Philippines Diving: Choose Your Underwater Adventure

First course | Suggested stay: 6–7 nights. Choose Dauin if learning properly is the main goal. Mainland schools, training pools and shore sites let you build skills before considering an Apo Island boat day. Dark-sand slopes also reward divers who enjoy small creatures; choose Apo for the classic coral scenery. Arrive via Dumaguete airport, then a prebooked road transfer to your school. SAMPLE WEEK: arrive Day 1; train Days 2–4; keep Day 5 for extra practice or a post-certification dive; rest Day 6; depart Day 7. Liquid lists Open Water at PHP21,450 over 3–4 days and a half-day introduction at PHP4,500. https://liquiddumaguete.com/beginner-diving-courses/

Try scuba with AquaVentura Divers on the Dauin pool-and-beach option before committing to a course. This is an introductory experience, not an Open Water qualification or an Apo Island dive trip. Choose the separate course if certification is your goal.

Choose Dauin Diving Center’s Open Water course if you want to qualify, rather than just try a dive. Make Dauin your base for the course and arrange the schedule with the centre. Apo Island is a separate outing.

Quiet reef holiday | Alternative to Apo; suggested stay: 5–7 nights. Choose Cabilao if you want to sleep on a small island and spend your days exploring coral gardens, sea fans and walls. The trade-off is fewer restaurants and more dependence on boat transfers. Training is available, while certified divers can choose suitable reef routes with their guide. A wall does not automatically mean an easy dive; currents and depth determine can vary. Arrive via Bohol–Panglao Airport, then a booked road transfer to Sandingan/Mocpoc Pier in Loon and a boat to Cabilao. Stay with your school; return to Panglao before your flight day. BUDGET EXAMPLE: Cabilao Sanctuary lists Open Water at PHP24,000 with equipment, and suggests PHP1,350/person/day for three meals. Accommodation and transfers are extra. Bring pesos and confirm course extras. Choose this OR a Dauin/Apo stay if you have one week. https://cabilao-sanctuary.com/diving https://cabilao-sanctuary.com/faq

WWII Wrecks| Suggested stay: 5–7 nights. Choose Coron for coral-covered Japanese shipwrecks and underwater history. It suits divers drawn to structures and history. Many famous wrecks extend beyond 18m. An Advanced card alone does not qualify you to enter enclosed wreck interiors; overhead penetration needs appropriate training, equipment and planning. Ask explicitly for exterior-only dives if that is your level. Arrive at Busuanga Airport, then transfer to Coron Town, not Coron Island. Plan a check dive, 2–3 wreck days and a final dive-free day. Shallow Lusong Gunboat is an option to discuss for newer divers; deeper Irako wreck suits a different skill set. TIMING/BUDGET: October–May is a useful planning window. Compare complete boat-day quotes including guide, gear, lunch and fees; ask which wrecks the trip reaches. https://www.divessi.com/en/blog/scuba-diving-in-coron-guide-2387

Macro Photography in Anilao| Suggested stay: 5–7 nights. Choose Anilao for slow dives searching for tiny marine life and time to practise close-up photography. Expect slow, careful searching. Dauin is another macro option if you are already in the Visayas. Buoyancy control is key here; tell the guide your experience and camera interests. Arrange a small group or private guide if you want a slower pace. Arrive by road from Manila to a resort in the Mabini/Anilao area; allow generous traffic time. Allow 3–4 dive days and a rest day. October–May is a useful planning window; January–March can mean cooler water. Compare full-board dive packages, guide ratios and camera facilities. Crystal Blue's package includes three guided daytime boat dives; transfers, nitrox and night dives cost extra. https://www.divecbr.com/index.php/rates/rates-packages https://www.divecbr.com/index.php/location