Where is the best diving in the Philippines? Those who have visited Southern Leyte dive sites around Sogod Bay say this is some of the best diving they have ever done. Described as an undiscovered divers’ paradise, there is something to suit all divers’ preferences; pristine coral reef wall dives at Napantao, muck diving and super macro at Maltibog Lembeh, shore dives at Max Climax, incredible night dive at Padre Burgos Jetty/Pier and everything in between. 
However, Southern Leyte’s biggest draw is November to May when you can swim with whale sharks. 

If you like your dive destinations off the beaten track, and to be the only boat at a dive site, Southern Leyte is the place for you. 
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Still largely unheard of, a trip to Southern Leyte provides divers and underwater photographers with a special experience. The journey in itself is an adventure, but when you dive the marine protected waters, the rewards are worth it.
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Feet Do Travel take you to one of the best word-of-mouth destinations we have discovered, and show you the fantastic diving at Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte; an undiscovered paradise.

Sitting on my balcony in Leyte, listening to the waves gently lapping against the shore, I looked out over Sogod Bay. Somewhere out there are whale sharks. The gentle giant of the ocean and the largest fish in the world.

In the Philippines you can swim with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu where sightings are 100% guaranteed, but as a responsible traveller, we chose to visit Southern Leyte. 

The reason? They offer the best place for whale shark watching in the Philippines in a natural, sustainable way. No feeding, no touching, no ticket numbers, no queuing up on a beach for two hours with hundreds of other people in the blazing sun waiting for your allocated slot, no man with a mega phone yelling that your 30 minute time is up. 
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Swimming and snorkelling with whale sharks in the Philippines is big tourism, and Oslob, Cebu has the most un-natural, circus style experience you can have. In contrast, Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte offered the most sustainable swimming with whale shark experience in the Philippines.

Feet Do Travel show you that it’s possible to swim with whale sharks ethically in the Philippines. 

If you love macro then you should go scuba diving in Dauin, it’s THE place for muck diving in the Philippines’ and equivalent to Lembeh Strait in Indonesia – a muck diver’s heaven. Underwater photographers come here to capture rare and unusual critters which can be seen all along the coastline of this municipality in Negros Oriental.

Dauin also offers the biodiversity of nearby Apo Island where turtles and a plethora of schooling reef fish can be seen on every dive. The Philippines is in the heart of the coral triangle – one of the world’s most famous scuba diving regions known for its marine diversity. If you like the small stuff or the big stuff, a trip to Dauin should be on your list.
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Diving isn’t just about the dive itself, if you want a fantastic experience, it’s about the professionalism of the dive centre, a competent guide to point out all the rare and unusual creatures, and where you stay. If you like the sound of nature, sleeping in a natural environment, and enjoy a social place to fill in your log book whilst sipping on an after dive beer, Bongo Bongo Divers is the place for you.

Feet Do Travel show you muck diving in the Philippines – Scuba Diving in Dauin.

​Asia has become an increasingly popular destination to travel to in recent years. But with the number of diverse countries to pick from, how do you decide where to travel first?

Well, as a starting point, we’ve gathered six destinations which offer a memorable experience you’ll treasure forever.