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Traveloka PH

24 May 2018 - 10 min read

20 Best Snorkeling Spots in the Philippines

Snorkeling Spots in Luzon

1. Jomalig Island

Jomalig Island

The unspoilt island of Jomalig is one of the up and coming beach destinations in the country. Not many know that you can also enjoy snorkeling here as you go island hopping. Small boats can be rented for around P1,200 while bigger boats for large groups can be rented for around P4,000. Motorbike rental is actually quicker and advised more by the locals.

Location: Quezon Province
Estimated Budget: around P2,000 per person
How to get there: From Manila, you can a ride on a Raymond Bus bound for Infanta or Real. This usually lasts 4 hours. Once you get to Real, you can ride a fisherman’s boat headed to Jomalig. The fare is around P400.

2. Pandan Island

Pandan Island is a private island in Sablayan. The peaceful surroundings, the privacy, and the hospitality of the islands’ owners make this the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Schedule and book your snorkeling activity in advance. Aside from snorkeling, you can also try paddling in a nearby mangrove, playing beach volleyball, and exploring the secluded beaches of Wild Lagoon and Spanish Nose.

Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
Estimated Budget: around P3,500 per person
How to get there: Take a 45 minute flight from Manila to Occidental Mindoro. From the airport, ride a tricycle to the bus terminal then transfer to a bus going to Sablayan. Once you’re there, just ride a tricycle going to Ludi’s Place and a boat will be waiting to take you to the island.

3. Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Apo Reef is Asia’s largest atoll-like reef and the second largest in the world next to the Great Barrier Reef. The 34 square kilometer reef is filled with around 350 species of combined coral and marine life including sea hawks, manta rays, and tropical fishes. The protected reef and surrounding areas are known as the Apo Reef Natural Park.

Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
Estimated Budget: around P3,500 per person
How to get there: Take a flight from Manila to Occidental Mindoro. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a short tricycle ride to the bus station with buses going to Sablayan. From here, you can take a boat to Apo Reef for a set boat fare, which is around P10,000 for 10 to 15 people.

4. Coral Garden, San Antonio Island

One of the most popular snorkeling spots in Puerto Galera, Coral Garden can be found between the island of San Antonio and Boquete. The water depth in this area is only around 8 feet, which is relatively shallow and perfect for beginners. Guests are allowed to feed the fish for around 30 minutes and swim around.

Location: San Antonio Island, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Estimated Budget: P1,500 per head
How to get there: Ride a bus from Manila to Batangas Pier. The fare costs around P170 to P180. From Batangas Pier, there are boats that can directly take you to White Beach for around P300 to P500. From here, you can ride another boat to Coral Garden for P200.

5. Cresta de Gallo Island

Cresta de Gallo

Azure blue waters, a long white sandbar, and the beach all to yourself; these are just some of the things about Cresta de Gallo that will lure you in. After paying the P10 entrance fee, you can enjoy the beach all day, have a picnic, and even snorkel in the nearby designated diving site. If you bring your own camp necessities, you can even stay overnight on the island to watch the sunset and the sunrise.

Location: Sibuyan, Romblon
Estimated Budget: around P4,000 per head
How to get there: From Tablas island, you can ride a ferry going to Sibuyan. Once in Sibuyan, you would have to rent a boat. The rental fee usually depends on the size of the boat and the number of people.

6. Anilao

Anilao

There are around 50 diving spots you can choose to go to in Anilao. A lot of resorts here offer, snorkeling, diving, and special diving courses for first time divers and veterans. Some of the common diving spots in the area include Eagle Point, Mainit Point, Devil’s Point, The Cathedral, Arthur’s Rock, and Twin Rocks.

Location: Mabini, Batangas
Estimated Budget: around P1,500 per person
How to get there: Terminals in Cubao, Buendia, and Pasay have buses going to Batangas City. Once there, transfer to a jeep going to Anilao, Mabini and get off at Anilao Port, which is the final stop.

7. Laiya

Popular for it’s accessibility from Manila, Laiya is another popular beach spot in Batangas. Aside from swimming and relaxing with your family, you can also try activities like snorkeling and diving.

Location: San Juan, Batangas
Estimated Budget: around P1,200 per person
How to get there: Alps bus offers a Manila-San Juan route. When you get there, you can take a jeepney or tricycle headed to Laiya.

8. Siete Pecados

Siete Pecados

Still one of the most sought after snorkeling spots in Palawan, Siete Pecados offers an abundant amount of marine life and cool waters perfect for a dip in the sun. Swim with schools of fish and get a glimpse of the stunning corals. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle.

Location: Coron, Palawan
Estimated Budget: around P3,000 per head
How to get there: Book a flight from Manila to Coron. Once you’ve landed in Coron, go to the town proper where you can access small boats that can take you to Siete Pecados.

9. Nabat Island

Hone your snorkeling skills at Nabat Island in Taytay, Palawan. Another Palawan island famous for its diverse and colorful marine ecosystem.

Location: Taytay, Palawan
Estimated Budget: P2,500 per person
How to get there: Book a 1-hour flight to Puerto Princesa. When you arrive, you can hop on a van headed to Taytay. The ride lasts around 3 hours. From Taytay, you can rent a boat for island hopping. The fare usually costs around P3,000 to P4,000 for 4 to 6 persons.

10. Matinloc Island

Matinloc Island

Included in one of the El Nido tour packages, Matinloc Island is another snorkeling gem in Palawan. Prepare to see underwater fish of different colors and sizes. Just be careful not to step on any of the corals.

