Coron
A cluster of at least 11 World War II Japanese wrecks lie beneath the waters of Coron, making it the Wreck Capital of the Philippines. All relatively within recreational depths, the wrecks’ external massive superstructures provide an entertaining view of history for recreational divers of all levels.
But wait, there’s more. Coron also has the best lake diving in the country – the Barracuda Lake – where clear waters and amazing karst walls may be enjoyed in the shallow parts, and distinct halocline and thermocline in its deeper parts.
- Japanese WWII Wrecks
- Lake Dive (Barracuda Lake)
- Sea Cow (Dugong)
- Cavern Dive (Gunter’s Cathedral)
- Shallow Coral Reefs
Tubbataha (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is arguably the best diving site in the Philippines. It is comprised of the North Atoll, South Atoll, and Jessie Beazely Reef, covering about 97,000 hectares of wall dives that are known for their lush coral growth and abundant species – from small schooling fish like anthias, to huge ones like manta rays and whale sharks. It is also considered the Shark Capital of the Philippines, with various shark species calling it home, among them black tips, white tips, nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, tiger sharks, and many others.
- Long and Lush Wall Dives
- Various Shark Species (Black-Tips, White-Tips, Grey Reefs, Tiger Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Nurse Sharks, etc.)
- Whalesharks
- Manta Rays
- Tunas
- Schooling fishes (Jacks, Snappers, Anthias, etc.)
- Turtles
- Sea Fans
- Hard and Soft Coral Gardens
- Wreck (Malayan Wreck)
El Nido
Known for its idyllic white-sand beach pockets and towering limestone cliffs, El Nido’s treasures also extend beneath the waters. The dozens of islets in Bacuit Bay also mean just as many surrounding coral reefs. El Nido also has an extensive cave network in Paglugaban which is an underwater playground for scuba divers. The site is home to some of the most incredible underwater rock formations and swim throughs in El Nido.
Hard and soft coral gardens peppered with various fish species are typical around the islets. Divers are spoilt with regular turtle encounters, schooling fishes (yellow snappers, oxeye scads, giant jacks), the occasional schooling hump head parrotfish, and even a whale shark every now and then.
- Hard & Soft Coral Gardens
- Walls and Drop-Offs
- Cave Diving (Paglugaban Cave)
- Cavern Diving (Tunnel)
- Turtles
- Whalesharks
- Bumphead Parrotfish
- Schooling Yellow Snappers
- Schooling Oxeye Scads
- Giant Jacks
