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Diving Apo Island And Dumaguete: A Quick Guide

Want amazing muck diving and lush coral reefs? Apo Island and the coastline of Dumaguete provide the best of both worlds at one of the Philippines’ best dive destinations

Frog fish in a paint tin, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Frog fish in a paint tin, Dauin

What’s special about Dumaguete? Why would you go there for diving?

Diving Apo Island and Dumaguete is the best of both worlds: staggering abundant macro life along the Dumaguete coastline and outstanding coral reefs and wide angle vistas around nearby Apo Island. The coastline – especially the Dauin area – acts as a nursery for all manner of usually hard-to-find critters. They’re everywhere – if you’ve got a sharp-eyed guide to locate them for you. Meanwhile, just 30 minutes boat ride away, the protected reefs of Apo Island provide a complete contrast, with lush seascapes of hard and soft coral, with slopes and walls carpeted in sponges and bommies. As such, it’s the perfect diving destination for divers who like to mix it up.

Coral bommie, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Coral bommie, Apo Island

What can I expect to see diving Dumaguete?

You can arrive at Dumaguete with a critter list and expect to see at least 80% of it. Ghost pipefish, octopus, sea snakes, Frogfish big, small, painted, angry, jawfish with eggs, cardinal fish with eggs, sea horses… it’s all there. Around Apo Island itself you may see big schools of fish like barracuda and jacks, but the main attraction which is always there are the lush coral gardens.

Cardinalfish with eggs in mouth, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Cardinalfish with eggs in mouth, Dauin

Dumaguete Liveaboards

Dumaguete is part of the schedule for several Philippines liveaboards:

  • Atlantis Azores is the liveaboard of the Atlantis chain of diving resorts in the Philippines
  • Philippines Siren is part of the luxury Siren fleet and explores Dumaguete as part of its Visayas liveaboards.

Sea snake, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Sea snake, Dauin

Diving Resorts In Dumaguete

Follow the links to check pricing, availability and to read previous guest reviews to get a feel of the place.

  • Atlantis
  • Atmosphere
  • Bongo Bongo Divers
  • Liquid Dive Resort
  • Wellbeach Dive resort
  • Mike’s Dauin Dive resort
  • Bahura

Coral bommie, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Coral bommie, Apo Island

How To Get To Dumaguete?

It’s relatively easy to get to Dumaguete. There are daily domestic flights from Manila to Dumaguete with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Check Skyscanner to compare prices and flight timetables. Flights are around 1 hour from Manila and transfer to the resorts is typically 45 minutes. Dumaguete itself is a fairly big city with several smaller towns like Dauin stretching along the coastline. The resorts are all on the same stretch of coastline outside Dumaguete city.

Ghost pipefish, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Ghost pipefish, Dauin

How Much Time Should I Spend In Apo Island and Dumaguete?

If you’re fond of macro diving, you are going to want to spend at least a week in Dumaguete. It’s a macro photographer’s paradise. If you’re more casual and not on a mission to find/photograph a specific critter, around 4 to 5 days full diving split between the Dumaguete coastline and Apo Island would be enough.

Jawfish with eggs, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
Jawfish with eggs, Dauin

When’s The Best Time Of Year To Dive Apo Island and Dumaguete?

October to May is the main season for diving Dumaguete and Apo Island. June to September is monsoon season so there can be strong winds and waves. Also be aware there are very strong currents at Full Moon – make sure your dive guide checks the current before going in.

Sea horse, Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines

What Should I Pack For A Dive Trip To Dumaguete?

See the Divehappy Liveaboard Packing List to help you remember to bring everything you need.

Central Philippines Dive Map

Dumaguete and Sogod Bay Map

Philippines Dive Map

Scuba Diving Philippines Map

Other Places For Macro Photography

If you like diving to small critters you should also check out:

  • Anilao, Philippines
  • Sogod Bay, Leyte, Philippines
  • Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Apo Island and Dumaguete on Google Maps



Diving And Travel Insurance

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities including scuba diving, as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Philippines Dive Trip Now!

:: Check the availability and pricing of liveaboards in the Philippines and book online.


:: Find the cheapest flights to the Philippines with Skyscanner - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.


If you need a good transit hotel near Manila airport, try the Marriott or Nichols Hotel. The actual Manila Airport Hotel is very run down and not recommended.


:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials for your scuba diving trip with our comprehensive Liveaboard Packing List


:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.


:: Find available places to stay in the Philippines on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.


:: Need inspiration? See our Best Places To Dive In The Philippines for ideas of where to go and what to do.


Dive Happy Podcast Newsletter

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Listen to previous Dive Happy podcast episodes.

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My Recent Dive Trips

  • November 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • October 2024: Forgotten Islands and Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • August 2024: Komodo and Saleh Bay liveaboard, Indonesia
  • May 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • April 2024: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • February 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • January 2024:Gangga Island Resort, Indonesia
  • December 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • Mejangan Island, Bali
  • October 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • June 2023: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • April 2023: Maldives liveaboard
  • April 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort
  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

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