20-25 metres depth. PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) is recommended. If you only have Open Water, we can upgrade you with an Advanced course on-site in two days.

How do I get to Malapascua Island?

Fly to Cebu, then take a 3-4 hour drive north to Maya port, followed by a 30-minute boat crossing. PDT arranges all transfers as part of your package.

What other marine life can I see at Malapascua?

Beyond thresher sharks, Malapascua offers mandarin fish at sunset, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and beautiful coral gardens. The Lighthouse dive site is one of the best muck dives in the Visayas.

Is the sardine run in Moalboal seasonal?

No. The sardine school at Panagsama Beach is resident year-round. You can snorkel or dive with millions of sardines any day of the year, right from the shore.

Can I snorkel in Moalboal without a dive certification?

Yes. The sardine run, sea turtles, and house reef are all accessible by snorkelling. No certification needed. Pescador Island boat trips also include snorkelling options.

What is the Cathedral Cave at Pescador Island?

The Cathedral is an underwater cave formation inside Pescador Island with a chimney that lets light filter down from above. It is one of the most photographed dive sites in the Visayas and accessible to Advanced Open Water divers.

Do I need to know how to dive to swim with whale sharks in Oslob?

No. The whale shark interaction in Oslob is done by snorkelling in shallow water. No diving certification is required. Non-swimmers can also watch from the boat.

How long does the whale shark encounter last?

Each session is approximately 30 minutes in the water. The whole visit including briefing and boat transfer takes about 1-2 hours. Early morning visits (6-7am) are recommended for fewer crowds.

Are whale sharks in Oslob available year-round?

Yes. Unlike Donsol where whale sharks are seasonal, the Oslob whale sharks are present every day of the year. The interaction site operates daily from around 6am to midday.

What makes Dauin muck diving special?

Dauin's volcanic black sand creates a unique habitat for rare critters found nowhere else in the region. Expect blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, painted frogfish, and dozens of nudibranch species. It is considered one of the top muck diving destinations in the world.

Can I see turtles at Apo Island?

Yes. Apo Island's marine sanctuary is home to a large population of green sea turtles. Sightings are virtually guaranteed on every dive, and snorkellers can also see them in the shallow reef areas.

What is the difference between Donsol and Oslob for whale sharks?

Donsol offers wild, free-swimming whale shark encounters with no feeding involved. Oslob whale sharks are fed to keep them in one place. Donsol is seasonal (November to June) while Oslob operates year-round. Donsol is snorkel-only with stricter environmental guidelines.

When is manta ray season at Ticao Island near Donsol?

Manta rays are typically present at Ticao Island cleaning stations from November through May, with peak sightings from January to April. Ticao is a short boat ride from Donsol and can be combined with whale shark snorkelling.

How many days should I spend in Donsol?

We recommend 3-4 days minimum. This gives you two mornings for whale shark encounters, a day trip to Ticao Island for manta rays, and an evening firefly river tour. Longer stays allow for repeat encounters and relaxation.

What is included in a Philippines dive package?

Our packages typically include airport transfers, accommodation, daily diving (boat and shore dives), equipment rental, and meals. Specific inclusions vary by package level. We offer budget, standard, and premium options for each destination.

When is the best time to dive in the Philippines?

The Philippines offers year-round diving. The dry season (November to May) generally has the best visibility and calmest seas. Whale sharks in Donsol peak from February to April. Thresher sharks at Malapascua are year-round. Each destination has its own peak season.

What dive certification do I need for Philippines diving?

Most dive sites require PADI Open Water or equivalent certification. The thresher shark dive at Malapascua is at around 20-25 metres so Advanced Open Water is recommended. Non-divers can take PADI courses starting from Discover Scuba Diving (1 day) up to full Open Water certification (3-4 days).

Can I swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Yes. In Oslob, Cebu, whale shark encounters run daily year-round. In Donsol, Sorsogon, wild whale shark season runs from November to June, with peak sightings from February to April. No diving certification is needed as encounters are snorkelling-based.

Do I need to be an experienced diver?

Not at all. We cater to all levels from complete beginners to technical divers. Non-divers can learn to dive with PADI courses at any of our destinations. Many of our best experiences, including whale sharks and sardine runs, are accessible by snorkelling.

Can I visit multiple dive destinations in one trip?

Yes. Our multi-destination packages are our most popular option. Common combinations include Malapascua plus Moalboal, or Malapascua plus Donsol. We handle all inter-island transfers so you just enjoy the diving.

Best Dive Sites in the Philippines: A Complete Guide

Andrea
7 days ago
3 min read

The Philippines is home to some of the most spectacular diving in the world. Spread across more than 7,000 islands, it offers an extraordinary range of marine environments — from pristine coral reefs and World War II wrecks to open-ocean encounters with pelagic sharks and whale sharks. Whether you’re a first-time diver or a seasoned underwater explorer, the Philippines has a dive site that will stop you in your tracks.

Malapascua Island, Cebu

Malapascua is one of the Philippines’ most famous dive destinations, and for good reason: it is the only place in the world where you can reliably dive with thresher sharks year-round. Every morning, these elegant deep-water predators ascend to Kimud Shoal, a sunken island about an hour from Malapascua, where they can be encountered daily. Dives here typically start before sunrise to catch the action at depth. Beyond thresher sharks, Malapascua also offers impressive walls, vibrant coral gardens, and the chance to spot mantas and occasional whale sharks.

Tubbataha Reef, Palawan

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Asia’s premier dive destinations, Tubbataha Reef sits in the middle of the Sulu Sea, accessible only by liveaboard. The remoteness is the point: the reefs here are pristine, the visibility exceptional, and the marine life density extraordinary. Expect schooling hammerheads, grey reef sharks, manta rays, Napoleon wrasse, and walls that plunge hundreds of metres into the blue. The season runs from mid-March to mid-June, and berths on liveaboards sell out fast.

Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Apo Island is one of the Philippines’ great conservation success stories. The local community established a marine sanctuary here in the 1980s, and the results are visible: the reefs are thick with hard and soft corals, and the fish life is dense and unafraid of divers. The island is best known for its large population of resident sea turtles — encounters on virtually every dive are common. With calm conditions for most of the year and easy access from Dumaguete, Apo Island is a favourite for liveaboard-style day trips and multi-day stays.

Coron, Palawan

For wreck divers, Coron is unmissable. In 1944, a US naval strike sank a fleet of Japanese supply ships in Coron Bay, and they now rest at diveable depths between 10 and 40 metres. The wrecks are large, heavily encrusted with corals, and teeming with marine life — many are considered among the best wreck dives in the world. Beyond the wrecks, Coron’s limestone karst landscape makes it visually stunning above and below the water. The famous Barracuda Lake, a thermocline-layered lake inside a rock formation, is unlike anything else in the Philippines.

Moalboal, Cebu

Moalboal is where Cebu’s divers go to see sardines — millions of them. The famous sardine run at Pescador Island is one of the Philippines’ most spectacular wildlife encounters: an enormous, constantly shifting baitball that moves like a single organism. Beyond the sardines, Moalboal has strong walls, resident turtles, and good macro diving. It’s easily reached from Cebu City and makes an ideal base for several days of varied diving.

Planning Your Philippines Dive Trip

The Philippines is a large, complex country and getting from one dive destination to another requires planning. The best trips combine two or three regions, taking advantage of inter-island flights and liveaboard transfers. The dive season varies by region — Tubbataha is strictly March to June, while Malapascua and Apo Island dive year-round. Philippines Dive and Travel specialises in building bespoke itineraries that make the most of your time and budget, whether you want a focused week at a single destination or a two-week multi-stop expedition.