Blogs
Underwater Photography in the Philippines
Guest Blog by Phil North
Divemaster Phil North, from Dive Worldwide shares his top destinations in the Philippines for underwater photography.
It is possible to record memories and moments almost anywhere underwater. However, some destinations are undoubtedly better than others for underwater photography, while a select few are truly outstanding.
Many factors determine whether a destination is suitable for budding underwater photographers, but a variety of colourful, photogenic subjects is key. The type of dive site also plays a big role, while warm tropical water certainly helps. Depending on the subject, good visibility can be important, while the attitude and facilities of the dive centre also play a significant part.
There is no doubt that the Philippines is a brilliant destination for underwater photographers of all levels. If you’re looking to take great images or improve your skills, it should be one of your top choices. Let’s take a moment to unpack exactly why that is the case.
Incredible biodiversity
Representing the northern tip of the fabled coral triangle, the Philippines is blessed with wonderful biodiversity. The area is home to over 500 species of coral, at least 2,500 species of fish, innumerable habitats, six of the world’s seven sea turtles, manta rays, thresher sharks, whale sharks and more.
For underwater photographers, this biodiversity translates to a near limitless choice of subjects. If you hover on a reef and take the time to truly attune yourself to your surroundings, you’re bound to find a great many photographic opportunities. Macro photography enthusiasts will delight in the array of magical smaller marine life. Frogfish, cuttlefish, nudibranch, ghost pipefish, octopus, shrimp, anemonefish, and dragonets barely scratch the surface of the opportunities on offer. While most famous for macro photography, wide-angle opportunities abound too. Stunning reef scenes are common while many locations have consistent sightings of larger marine life, including some truly iconic species.
Bohol
Amazing choice of locations
Not only is there a diversity of marine life, but there is a wonderful variety of locations to choose from too. Over 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, creating a wealth of options for scuba divers. The best location for you will depend on what it is you want to photograph, or at the very least, the style you would like to shoot in.
Jump on a liveaboard to Tubbataha and you’ll be treated to some of the best coral reef diving in the world with plenty of pelagic encounters to frame in your wide-angle lens. Anilao and Dumaguete are two of the most famous destinations for underwater photography in the world, especially (but not entirely) for smaller marine life. Other destinations offer much for eager photographers too. Malapascua has a wonderful variety of marine life, including regular sightings of the elusive thresher shark, while Anda, in eastern Bohol, is gaining a reputation as one of the country’s top diving and underwater photography spots.
Many of these locations – particularly those in the central Visayas region – can be combined, so you can experience more than one location on any one trip, greatly increasing your photographic opportunities.
Ideal conditions
Anyone who has tried their arm at underwater photography knows it’s a tricky (albeit rewarding) pursuit. All types of photography require patience, skill and care. However, underwater photography – without the right conditions – can become all but impossible. Trying to master your camera and your subject in surge, driving current, or poor visibility often renders the exercise largely fruitless.
Thankfully, the conditions in the Philippines really lend themselves to the needs of underwater photographers. With warm tropical water and a variety of locations – most of which are blessed with calm conditions and consistently good visibility – your chances of finding ideal conditions to take excellent underwater images are very good indeed. And with coral reefs starting just below the surface at many dive sites, at very easy depths, you’ll have more time on your dive to snap that perfect shot.
Atmosphere Resort and Spa
Superb dive centres and resorts
While you may get the credit for your award-winning fish portrait, there is more than one person behind any fantastic underwater shot. You stand on the shoulders of all those that made it possible, from the eagle-eyed dive guide who spotted your subject, to the dive centre or resort that has carefully thought of all your needs and prepared accordingly. These factors are often underestimated, but the small touches make a big difference.
The Philippines has been a tried and trusted destination for underwater photographers for many years, and many dive centres are now well set up for the task. They have staff who understand the requirements and care for your camera set up, and boats with dedicated rinse tanks, storage areas, camera rooms, charging stations, and more. Knowing that you are in good hands leaves you free to concentrate on your passion and get maximum enjoyment from your dives.
