Philippines Diving Holidays: An Overview

What species can I expect to see?

The Philippines is celebrated for the diversity of its marine life, so expect to see plenty of different species beneath the waves. Marine megafauna, including the largest fish in the world - the whale shark - are frequently spotted in the Philippines' waters.

Less easy to see is the pygmy seahorse, which is excellent at camouflage despite its bright colours. You'll most likely find them in Anilao or Bohol, which are two of the best places for encountering underwater creatures - mandarinfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, green and hawksbill turtles and harlequin shrimp are among the species to look out for.

What type of diving can I do here?

Not only is the Philippines home to myriad marine life, but there are several types of diving you can try, including:

• Macro diving - With an abundance of tiny marine creatures, macro diving in the Philippines is a real treat. Spot critters including (deep breath) scorpionfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, skeleton shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue ring octopus and frogfish in Anilao, Dumaguete and Bohol.
• Coral diving - The Philippines sits within the biodiverse Coral Triangle, which is home to a whopping 76% of the world's coral species. This makes coral diving pretty epic here. With over 3,000 species of fish and over 500 types of hard coral alone, you won't know where to look…
• Wall diving - Apo Island is renowned for its incredible wall dives, where you can see sharks, schooling barracuda and jacks, along with plentiful fish species decorating the drop-offs.
• Deep water diving - Plunge down into the depths and encounter incredible sights such as thresher sharks, tuna, barracudas and even World War II wrecks in Coron Bay.
• Drift diving - The Philippines' warm waters make drift diving a delight, with popular areas including the protected marine zone, Tubbataha Reef, and its neighbouring atolls. Open between March and June, the area is only accessible via liveaboard, and is home to sharks, schooling barracuda and jacks.
• Wreck diving - Coron Bay hosts a world-class collection of coral-coated WWII wrecks that are teeming with marine life, including the Olympia Maru, Okikwa, Irako and Kogyo.
• Muck diving - Keep an eye out for weird and wonderful critters in the muck diving meccas of Dumaguete and Anilao, where you can encounter nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish and several types of frogfish.
• Shore diving - From the pristine beaches of Dumaguete and Anilao, search for fascinating creatures that lurk in the sands.

What should I pack for diving in the Philippines?

Here's what to pack:

• Your mask, snorkel and fins
• A 3-5mm wetsuit and rash guard
• A buoyancy control device (BCD)
• A dive computer
• Regulators
• A diving torch
• A reef hook for drift dives
• An underwater camera with both macro and wide-angle lenses (for photography enthusiasts)
• Reef-safe suncream
• A dry bag

Make sure your equipment is well-maintained and has been serviced before your first dive in the Philippines.

Is the diving suitable for beginners?

Yes, beginners can go diving in the Philippines. There are sites in the Central Visayas with calm conditions well-suited to those who are new to diving, where you'll have the chance to see turtles, sharks and rays.

What level of dive qualification will I need?

You'll need an Open Water Diver certification, which is the minimum requirement for most dive sites. Some sites - like Tubbataha - require an advanced skill level, so you'll need an Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent) and feel comfortable diving in current. Other dive sites, including Apo Island and the thresher shark dives in Malapascua, may also require an Advanced certification due to the depths and challenging currents. Always check before booking.

With (literally) thousands of islands and rich cultural traditions, the Philippines is a fascinating place to explore above ground. Need inspiration? Here are some of our favourite activities:

• Embark on a private guided tour around Manila with a local. Visit fascinating sites like the old walled city of Intramuros, discover the quirky shops of Chinatown in Binondo, drop into an authentic Chinese tea house and hail a 'trisikad' to the Philippine National Railway Station.
• Visit the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary on Bohol.
• Enjoy a peaceful cruise down Bohol's Loboc River, stopping for lunch at one of the floating pontoons.
• Snorkel with the famous sardine shoal off Moalboal, Cebu.
• Hike to lush waterfalls and enjoy mountain bike rides around the mountainous landscape of Negros.
• In the northern Philippines, hike near the UNESCO-recognised Banaue rice terraces (the steepest in the world), and admire panoramic views of the nearby mountains.

What is the Philippines known for?

The Philippines is best known for pristine beaches (spanning its 7,000-plus islands) and natural beauty, including carefully cultivated rice fields and numerous national parks. Coupled with a rich culture, abundant wildlife (above and below the waves) and delicious cuisine, the Philippines ticks all the right boxes.

What is the food like in the Philippines?

