Top Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Locations in Iloilo, Iloilo, Philippines
1. Moalboal Marine Sanctuary
A vibrant marine sanctuary teeming with diverse marine life. Ideal for snorkelers and beginner divers.
- Marine Biodiversity: Home to over 200 species of hard corals, turtles, and over 300 fish species
- Beginner-Friendly: Shallow waters make it an excellent spot for first-time divers and snorkelers
- Swim-Throughs: Offers swim-throughs and coral gardens that provide a unique underwater experience
2. Dumaguete Marine Sanctuary Park
A protected marine area with an abundance of colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
- Coral Reef Conservation: Strictly enforced fishing prohibition ensures the preservation of the vibrant coral reefs
- Advanced Divers: Features deep dive sites, perfect for experienced divers.
- Green Sea Turtles: A popular destination to spot green sea turtles and various other marine species
3. Apo Island
An island sanctuary known for its rich marine life and pristine coral reefs.
- Turtle Sanctuary: A nesting site for hawksbill turtles and a haven for green sea turtles
- Snorkeling Sites: Multiple snorkeling sites offering diverse marine life and colorful coral formations
- Biodiversity Hotspot: Considered as one of the world's top diving destinations for its rich biodiversity
4. Crocodile Island
An island known for its thresher shark sightings and crystal-clear waters.
- Thresher Sharks: Known as one of the best places to see thresher sharks up close
- Crystal-Clear Waters: Offers excellent underwater visibility, making it ideal for photography
- Wall Diving: Features vertical walls filled with colorful corals and various marine life
5. Mario's Anilao
A popular diving destination with a variety of dive sites suitable for all levels.
- Dive Sites Variety: Offers multiple dive sites, including shallow reefs, deep walls, and muck diving
- Marine Life Diversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as nudibranchs, octopuses, and sea horses
- Advanced Training: Ideal for those seeking advanced diving courses, like technical diving and underwater photography
6. Balicasag Island
An island with diverse dive sites offering pelagic encounters and macro life.
- Pelagic Encounters: Known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins
- Macro Life: Offers macro photography opportunities with nudibranchs, pipefish, and seahorses
- Turtle Sanctuary: A popular destination to spot green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles
7. Malapascua Island
Known as the thresher shark capital of the world.
- Thresher Sharks: Home to a resident population of thresher sharks
- Dive Sites Variety: Offers multiple dive sites, including muck diving, drift diving, and deep diving
- Macro Life Photography: Ideal for macro photography with its rich variety of nudibranchs, seahorses, and pipefish
8. Pescador Island
A small island teeming with diverse marine life, including turtles and schools of fish.
- Marine Biodiversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as turtles, schools of fish, and nudibranchs
- Shark Sightings: Possible sightings of whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and thresher sharks
- Macro Photography Opportunities: Ideal for macro photography enthusiasts with its rich variety of marine life
9. Siquijor Island
A tropical island with crystal-clear waters and diverse dive sites.
- Crystal-Clear Waters: Offers excellent underwater visibility, making it ideal for photography
- Dive Sites Variety: Features shallow reefs, deep walls, and drift diving sites
- Marine Life Diversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as turtles, schools of fish, and nudibranchs
10. Sogod Bay
A bay offering muck diving opportunities and macro photography subjects.
- Muck Diving: Offers unique muck diving sites with various macro subjects
- Macro Photography Opportunities: Ideal for macro photography enthusiasts with its rich variety of marine life
- Rare Species: Possibility of encountering rare species like the mimic octopus and various types of nudibranchs
11. Donsol
A town famous for whale shark encounters.
- Whale Shark Encounters: Provides an opportunity to interact with these gentle giants up close
- Swimming with Whale Sharks: Offers guided swimming experiences with whale sharks
- Marine Biodiversity: Home to various other marine species, including manta rays and dolphins
12. Dumagat Island
A secluded island with crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.
- Crystal-Clear Waters: Offers excellent underwater visibility, making it ideal for photography
- Dive Sites Variety: Features shallow reefs, deep walls, and drift diving sites
- Marine Life Diversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as turtles, schools of fish, and nudibranchs
13. Guimaras Island
An island with diverse dive sites offering macro photography opportunities.
- Macro Photography Opportunities: Ideal for macro photography enthusiasts with its rich variety of marine life
- Dive Sites Variety: Offers multiple dive sites, including muck diving and reef diving
- Marine Life Diversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as nudibranchs, pipefish, and seahorses
14. Sidlakan Marine Sanctuary
A marine sanctuary featuring diverse coral reefs and various marine life.
- Coral Reef Conservation: Strictly enforced fishing prohibition ensures the preservation of the vibrant coral reefs
- Snorkeling Sites: Offers multiple snorkeling sites with diverse marine life and colorful coral formations
- Marine Biodiversity: Home to over 200 species of hard corals, turtles, and over 300 fish species
15. Culasi Marine Sanctuary
A protected marine area with crystal-clear waters and diverse dive sites.
- Crystal-Clear Waters: Offers excellent underwater visibility, making it ideal for photography
- Dive Sites Variety: Features shallow reefs, deep walls, and drift diving sites
- Marine Life Diversity: Home to a wide range of marine species such as turtles, schools of fish, and nudibranchs