Philippines
26th September - 5th October 2026
Dumaguete is the largest city in the province of Negros Oriental, located on the southeast coast of Negros Island. It is a bustling university town with an airport, several hospitals, historical buildings, shopping malls and restaurants and bars along it’s seaside boulevard.
Negros Oriental province is renowned for it’s outstanding natural beauty and fascinating culture. Marine sanctuaries line the Dauin coastline. Inland, the vast mountain ridge is home to many serene lakes, thundering waterfalls and local indigenous cultures.
“The City of Gentle People”, is best known for the Silliman University established in 1901 as the Philippines first Protestant university and the oldest private American university in Asia.
Dumaguete is close to Apo Island, a marine protected area since 1982.
Most dive resorts are situated in the coastal town of Dauin, about 15 kilometres (30-minute drive) south of Dumaguete. The area remains one of the Philippines’ best kept secrets for divers looking for a remote tropical getaway with world-class diving right on its doorstep.
The marine sanctuaries that line the Dauin coastline house some of the world’s rarest critters competing for the underwater photographer’s attention. Whether you are a novice or experienced diver, you will be sure to find some new and exciting species here. All the dive sites are replete with huge numbers of splendid fish; triggerfish, parrotfish, pennant fish, moray eels, surgeonfish, snappers, groupers, Moorish idols, lizardfish, gobies, batfish, lionfish, trumpet fish, pufferfish, filefish, emperors, wrasses, fusiliers and trevallies to name only a few!
Invertebrates from the tiniest transparent shrimp and neon-coloured nudibranchs to huge basket sponges adorned with hundreds of multi-coloured crinoids; anemones, sea cucumbers, starfish and worms reside with vast numbers of hard and soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. Turtles, octopus, cuttlefish, manta rays, eagle rays and sharks make guest appearances.
Apo Island is a short boat ride away. A jewel in the Philippine Sea, this small island has been a marine protected area since 1982 and is widely regarded as one of the premier dive locations in the Philippines. It is a scuba diver’s heaven, its walls and reefs densely covered with an incredible variety of hard and soft corals home to all kinds of marine life in astonishing numbers. There is really something for everyone, from roller coaster drifts to gentle, relaxed dives.
