Habagat, Wreck - Dumaguete

The Habagat wreck is, for our money, one of the best easy wreck dives in the Philippines. Lying perfectly upright at 31 metres, it's a relatively young wreck, sunk intentionally in 2000, so it’s still beautifully intact. You can swim through the cargo holds, the bridge, and even pop your head into the engine room, which always feels a bit like stepping back in time. We love how the light filters through the portholes, illuminating the glassfish shoals that swirl inside the darker sections. Around the exterior, the wreck has become an artificial reef. Look closely along the deck for frogfish blending in with the coral growth, and we've often spotted robust ghost pipefish swaying gently among the hydroids. Large groupers lurk under the deeper overhangs, and on the sand surrounding the wreck, blue-spotted rays are a common sight. It’s an accessible depth for advanced open water divers, and while there can be a mild current, it’s generally a relaxed dive. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best light and fewer other divers.

Location: Dumaguete, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 9.540100, 123.756000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 31m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Dauis, Tagbilaran Bohol

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Dumaguete

Nearest Dive Centres to Habagat, Wreck

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.

Notable Species

Scarlet wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
Comettailed wrasse (Oxycheilinus bimaculatus) - Reef Fish
Six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
Blackspine Unicornfish (Naso minor) - Reef Fish
Barred Unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) - Reef Fish
Two-spot Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus) - Reef Fish
Angel abu polos (Centropyge vrolikii) - Reef Fish
Sleek Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) - Reef Fish
Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) - Reef Fish
Blenny (Istiblennius dussumieri) - Reef Fish
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Horned Squirrelfish (Sargocentron cornutum) - Reef Fish
Blue-ribbon wrasse (Stethojulis trilineata) - Reef Fish
Bloodspot pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) - Reef Fish
Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) - Reef Fish
Bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digramma) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Habagat, Wreck

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