Top Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Locations in Tondo, Manila, Philippines
1. Verde Island Passage
A vibrant marine sanctuary with over 600 species, including the thresher shark and mandarin fish.
- Marine Biodiversity: Boasts one of the highest marine biodiversities in the world
- Underwater Photography: Offers excellent opportunities for underwater photography
- Conservation Efforts: Is part of the Verde Island Passage Biodiversity Corridor, promoting conservation efforts
2. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with diverse marine life and dramatic underwater landscapes.
- Coral Reef Protection: Protects some of the world's most pristine coral reefs
- Endangered Species: Habitat for various endangered species like whale sharks and green sea turtles
- Remote Location: Located in a remote area, providing a secluded diving experience
3. Anilao
A popular diving destination with numerous dive sites offering muck and critter diving opportunities.
- Microfauna: Known for its diverse microfauna, including rare species of nudibranchs
- Easy Accessibility: Easily accessible from Manila, making it a convenient diving destination
- Advanced Divers: Ideal for advanced divers seeking challenging dive sites
4. Donsol
Famous for whale shark interactions and other marine life encounters.
- Whale Shark Interaction: Offers unique opportunities to interact with gentle giants, the whale sharks
- Eco-tourism: Promotes eco-tourism and responsible interactions with marine life
- Off-peak Season: Has an off-peak season, making it less crowded for a more intimate experience
5. Malapascua Island
Known for thresher shark diving and other marine life encounters.
- Thresher Shark Diving: Famous for its consistent thresher shark sightings
- Macro Photography: Ideal for macro photography with various critters like frogfish and seahorses
- Sustainable Tourism: Emphasizes sustainable tourism to protect marine life
6. Apo Island
A sanctuary for green sea turtles and other marine life, with excellent muck diving opportunities.
- Green Sea Turtle Encounters: Offers close encounters with endangered green sea turtles
- Muck Diving: Provides opportunities for muck diving, discovering hidden critters
- Community-based Tourism: Supports community-based tourism, contributing to the local economy
7. Coron Bay
Known for its World War II wrecks and diverse marine life.
- WWII Wreck Diving: Offers unique wreck diving experiences with numerous sunken ships
- Microfauna: Rich in microfauna, including various species of nudibranchs and pipefish
- Advanced Divers: Ideal for advanced divers with challenging dive sites
8. Balicasag Island
A marine sanctuary offering encounters with dolphins, turtles, and various marine life.
- Dolphin Encounters: Offers opportunities for close encounters with dolphins
- Turtle Sanctuary: Has a turtle sanctuary, helping injured and rehabilitated sea turtles
- Varied Marine Life: Boasts diverse marine life, including schools of fish, mantas, and sharks
9. Sohoton Cove
Famous for its crystal-clear water and unique geological formations, as well as marine life encounters.
- Geological Formations: Features stunning geological formations like caves, arches, and columns
- Marine Life Encounters: Offers encounters with various marine life like jellyfish and colorful fish
- Adventure Tourism: Ideal for adventure seekers, offering a unique diving and snorkeling experience
10. Apo Reef Natural Park
One of the largest fringing coral reef systems in the world with rich marine biodiversity.
- Coral Reef Protection: Protects some of the world's most important coral reef ecosystems
- Marine Biodiversity: Supports a wide variety of marine life, including various species of sharks and turtles
- Remote Location: Located in a remote area, providing a secluded diving experience
11. San Miguel Island
A marine sanctuary known for its large schools of fish and manta ray interactions.
- Manta Ray Interaction: Offers unique opportunities to interact with manta rays
- Large Schools of Fish: Features large schools of fish, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle
- Marine Sanctuary: Part of the Donsol-San Miguel Marine Sanctuary, promoting conservation efforts
12. Ticao Island
A less crowded diving destination with diverse marine life and muck diving opportunities.
- Muck Diving: Offers excellent opportunities for muck diving, discovering hidden critters
- Less Crowded: Less crowded compared to other popular diving destinations
- Advanced Divers: Ideal for advanced divers seeking challenging dive sites
13. Sibuyan Sea
A remote region with pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life, including whale sharks.
- Whale Shark Encounters: Offers opportunities to encounter whale sharks
- Pristine Coral Reefs: Boasts pristine coral reefs with vibrant marine life
- Remote Location: Located in a remote area, providing a secluded diving experience
14. Culion Island
A marine sanctuary offering encounters with various marine life and unique geological formations.
- Marine Life Encounters: Offers encounters with various marine life, including sea turtles
- Geological Formations: Features unique geological formations like caves and underwater tunnels
- Marine Sanctuary: Part of the Culion Marine Reserve, promoting conservation efforts
15. Taytay Island
A secluded island with pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life, including rare species.
- Rare Marine Species: Supports various rare marine species, such as the blue-ringed octopus
- Pristine Coral Reefs: Boasts pristine coral reefs with vibrant marine life
- Remote Location: Located in a remote area, providing a secluded diving experience