Dive Worldwide’s Recommended diving trips to the Philippines
Stay in two luxury dive and spa resorts in the Visayas – Atmosphere Resort & Spa and Amun Ini. This island-hopping itinerary takes you from Dumaguete to Bohol, both popular locations with underwater photographers due to the superb coral reefs, fascinating critters, and diverse marine life.
When to go: Jan – Dec
Duration: 13 days
Find out more or request a travel plan.
Explore everything from macro life to pelagic megafauna on this exciting underwater safari. Sealife encounters may include various species of brightly coloured nudibranch, thresher sharks, or even whale sharks!
When to go: Jan – Dec
Duration: 17 days
Find out more or request a travel plan.
Visit the remote Tubbataha Reef National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which requires a liveaboard to access. The diving here is truly world-class, with a chance to see hammerheads, reef sharks, turtles and manta rays. The gigantic gorgonians and vast barrel sponges add an entrancing and colourful backdrop to your images.
When to go: Feb – Jun
Duration: 10 days
Find out more, view departure dates, or request a travel plan.
Are you looking to improve your underwater photography or arrange a trip to enjoy taking underwater images? Get in touch with the friendly Dive Worldwide team for first-hand advice on your next diving holiday to the Philippines. They offer a superb range of resort and liveaboard options. Visit the website, send an enquiry, or call the expert team on 01962 302 087.
Guest Blog By Cath Bates
Instructor and Sales Consultant Cath, from Dive Worldwide, gives a rundown of some of the top areas for macro life in the Visayas region of the Philippines.
The volcanic and tectonic activity around the western Pacific Ocean has formed a nutrient-rich environment for some of the strangest marine critters to call their homes.
The Visayas region is within the central part of the Philippines – a colony of islands that are very easy to get around, with Luzon and Mindoro to the North, and Mindanao to the South. Although many divers rave about this being Big Fish Country (thanks to the thresher sharks of Malapascua and the whale sharks of Oslob and Donsol), it is also a macro diver’s paradise.
The diversity within this area of the Coral Triangle means that within a few days you can go from diving steep walls, being cushioned by sea grass beds, hovering over sandy plateaus, or getting lost amongst hard coral heads, to suddenly being cuddled by lush, fluffy coral colonies.
Pygmy Seahorses, Mandarin Fish and more in Bohol and Anda
Anda (on the eastern side of Bohol) has a coastline that is 15 kilometres of incredible biodiversity. Dive sites are between 5 and 45 minutes away from your resort house reef. Seahorse Point and Pygmy House dive sites are home to Pygmy seahorses that balance delicately on their bendy sea fan hosts. No bigger than 2.7 centimetres in length, the pink Bargibanti and yellowish Denise are protected by the Pygmy Seahorse Code of Conduct, displayed in all good dive centres.
The island of Bohol also has nudibranchs on steroids and carpet flatworms patterned with psychedelia that would make even the most open-minded hippy have a weird trip! Night dives reveal sea pens, swimming crabs, sand eels and egg cowrie.
At dusk you can enjoy the Mandarin fish courtship dance. This is a flamboyant event with two of the most colourful fish in the sea, whose names come from the dress of the Imperial Chinese Mandarin. The female Mandarin fish is joined at the pelvic fin by a male that she has deemed worthy of her attention. At rocket speed, they swim from their rubble or staghorn coral habitat high up in the water column to release hundreds of eggs and sperm.
Out-of-this-world Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters in Moalboal
The Tanon Strait connects the Visayan Sea to the Bohol Sea. This is where you will find the island of Moalboal (meaning bubbling water). Best known for the dramatic drop offs of Pescador island and local sardine baitball, Moalboal also has a vast array of macro dive sites.
At Copton Point, Peacock mantis shrimps scuttle about, changing direction the way Austin Powers drives his luggage cart, and Kasai Wall’s hairy orangutan crabs duck and dive in bubble anemone like they are in a child’s ball pool. Masters of disguise, the crinoid shrimp and squat lobster cling motionless to their spikey homes, avoiding being dive-bombed by hungry reef fish.
Photo: Michael Gallagher
At Fish Feeding (where they don’t of course feed the fish) Tozuma shrimp and Xeno crabs adorn whip corals like bosses, and punkish candy crabs decorate themselves with broccoli coral hats.
