Malapascua Island, Cebu

Famous for its rare sharks, Malapascua is one of the least spoiled tourist spots in the Philippines. Labelled as the next Boracay by the Lonely Planet, Malapascua has everything for the travelling diver, including the only daily thresher shark sightings in the world, white tip sharks, mantas, hammerheads, wrecks, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish, beautiful unspoiled coral gardens and diverse marine life.

This diving site is noted for its colourful reefs. Puerto Galera is a natural harbour with fine beaches, green scenery and sheltered coves. It has grown to become a diving haven due to its marine diversity, complemented by other activities. At least two dozen sites have been identified, each providing good opportunity for photography.

Anilao’s proximity makes it a popular destination for weekend diving trips. Excursions are ideal in this southern town where resorts are situated within short boat rides to excellent dive sites. Diving is mainly in coral slopes and shallow gardens among sandy patches. Choose from any of the 24 dive sites between the coast of Anilao and Maricaban Island. The most popular site is the Cathedral (average of 60 ft.), a roofless cavern with a cross flanked by two large sea mounts.

The waters of Balicasag are brimming with schools of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish. Dolphins and pilot whales can also be viewed from a distance.

Apo Reef National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park boasts some of the best diving sites in Asia. It is a 34-kilometre reef, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing the reef into two lagoon systems. Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the largest in the Philippines.

Coron, El Nido and Busuanga are just three of the many dive sites in Palawan. Coron Bay is one of the most popular diving destinations in The Philippines, and one of the most famous wreck diving destinations in the world due to the amount of historic sunken ships which can be visited. El Nido is one of the world class diving destinations. Its dive sites are also home to exotic and colorful tropical marine life. With its unexploited underwater scenery, divers will have a good look on the colorful tropical fishes and corals.

Boracay has the best tropical beach in the world, and is one of the most popular diving areas in Southeast Asia. It combines a wide range of dive activities with numerous quality resorts, restaurants, bars and night time events. There are 15 diving sites.