Diving in Dumaguete

Explore 110 dive sites in Dumaguete, Philippines. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Dumaguete

The warmest water temperatures in Dumaguete occur in January, averaging 26.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.8°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • February: 26.8°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • March: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • April: 26.8°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • May: 26.8°C (air: 28.5°C)
  • June: 26.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • July: 26.8°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • August: 26.8°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • September: 26.8°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • October: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • November: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • December: 26.8°C (air: 27.0°C)

Marine Life in Dumaguete

Home to 522 recorded species including 440 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 15 sea cucumbers, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 9 seagrass & algae, 9 hard corals.

Dive Site Difficulty in Dumaguete

Dumaguete has 52 beginner, 5 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Dumaguete

Based on average water temperature of 26.8°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

Marine Protected Areas in Dumaguete

  • Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Taklong Island National Marine Reserve - Resource Reserve (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Sagay Marine Reserve - Resource Reserve (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Island of Banaon, Basaan, Saac, Tambu, Bambanon Wilderness Area - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Baliangao Protected Landscape & Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Mangrove areas from Agio Point up to the Municipality of Cambuyao; Mangrove aras from Bo. Biabas to Bo. Ondol including Bo. Condary, and Juagdan except the Island of Tintiman Mangrove Wilderness area - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Tañon Strait Protected Seascape - Protected Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape & Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Aliguay Island Protected Landscape & Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Selinog Island - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Murcielagos Island Protected Landscape and Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Island of Panglao; Mangrove areas from the west of Loboc River to the municipality of Laya Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve - Protected Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Island of Budlanan, Bugatusan, Panga, Silo, Cabgan, Canconstino, tabaon, Maagpit, and Islet of Basihan, Bugatusan, Hayaan, Inanoran , and Poom Point East of Basihan Islet (Getafe Group of Island) (Clarin Group of Island) Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (NOCWCA) - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Island of Catiil, Colangaman, Lomislis, Tagangdio, Tintinan, and islet of Pamasuan Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Island of Pamusuan, Handayan, Majanay,,, Islets of Bonoon, Lapinig, Pinahon and Lapinig Chico, Mangrove areas east of Soom River Pangpang Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve - Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Mangrove Areas from Liangan River to Lipatan River of the Municipality of Lapayan Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve - Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Baclayon, Tagbilaran Bohol - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Dauis, Tagbilaran Bohol - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • San Juan Siquijor - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Carmen Critical Habitat - Critical Habitat (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Eastern Iligan Bay Marine Protected Area Network - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Bago, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Hinigaran, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Ilog, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Pontevedra, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • San Enrique, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Takbal-Bato Marine Sanctuary - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Valladolid, Negros Occidental - Local Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cancandoy Reef Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Caroyocan Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Himokilan Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Naval Marine Protected Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Poblacion I Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tagbibi Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tomakeen Daco Reef Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cahayagan Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Dumaguete - Nearest Airports

  • Sibulan Airport (DGT), Dumaguete City - 20 km away, approx 37 min travel time
  • Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB), Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City - 129 km away, approx 156 min travel time
  • Laguindingan International Airport (CGY), Laguindingan - 130 km away, approx 157 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres