Freediving locations in the Philippines

[ReefsAndTreats211]

Hi! I'm planning a trip to the Philippines during the summer months sometime next year! Would anyone like to share what are their favorite freediving spots? I'd appreciate it if it's a place that doesn't have too much people so I can enjoy my trip and dive. Currently mulling on either going to Coron or Bohol but an initial search says that they can be quite packed during that time so I'm very open to suggestions on other islands or places with great spots!

 

[Scott Valentine]

I've been freediving many spots in the Philippines, and have found that avoiding the so-called 'freediving spots' or famous spots was the best course.
Most recently I was diving on Apo Island

9°04'41.1"N 123°16'05.4"E

maps.app.goo.gl

which was great except for having to have a so-called guide, whom I left with my GF and swam out where I wanted to go. The guides are used to taking people to the tourist spots, which means high traffic.
On Apo Island the tourist spot is just south of the boat landing, so I went there first than told him we wanted to go north of the boat landing and it was much better, more fish, bigger fish, and better corals, and that area allows spearfishing. I think the best way to dive Apo is to stay on a resort there for a couple of nights and that way you are free of the 'guides'.

I dove Panglao Island, Bohol, Momo Beach was good

Momo Beach · Panglao, Philippines

★★★★☆ · Beach

maps.app.goo.gl

Siquijor Island, this was a good spot

9°16'37.7"N 123°38'57.3"E · 9.277139, 123.649250

maps.app.goo.gl

Camiguin Island, several spots, I liked this one

9°10'55.2"N 124°38'03.9"E · 9.182000, 124.634417

maps.app.goo.gl

I have found the best way to find good spots, with few people is to ride around the island on a motorcycle, and when you see a spot, explore.
And avoid the common places with 'guides'

Moalboal, I liked this area

9°55'59.0"N 123°22'57.5"E

maps.app.goo.gl

I got an AirBnB on the beach and dove from there every morning,

I also went to sardine run

Moalboal Sardines Run - Cebu Sardines Run · Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines

★★★★☆ · Tour operator

maps.app.goo.gl

which was not particularly impressive for regular divers who have seen that stuff all over the world, but worth a visit.

On Cebu, I saw the whale sharks, tons of people, and guides, but good for a one time visit.
But I liked these areas better:

9°33'26.9"N 123°18'34.0"E · 9.557472, 123.309444

maps.app.goo.gl

Liloan Fastcraft Port · C883+Q4P, Santander, 6026 Cebu, Philippines

★★★★☆ · Port

maps.app.goo.gl

Again, just ride around and when you see a good looking spot, go for it.

 

[MannyBarcel924]

Coron is guaranteed to have a lot of tourists from March to May as their tourism is practically centered on their 'diving' locations and the wrecks that you can see there.

If any of the Coron Bay shipwrecks are your fancy, maybe try and delay your visit until June when most of the tourists have already gotten their fill and you'll be able to appreciate the waters on your own (but try and do so with a small group either way for safety, a majority of the locals speak English but it's never a guarantee).

Bohol's tourism is more diverse and spread out as some go there to see the chocolate hills while others prefer to hit up the bar scene near the beaches. I avoid visiting when there's a local holiday or festival or the weekends, always go for the weekday.

Bohol is also more slightly affordable, at least for me, and the nearest freediving spot that comes to mind is at Napaling Cliff in Panglao, which isn't that far from the airport, and tuktuks(motorcycles) transport are plenty to get you around Panglao.

It's rather deep and I was able to even see the sardine run during my short stay there, and there's a lot of accommodations like Abraham Bohol near these diving spots.

If you'd rather a place that's more open water, there's always Balicasag and Pamilacan.

I managed to visit these thanks to a local diving buddy of mine that lives there and was able to show me around the many diving spots and even got to meet a number of cool people when he introduced me to his mates at SK Divers and at the Free Dive Academy.

From what I understand, Bohol has been amping up its diving scene so a lot for the past 2 years, with a lot of diving schools with experienced instructors establishing themselves there.

Moalboal is also great like what Scott said but that's the local pride in me talking.

 

[cigarlung]

Alona Beach in Bohol had a great marine reserve. If your in Dumaguete you should dive at Duain they have great reserve. The Bangka ride out to Apo Island is worth it Bangka I believe is small boat. In the Visaya Islands there is no difficulty finding many great dive locations. If you wanna spend 20 bucks Lonely planet guide makes it easier or perhaps you have a Pinoy friend or wife.

 

[Scott Valentine]

Alona Beach in Bohol had a great marine reserve. If your in Dumaguete you should dive at Duain they have great reserve. The Bangka ride out to Apo Island is worth it Bangka I believe is small boat. In the Visaya Islands there is no difficulty finding many great dive locations. If you wanna spend 20 bucks Lonely planet guide makes it easier or perhaps you have a Pinoy friend or wife.

When I was there the wind was coming from the S so Alona Beach was not divable, so the dive shop took us to Momo Beach on the other side of the island, I suppose the way it works is, the diving is always better on the leeward side.

I couldn't find "Duain" on google maps. Do you have a more precise name?

 

[Scott Valentine]

When I was there the wind was coming from the S so Alona Beach was not divable, so the dive shop took us to Momo Beach on the other side of the island, I suppose the way it works is, the diving is always better on the leeward side.

I couldn't find "Duain" on google maps. Do you have a more precise name?

I think they meant "Dauin"

Dauin · Negros Oriental, Philippines

Negros Oriental, Philippines

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Scott Valentine]

since you mentioned not wanting too much people, you will love Romblon, Romblon. It is kept the way it is, unspoiled and provincial. Very quiet and relaxing place. Most of the diving spots are untouched and some are even private that you need to have local connection before they let you explore it. And the underwater never disappoints! The one and only documented blue hole in the Philippines is also located here. And I noticed very few tourists mentions this place cause this is truly a hidden gem!

Looks like an advertisement!

 

[Bill McIntyre]

It was.