Philippines
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Top species 38
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsBlacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
A small, agile requiem shark recognized by the distinctive black tips on its dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. Commonly found patrolling shallow coral reefs and lagoons, it is one of the most frequently encountered reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsBlue-Ringed Octopus
Hapalochlaena spp.
Hapalochlaena spp., commonly known as blue-ringed octopuses, are a genus of highly venomous cephalopods found in shallow Indo-Pacific waters. Despite their small size, typically 10-25 cm, they possess a potent neurotoxin (tetrodotoxin) capable of paralyzing prey and posing a danger to humans if provoked. They are characterized by iridescent blue rings that flash as a warning when the animal feels threatened.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsBumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
The bumphead parrotfish is the largest species of parrotfish, known for the characteristic hump on its head. They are predominantly herbivores, grazing on coral reefs by scraping off algae and live coral, and are often seen in large schools.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsCoconut Octopus
Amphioctopus marginatus
The Coconut Octopus, also known as the Veined Octopus, is an intelligent cephalopod found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters. It is renowned for its unique behavior of using discarded coconut shells, bivalve shells, or other debris as portable shelters and for defense, often walking bipedally while carrying them. This species preys on crustaceans and bivalves, primarily hunting during dusk and dawn.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsCommerson's Frogfish
Antennarius commerson
The Commerson's Frogfish, also known as the Giant Frogfish, is a master of camouflage, often mimicking sponges or corals to ambush its prey. It possesses a modified first dorsal spine that acts as a fishing lure to attract fish and crustaceans, which it can swallow whole, sometimes consuming prey nearly its own size. This solitary, benthic fish moves by 'walking' on its pectoral and pelvic fins and is found in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsDenise's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus denise
Denise's pygmy seahorse is a diminutive species, rarely exceeding 2.4 cm in length, renowned for its exceptional camouflage within gorgonian corals. Its body coloration, typically yellow or orange with subtle patterns, and textured skin allow it to perfectly mimic its host seafan's polyps and stems. These seahorses are specialized predators, feeding on tiny crustaceans and zooplankton, and are often found alone or in pairs clinging to their coral hosts.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsDogtooth Tuna
Gymnosarda unicolor
The Dogtooth Tuna is a large predatory fish commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is recognizable by its elongated body and sharp teeth, allowing it to hunt a variety of marine species.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsEschmeyer's Scorpionfish
Rhinopias eschmeyeri
Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri) is a venomous marine ray-finned fish known for its exceptional camouflage. It possesses a deep, laterally compressed body, high-set eyes, and typically uniform coloration ranging from lilac, yellow, orange, or brick red. This ambush predator primarily moves by 'walking' or 'hopping' along the seabed using its pectoral and pelvic fins, waiting for unsuspecting prey.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsFlamboyant Cuttlefish
Metasepia pfefferi
This small cephalopod is known as the Flamboyant Cuttlefish due to its striking and rapid color changes. It primarily "walks" along the seafloor using its arms and fins rather than swimming, owing to a small internal cuttlebone. Metasepia pfefferi is also one of the few known venomous cephalopods, displaying its vibrant colors as a warning to predators.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Great Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, recognizable by its wide, flat head and tall, curved dorsal fin. As a migratory apex predator, it uses its unique head for enhanced sensing and pinning down prey.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHarlequin Shrimp
Hymenocera picta
The Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) is a vibrantly colored marine crustacean found in the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs. It is renowned for its striking patterns of white with pink, orange, or purple spots. This species is a highly specialized predator, feeding exclusively on starfish, which it often flips over to consume their tube feet and soft tissues. Harlequin shrimp typically live in monogamous pairs and can be found in sheltered areas such as rock crevices and caves within the reef system.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle recognizable by its distinctive hawk-like beak and overlapping scutes, which create a serrated edge on its carapace. Primarily found in tropical coral reefs, it plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by feeding mainly on sponges, which are toxic to most other animals. This species is critically endangered due to historical exploitation for its beautiful shell and ongoing threats like habitat loss and bycatch.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsLacy Scorpionfish
Rhinopias aphanes
The Lacy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) is a master of camouflage, featuring elaborate skin flaps and a variable maze-like pattern in colors from yellow to brown, green, purple, or black. It inhabits coral reefs and soft bottoms in the Western Pacific, relying on its appearance to blend in with its surroundings. This carnivorous species is a nocturnal ambush predator, using its pectoral and pelvic fins to "walk" or "hop" along the seabed rather than swimming, waiting patiently for small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsLeaf Scorpionfish
Taenianotus triacanthus
The Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) is a small, highly compressed marine fish renowned for its exceptional camouflage, mimicking a dead leaf or algae. It can change color and regularly sheds its skin. This ambush predator sways with the current, waiting for small fish and crustaceans. It possesses venomous spines for defense.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsMandarinfish
Synchiropus splendidus
The Mandarin Fish is one of the most colorful reef fish in the world, instantly recognizable by its vibrant blue, orange and green patterns. It inhabits sheltered coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, where it spends the day searching the seabed for tiny crustaceans and other invertebrates. Although relatively common, its small size, shy behavior and preference for hiding among coral make every encounter a special experience for divers and underwater photographers.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsMimic Octopus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is an extraordinary cephalopod renowned for its ability to impersonate a variety of other marine animals, including lionfish, sea snakes, and flatfish, to deter predators and ambush prey. It inhabits shallow, muddy, or sandy seafloors, particularly in river mouths and estuaries across the Indo-Pacific. This highly intelligent octopus can reach up to 60 cm in length and exhibits a base coloration of brown with white stripes, which it rapidly alters using chromatophores.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsOceanic Whitetip Shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
The oceanic whitetip shark is a large pelagic shark recognized by its broad, rounded fins tipped in white. It inhabits tropical and subtropical open oceans and is an opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on fish, squid, and carrion.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsOcellated Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
The Ocellated Eagle Ray, also known as the Whitespotted Eagle Ray, is a large ray characterized by a dark greenish-grey to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, and a white underside. It possesses a flattened, diamond-shaped body, a prominent snout, and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. This species primarily feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it crushes with its specialized dental plates.
