Experience the Philippine Marine Life with These 8 Diving Spots in Visayas

The Visayas region is made up of majestic islands, surrounded by a colorful and thriving marine life. Its pristine beaches, marvelous underwater world, rustic communities, and freeing simplicity of life all add up to its overall fascinating charm. No wonder both local and international tourists have made the Visayas region their go-to place for beach vacations where they could explore spectacular diving spots. So, if you are looking for some places to dive, it’s time to ready your diving suits and check out this list where you could experience underwater magic!

Swim with adorable sea turtles at Balicasag Island, an islet located in the southwestern end of Bohol’s Panglao Island. Known for its abundance of friendly sea turtles, the place has become a popular diving spot, fit for both beginners and advanced divers, because of its rich marine sanctuary. Aside from turtles, different schools of fish like the barracudas will also join you in exploring underwater!

Address: Panglao, Bohol

Unlike its name, you don’t need to worry about encountering crocodiles in Crocodile Island. Crocodile Island is actually an uninhabited island of Boracay that got its name from the shape of the isle, which resembles a crocodile. It has become a popular diving spot in Boracay because of its colorful biodiversity. Expect to see vibrant corals, and different kinds of sea creatures like garden eels, triggerfish, and snails, among many others!

Address: Boracay, Aklan

With diving spots fit for divers of different skill levels, Cabilao Island is situated in between Cebu strait and Bohol. If you are into underwater photography, the Cabilao diving spot is a great subject as it has vibrant biodiversity. So jump into your diving suits, and get ready to discover an array of sea creatures like the frogfish, pygmy seahorse, and nudibranchs. Expect sightings of the whitetip reef shark, dolphins, and eagle rays all year round.

Address: Loon, Bohol

Go on a nostalgic and fascinating adventure as you snorkel through the Olympia Maru wreck, near Tangat Island in Coron Bay, Palawan. Good for advanced divers, the Olympia Maru is a Japanese ship that sank in September of 1944 after a US Air Attack. Now, the shipwreck became home to numerous underwater creatures like the giant bat fish, lionfish, giant puffer fish, scorpion fish, and banana fish, just to name a few.

Address: Coron, Palawan

Anyone who is into diving should try exploring the waters of Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu. It is dubbed as the first marine reserve in the country, and is regarded for having great visibility underwater. It offers various diving spots for divers of different levels. The island has an abundant marine life. Who knows, you might chance upon whale sharks, manta rays, or Hawksbill turtles!

Address: Oslob, Cebu

If you are looking for an underrated diving spot, you have to check out Nalusuan Island in Cordova, Cebu. Get your diving suits ready and be welcomed by colorful sea sponges in this well-preserved marine sanctuary. Suitable for diving beginners, snorkel alongside stingrays and other schools of fish like groupers and snappers, and see beautiful table corals!

Address: Cordova, Cebu

Want to see an abundance of thresher sharks? Then get ready to swim with them in the waters of the Monad Shoal, described to be the only diving spot in the world where you could see them daily. Best for experienced divers, large pelagic fishes are also spotted in this area aside from the shy thresher sharks. Be in awe as you snorkel alongside manta rays, devil rays, mantis shrimps, and octopus!

Address: Malapascua, Cebu

Buckle up your diving suits and descend to the waters of mystical Siquijor! The Sunken Island is a diving spot with a depth of 40 meters, suitable for advanced divers because of its strong currents. Marvel at the rich marine life of the vast deep, filled with soft and hard corals. Unravel the mystery of Sunken Island as you say hello to reef fishes, pelagic fishes and giant turtles.

Address: San Juan, Siquijor

Discover more diving experiences in other parts of the world like Indonesia! Bali has many diving spots perfect for divers of all levels like Padang Bai and Tulamben. If you're still not confident about your diving skills or just want to learn the basics of diving, we've got you covered:

Happy and safe travels!