Davao & Samal Island (Mindanao) – Philippines Dive Region

About Davao & Samal Island (Mindanao)

Davao and Samal Island in southeastern Mindanao offer an emerging diving destination with diverse underwater environments including cavern systems, walls, wrecks, and vibrant coral reefs in the warm waters of the Davao Gulf. Samal Island, just 10 minutes by boat from Davao City, hosts the majority of dive sites with Ligid Caves providing a series of swim-through caverns filled with glassfish, moray eels, and batfish. Angel's Cove features walls draped in gorgonians with turtles and eagle rays while the Aundanao Wreck is a scuttled patrol boat at 18 to 30 metres attracting lionfish and frogfish. Mushroom Rock offers a pinnacle with excellent macro diving including nudibranchs and pipefish while the Pearl Farm House Reef provides accessible shore diving with cuttlefish and octopus. Davao City itself is the largest city in Mindanao with excellent infrastructure, world-class dining, and the gateway to the region's diving. The combination of urban convenience and diverse diving makes Davao and Samal an attractive destination for divers wanting to explore Mindanao's underwater offerings.

Highlights

• ✓Ligid Caves offers a series of swim-through caverns with glassfish, moray eels, and batfish in dramatic formations
• ✓Angel's Cove features walls draped in gorgonian sea fans with turtles, eagle rays, and excellent visibility
• ✓Aundanao Wreck is a scuttled patrol boat at 18 to 30 metres attracting lionfish, frogfish, and marine growth
• ✓Pearl Farm House Reef provides accessible shore diving with cuttlefish, octopus, and diverse reef fish
• ✓Davao City provides excellent urban infrastructure with world-class dining just 10 minutes from Samal dive sites

Getting There

Accessible via flight from Manila to Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) in Davao City in 90 minutes. Boat transfers to Samal Island take 10 to 15 minutes from Davao wharves. Dive boats and bangka provide access to sites around Samal.