My Favorite Snorkeling Sites in the Philippines

It is just the beginning of May and summer in the Philippines is far from over. It even seems that the temperature keeps on rising and it’s getting more humid than ever. While I’m still contemplating my next summer getaway, I’d like to share with you (and reminisce as well) the amazing snorkeling sites I have been to in the country.

I admit that I really love to snorkel. I’d rather spend my time floating in the water than lying on the sand. Plus, I am really amazed by the wonderful kingdoms underneath the sea. I can’t do diving though. Apart from not licensed to do that, I have very sensitive nose (I always sneeze and get colds), which can be a bit of a problem for diving.

Apo Island, Negros Oriental

That tiny dot below the sock-shaped island of Negros, in the Negros Oriental side, is Apo Island. This volcanic island is just 12 hectares in total land area. We could even walk from one end of the island to the other end within a day. But what really makes Apo Island a favorite destination is its marine sanctuary.

When we did a bit of snorkeling there, we saw colorful corals and fishes. Plus, there are even tortoises, if you get lucky. But my friends where far from lucky. I was already by our cottage when I heard a commotion at the sea. One of them saw a striped sea snake! No one was hurt, so it’s better to keep your eyes open and take extra precautions. To top it all, don’t touch the corals and other living creatures under the sea. Be content by just watching them and swimming with them.

How to get there:

From Manila, fly to Dumaguete. Take a bus or shuttle going to Zamboangita, then hire a boat to get you across Apo Island. From Cebu, take a ferry to Dumaguete. If you are traveling as a group, better to hire a van from Dumaguete to Zamboangita.

Anilao, Batangas

My first taste in snorkeling was in Anilao, Batangas, specifically at Dive and Trek. There were schools of large and small fishes, it was really breathtaking. I was so fascinated by what I saw underwater that I brought my friends there a few years after. It wasn’t so spectacular when I went back as it was six or seven years prior. Still, Anilao, has some of the great marine landscapes. There are still lots of fishes and corals to see.

How to get there:

From Manila, take a bus going to Batangas City from Pasay bus stations (Tritran or Jam Liner). Get off at the Batangas City bus terminal and get a jeepney to Mabini which can bring you to Anilao port. From there, you can take a tricycle or boat to your resort.

Balicasag Island, Bohol

There is also a marine sanctuary off Balicasag Island. It’s a quiet part of Bohol and it is home to many fishes and marine species. The corals may not be as abundant as those in Apo Island as there are parts wherein there are sea weeds and grasses. But the fishes love to hide beneath those sea plants and play with you as you swim.

How to get there:

From Manila, fly to Tagbilaran, Bohol. From Tagbilaran, take a tricycle or rent a van or hire a taxi to Panglao where you can take a boat to Balicasag Island.

Camiguin Island, Camiguin

My snorkeling experience in Camiguin was unique. For one, I wasn’t snorkeling to see the corals. Instead, I was seeing the giant clams at the clam nursery. I had a guide that took me around the area, holding me by my hand and dragging me as we swam on the giant clams. He warned me, “make sure you keep your feet afloat because they might get trapped in one of those clams.” And so I did. It was magnificent as clams opened and closed their shells like large mouths breathing heavily. It was a quick swim but memorable.

How to get there:

From Manila, fly to Cagayan de Oro City. Take a cab to the bus station that will go to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental or hire a van or taxi that will take you straight to the Balingoan port. Take the ferry from the port to Benoni, Camiguin. From Benoni, take a multi-cab to your resort.

Coron, Palawan

Coron has several snorkeling sites throughout the bay. They were magnificent as fishes, sea animals, and corals of different colors, sizes and textures were seen in a beautiful coral bed. There was even a point wherein the coral bed was a slope and the view was magnificent. I saw a tortoise also swimming the area, much to my delight. I also snorkeled on top of sunken ships, which have become inhabited by various marine species.

How to get there:

From Manila, fly to Busuanga. As you touch down Busuanga, take a cab or hire a van going to Coron town or straight to your resort.

Sibuyan Island, Romblon

Off the coast of Sibuyan Island, the marine sanctuary was massive. But there were areas when the corals seemed damaged. We were told that there were those who had been doing fishing malpractices that affected some of the creatures underwater. Still the large corals were spectacular to look at, including the colorful fishes that swam in the area.

How to get there:

From Manila, take a 2Go ship to Romblon, Romblon. From the port, take a motorized boat to Sibuyan Island.

There are still many snorkeling sites in the country that I want to visit and see. I could have checked out the one in Sipalay but I didn’t bring my snorkeling gears with me. The Philippines, with 7,107 islands and a large area of sea, is definitely a wonderful place to explore the many marine life that we normally do not get to view on a day-to-day basis. No matter how lovely an aquarium can be, nothing beats with the natural habitat that offers breathtaking landscapes of our seabed.