Dive Destinations
Liveaboards
Resorts / Day Trips
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Diving in the Philippines is a dream for scuba enthusiasts from around the world. With over 7,000 islands and the heart of the Coral Triangle, the country offers unmatched biodiversity, vibrant coral reefs, and encounters with some of the ocean's most iconic creatures. A Philippines liveaboard is the ideal way to explore these waters because it allows scuba divers to reach remote locations, maximize dive time, and experience a variety of marine environments in comfort and safety.
Whether you are chasing schools of trevally, drifting through walls alive with soft corals, or photographing rare macro life on sandy slopes, the Philippines offers something for every type of diver. The country's diving regions are spread across multiple islands, making travel by land or ferry time-consuming. Liveaboards solve this problem by taking you directly to the best dive sites while providing luxurious accommodations, meals, and dive support on board.
In addition to incredible underwater experiences, liveaboard trips offer unique opportunities to enjoy the Philippines from the surface. Stunning sunrises, secluded beaches, and warm tropical waters are all part of the journey. For anyone planning a dive-focused adventure in Southeast Asia, a Philippines liveaboard is the ultimate way to combine convenience, comfort, and unforgettable underwater exploration.
Exploring the Philippines by land or ferry can be complicated due to scattered islands, poor road infrastructure and unpredictable travel schedules. A liveaboard simplifies logistics by navigating between islands, planning routes according to seasonal conditions, and providing everything needed for a smooth dive adventure. You can focus entirely on diving while the crew handles transportation, accommodation, and meals.
Liveaboards provide access to world-class dive sites that are otherwise unreachable. For example:
In addition to remote access, liveaboards maximize dive time with multiple dives daily, often up to 4 per day. Divers can enjoy drift dives, wall dives, and night dives without the stress of returning to shore. This combination of convenience, exploration, and immersion in some of the planet’s most biodiverse waters makes the Philippines liveaboard experience unparalleled.
Tubbataha is located deep in the Sulu Sea, making it one of the most remote dive sites in the Philippines. The North and South Atolls and Jessie Beazley Reef feature dramatic walls covered in soft corals, barrel sponges, and gorgonian fans. Divers can expect to see grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads, and occasionally tiger sharks, along with giant trevally, barracuda, and turtles.
The reef system is also rich in smaller marine life. Macro photographers will enjoy nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and colorful reef fish among the coral gardens. Drift diving is common due to strong currents, so divers should be comfortable navigating these conditions. The visibility often reaches 130 feet or more, making every dive a breathtaking underwater adventure.
Liveaboard trips to Tubbataha usually last 7 days with 6 nights onboard. They include multiple daily dives, covering famous spots such as Shark Airport, Malayan Wreck, and Jessie Beazley Reef. These expeditions are often planned months in advance due to the park's seasonal opening from March to June, so early booking is essential for securing a spot.
The Visayas region covers the central Philippines and offers a variety of diving experiences. Malapascua is famous for thresher sharks at Monad Shoal and nearby wreck dives, while Bohol and Cabilao are known for healthy coral slopes, schools of jackfish, turtles, and occasional hammerhead sightings. Dumaguete offers world-renowned muck diving at Dauin and protected reefs at Apo Island, home to diverse macro life.
Southeastern Visayas, including Southern Leyte, provides unique opportunities to dive with whale sharks. Sogod Bay and Limasawa Island are also popular for exploring underwater critters like cuttlefish, seahorses, and decorator crabs. Moalboal is another highlight, featuring the world-famous sardine run where millions of fish move in synchronicity, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Visayas liveaboard cruises generally range from 6 to 10 nights, allowing divers to explore multiple islands and dive sites. This flexibility makes it possible to experience both large pelagics and macro-rich environments on the same trip, offering a full spectrum of Philippine marine life.
Apo Reef, the second-largest contiguous reef in the world, features walls covered with colorful soft corals, vibrant fish populations, and large pelagics such as hammerheads and dolphins. Coron, on the other hand, is a wreck diver's paradise with more than a dozen Japanese supply ships from World War II resting on the seafloor. The combination of reefs and wrecks makes this area a unique destination for divers seeking both natural and historical underwater wonders.
Liveaboard trips covering Apo Reef and Coron typically last 7 days, offering 18 dives across reefs, walls, and wreck sites. Divers can explore shallow and deep sites, making these trips suitable for a range of experience levels while still providing plenty of challenges for more seasoned divers.
The Philippine Siren is a 131 ft luxury phinisi-style liveaboard, built from Indonesian ironwood and teak to Lloyd’s safety standards. It accommodates 16 guests in eight spacious, air-conditioned cabins, each with an ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV, and music system. Designed specifically for divers, the Siren offers a large dive deck with dedicated storage, camera rinse tanks, and charging stations for photography equipment. Guests can also enjoy hot water showers, daily housekeeping, and optional massages, ensuring comfort between dives.
Diving aboard the Philippine Siren is a truly immersive experience. The yacht sails to premier sites such as Tubbataha Reefs, Malapascua, and the Visayas, providing multiple dives daily, including sunset and night dives. Divers can encounter a range of marine life, from thresher and hammerhead sharks to whale sharks, manta rays, and dense schools of reef fish. The onboard crew of 12 expertly manages all dive operations, including guided dives, equipment handling, and safety briefings, allowing guests to focus entirely on exploring the underwater world.
