Best Dive Sites in Eastern Visayas - Southern Leyte | Camiguin Island

Often overlooked but quietly spectacular, these regions offer some of the most pristine and peaceful diving experiences in the Philippines. Southern Leyte and Camiguin Island sit off the beaten path, but their uncrowded reefs, healthy coral systems, and seasonal big-animal encounters make them hidden gems for divers.

Southern Leyte is best known for Sogod Bay, where vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and macro-rich muck sites stretch across the bay. The area is a seasonal hotspot for whale sharks—especially from November to May—offering non-invasive, eco-friendly encounters. Dive sites like Napantao Marine Sanctuary and Limasawa Island showcase the incredible marine biodiversity that makes diving in the Philippines world-class.

Camiguin Island— nicknamed the "Island Born of Fire"—offers volcanic underwater landscapes, thermocline layers, and dramatic drop-offs. Dive sites like Mantigue Island, Sunken Cemetery, and Burias Shoal reveal a mix of healthy reef life and eerie geological formations. Camiguin is also home to rare critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs in kaleidoscopic colors, making it a favorite for macro enthusiasts.

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Dive Map #5 - Eastern Visayas & Camiguin Island

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DIVE MAP #5 - Best Diving Southern Leyte & Camiguin Island

Index - Dive Sites Southern Leyte & Camiguin

Category	Details
Travel	Southern Leyte: Fly into Cebu and take a ferry to Bato (approx. 4-5 hours), then travel overland to Padre Burgos (about 1 hour). From Tagbilaran, Bohol, take a van to Ubay (1.5–2 hours) and then ferry to Bato. Alternatively, fly to Tacloban and hire a car to Padre Burgos (approx. 3 hours). Note: Dive resorts typically provide one-way pick-up from Bato, so coordinate in advance. Camiguin Island: Take the ferry from Jagna, Bohol to Camiguin (approx. 4 hours).
Recommendations	Southern Leyte: This relatively untouched region offers spectacular diving. Don’t miss Juns Pinnacle, Napatanao, Medicare Dives, and Limasawa Island. Expect vibrant reefs, deep walls, and an abundance of marine life, including occasional pelagics. Camiguin Island: While not as well-known for diving, the island still has notable sites such as Mantinique Island and Catibac. Camiguin is more famous for its natural beauty, including seven volcanoes, hot springs, and beautiful beaches — a true Philippine gem worth exploring beyond the dive sites.

Dive Southern Leyte

Dive Map #5 Indexed By	Dive Site Name	Dive Operations Boat/Shore	Best Season	Depth Range Dive Type	Water Temperature	Highlights
John Hawkins From: Dauis Bohol Dived - March 2025	Medicare North	Padre Burgos is the main area for dive operators, of note Peters Dive Resort & Sogod Bay Scuba Resort Boat Trip - 20min	Year Round - Noting: Best Season: November - May	Wide coral shelf, followed by steep wall down to 45m Drift Dive on the wall, coral shelf more settled area.	February - March 26°C Septmeber - October 28°C	Very healthy coral gardens on the shelf, high density of Hawksbill Turtles. Wall covered in hard and soft corals.
John Hawkins From: Dauis Bohol When Dived - March 2025	Juns Pinnicle	Padre Burgos is the main area for dive operators, of note Peters Dive Resort & Sogod Bay Scuba Resort Boat Trip - Situated on the other side of the bay, 45min - 1 Hour	Year Round - Noting: Potential Impact from the south west monsoon season (June - November).	Rock pinnacle in the bay - Pinnacle top 7m - 10m, surronded by vertical wall down to 45m Dive - Expect current on the wall	February-March 26°C September-October 29°C	Drop of the shallow directly down to the bottom of the pinnacle to 40m. Start to assend at 5 min NDL. Great soft and hard corals on the wall. Top of the pinnacle the reef is healthy with lots of reef fish.
John Hawkins From: Dauis Bohol When Dived - March 2025	Napantao North	Padre Burgos is the main area for dive operators, of note Peters Dive Resort & Sogod Bay Scuba Resort Boat Trip - Situated on the otehr side of the bay, 45min - 1 Hour	Year Round - Noting: Potential Impact from the south west monsoon season (June - November).	Coral Shelf To 9-10m. Big Wall on the point down To 50m+, expect strong current Drift Dive	February-March 26°C September-October 29°C	Wall is thriving with coral both hard and soft and covered with marine life. Coral shelf with numerous outcrops and caves including black-tip sharks. Be aware of the potential for very strong current at this site.
John Hawkins From: Dauis Bohol When Dived - March 2025	Limasawa Island Adrians Cove	Most Dive Trips Are Out Of Panglao, Alona Beach Area. Boat Trip - 45min / 1 Hour	Year Round - Noting: Potential Impact from the north east monsoon season (November - May).	Narrow Coral Shelf To 9-10m. Followed By A Big Wall Down To 40m Drift Dive	February-March 26°C September-October 29°C	Great wall diving, soft and hard coral, coral shelf very healthy.

Dive Camiguin Island

Dive Map #5 Indexed By	Dive Site Name	Dive Operations Boat/Shore	Best Season	Depth Range Dive Type	Water Temperature	Highlights
John Hawkins From: Dauis Bohol When Dived: June 2024	Mantigue Island	Once on the island take van to San Roque to pick up dive boats Boat Trip - 45min	Year Round	Slope To 9-10m. Followed By Small Wall Down To 20m	February-March 26°C September-October 29°C	Beautiful place to fun dive, reef is full of life, and the scenery looking back at Camiguin is breathtaking.