Filipino food is full of flavour. Whether it's sweet, sour or savoury - it's always moreish. Here are some popular dishes to look out for:

• Adobo - chicken or pork simmered in a sauce made from vinegar, garlic, black peppercorns, soy sauce and bay leaves, then served over rice. Everyone has their own take on how adobo should be prepared, so it's likely you'll never eat the same version twice.
• Bicol express - a creamy pork stew livened up with chillies, onion, garlic, and shrimp paste (for that extra oomph).
• Bulalo - a comforting bone broth cooked with vegetables and fish sauce.
• Crispy pata - pork leg boiled with spices, then fried until the skin is crispy and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Kare-kare - a peanut stew made with a mixture of meat (often beef and pork), which is cooked until tender and mixed with vegetables.
• Bibingka - a baked rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, and often served as street food.
• Buko pandan - a refreshing blend of coconut strips, pandan-flavoured ice cream and green jelly cubes. It's a blissful bowl ideal for cooling you down on a hot day.
• Ensaymada - a buttery pastry filled with custard, cheese and sugar. The fillings melt together to create a sweet and creamy mouthful (trust us).

What is the drink like in the Philippines?

If you fancy a soft drink, you'll find global names like Coca-Cola and Pepsi alongside local brand soft drinks, including Royal Tru-Orange, an orange-flavoured fizz, and A&W Sarsaparilla, a sweet root beer best served chilled.

As for alcohol, beer is easily available, with a mix of local craft beers and bigger brand names (San Miguel, Red Horse) on the menu. Rum is a popular spirit often found in cocktails, but if you want to sample something unique to the Philippines, tuba (or palm wine) is a classic choice. More widely sold is lambanog, a spirit made from unopened coconut flower sap and often compared to vodka.

Do I need to tip in the Philippines?

You're not expected to tip in the Philippines, but many establishments may include a service charge on the bill. If you're particularly pleased with the service you've received, however, a tip will always be gratefully accepted.

Is there anything else I need to know about etiquette in the Philippines?

Filipinos value friendliness and getting along with everyone, so good manners are very important. People will happily ask you questions about yourself and show genuine interest in your answers.

Beachwear should only be worn on the beach - make sure to cover up if you need to visit other areas of a resort.

Where is the Philippines?

The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean, near the equator. It shares maritime borders with China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Palau.

How big is the Philippines?

The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,600 islands in total (only around 2,000 are inhabited). They're spread over a great distance, measuring around 115,831 square miles.

When is the best time to visit the Philippines?

The best time to visit the Philippines is during the first few months of the dry season, between December and February. The weather is warm but not unbearably hot, and it's less likely to rain.

What is the climate like in the Philippines?

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate, which means it typically has high temperatures and humidity, along with plenty of rainfall. Temperatures sit between the mid-20°Cs and early 30°Cs throughout the year. There are two main seasons:

1. The wet season, between June and November
2. The dry season, between December and May, which is often split into the cool dry season (December to February) and the hot dry season (March to May)

What plug adaptor do I need when visiting the Philippines?

There are three different plug types in the Philippines:

• Type A, with two flat parallel pins
• Type B, with two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin
• Type C, with two round pins

Bring adaptor(s) for all these plug types.

The electricity supply is 220V.

What is the capital city of the Philippines?

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines.

What language is spoken in the Philippines?

The Philippines has two official languages: Filipino (originating from Tagalog) and English. Both are widely used, but many other languages are spoken, including Cebuano, Ilocano and Hiligaynon.

What’s the time difference between the Philippines and the UK?

The Philippines is seven hours ahead of GMT.

What currency do they use in the Philippines?

The currency in the Philippines is the Philippine peso (PHP), which is divided into 100 sentimos (also known as centavos). Notes come in denominations of five, ten, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 (although the five and ten notes aren't really used). Peso coins come in denominations of one, five and ten, while sentimos come in denominations of one, two, five, ten and 25.

Can you drink the tap water in the Philippines?

No, we recommend sticking to filtered water.

How long is the flight from the UK to the Philippines?

The flight from the UK to the Philippines can take anywhere between 15 hours and 50 minutes and 24 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the carrier and length of your stopover. Common stopover destinations include Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Kuwait, Bangkok, and Jeddah.

See more precise flight times for popular diving destinations below:

• Busuanga (Coron): The fastest time is 20 hours and ten minutes with two stopovers.
• Manila (Anilao): The fastest time is 15 hours and 45 minutes with one stopover.
• Puerto Princesa (Tubbataha): The fastest time is 19 hours and 40 minutes with two stopovers.

Do I need a visa to go to the Philippines?

No, you don't need a visa if you're a tourist visiting for 30 days or less.

What are the passport requirements for the Philippines?

Your passport's expiry date must be at least six months after the date you arrive in the Philippines.