BEST SEASON
Frequent sightingsOrnate Ghost Pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
The Ornate Ghost Pipefish is a master of camouflage, with a highly variable body coloration and intricate, leaf-like appendages that allow it to blend seamlessly with crinoids, corals, or algae in its tropical Indo-Pacific reef habitats. This ambush predator typically hovers head-down, feeding on small crustaceans like mysid shrimps and benthic shrimp, which it sucks into its elongated snout. Females are larger than males and carry eggs in a specialized brood pouch formed by their modified pelvic fins.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPainted Frogfish
Antennarius pictus
The Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) is a marine ray-finned fish found in the Indo-Pacific. It possesses a globulous, extensible body with soft, warty skin, and exhibits highly variable coloration for camouflage. This ambush predator uses a modified first dorsal spine (illicium) with a lure (esca) to attract its prey, which mainly consists of small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPeacock Mantis Shrimp
Odontodactylus scyllarus
The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a striking marine crustacean known for its vibrant colors and one of the fastest attacks in the animal kingdom. It uses its club-shaped raptorial appendages to deliver incredibly powerful blows, smashing the shells of mollusks and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPelagic Thresher Shark
Alopias pelagicus
The Pelagic Thresher Shark is recognizable by its extremely long caudal fin, which can be as long as its body and is used to stun prey. It is an active, fast-swimming carnivore found in tropical and subtropical open ocean waters, often near the surface but capable of diving to considerable depths. This species exhibits ovoviviparity and is unfortunately classified as Endangered due to overfishing and slow reproductive rates.
BEST SEASON
Frequent sightingsPygmy Seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
The Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), is one of the smallest seahorse species, rarely exceeding 2.8 cm in length. It is a master of camouflage, perfectly mimicking the color and texture of the Muricella gorgonian corals it exclusively inhabits, making it incredibly difficult to spot. These seahorses feed on tiny planktonic organisms using their elongated snout.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsRibbon Eel
Rhinomuraena quaesita
The Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita) is a slender, distinctive moray eel known for its vibrant colors, which change throughout its life from black (juvenile) to blue (male) and eventually yellow (female). It possesses expanded anterior nostrils and high dorsal fins, giving it a unique appearance. This species typically resides in sand burrows and crevices within coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, where it ambushes small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsScalloped Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.
BEST SEASON
Frequent sightingsShortfin Devil Ray
Mobula kuhlii
The Shortfin Devil Ray (Mobula kuhlii) is a medium-sized pelagic ray found in tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific waters. It is characterized by its short head, small cephalic fins, and a white-tipped dorsal fin, and feeds primarily on plankton using filter-feeding techniques. This species exhibits varied social behaviors, including solitary foraging, small groups, schooling, and aggregating at cleaning stations.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsSilvertip Shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
The Silvertip Shark is a large, streamlined requiem shark identifiable by the prominent white tips and trailing margins on all its fins. It is an aggressive apex predator, often dominating other sharks during feeding, and can be found in various tropical Indo-Pacific marine habitats from the surface to considerable depths. While often solitary or in pairs, it can also form small groups or mixed-species aggregations and exhibits variable activity patterns throughout the day and night.
