Cebu and its surrounding islands are easy to dive save for a few exceptions. Visibility is fairly good and 50-66ft (15-20m) can be expected while the water temperature is typically warm, averaging at 84°F(29°C). Having a nitrox certification is a plus at certain sites which require more bottom-time. Dives usually take place from traditional boats called a bangka, which is a double outrigger canoe. Even larger boats powered by engines feature the outriggers and this makes for a pleasant and stable boat ride.Mactan is popular for quality shore dives and also the Marigondon Cave. With Olango close by, most dive operators will bring divers there as well but because of the stronger currents, it calls for divers with experience. Bantayan is slightly less popular to dive, but it does have healthy coral gardens to explore. Moalboal is famous for seeing mighty schools of sardines, which can been seen year-round.Malapascua is the standout diving destination in Cebu. The highlight of this island are the thresher shark dives in Monad Shoal, which are easy to do and almost always rewarding. Besides that, head to the nearby Gato Island which features a 100ft (30m) tunnel. Another highlight dive is at Kimud Shoal, where you might see schooling hammerhead sharks in April.
Best Scuba Diving Spots in Cebu
Talima
Nalusuan Island
Hilutongan Island
Monad Shoal
Pescador Island
Cebu Sea Life
Big and small, Cebu has it all. At Monad Shoal in Malapascua, dive at dawn to see the beautiful thresher shark, which rises from the depths to visit the cleaning station almost every day. Oceanic manta rays also like to visit this cleaning station. Around Malapascua, find seahorses, mandarinfish, pipefish, moray eels and other critters. Gato Island is popular for its whitetip sharks. At Kimud Shoal, you could get lucky and see a huge school of scalloped hammerhead sharks.Moalboal has regular sightings of sardines forming large schools that attract predators like blackfin trevally. You might also spend time with whale sharks coming to feed in the nutrient rich waters. At Mactan, a myriad of small critters can be found along with sharks and turtles at the outer reefs. There have been sightings of thresher sharks at Olango as well but not on a regular basis.
How To Get There
Fly to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from destinations in Asia like Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong on airlines like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and Silk Air. Alternatively, fly in on local airlines like Cebu Pacific from other cities in the Philippines.
