5-20m
    Donsol & Sorsogon, Philippines
    Castilla Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve

    Bicol

    Best months: Jan–Mar

    Protected Area

    Castilla Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve

    Why dive here

    With 135+ marine species recorded in the area - including napoleon wrasse and pufferfish - Bicol offers some of Donsol & Sorsogon's richest reef diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest June, July, August.

    Best timeJan–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeNapoleon Wrasse and Pufferfish · 135+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest June, July, August
    CharacterReef dive · max 5-20m

    Look, Donsol is synonymous with whale sharks, and that's usually the main draw. But if you’re already making the trip down to Bicol, you’d be missing out not to explore what the wider region offers. Ticao Island, just a boat ride away, is where we go when we’re feeling lucky, specifically to spots like "Big Boys' Alley" for a shot at oceanic manta rays, thresher sharks, or even hammerheads from March to June. We’ve had some truly epic dives there, feeling pretty small in the grand scheme of things. And for those who prefer the smaller stuff, the reefs around San Miguel Island deliver with their impressive macro scene. We'd say Bicol is a good bet for divers who appreciate both the pelagic and the tiny, and don't mind a bit of boat travel.

    Typical Bicol Dive Profile

    5mSafety Stop0m5m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Today05:3617:3011h 54m daylightGolden hour 17:02

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Bicol

    Bicol Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Bicol, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.8, 123.7) (15km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29–31.1°C

    Air Temperature

    27°C

    81°F

    Wind Speed

    5.19 m/s

    10.1 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1008.6 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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