Masters of camouflage in Dumaguete/Dauin
Negros Island has the Sulu Sea to the west and Cebu to the East. This is a mountainous province, and Negros Oriental’s capital city Dumaguete is known as the “City of Gentle People”. There is a narrow channel between it and the island of Cebu, as well as the deep Negros trench. Such topography can only mean good things for divers! The Dauin coastline boasts some of the best critter diving in the region.
At Secret Corner in octopus season (October to December) you can expect to see blue ring, Mototi, wonderpus and algae octopus crawling stealth-like over the sand. These are camouflage masters who occasionally flash colour and cut some textured shapes to warn or to decorate. You may even be lucky enough to witness mating within this period.
Photo: Alex Tyrrell
During Frogfish February you can see all the usual suspects like painted, hairy and sargassum as well as pin-head sized juveniles. The Atmosphere Resort and Spa house reef has a vibrant yellow guy who has even been filmed for television!
Shaun the Sheep is a loveable name given to the Costasiella kuroshimae sea slug. Not much bigger than a grain of sand, the likeness to a certain plasticine animation is uncanny. They graze on a leaf-like algae, containing chlorophyll, and are otherwise known as the “sap-sucking” sea slug because of this. Take a magnifying glass with you to catch a better glimpse of these cute creatures.
Colourful Critters in Malapascua
Famous for its larger “shoals”, Malapascua also has some exquisite reefs and seamounts that are teeming with macro life. Along the white sandy coastline are hidden muck sites that many pelagic-lovers wouldn’t even know were there. Even on the shipwrecks around Malapascua, you can find the world of the tiny: shrimp patrolling the holds, schooling glassfish shielding gangways and bright mauve Hypselodoris laying their egg skirts.
The pinnacle known as Bugtong Bato is home to various types of frogfish, nudis and carpet anemone, keeping crabs and anemone shrimp safe from the current.
Photo: Cath Bates
Chocolate island, to the south-west in the Visayan Sea, is a popular night dive location where double-snouted spindle cowrie, flatworms and banded boxer shrimp clock in for the night shift on a background of pulsating soft corals.
Gato Island is a grassy seamount poking out of the sea 45 minutes north-west of Malapascua. The island is well known for its swim-throughs and overhangs where you can expect to find Pharaoh cuttlefish, thorny seahorse and broad-banded pipefish. It also sounds like a cake, which is a winning formula for most divers!
Diving holidays for macro, muck and critter lovers
Below are some inspirational trip ideas from the Dive Worldwide website for getting to the best macro meccas in the Philippines. Not all the dive sites are beautiful to the eye at first glance, like muck and rubble, but what lies within them are some of the most vibrant and fascinating creatures you ever did see!
Discover the Visayas
This popular itinerary includes dives in Malapascua, Monad Shoal and the Moalboal peninsula.
Visayas Liveaboard
Access some of the best diving locations in the Philippines by liveaboard, including Dauin, Balicasag, Pescador and Malapascua.
Island Hopping Dive Safari
A stress-free diving adventure exploring stunning islands in the Visayas. An excellent choice for viewing macro life and pelagics.
Magic Dive Experience
Experience the magic of the Philippines! This trip combines two dedicated dive resorts in the Visayas – expect superb reefs, turtles, and exceptional macro life.
Dive Into Luxury
A luxury island-hopping itinerary, spending five nights in two of the Visaya region’s finest dive resorts – Atmosphere Resort & Spa and Amun Ini.
If you are interested in any of these trips, please get in touch with the friendly team of travel consultants and diving experts at Dive Worldwide or call 01962 302 087. You can also subscribe to Dive Worldwide’s regular enewsletter.
Guest Blog by Phil North
Divemaster Phil North, from Dive Worldwide shares his five best spots to find Big Fish in the Philippines.
If diving with the ocean’s giants is on your bucket list, the Philippines is the perfect destination. Whale sharks, striped barracudas, turtles, hammerheads, manta rays, dugongs, and even 2-metre-long Napoleon wrasse can be found here.