Location: El Nido, Palawan
Estimated Budget: around P2,500 per head
How to get there: From Manila, take a 1-hour flight to Puerto Princesa. When you arrive, you can hire a van to take you to El Nido. You can rent a boat and tour package when you get to El Nido.

Snorkeling Spots in Visayas

11. Apo Island

Apo Island

Swim with giant sea turtles at the go-to snorkeling spot in Visayas. This volcanic island can be found on the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental and is actually considered a marine preserve.

Location: Dauin, Negros Oriental
Estimated Budget: around P2,000 per person
How to get there: From Manila, just book a direct flight to Dumaguete City. When your arrive, take a tricycle to Siaton then transfer to a jeepney headed to Malapatay, Zamboanguita and walk towards the port.

12. Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island

Bohol’s very own Balicasag Island is a haven for divers and snorkelers. There are famous deep diving spots here like Black Forest and Turtle Point but for snorkelers, the shallow waters near the shore are the best option.

Location: Panglao, Bohol
Estimated Budget: around P2,500 per person
How to get there: From Manila, book a flight to Tagbilaran. Once you arrive, you can either rent a tricycle or a van to take you to Alona Beach in Panglao. From there, you can rent a boat to take you to Balicasag.

13. Tubod Marine Sanctuary

One of the best dive spots in the region, Tubod Marine Sanctuary is popular among both scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. The protected sanctuary has a gently sloping reef that’s perfect for spotting mandarin fish, starfish, and stunning corals.

Location: Siquijor
Estimated Budget: around P2,000 per head
How to get there: From Dumaguete, board a ferry to Siquijor. Travel time is 1 hour and the fare ranges from P140 to P360, depending on class and liner. Once you get to Siquijor port, you can ride a motorbike or tricycle to Tubod Marine Sanctuary.

14. Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island

The island’s fine white sand and perfect snorkeling and diving spots help attract not only locals but tourists from all over the world. One of the most popular activities here is diving with thresher sharks. So if you’re feeling adventurous after your snorkeling adventure, you might also want to check it out.

Location: Daanbantayan, Cebu
Estimated Budget: P3,000 per head
How to get there: Take a flight from Manila to Cebu. From the airport, ride a tricycle to Cebu North Terminal and transfer to a bus going to Maya Port. After the 4-hour ride, you’ll arrive at the port where you can ride a public ferry going to Malapascua Island for a fare of P100.

15. Moalboal

Moalboal

Moalboal’s shallow waters are teeming with corals and fishes, which make them the ideal snorkeling spot in the Philippines. It’s also a favorite spot among divers and snorkelers because of its sardine run.

Location: Cebu
Estimated Budget: around P3,000 per head
How to get there: Book a direct flight from Manila to Cebu. From Mactan International Airport, just ride a cab to Cebu South Bus Terminal then transfer to a bus bound for Moalboal. The 3 to 4 hour ride costs around P115 to P125.

Snorkeling Spots in Mindanao

16. Dakak

Dakak is one of the most popular beach resorts in Mindanao and can be found in Dapitan City. You can choose their island tour or sunset cruise packages for a chance to enjoy swimming, fishing, whale watching, diving, and snorkeling among colorful fish and corals.

Location: Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
Estimated Budget: P3,500 per head
How to get there: From Manila, you can take a 1 hour and 30 minute direct flight to Dipolog Airport. Once you arrive, you can hire a tricycle or van to take you to Dakak Beach Resort.

17. Coral Garden, Camiguin

Coral Garden

Volcanic eruptions have actually helped create Camiguin’s diverse marine ecosystem. Aside from its beautiful white beaches and sandbars, Camiguin is actually home to many top diving and snorkeling sites in the country. Coral Garden is one of these snorkeling spots and is home to bright colored leather corals, and a variety of hard and soft corals.

Location: Camiguin
Estimated Budget: around P 1,800 per person
How to get there: Take a flight to Cagayan de Oro. From here, you can take a bus to Macabalan Pier or Balingoan Port and catch a ferry. When you arrive at Camiguin, just take a tricycle to take you to the boat stations in San Roque.

18. Mantigue Island

Mantigue Island

Famous for its powdery white sand and azure waters teeming with an array of corals and fish, Mantigue Island should definitely be included in your list of must visit snorkeling spots.

Location: Camiguin
Estimated Budget: around P1,800 per person
How to get there: Book a flight to Cagayan de Oro city. From the city, take a bus that heads to Macabalan Pier to ride the faster Ocean Jet or head to Balingoan Port and catch a cheaper ferry. Once you get to Benoni, take a tricycle to Barangay San Roque and ask the driver to take you to the boat station for boats to Mantigue Island.

19. Punta Bilar

Punta Bilar is actually more popularly known for its diving sites but you can Catch exotic fish species and table top corals when you try snorkeling here.

Location: Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
Estimated Budget: around P1,500 per head
How to get there: Direct flight from Manila to Surigao City are available on carriers like Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. When you arrive in the city, just ride a tricycle to Punta Bilar dive site.

20. Agutayan Island

Agutayan Island

Enjoy camping, swimming, diving, and snorkeling in this naked island surrounded by coral reefs. Agutayan Island is actually a 3-hectare marine sanctuary and serves as a breeding ground for giant clams. Just be careful not to step on any of the clams when you try snorkeling or diving here.

Location: Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
Estimated Budget: around P1,500 per head
How to get there: Hop on a flight to Cagayan de Oro City. Once you arrive, take a bus or jeepney headed to the town of Jampason, Jasaan. From there, you can hire a boat to take you to the island for around P1,800 for 6 people.

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