Toms Reef - Donsol & Sorsogon
Toms Reef is a straightforward coral dive off Donsol, often visited for a second dive after a whale shark encounter. Expect a healthy mix of hard and soft corals, with smaller reef fish like damselfish, angelfish, and parrotfish moving among them. It’s a good spot for some relaxed bottom time, particularly if you're looking for an easy drift or a chance to practice your photography in calmer conditions. Suitable for divers who appreciate a quiet reef.
- Location
- Donsol & Sorsogon, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 12.522223, 123.420494
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Bugsayon Marine Sanctuary
Best Time to Dive in Donsol & Sorsogon
The warmest water temperatures in Donsol & Sorsogon occur in January, averaging 27.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
- February: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
- March: 27.1°C (air: 26.4°C)
- April: 27.1°C (air: 27.2°C)
- May: 27.1°C (air: 28.0°C)
- June: 27.1°C (air: 27.5°C)
- July: 27.1°C (air: 27.4°C)
- August: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
- September: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
- October: 27.1°C (air: 27.1°C)
- November: 27.1°C (air: 26.9°C)
- December: 27.1°C (air: 26.3°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Donsol & Sorsogon
- Bicol
- Bobby’s Wall - 24m (wall)
- Bunga Reef (reef)
- CAMFAIR - 11m (wreck)
- CHEN YOW NO.1 - 0m (wreck)
- DONA LOURDES - 40m (wreck)
- LAGOS HURON (POSSIBLY) - 12m (wreck)
- MV PRINCESS OF THE STARS - 12m (wreck)
- NORTHERN SAMAR - 38m (wreck)
- Parola/Lighthouse - 22m
- R.A.C. Point - 20m
- Red Buoy
- SAN MARTIN DE PORRES - 13m (wreck)
- SWEET SAIL - 0m (wreck)
- Tuna Alley - 23m
Marine Life in Donsol & Sorsogon
Home to 139 recorded species including 119 reef fish, 14 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea cucumbers, 1 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- Anchor trunkfish (Choerodon anchorago) - Reef Fish
- Banded-Tail Glassy Perchlet (Ambassis urotaenia) - Reef Fish
- Golden-Yellow Cone (Conus flavidus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Hound Needlefish (Tylosurus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
- Peacock wrasse (Halichoeres argus) - Reef Fish
- Flea Cone (Conus pulicarius) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Frigid Cone (Conus frigidus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Fig cone (Conus figulinus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Brownbanded wrasse (Halichoeres scapularis) - Reef Fish
- Armed Squirrel-fish (Neoniphon sammara) - Reef Fish
- Striped catfish (Plotosus lineatus) - Reef Fish
- Cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) - Reef Fish
- Banded Blenny (Salarias fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Checkered Seaperch (Lutjanus decussatus) - Reef Fish
- Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish
- Sponsal Cone (Conus sponsalis) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Black-tipped Silver-biddy (Gerres oyena) - Reef Fish
- Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
- False Virgin Cone (Conus emaciatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Recommended Packing List for Toms Reef
Based on average water temperature of 27.1°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories