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There are tons of reasons why the Philippines is among the top diving destinations of seasoned divers. The country, with a vast archipelago of 7,107 islands, offers diving opportunities at every level. Beginners can enjoy the easy coast entries and advanced divers will surely admire deep wreck dives, rich marine life and many other species underneath.

Diving in the Philippines

It’s easy to navigate once you’re in the capital city of the country, which is Manila. This city is the gateway to all the famous destinations starting from Luzon, Visayas then Mindanao.

In the Luzon region, Puerto Galera is a gem waiting to be discovered. Located in the province of Oriental Mindoro, it takes about 3-hour bus ride and 1-hour boat ride to reach this beautiful destination. Subic Bay, which is way up north, is another attraction, with sunken warships below the water.

Moving South Luzon is the world’s famous tourist destination, Palawan. It’s home to a plethora of coral reefs, fish species and limestone cliffs. The biggest star? Definitely the big and small lagoons dotted throughout the ocean.

Visayas and Mindanao have more to offer with Malapascua, Oslob and Apo Island as world-class dive sites. Divers going to Malapascua can see thresher sharks lurking in the water while whale sharks populate Oslob in Cebu.

Apo Island, located in the Negros Region, is a volcanic island famous for swimming with the turtles diving activity. This place also boasts incredible rock formations, rich marine life and school of sardines and jacks.

 

Cebu: Whale Sharks at Oslob

Whale sharks are close to extinction, next to other species like School Shark and Great White Sharks. In the Philippines, there’s a place in Cebu where one can freely dive and swim with these giants.

Tan-awan is a small village approximately 10 kilometers away from the town proper Oslob in Cebu. Both locals and international travelers visit this place to witness and experience swimming with the whale sharks. To get to Oslob from Cebu City, you need to ride a bus going to Bato via Liloan. The travel time is between 3 to 4 hours but note that it’s best to leave the city before dawn to get to Oslob early.

Tourists can watch, snorkel or scuba dive, depending on packages availed. Certified and beginner scuba divers are free to jump into the water and interact with these giants, without aggravating them.

Diving activity can start as early as sunrise when a number of whale sharks populate the stretch of the shore. Diving activity can last for an hour or two, depending on the packages availed.

Popular attractions near Oslob

Just a 15-20 minutes ride from Oslob is a magnificent sight, Tumalog Falls. An enormous waterfall, consisting of diaphanous curtains, giving off cool mists of clear waters. Tourists come here to relax and swim, after the encounter with the whale sharks.

Sumilon Island is another dive site for enthusiasts, just a 30-minute ride and 15 minutes boat ride from Oslob. It has four major sites: Nikki’s Wall, Garden Eel Plaza, Julie’s Rock and Corral Landscape. This island is also famous for the mesmerising sandbar that’s constantly changing its shape and location.

Best Accommodation

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort tops the list, with a swimming pool overlooking the sea and deluxe villa as big as 106 square meters. There’s also other budget-friendly accommodation for big and small groups. Lagnason’s Place, nestled near the beach is recommended and also Seafari Resort Oslob.

If you’re done exploring Cebu and wanted to check out what nearby islands has to offer, go and check out Apo Island, Siquijor and of course, Dumaguete. Traveling here from Oslob is easy via a ferry going to Sibulan port.

You can stay at Atlantis Dive Resort in Dumaguete or Atmosphere Resorts & Spa. Both resorts offer first-class amenities and diving classes, exploring the depths of Dauin Marine Sanctuaries and more.

 

Diving in the Philippines is a fun, unique and remarkable experience as you discover more attractions worthy of your time. Plan your diving activities with us today and discover nature’s hidden gems across the world.