Many of the best diving spots in the Philippines are near Manila!
The Philippines is known for its dreamy beaches, rich biodiversity, mesmerizing landscape, and a vibrant underwater scene which has earned the name of “Pearl of the Orient''. All sorts of diving here will treat you to spectacular sights and experiences such as exploring shipwrecks in Palawan, swimming with thresher sharks in Cebu, and discovering a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Puerto Princesa.
Understandably, with stricter travel restrictions in place, a diving experience near Manila would be more convenient. That said, we put together 11 diving destinations and schools accessible within a drive’s distance from Manila.
Diving Spots near Manila
- APNEA Philippines, Batangas
- Scuba Buddies, Batangas
- Blue Ribbon Data Resort, Batangas
- Eagle Point Resort, Batangas
- Casa Escondida, Batangas
- Aiyanar Dive Resort, Batangas
- Saltitude Dive Resort, Batangas
- ILOCOSIRENA, Ilocos Norte
- Arizona Dive Shop, Subic
- Camayan Divers, Subic
- Dive Union, La Union
1. APNEA Philippines, Batangas
APNEA Philippines offers freediving classes, courses, and training for beginners up to experienced diving professionals. They are currently based in Batangas but they travel all over the country to promote freediving to Filipinos, and make it as accessible and affordable for them as possible.
Want to learn how to freedive? Learn the basics of freediving and book this beginner class from APNEA Philippines via Klook! But if you already know the basics and just want to improve your techniques such as proper equalization and free immersion, you can book a line training session through Klook for only P1,400!
For novice divers who want to explore one of the best diving spots in the Philippines, you can also book a fun dive session for P1,800 via Klook.
You can also become a certified Wave 1 freediver by joining this 2-day certification course by APNEA Philippines via Klook!
APNEA Philippines, Batangas
- Address: Anilao, Batangas
- Contact details: divewithmarese@gmail.com
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Local Government Unit’s social media page
2. Scuba Buddies, Batangas
You don’t have to break the bank to try scuba diving! For a more budget-friendly option, Scuba Buddies is an award-winning scuba diving organizer known for their affordable packages. They offer introductory classes for beginners and non-swimmers where they can explore the reefs of Ligpo Island in Bauan and San Luis - a pretty good deal in our opinion!
Discover the wonders of shore diving and book an introductory class in San Luis via Klook for only P2,899! Or if you prefer boat diving and exploring the reefs in Bauan, book this package through Klook for just P3,399.
Scuba Buddies, Batangas
- Address: San Luis, Batangas and Bauan, Batangas
- Contact details: 0995 925 1978, vincecornel09@gmail.com
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit San Luis and Bauan LGU's social media page.
3. Blue Ribbon Dive Resort, Batangas
Originally based in Puerto Galera, the Blue Ribbon Dive Resort is now located in one of the best diving spots in the Philippines: Anilao, Batangas. The resort has full-time instructors and certified divemasters who train student divers––which is rare in Anilao.
They are also certified by the largest scuba certifying agency in the world, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), making them a 5-star PADI resort that offers regular dives for thrill-seekers who crave to explore the great underwater world and marine photographers who wish to grow their portfolios.
Blue Ribbon Dive Resort, Batangas
- Address: Ligaya 4202 Mabini, Philippines
- Contact details: 0917 893 2719, info@blueribbondivers.com
- Website: https://blueribbondivers.com/#
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Mabini LGU social media page
4. Eagle Point Resort, Batangas
Photo Credit: @eaglepointresortph on Instagram
Just 3 hours away from the metro, the Eagle Point Resort in Anilao, Batangas is a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and other exciting water sports activities. Being the biggest diving resort in the province, this resort is fully equipped with everything you need for an unforgettable diving experience such as a 12-ft deep training pool, certified PADI instructors, and access to a private white-sand beach at the tip of Maricaban Island where guests can enjoy a unique diving adventure in an unspoiled reef garden.
Eagle Point Resort, Batangas
- Address: Brgy, Mabini, 4202 Batangas
- Socials: Facebook
- Contact details: +63 9178463958 and +63 9987940286, frontdesk@eaglepointresort.com.ph
- Website: https://eaglepointresort.com.ph/
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Mabini LGU social media page
5. Casa Escondida
Photo Credit: @casaescondidaanilao on Instagram
Casa Escondida is a haven for divers with its wide range of packages and courses such as discovery and night dives. Their in-house team of PADI-certified dive instructors will be training participants in some of Anilao’s best underwater destinations with thriving marine life. That said, students can expect to feast their eyes on vibrant coral reef gardens and a variety of tropical fish during their sessions.