The Philippines is in the Coral Triangle – the most biodiverse coral reef on the planet – so its waters are bursting with marine life, including large pelagics, sponges, and over 2,500 species of fish.
So where should you visit to see the biggest and most exciting species? There are over 7,000 islands in the archipelago and several world-class diving sites to choose from, so read Dive Worldwide’s guide to discover the best diving spots for big fish encounters in the Philippines.
Outstanding marine biodiversity and reef sharks
If you’re after an abundance of big fish, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha will not disappoint.
The dive season runs from March to June, with a chance to see a spectacular range of species, including tiger shark, hammerhead, leopard shark, grey reef shark, nurse shark, manta, marble and eagle ray, whale shark, barracuda, tuna, hawksbill and green turtle, and dolphins.
Tubbataha is the largest marine protected area in the Philippines and offers superb diving opportunities. It is located 150 kilometres from Palawan in the Sulu Sea, so you will need a liveaboard to access these world-class dive sites.
Recommended dive trip:
Tubbataha Liveaboard
When to go: April – June
Shark Encounters – rare thresher sharks
Shark enthusiasts will love this world-famous diving location.
Monad Shoal, also known as Shark Point, is the only place in the world where rare thresher sharks can be seen daily.
This iconic, but usually shy, species gets its name from the distinctive tail which it uses like a whip when hunting. Here, you can encounter thresher sharks as they are swimming around the cleaning stations in the shallow reefs. You may also find white-tip, black-tip, bamboo, and nurse sharks in these waters.
With beautiful coral gardens and white sands to rival Boracay, Malapascua is a popular destination for divers and holiday-makers alike.
Recommended dive trips:
Big Fish Tour
When to go: November – April (but possible all year)
Visayas Liveaboard
When to go: April – June
Sharks & Reefs
When to go: All year round
World’s largest rays and fish
Bicol – Donsol and Ticao Island
These popular diving destinations are frequent haunts of the world’s biggest ray and fish species – the oceanic manta ray and the whale shark.
The Manta Bowl dive site, in Ticao Pass, is famous for its manta ray population and for being one of the best diving sites in the Philippines.
Whale sharks migrate to Donsol between late November and May, which is the best time to enjoy close encounters. Although whale sharks can exceed 15 metres long, they are gentle giants that filter-feed on plankton, krill, and small plants.
Recommended trips:
Big Fish Tour
When to go: November – April (but possible all year)
Reef sharks, hammerheads and schools of pelagic fish
Apo Reef is one of the most celebrated dive sites in the Philippines and an excellent place to find sharks or other big pelagics. Hammerheads are one of the top attractions in these waters, but black and whitetip sharks, and even occasionally thresher sharks visit here. You can also expect to encounter other large species like groupers, tuna, eagle and manta rays, large trevally, turtles and, if you are lucky, dolphins.
Recommended trips:
Club Paradise Resort – offering daily dive trips to Apo Reef
When to go: anytime
Liveaboards
When to go: April – December
Barracuda, turtles and dugong
North of Palawan – Coron
We know, not all these species are technically fish, but they are impressively large pelagics.
Dugong, also known as sea cows, were even thought to have inspired sailor’s stories about mermaids! This near-mythical marine mammal is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, but you may be lucky enough to spot one on an eco-tourism dive in Coron.
At Barracuda Lake, you can look out for the legendary giant barracuda (though even the regular ones can be over a metre long). This is also a great location for viewing green and hawksbill turtles.
Recommended trips:
Dive Coron Bay on Sangat Island (also excellent for wreck diving)
When to go: October – June
Liveaboards
When to go: April – December
Top choice for big fish encounters:
Big Fish Tour
This underwater safari visits some of the best sites for whale shark, thresher shark, and manta ray encounters. The two-week tour includes up to 14 diverse and exciting dives, with stays at relaxing tropical beachfront resorts.
Find out more
Get in touch with the friendly Dive Worldwide team for first-hand advice on your next diving holiday to the Philippines. They offer a superb range of resort and liveaboard options. Visit the website, send an enquiry, or call the expert team on 01962 302087.
Philippines Fun-Size: Critters and macro life
Five best places to find Big Fish in the Philippines
Diverse Travel expands Philippines portfolio