Beyond diving, the Philippine Siren provides an exceptional onboard experience. Meals are served on the covered main deck, offering a variety of Asian and Western buffet options, while the sun deck and sea kayaks give guests opportunities to relax or explore above water. The combination of luxury amenities, attentive service, and access to remote dive sites makes the Philippine Siren an ideal choice for divers seeking both adventure and comfort on a Philippines liveaboard safari.
Liveaboards in the Philippines are designed to maximize comfort and dive efficiency. Cabins come with private bathrooms, climate control, and entertainment systems. Common areas include indoor salons for socializing and relaxing, as well as sun decks with loungers, kayaks, and sometimes hot tubs. The dive deck is the heart of the operation, with dedicated storage, rinse tanks, and camera tables.
These features ensure divers can focus on the underwater experience without worrying about logistics or comfort. Cabins provide climate control, private bathrooms, and adequate storage for gear and personal belongings.
Dive operations are streamlined for efficiency and safety. The crew organizes all dives, provides guidance on currents and drift dives, and ensures divers have access to equipment, tanks, and emergency devices. Meals and housekeeping are included, so guests can relax before and after each dive.
Overall, the combination of comfort, convenience, and diving-focused facilities makes a Philippines liveaboard a good choice for any scuba diver looking to explore the country’s marine biodiversity.
The Philippines Aggressor II is a modern 140 ft steel-hulled liveaboard designed for comfort and convenience while exploring the best dive sites in the Philippines. It accommodates 26 guests in 13 spacious cabins, including Deluxe Staterooms on the lower deck and Balcony Suites on the upper deck with private balconies. Each cabin features an ensuite bathroom, media player, and air-conditioning, providing a relaxing retreat after a day of diving. The yacht’s large sun deck, wet bar, and hot tub make it an ideal place to unwind while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding islands.
Dive operations on the Aggressor II are well-organized, with wide dive decks offering individual storage, seating, and tank racks. Divers enter the water from 20 ft zodiacs, making drift dives, wall dives, and wreck dives efficient and safe. The liveaboard provides all necessary equipment, and any gear issues can be resolved with onboard loaner equipment. Nitrox is available for certified divers, allowing extended bottom times at sites such as Tubbataha Reefs, Visayas, Malapascua, and Oslob.
Beyond diving, the Philippines Aggressor II delivers excellent hospitality with a dedicated restaurant, prepared meals including breakfast cooked to order, buffet lunches, and tableside dinners, as well as unlimited local beer and wine. A professional crew of 15 ensures attentive service, handling all logistics, dive planning, and housekeeping. Whether relaxing on deck, enjoying a hot shower after a dive, or exploring remote reefs, guests experience a seamless and memorable Philippines liveaboard adventure.
The Philippines has a tropical climate, with warm waters ranging from 77°F to 86°F and visibility from 16 to 130 feet. There is a rainy season from June through early October, and the typhoon season extends roughly from June to December. While diving is possible year-round, each region has its optimal season, so timing your trip is important for the best conditions.
Main ports of departure include Puerto Princesa, Mactan in Cebu, Dumaguete, and Anilao. Flights from Manila connect to these locations, with some transfers by ferry or minibus required depending on the liveaboard route. Arrival times and boarding schedules are coordinated by operators to ensure a smooth start to the liveaboard experience, with divers typically boarding in the early afternoon for evening departures.
Divers should plan for 1 to 3 weeks to fully explore the region by liveaboard. Minimum experience requirements typically include open water certification and 40 logged dives. Proper insurance is highly recommended to cover scuba activities, travel disruptions, and unforeseen events. Bringing or renting appropriate dive gear, including computers and cameras, is essential for a fully enjoyable experience.
At Dive The World, we specialize in arranging liveaboard diving trips in the Philippines, ensuring every detail is handled for a smooth, stress-free adventure. We guide you through choosing the right itinerary, from Tubbataha and Apo Reef to the Visayas and Malapascua, helping you match your interests with the most suitable routes and dive conditions.
We provide full support for logistics, including flight connections, airport transfers, and accommodation before or after the liveaboard. Our team can advise on the best season for each destination, dive site conditions, and local regulations. We also offer guidance on dive insurance, equipment rental, and nitrox certification, ensuring you are prepared for every dive.
Our expertise extends to onboard experiences. We can help you choose the best cabins, explain amenities, and provide tips on diving safety and photography. By handling the planning and coordination, we allow divers to focus on what matters most: exploring the vibrant marine life of the Philippines safely and efficiently while enjoying the comfort of a world-class liveaboard yacht.
A Philippines liveaboard is the ultimate way to explore one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. From the dramatic walls of Tubbataha to the macro-rich muck diving of Dauin, the variety and abundance of underwater life is simply unmatched. Combining remote dive sites with comfortable accommodations makes this experience ideal for divers seeking adventure, convenience, and unforgettable encounters with marine creatures.
By choosing a liveaboard, you gain access to remote areas that are difficult to reach by land or ferry, while benefiting from expert crew, guided dives, and all the support you need. Whether your focus is sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, or tiny macro critters, the Philippines offers a range of experiences that can be tailored to your interests and experience level.
At Dive The World, we make planning your liveaboard adventure simple. We can handle logistics, advise on the best times and routes, and ensure that your dive experience exceeds expectations. Get in touch with us today and start planning your ultimate Philippines liveaboard adventure. Your next underwater journey awaits.
