Best Diving Spots and National Parks in the Philippines

Hey everyone!! I’m planning a 3-month trip to the Philippines for May 2026. As a diving enthusiast, I’d love to hear about must-visit diving spots. I’m traveling with a buddy, and we don’t really want to spend all our time moving around, so if you have recommendations for one area that’s better than others for diving, that’d be great! What do you think are the best diving sites? (I’d appreciate an overview of the country so I can decide based on that.) Compared to my buddy, I love macro photography (nudibranchs, etc.), so I’d also love any tips on that. And completely unrelated to diving, but I’d also like info on places to visit (national parks, reserves, etc.) to see the local wildlife. Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply! Safe travels, everyone!

Hello

The best diving spot is Tubattha (not sure about the spelling), but it’s really in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise, you can dive pretty much anywhere in the Visayas. A cruise is probably a good option.

And around Coron/Palawan. Lots of wrecks in Coron.

Another must-do is the sardine run in Moalboal.

As for the other amazing spots, I’ll pass. I’d read that you absolutely had to dive at Apo Island off Siquijor, and I was really disappointed. But I met giant turtles in Balicasag (Bohol) when I wasn’t expecting anything special.

Anyway, the point is: look into what you want to see outside the water, and you’ll always find something great to do diving-wise in the same area 😉

In 2019, I went snorkeling at Apo Island with a diving team. One of the most beautiful experiences of my life, with turtles, tropical fish, and a blue sea snake. The divers were thrilled too. Goes to show, it all depends on the moment—it can be awful or extraordinary.

Thanks so much for your reply! I’ll take a closer look at this. Getting around doesn’t seem easy, so I’ll need to be good with planning. Thanks again! 😅

That’s the magic of diving!! It’s never the same thing. Thanks for your reply, that’s awesome!!

Malapascua !