Question Where to Dive in the Philippines That's NOT Focused on Muck Diving

[living4experiences]

I'm diving at El Galleon in Puerto Galera in March 2025 and would like to continue from there and dive somewhere else in the Philippines that is not a muck-centric location. I don't mind doing a muck dive on occasion, but I don't want to go somewhere that that's the focus of the diving. Any recommendations for locations and resorts? A/C is a requirement.

Thanks!

 

[Dan]

I did Tubbataha this year and due to extremely warm water temperatures the week I was there, we didn't see as many of the big-ticket items as others did. Our week had a manta and a hammerhead sighting but no whale sharks. That said, it was some of the most gorgeous, pristine, healthy reef diving I've ever done. Schools of fish exhibiting their natural behaviors, even fish that I didn't realize schooled (like a large school of coronetfish!??!?! which I had never seen); the most sharks on the reef I've ever seen diving (mostly grey / whitetips / silvertips), easily 10+ sharks per dive and some adorable schools of juveniles; barracuda schools and schools of jacks (that unfortunately were a little deeper/farther from us because of the intensely warm water); turtles galore; etc. Some of the sites felt like the Swiss alps of coral reef views, honestly, just some really stunning coral reef landscapes to see on our surface intervals.

It's pretty much all wall diving with plenty to see down the wall and on top of the reef as well. It's also more affordable than other liveaboards around the world imo. DESPITE some people thinking the week was a bust because no whale shark, it was a surreal beautiful experience and if I could afford it I'd go back every year. One of our divers had come back every year for seven years and had some incredible photos.

Oh and based on a quick look at Instagram for the LOB I was on, the other trips saw whale sharks, mantas, etc once the water was less extremely warm. I think we just had bad luck. I don't think it's as frequent as past years, but generally they expect one "big" sighting like that per liveaboard group.

I did Tubbataha too with Infiniti Liveaboard last month. Still working on my trip video (a bit behind schedule due to Hurricane Beryl did some damage on my house and 4 trees in my yard bit the dust). Hopefully it’ll be posted in SB next week.

Saw lots of Sharks too, but no manta, no hammerhead, nor Whaleshark. All I can say is it ain’t Raja Ampat.

 

[Dan]

Not stupid... actually fairly descriptive as to a type of diving. Odd thing to be annoyed about (unless you wake up each day fairly grumpy...)

Muck diving - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Centrals]

Saw lots of Sharks too, but no manta, no hammerhead, nor Whaleshark. All I can say is it ain’t Raja Ampat.

LOL.
R4 is NOT Tubbataha either.
Comparing apple and orange!

The question is specific on Philippines and has nothing to do with Indonesia or anywhere else!!! No need to promote R4 in Philippines.

 

[alymere]

I would benefit from hearing the same discussion about Northern Sulawesi and the Coral triangle in general. Currently diving at a resort near Bunaken and Bangka. Love everything about it except the type of diving. The areas were recommended as half-wall/half-macro (Banka) and all-wall (Bunaken) but so far it’s been 3/4 macro at both. I understand….I am highly outnumbered by the photographers and they want slow, macro-focused dives. Where can I go for big beautiful walls, drift dives, and fewer photographers?

 

[Dan]

I would benefit from hearing the same discussion about Northern Sulawesi and the Coral triangle in general. Currently diving at a resort near Bunaken and Bangka. Love everything about it except the type of diving. The areas were recommended as half-wall/half-macro (Banka) and all-wall (Bunaken) but so far it’s been 3/4 macro at both. I understand….I am highly outnumbered by the photographers and they want slow, macro-focused dives. Where can I go for big beautiful walls, drift dives, and fewer photographers?

Wrong place. You should go to Raja Ampat (RA).

Check out my latest visit to RA in February this year.

 

[cetacean]

I would benefit from hearing the same discussion about Northern Sulawesi and the Coral triangle in general. Currently diving at a resort near Bunaken and Bangka. Love everything about it except the type of diving. The areas were recommended as half-wall/half-macro (Banka) and all-wall (Bunaken) but so far it’s been 3/4 macro at both. I understand….I am highly outnumbered by the photographers and they want slow, macro-focused dives. Where can I go for big beautiful walls, drift dives, and fewer photographers?

@Dan suggested Raja Ampat. If you are looking for real walls (like you might find in the Caymans) then most of Indonesia isn't where you should be looking. Indonesia has amazing biodiversity, however not a lot of deep, steep walls. Alor would be one location you can find similar diving, Wakatobi has a few really nice walls as well (and the coral is some of the best in Indonesia), and there are a few spots in Raja Ampat, but without the comparable visibility. Two other locations would be better for drift & wall diving... Palau and the Solomon Islands.

As for the photographers - you are better off paying for a private guide if the photographers' pace of diving is bothering you that much. If it's the subjects that are bothering you, then pick a location specifically known for wide angle, big walls, and great vis. - there are other spots in the Coral Triangle better for this type of diving.

 

[alymere]

Thank you cetacean for your suggestions. Alor and Palau it is! I’ve done the other places mentioned. Solomons I definitely would go back. Wakatobi I’ve done 4 times over the past 18 years and when I priced it for my current trip it seemed expensive. But when you add in the extra travel days and flights to other Indonesian destinations it kind of balances out. Good to hear confirmation that it’s among the best for the type of diving I like to do.

 

[living4experiences]

I would benefit from hearing the same discussion about Northern Sulawesi and the Coral triangle in general. Currently diving at a resort near Bunaken and Bangka. Love everything about it except the type of diving. The areas were recommended as half-wall/half-macro (Banka) and all-wall (Bunaken) but so far it’s been 3/4 macro at both. I understand….I am highly outnumbered by the photographers and they want slow, macro-focused dives. Where can I go for big beautiful walls, drift dives, and fewer photographers?

One of my research tools I use is perusing the Bluewater travel website not only to learn about a destination but to also get info for macro trips I wouldn't join. Here's their link for a trip to Alor. Alor Underwater Photo Workshop September 2025

 

[Dan]

As promised, here’s my trip video of Tubbataha. I might have come a bit too late (1-7 June 2024) as I saw NO hammerhead sharks, NOR mantas, NOR Whalesharks as @cetacean and @bluesails alluded to up thread, but it still not bad of a trip. It ain’t Raja Ampat for sure.

 

[Centrals]

The best time to dive Tubattaha is between mid Apr and late May because of possibility of weather intervention. Years ago the LoB I booked was damaged in a typhoon, luckily the operator found a spot for me in another boat so I did not lose any diving time. The "window" is relatively brief. It is very good if you are lucky(pelagic) as the reef is HUGE. I had been to Tubattaha three times and have not returned for over 15yrs.

Southern Leyte in winter if I want good wall dive. Getting there requires a bit effort and time but well worth it. Take the public transport.