BEST SEASON
Variable Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
The tiger shark is a large apex predator recognized by the dark vertical stripes along its body, especially visible in juveniles. It inhabits tropical and subtropical waters and has a highly varied diet, feeding on fish, rays, turtles, seabirds, and other marine animals.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWeedy Scorpionfish
Rhinopias frondosa
The Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) is a marine ray-finned fish known for its exceptional camouflage, with a highly compressed body covered in weed-like tentacles and skin flaps that vary in color. It is an ambush predator, primarily nocturnal, feeding on fish and small invertebrates. This species rarely swims, preferring to crawl along the seabed using its fins, often swaying to mimic algae or debris.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWhitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsWunderpus Octopus
Wunderpus photogenicus
The Wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus) is a small, striking cephalopod known for its distinct white and rusty-brown coloration with unique patterns across its body. It possesses long, slender arms and eyes set on elongated stalks, often mimicking venomous sea snakes or lionfish to deter predators. This species primarily inhabits shallow, soft-sediment environments in the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, emerging at dusk and dawn to hunt small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsYellow-lipped Sea Krait
Laticauda colubrina
The Yellow-lipped Sea Krait often returns to the same small beach for weeks at a time, using land as a safe spot to rest, digest and shed before heading back out to hunt eels on the reef. It surfaces with just its nostrils showing like a tiny snorkel between dives and is famously calm around careful divers.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 83
Alligator PipefishSyngnathoides biaculeatus
Barred MorayEchidna polyzona
Barred Thicklip WrasseHemigymnus fasciatus
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blue-barred ParrotfishScarus ghobban
Bluering AngelfishPomacanthus annularis
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Blunt-head ParrotfishChlorurus microrhinos
Broadclub CuttlefishSepia latimanus
Broomtail WrasseCheilinus lunulatus
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Chambered NautilusNautilus pompilius
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Common Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus
Coral HindCephalopholis miniata
Delicate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus leptosoma
Disco ClamCtenoides ales
Dragon Moray EelEnchelycore pardalis
Dusky BatfishPlatax pinnatus
Ember ParrotfishScarus rubroviolaceus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Fimbriated MorayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant Oceanic Manta RayMobula birostris
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Glider FlyingfishCheilopogon atrisignis
Golden SpadefishPlatax boersii
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Greyface MorayGymnothorax thyrsoideus
Halimeda Ghost PipefishSolenostomus halimeda
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Jointed RazorfishAeoliscus strigatus
Kellogg's ScorpionfishScorpaenodes kelloggi
Latticed ButterflyfishChaetodon rafflesii
LionfishPterois spp.
Longtail Butterfly RayGymnura poecilura
Lyretail AnthiasPseudanthias squamipinnis
Messmate pipefishCorythoichthys haematopterus
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellaris ClownfishAmphiprion ocellaris
Orange ClownfishAmphiprion percula
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Ornate Eagle RayAetomylaeus vespertilio
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Pharaoh CuttlefishSepia pharaonis
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Prickly LeatherjacketChaetodermis penicilligerus
Purple Queen AnthiasPseudanthias tuka
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Regal AngelfishPygoplites diacanthus
Robust Ghost PipefishSolenostomus cyanopterus
Round Ribbontail RayTaeniurops meyeni
Saddleback ClownfishAmphiprion polymnus
Scrawled FilefishAluterus scriptus
Silky SharkCarcharhinus falciformis
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spanish DancerHexabranchus sanguineus
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Stellate PufferArothron stellatus
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Tentacled FlatheadPapilloculiceps longiceps
Thorny SeahorseHippocampus histrix
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Tomato ClownfishAmphiprion frenatus
Valentin's Sharpnose PufferCanthigaster valentini
Warty FrogfishAntennarius maculatus
White-spotted PufferfishArothron hispidus
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra Mantis ShrimpLysiosquillina maculata
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Explore Philippines on the map
Frequently asked questions about Philippines
What are the best dive destinations in Philippines?
Philippines has 4 dive destinations, including Malapascua, Anilao, Apo Reef, and Tubbataha Reefs.
When is the best time to dive in Philippines?
It depends on where you dive in Philippines: Malapascua from November to May, Anilao from March to May and from October to December, Apo Reef from November to May, and Tubbataha Reefs from March to June.
What marine life can you see diving in Philippines?
Divers can encounter 121 species in Philippines. Highlights include Blacktip Reef Shark, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Bumphead Parrotfish, Coconut Octopus, Commerson's Frogfish, and Denise's pygmy seahorse.
When can you see the Blue-Ringed Octopus in Philippines?
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is most often seen in Philippines from March to October.
When can you see the Coconut Octopus in Philippines?
The Coconut Octopus is most often seen in Philippines from March to October.
When can you see the Denise's pygmy seahorse in Philippines?
The Denise's pygmy seahorse is most often seen in Philippines from March to October.
What is the water temperature in Philippines?
Water temperature across Philippines ranges from 22°C at Anilao to 31°C at Malapascua.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Philippines?
The water across Philippines ranges from 22°C to 31°C, so pack anything from a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty to a 5 mm wetsuit depending on the site and the season.
What is the visibility like when diving in Philippines?
Visibility in Philippines ranges from 0 m to 50 m. The clearest water is found at Apo Reef.
What can you see on a night dive in Philippines?
After dark, Philippines reveals nocturnal species such as Lacy Scorpionfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, Weedy Scorpionfish, Whitetip Reef Shark, Yellow-lipped Sea Krait, and Brownbanded Bamboo Shark.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Philippines. Spotted something that looks off?
Tell us