What do you like to do and see? 

We always ask our friends and visitors what do they want to see and do during their holidays?, since the Philippine archipelago is quite large and has over 34,000 sqm of coral reefs full of marine life spread over 7,107 islands. We can recommend the best destination based on your needs, budget, season, etc… 

For example if you are a enthusiastic underwater photographer, surely you will enjoy the most in Anilao, probably the best macro and muck diving destination in the world, with also excellent wide angle sceneries, a wreck and a cave… 

If you want to see WWII wrecks, Coron is the ideal place to visit, there is a dozen of them at reasonable depths and up to 169m long… 

If you want to see thresher sharks then you should go to Malapascua and enjoy them on a daily basis, just remember to set your alarm on by 4am… 

For whale sharks you should come to Donsol and snorkel with several dozens of gentle giants… 

If you want to enjoy nice white sand beaches combined with good diving and some land tours or excursions, Alona would be the right island to visit but if you prefer a quiet and tranquil island Cabilao would be even better, both places in Bohol… 

If you enjoy muck diving, aside of Anilao, you may also visit Dauin in Dumaguete… 

For honeymooners, El Nido would be an amazing experience… 

If you want to see large marine animals and pelagics, aside of the amazing Tubbataha (world heritage declared by Unesco, only possible during March to June from Live Aboard) and Malapascua, we will surely recommend you to consider Palau…  

If you want to combine several destinations within a specific area, without the hassle of taking many domestic flights, an island hopping trip around the Visayas would certainly be a good option… 

Just tell us what you want to do and we will advice and prepare an unforgettable dive trip for you! 

 

Recommended Seasons 

From March to May the weather is warm and somewhat dry (summer).

From June to October is the rainy season.

From November to February is somewhat colder (winter).

Average temperatures range between 25 °C to 32 °C. The average humidity is 77% up to 90%.

The water temperature ranges between 25 and 27 °C at the time from November to February and the rest of the year between 27 and 31 °C, making wet suits should be really thin (lycra, 0.5 or 3mm max) even with short sleeves.

The Philippines you can go diving all year due to the tropical country temperatures, but due to the rainy season from July to October, with an average of 10 typhoons a year, it is advisable to choose what destinations offer optimal conditions for diving.

 

Destinations / Months

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

July

August

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Anilao / Apo / Puerto Galera

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

   Ok

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Ok

Ok

Coron / El Nido

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Donsol / Ticao / Leyte

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Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

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Visayas (Alona, Cabilao, Dumaguete, Malapascua, Moalboal) / Palau

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

Tubbataha

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Ok

Ok

Ok

Ok

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Travel documents required

Passport / ID: Ordinary passport valid for 6 months.

Visa: NO.

The Europeans do not need a visa for a stay in the Philippines up to 30 days.  This is obtained in the entry border.  If you want to extend it, you should contact the Immigration Office in Manila, located in Magallanes  Drive, Intramuros, or the Immigration Office in CebuCity.  If you travel for a stay exceeding 30 days you should apply in any of the Consulate of Philippines for a visitor's visa to 59 days.

 

Important Notes 
There have been few cases of bird flu, so these authorities recommend check before traveling, the website of the World Health Organization (WHO: www.who.int).  They recommend staying away from bird markets, nature reserves and poultry farms.  The same care should be taken with the pigs and take special careful with the intake of eggs, poultry and pigs, especially raw.  It recommended that you check back regularly for new developments.
Avoid travel, if there is no need for it, to certain areas of the island of Mindanao and adjacent islands.

Sanitary conditions. 
• In the Philippines there are no widespread endemic diseases, although there are several cases of dengue even in Manila.  In 2005 there was an increase in cases of this disease, which usually has more influence on the rainy season from June to October, which has led the Ministry of Health to declare an alert against dengue.  In some areas of the island of Palawan there is malaria but really seldom. Both diseases are transmitted by mosquito bites, so it is recommended mosquito repellent protection.
• If you require urgent medical attention and are in Manila, best hospitals are the Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.  The consultation can cost between 500 and 1,000 pesos.
• It is strongly advised to drink bottle water.
• To enter the Philippines prescription medications should be accompanied by a prescription detailing the dose required and the patient's condition.  You can only bring the right amount for the time of your visit to the Philippines.  

VACCINES:
Required: None.
Recommended: Hepatitis B.

Other recommendations. 
• DRUGS: Avoid at all costs the use or possession of narcotics.  Those are quite prohibited the use and possession of any drugs, even in small amounts.  The crime of drug trafficking is punishable by death and the simple possession of any amount of drugs is highly punishable by law.  At airports and seaports may occur arrests of western carrying small amounts of drugs.
• CONSULAR ASSISTANCE:
In addition to the current consular affairs, you may request assistance from your nearest Consulate in cases of:
- Accident or serious illness
- Detention or imprisonment
- Robbery, kidnapping or other acts of violence.

Prefix private / telephone numbers. 
Country Code: 63
Useful telephone numbers:
• POLICE NUMBERS IN MAKATI CITY: (632) 899.90.08
• POLICE NUMBERS IN MANILA (632) 523.56.11
• POLICE NUMBERS IN BAGUIO (6374) 422.21.84
• POLICE NUMBERS IN CEBU (6332) 253.21.71
• POLICE NUMBERS IN DAVAO (6382) 224.13.13
• POLICE NUMBERS IN BORACAY (6336) 268.44.31
• POLICE NUMBERS IN BOHOL (6332) 411.59.11
• POLICE NUMBERS IN VIGAN (6377) 722.15.68

 

You may download our Philippines FAQs for additional information…