Diving in Dauin in Dumaguete and Apo Island

Part of the Dumaguete and Apo Island travel guide — see every topic in All Dumaguete and Apo Island Guides.

Dauin is a coastal town about 16 kilometres south of Dumaguete. Its long, dark volcanic sand beach is lined with dive resorts. Under the water, the sandy slopes look empty at first, but they are full of small and unusual animals. This kind of diving is called muck diving, and divers come from around the world for it. Dauin is also the closest base for diving at Apo Island.

Muck diving

Muck diving means looking for small animals on sand, mud or sea grass instead of on a coral reef. In Dauin, divers search the black sand slowly with a guide and often find octopuses, cuttlefish, frogfish, seahorses and many colourful sea slugs. Rare animals like the mimic octopus and the flamboyant cuttlefish are seen here. Guides are very good at spotting tiny creatures. This style of diving is calm and slow, and it is a favourite with underwater photographers. Visibility can be lower than on a reef, but the animals are close and easy to photograph.

Sanctuaries close to shore

The town has several small marine sanctuaries along its coast, where fishing is not allowed. Many have artificial reefs made of old tyres, frames or other structures, which are now covered in coral and full of fish. Because the sanctuaries are close to the beach, many dives start from shore or need only a very short boat ride. This keeps diving easy and relaxed. Visitors usually pay a small sanctuary fee for each dive, and the money goes to the local community. Snorkellers can also enjoy the shallow parts of some sanctuaries.

Apo Island dives

From Dauin, dive boats reach Apo Island in about 30 to 45 minutes. The island has a very different kind of diving from Dauin. Here you find coral walls, strong colours, schools of fish and many turtles. Some sites have currents, which bring more fish but need more skill. Dive shops choose sites based on the tide and the weather, and the more advanced sites are only for experienced divers. A usual day trip includes two or three dives with lunch on the boat or on the island. Park and dive fees are paid on top of the trip price.

Courses and choosing a dive shop

Dauin and Dumaguete have many dive shops, from small local teams to large resorts. Most offer beginner try dives, full open water courses and advanced courses. Water is warm all year, at about 26 to 30 degrees, so a thin wetsuit is enough. When choosing a shop, ask about group size, the condition of the gear and the experience of the guides. A good shop gives a clear briefing before every dive. If you have a health condition, check with a doctor before diving. Do not fly for at least 18 to 24 hours after your last dive.

Diving in Dauin at a glance

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