Question 1

When is the best time to dive in the Philippines?

Accepted Answer

For most travelers, the easiest window is the dry season from Dec to May, when seas are often calmer and visibility is more consistent. If your priority is Tubbataha, target Mar to Jun and plan around that fixed season, with dives like [Light House - Tubbataha South Atoll](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/light-house-tubbataha-south-atoll). Wet-season trips (Jun to Nov) can still be great if you choose sheltered sites and keep buffers for ferry delays. Expect water roughly {{ 25 | temperature }} to {{ 30 | temperature }} depending on region and depth.

Question 2

How do I choose the best Philippines region for my first dive trip?

Accepted Answer

Choose by the kind of diving you want and how much time you have. For wrecks plus scenery, start with [Coron](https://divejourney.io/destinations/coron-palawan-philippines) and dive [Kogyo Maru](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-kogyo-maru). For easy logistics and big schools, use Cebu and snorkel or dive [Panagsama Beach Sardine Run](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-panagsama-beach-sardine-run). For classic reef walls, base in Bohol and visit [Black Forest](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/black-forest). For quick trips near Manila with strong macro potential, pick Batangas-style house reefs like [O2 Dive Resort House Reef](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-o2-dive-resort-house-reef).

Question 3

When is Tubbataha season and how do I book it?

Accepted Answer

Tubbataha is typically visited by liveaboard during Mar to Jun, when seas in the Sulu Sea are most reliable. You cannot day-trip it, so you book a liveaboard itinerary that includes the required park permits and conservation fees. Current published park fees include a visitor conservation fee of PHP 5,000 per person (minors 12 and below are exempt), and operators also secure vessel entry permits. Plan to fly into Puerto Princesa (PPS) and arrive early in case domestic flights shift. A signature dive reference is [Light House - Tubbataha South Atoll](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/light-house-tubbataha-south-atoll).

Question 4

What water temperature should I expect when diving in the Philippines?

Accepted Answer

Most Philippines dive regions stay warm year-round, commonly around {{ 26 | temperature }} to {{ 30 | temperature }}. The coolest period is usually Dec to Feb, when north and deeper sites can dip closer to {{ 25 | temperature }} and thermoclines are more likely. Mar to May is often the warmest, with water frequently near {{ 28 | temperature }} to {{ 30 | temperature }}. Many divers are comfortable in light exposure protection, but if you get cold easily (or you are doing long macro dives), bring an extra layer. For warmer snorkel sessions, stick to shallow sites like [Alona House Reef](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-alona-house-reef).

Question 5

How do I plan a Philippines dive trip around monsoon and typhoon season?

Accepted Answer

Build flexibility into Jul to Oct, when tropical cyclone disruption is most likely and sea states can change fast. Keep a buffer day, avoid chaining tight domestic connections, and prioritize regions with protected, close-to-shore sites so you can still dive when offshore crossings are canceled. In the rainy season (Jun to Nov), many west-facing coasts get rougher with southwest winds, while the opposite coast can have better windows. Ask operators which sites stay workable in wind around {{ 20 | wind:kph }} to {{ 35 | wind:kph }} and whether they have alternate plans. House-reef options like [O2 Dive Resort House Reef](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-o2-dive-resort-house-reef) are especially useful.

Question 6

What marine park fees should I budget for in the Philippines?

Accepted Answer

Budget for conservation fees almost everywhere: many local sanctuaries collect small MPA tags, while national parks have formal permits and published rates. Cash in PHP is the safest assumption on islands. For example, Tubbataha lists a visitor conservation fee of PHP 5,000 per person, and Apo Reef publishes separate diver and non-diver entry fees. In busy hubs, you may also pay boat fees or guide fees on top of the sanctuary tag. Ask what is included before you book, and keep receipts handy on multi-stop days like [Coron](https://divejourney.io/destinations/coron-palawan-philippines) island hopping.

Question 7

How do I get to Coron and what kind of diving is it known for?

Accepted Answer

Coron is reached by flights to Busuanga (USU) followed by a road transfer to town, or by connecting through Puerto Princesa or Manila depending on schedules. It is famous for WWII wreck diving, from shallow sites like [Lusong Gunboat](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-lusong-gunboat) to deeper wrecks like [Kogyo Maru](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-kogyo-maru). Between dive days, you can do lagoon and viewpoint trips that are a big part of the Coron experience. For a different kind of water session, add [Barracuda](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-barracuda) for its dramatic water layers.

Question 8

What are the best Philippines dive options for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Beginners do best on protected reefs and house-reef setups where entries are simple and currents are mild. Look for training-friendly shore dives like [Anilao Bo Hotel House Reef](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-anilao-bo-hotel-house-reef) or easy boat rides to calmer reefs like [Alona House Reef](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-alona-house-reef). Save high-current channel dives (for example [Canyons](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-canyons)) for after you are confident with buoyancy and drift procedures. For the best learning conditions, aim for the drier months from Dec to May, when seas are often calmer and visibility is steadier.

Question 9

Is the Philippines good for snorkeling and freediving if I do not scuba dive?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many highlights are visible from the surface, especially in clear-season mornings. For big-school spectacle, snorkel or freedive at [Panagsama Beach Sardine Run](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-panagsama-beach-sardine-run). For reef walls and turtles, choose Bohol and sites like [Black Forest](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/black-forest). For scenery, Coron adds lagoons and shallow wrecks like [Lusong Gunboat](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/philippines-lusong-gunboat). Aim for the dry season (Dec to May) for the best odds of {{ 10 | visibility:m }} to {{ 25 | visibility:m }} water clarity, and use a surface buoy if boats are nearby.

Question 10

What should I do if I have a dive emergency in the Philippines?

Accepted Answer

Treat it as time-critical. Administer oxygen immediately, keep the diver warm and hydrated, and stop all further diving. Activate emergency services by calling 911 and follow dispatch instructions. If you are on a boat or offshore, notify the captain and request coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard if evacuation is needed. Your dive operator should have a local recompression pathway for the area, usually routed through major hubs like Metro Manila or Cebu. Document symptoms and timelines, and contact your dive insurance or DAN-style assistance line as soon as practical.

Coral Triangle color, WWII history, and island-hopping ease across a nation built for water time

Water regions that matter for diving and snorkeling

Luzon and Mindoro (near Manila)

Visayas core loop (Cebu, Bohol, Negros)

Palawan and the Sulu Sea

Seasons in plain language (and why coasts matter)

How to choose a hub fast

Marine rules and conservation norms you will meet

Activity highlights