Diving in Cebu offers an exciting underwater adventure with diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs. Key sites include Malapascua, famed for Thresher Shark encounters at Monad Shoal, ideal for advanced divers. Moalboal is known for its massive sardine runs, turtles, sea snakes, and beginner-friendly reefs. Sumilon Island features dramatic wall dives, huge gorgonians, and occasional pelagic visitors. Mactan Island provides easy access to reefs and deep walls just minutes from shore, while Calanggaman Island boasts clear waters and abundant fish. With warm, clear waters year-round and excellent visibility - especially in April - Cebu is perfect for divers of all skill levels seeking rich marine biodiversity and varied dive experiences.
The best time to dive in Cebu, Philippines is during the dry season from December to May. This period offers calm seas, sunny weather, and excellent visibility, ideal for exploring vibrant reefs and marine life. The rainy season, June to October, brings occasional rain and typhoons, with slightly reduced visibility, but diving is still possible. Cebu’s dive sites, including Moalboal’s famous sardine run and Oslob’s whale shark encounters, are accessible year-round. While Cebu is generally outside the main typhoon path, occasional storms can occur between June and November. However, these are usually brief and don’t often disrupt diving plans. Overall, December to May provides the most favorable diving conditions for all skill levels.
To get to Cebu, a top diving destination in the Philippines, most travelers fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), which is well-connected with direct flights from major cities in Asia and Manila. From the airport, you can easily reach popular dive spots like Mactan Island, Moalboal, Malapascua, and Sumilon by car or ferry. For divers heading to Malapascua, a 4-5 hour drive north from Cebu City followed by a short boat ride is required. Moalboal and Sumilon Island are accessible via a 3-hour drive south and a quick boat transfer. Mactan Island offers convenient shore dives just minutes from the airport. Ferries also connect Cebu to nearby islands, making it simple to explore multiple dive sites. Booking flights and transfers early, especially during peak season (December to May), ensures smooth travel to Cebu’s immersive diving experiences.
This page wouldn't be possible without contributions from the following PADI members: Andrew Jenkins (PADI pro), P. C. Divers, Avila's Horizon Dive Resort, Devocean Divers Malapascua, Sidive Diving Center. Disclaimer
Technical Diving
Freediving
Emergency First Response
FREE – Introduction to Scuba Diving Online
Marine Debris
Shark & Ray Protection
Adopt a Dive Site
