Diving in Dumaguete

Dumaguete owns an aritficial tire reef built from old tires and laid just off the beach in front of Dumagute City by marine biologists of Siliman University in 1977. Sumilon Island, just off the southern tip of Cebu, lies approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Dumaguete City.

On its western side is the Philippine's first marine sanctuary, which is the laboratoryf or marine biologists of Siliman University, who undoubtedly are inspired by its magnificent coral gardens and drop-offs. Crystal waters account for oustanding visibility. Varied and abundant marine life provide endless numbers of interesting dives for pleasure as much as for scientific observation. Sea snakes, turtles, sting rays, mantas, barracudas, garoupa, schools of jacks and even whale sharks - they are all here.

In the south of Dumaguete City the main attraction in the area is Apo Island, one of the best known Philippines diving destinations. Apo Island is a tiny marine sanctuary (the island itself covers just 72 hectares) that is teeming with fish and beautiful corals. There are ten dive sites around the island and each has something different to offer from exhilarating drift dives at some locations to gentle shallow dives over hard and soft corals at others. At Apo Island there is a huge variety of fish species, crustaceans and nudibranch. The schools of jacks can sometimes number over 2,000 fish. For both micro and macro lovers this is truly blue heaven.

Care must be taken particularly during full moon as currents are strong and unpredictable. To reach Apo Island, one can take a 35 minute ride by outrigger from Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.

Nearer to Dauin is the incredible Masaplod marine sanctuary a home for snappers, sweetlips, scorpionfish, batfish and so on. For those looking for the smaller stuff then there are nudibranch, sea horses, pipe fish, shrimps and more.

All along this stretch of coast are reefs and sandy beds full of life. The macro life and photographic opportunities are considered to be amongst the best in Asia!

Travel to Dumaguete

Dumaguete is a small city situated on the south eastern tip of Negros one of The Philippines larger islands. Negros is a beautifully lush and tropical island and is well known for it’s sugar cane production in the north and the coconut plantations in the south. Dumaguete is a very friendly place and is known as a university town because seven universities and colleges are situated here.

Negros and Dumaguete are becoming increasingly popular with tourists, due in part to the ease of access and also due to the diverse range of activities available. Close to the city are trekking in tropical forests, waterfalls, hill climbing, golf, and dolphin and whale watching in Bais Bay. Still, the main reason why people come here is for the incredible diving, especially to visit the famous Apo Island.

It's a year-round scuba destination, located as it is outside of the typhoon belt. They country's top marine biology institue at the Siliman University, is found in Dumaguete, its capital, and for good reason, as it is proximate to excellent marine sites. The underwater scenery is fantastic in this spot. Snorkeling, scuba diving and deep sea diving is available along its beautiful beaches.

Dauin is approximately 12km further south from Dumaguete and it is in this area where most of the dive resorts are situated. Here the main highway follows the contours of the coast and side roads run through the palms to the resorts. There are long quiet beaches of volcanic sand that seem to stretch on for miles.

Ferries from Cebu take three and a half hours to reach Dumaguete and flights from Manila just over one hour.