Casa Escondida
- Address: Brgy Ligaya 4202 Mabini, Philippines
- Contact details: 0977 837 2272, casaescondidaanilao@gmail.com
- Website: http://casaescondidaanilao.com/dive/
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Mabini LGU social media page
6. Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort, Anilao Batangas
Photo Credit: @aiyanarresort on Instagram
Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort is located in one of the best diving spots in the Philippines: Anilao. The resort has custom boats that are specifically designed for specialty divers and underwater photographers. However, if you want to explore more dive sites other than what they offer, they also have 4 fast boats of different sizes that can make farther destinations like Isla Verde and Puerto Galera easier to access.
Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort, Anilao
- Address: Sitio Looc, Bgy Bagalangit 4202 Mabini, Philippines
- Website: https://aiyanar.com/dive
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Mabini LGU social media page
7. Saltitude Dive and Beach Resort, Batangas
Known for having the most experienced divemasters in Anilao, Saltitude Dive remains one of the best diving spots in the Philippines. Just 20 minutes away from Anilao’s dive sites, individuals can avail of different courses such as discovery scuba diving, night diving, free diving, and get PADI, RAID, SSI, and other dive certifications from some of the best dive instructors in the country. With proper training and assistance from certified trainers, you’ll soon be enjoying leisure diving trips on your own!
Saltitude Dive and Beach Resort
- Address: Mabini, Batangas
- Contact details: 0927 422 0428
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Mabini LGU social media page
8. ILOCOSIRENA Freediving, Ilocos Norte
Photo Credit: @ilocosirena on Instagram
For freediving opportunities up north, check out ILOCOSIRENA in Ilocos Norte. Driven by their love for nature and the country’s marine biodiversity, ILOCOSIRENA aims to connect individuals through freediving courses - all while promoting a safe underwater experience.
Book your 2-day freediving course via Klook and avail of their package for only Php 3,000! However, just in case you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics, Klook is also offering a freediving introductory course with ILOCOSIRENA that you’ll surely enjoy.
ILOCOSIRENA Freediving, Ilocos Norte
- Address: Ilocos Norte
- Contact details: 0929 291 9380
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit the Ilocos Norte LGU's social media page
9. Arizona Dive Shop, Subic
Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/arizonadivesubic/photos/2120857221268148
You don’t need to travel all the way to Palawan to shipwreck dive - you just need to go as far as Subic to do so. The Arizona Dive Shop located in Subic Bay offers a range of diving courses and services, one of which is shipwreck diving. Subic Bay is generally known for these unique underwater experiences, allowing divers to get up close and personal with shipwrecks like the L2D “Tabby” (Japanese DC-3) airplane, Vietnam era F4 Phantom, a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, and a Spanish American Warship called the San Quentin. Fortunately, the wrecks are situated within the recreational diving limits, therefore would not require any special technical training.
Arizona Dive Shop, Subic
- Address: 47 National Highway 2200 Olongapo, Philippines
- Socials: Facebook
- Contact details: (047) 224 4557, arizonadiveshop@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.arizonadivesubic.com/
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit Subic Freeport Zone's LGU social media page
10. Camayan Divers, Subic
Photo Credit: @ourcamayan on Instagram
Located in what is known as the “Best Beach in Subic”, Camayan Divers not only offers a great range of diving services and courses, but as well as the perfect jump-off point for your diving adventures - from reef to wreck diving. The most unique and challenging course they offer is the Rescue Diver Course, where they train divers to become more agile underwater, especially when faced with minor and major emergencies—a must-try for aspiring professional divers!
Get an all-day pass to Camayan Beach Resort and enjoy thrilling adventures such as scuba diving, horseback riding, and more! Book now via Klook to get 55% off.
Camayan Divers, Subic
- Address: PH, Ilanin Road, Camayan Wharf Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, 2222
- Contact details: (047) 252 8000, reservation@camayanbeachresort.ph
- Website: https://camayandivers.com/
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit Subic Freeport Zone's LGU social media page
11. Dive Union, La Union
La Union is famed for amazing surfing spots, but did you know the province is home to many diving opportunities, too? Dive Union offers a full range of PADI courses that are perfect for both beginners and advanced divers searching for their next underwater adventure.
Thanks to La Union’s shallow dive sites and slower currents, it serves as the perfect place to learn diving basics. With the area’s sunken tanks and protected waters, divers will also get a chance to explore spectacular coral formations and a variety of sea creatures such as Spanish mackerels, king barracuda, leopard rays, and some whitetip sharks just to name a few.
Dive Union, La Union
- Address: Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa,, Urbiztondo, San Juan 2514 San Juan, Philippines
- Contact details: 0917 720 1859, diving@diveunion.com.ph
- Website: http://diveunion.com.ph/
- For updated COVID-19 and Safety Guidelines, visit La Union's LGU social media page
