Diving in Visayas

Explore 159 dive sites in Visayas, Philippines. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Visayas

The warmest water temperatures in Visayas occur in January, averaging 27.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.8°C (air: 23.3°C)
  • February: 27.8°C (air: 23.3°C)
  • March: 27.8°C (air: 24.2°C)
  • April: 27.8°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • May: 27.8°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • June: 27.8°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • July: 27.8°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • August: 27.8°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • September: 27.8°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • October: 27.8°C (air: 24.4°C)
  • November: 27.8°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • December: 27.8°C (air: 23.7°C)

Marine Life in Visayas

Home to 577 recorded species including 463 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 21 hard corals, 19 sea snails & nudibranchs, 14 sea cucumbers, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Dive Site Difficulty in Visayas

Visayas has 25 beginner, 5 intermediate, 1 expert dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Visayas

Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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 Visayas

  • Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Island of Rasa Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • 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)
  • Islands of Guinauyan, Naro, Chico, and Pobre Wilderness Area - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Islands of Guinauyan, Naro, Chico, and Pobre Wilderness Area - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • 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)
  • Selinog Island - Protected Landscape and Seascape (IUCN Category V)
  • Guiuan 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)
  • Islands of Guinauyan, Naro, Chico, and Pobre Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Island of Catiil, Colangaman, Lomislis, Tagangdio, Tintinan, and islet of Pamasuan Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Island of Awasan, Cabilan, Capaquian, Sugbuhan and Tagboaba Wilderness Area - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Island of Dinagat, Hikdop, Sibate and Hanigad Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve - Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Mangrove Areas along Municipalities of Lavigan, Valencia Up to Taon River Municipality of Barcelona,, Islands of Masopelid, Mahaba, Condona, Bayagnan, Bilabid and Caye Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve - Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (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)
  • Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA) - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Marine Protected Area Network with Guiuan Marine Resource Protected Landscape and Seascape - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Baclayon, Tagbilaran Bohol - Marine Protected Area Network (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Asid Gulf Marine Protected Area Network (AGMPAN) - 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)
  • Nueva Estrella Norte Marine Reserve - 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)
  • Apale-Tolingon Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Balirahay Reef Marine Sanctuary and Fishery Reserve - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Benolho Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Buntay Marine Protected Area/ Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cabugawan Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Calangawan Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected 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)
  • Cinco Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cogon Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Dumana Reef Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Gabas Marine Sanctuary and AR Project - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Guinob-an Marine Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Himokilan Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Ingan Fish Sanctuary and Fishery Reserve - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Kantawi Reef Marine Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Kawayan Marine Protected Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Lewing Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Look Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Mabini, Higatangan Marine Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Macabug Marine Reserve Area with Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Madong-badong Marine Reserve Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Mahayag Marine Reserve Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Naval Marine Protected Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Palo Fish Sanctuary and Fishery Reserve (Binangalan Reef) - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Pangasugan Sanctuary and AR Project - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Panunubulon Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Plaridel Marine Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Poblacion I Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Sakay Point - Sitio Calipata-an Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Sambawan Island - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Sampotan Islet Marine Protected Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • San Miguel Fish Sanctuary and Fishery Reserve - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Sta. Cruz Marine Sanctuary and AR Project - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tagbak Marine Park - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tagbibi Marine Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tinag-an 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)
  • Uson Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • VSU Marine Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Poblacion Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cahayagan Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Tambongon Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Coring Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Columbus Fish Sanctuary - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Cataingan Bay Marine Protected Area - Locally-managed Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Visayas - Nearest Airports

  • Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB), Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City - 30 km away, approx 47 min travel time
  • Bacolod-Silay International Airport (BCD), Bacolod City - 145 km away, approx 173 min travel time
  • Laguindingan International Airport (CGY), Laguindingan - 188 km away, approx 220 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to go scuba diving in the Visayas, and what are the typical water temperatures and weather conditions?
The best time to dive in Visayas is during the months with optimal water temperatures, which consistently hover around 27.79°C. These conditions provide a comfortable and enjoyable diving experience. Specific weather conditions beyond water temperature are not detailed in the provided data.
What are the marine life highlights that divers can expect to encounter in the Visayas region?
Divers in Visayas can look forward to incredible marine life encounters, including the famous sardine run in Moalboal. The region is also renowned for Apo Island's vibrant turtle sanctuary and Dauin's exceptional muck diving, offering unique macro opportunities. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
Which are considered the best dive sites in the Visayas for different types of diving experiences, such as macro, pelagics, or coral reefs?
For diverse diving experiences in Visayas, divers can explore areas known for specific highlights. Moalboal is famous for its incredible sardine run, offering a unique pelagic experience, while Dauin is celebrated for its world-class muck diving, perfect for macro enthusiasts. Additionally, Apo Island is a renowned turtle sanctuary, and many of the 159 dive sites, such as Sulpa Island and Carbin Reef, offer vibrant coral reef diving.
Is scuba diving in the Visayas suitable for all experience levels, or are there dive sites specifically for advanced divers?
Yes, scuba diving in Visayas caters to a wide range of experience levels. There are numerous sites suitable for beginners, such as Sulpa Island and Shallow Area, alongside many intermediate sites like Guadalupe Reef and Osmol Reef. With 159 dive sites available, divers of all proficiencies can find suitable underwater adventures.
What is the typical underwater visibility like when diving in the Visayas?
I cannot provide specific details on the typical underwater visibility in Visayas based on the provided data. Visibility can vary greatly depending on factors such as weather, tides, and specific dive site conditions.
How strong are the currents generally in Visayas dive sites, and how does this impact the diving experience?
Information regarding the general strength of currents in Visayas dive sites is not available in the provided data. Current conditions can vary significantly between sites and depend on local weather and tidal patterns, often influencing the diving experience.
What are the common ways to get to and travel between the main dive destinations within the Visayas?
The provided data does not include information on common ways to get to and travel between the main dive destinations within Visayas. It is recommended to consult local dive operators or travel guides for the most up-to-date transportation advice.
Where are the most reliable locations in the Visayas to see specific large marine animals like thresher sharks or whale sharks?
Based on the provided data, specific reliable locations for encountering large marine animals like thresher sharks or whale sharks in Visayas are not detailed. However, the region is known for Moalboal's impressive sardine run and Apo Island's vibrant turtle sanctuary, offering other significant marine life encounters.