Ever since I learned how to freedive, I have been meaning to visit more dive sites in the Philippines especially freediving in Dumaguete Negros Oriental. Along with Batangas, Moalboal Cebu, Coron Palawan, Puerto Galera, Siquijor, and Bohol, one of my lists is to really explore the underwater scenery of Dumaguete.
Negros Oriental especially the “City of Gentle People”, Dumaguete, is not entirely new to me at all. I always see it as a laidback, familiar city, yet it remains strange to me ‘cause I always seem to forget where places are, even though I’ve been there a lot of times already. But visiting the province of Negros Oriental again on a different purpose feels like exploring a whole new destination.
4 Best Dive Spots in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental houses Dumaguete City, and this province is considered to be one of the most visited diving destinations of the Philippines. Almost all types of diving can be experienced here — scuba diving, deep sea diving, snorkeling, and freediving, which has undeniably become more popular nowadays. The undersea of Negros Oriental is rich with many beautiful corals and a wide variety of fish. You can even find turtles within the shoreline.
Here are four (4) of the best dive spots in Negros Oriental that you should also see and explore, especially if you’re an experienced freediver! Please know that some of these dive spots are private.
APO ISLAND -- A Must-visit Island in Dumaguete Negros Oriental
Apo Island is a haven of sea turtles. Even a snorkeler can enjoy the sight of the sea turtles as they can easily be seen within the shorelines of the island. Believe it or not, turtles are literally everywhere to see and can be experience in Apo Island, diver or not.
Apo Island is strictly implementing a guide for all the guests of at least one guide for every two guests. They will be your guide to see the turtles.
When I visited Apo Island the second time around, I was with my safety guide and underwater videographer — Shem. But still, they require us to have a local guide. Some of the guides take underwater videos, too.
DAUIN MARINE SANCTUARY
What was once a sleepy fishing village has now become a popular destination for travelers who seek natural beauty, adventure, and underwater experiences. Dauin is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. That’s why it became famous for freedivers as well.
I am very fortunate to experience a few of Dauin’s dive spots for freedivers. A local guide can easily help you to go to these spots because they know the exact location. Here are some of the dive spots you can freedive in Dauin Dumaguet, Negros Oriental.
The Cage
With a maximum depth of almost 13 meters, the cage is an amazing dive spot in Dauin, Dumaguete that gives you this thrill feeling.
Dauin is known for its black sand, so when I was observing the cage from the surface, it was dark, and I couldn’t see the cage clearly, so I got a bit nervous before my first dive down. But then, after one dive, I already enjoyed it. This spot is just a few kicks away from the shore, but it’s best to get a local guide when you go there.
Dauin Reef Village
One fun fact about Dauin is that it’s home to some of the world’s most unique creatures, including the pygmy seahorse and the flamboyant cuttlefish. These creatures can be found in the waters surrounding Dauin, making it a popular spot for divers and snorkelers.
BACONG PORT/PIER (Private)
This dive spot in Bacong, Dumaguete is fascinating with the stands of the pier pillars looming around you and covered in a wide variety of colourful soft corals. Bacong Port is widely known in the freediving community as one of the must-visit diving spots in the Philippines. The large pillars are naturally decorated with corals, which makes this spot breathtakingly beautiful to see.
As you dive down, you’d see how amazing the pillars extended to the bottom of the ocean, which appears to be atleast 15 meters deep during our dive. The pier itself has about 1-2 meter gap beneath the surface of the water and the concrete top so you can come up for air almost anywhere safely without getting trapped underneath the pier.
To dive in Bacong Port is a dream come true for me as an aspiring freediver. I have fallen in love with it, that’s why I was sad to hear the news that it’s going to be demolished soon. It’s owned by a big company and is now private. They already restrict divers from diving in Bacong Port for safety purposes.
TAMPI PORT -- Known as "The Jungle" (Strictly Private)
Tampi Port is a highly-guarded and active port in Dumaguete because it is privately owned by a shipping company. This dive spot is for everyone, but anybody who dives there strictly needs to ask permission from the owner days prior to the dive day.
Unfortunately, I cannot give any information on who to contact because I just got invited by a close friend of mine to join them. However, you may try contacting Lawud Freediving for any dive opportunities that they may organize in Dumaguete. With them, there’s a chance that they might organize a dive in Tampi Port.
Tampi port is an operational port. The spot has ships being worked on, and the seawater tastes and smells like an oil spill. Please, don’t ever sneak-in to dive spots that are private. It might be dangerous for you. They are private for a reason!
Tiktok Videos in Dumagute Negros Oriental
Every dive is a memory worth sharing for and I like to keep a lot of freediving videos wherever I go. Here are some of my underwater videos in the beautiful reef of different dive spots in Dumaguete Negros Oriental. Share some of yours, too!
@icedcoffeebabie ascending from the underwater jungle with the Shem Uy
♬ original sound - 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐄 ☕️🧜♀️ - 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐆
@icedcoffeebabie Literally the calm under pressure dahil sa sobrang maalon na surface 😅
♬ -
@icedcoffeebabie Bacong Port is breathtaking 😍🧜♀️🌊
♬ original sound - 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐄 ☕️🧜♀️ - 𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐆
Freediving School and Community in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
If you’re based in Negros Oriental or planning to visit Dumaguete, you’ll find a growing freediving community that welcomes both beginners and experienced divers. Here are some schools and communities you can connect with if you want to start your freediving journey or meet fellow ocean lovers in the area.
Anima Freediving is a Molchanovs Freediving Education center founded by Ruskin Monofollo, a Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor and AIDA Depth Competition Safety Diver based in Dauin, Negros Oriental. The school regularly conducts freediving courses and organizes trips to Apo Island. Beyond Dumaguete, they also collaborate with and teach other freediving communities across nearby provinces.
Lawud Freediving is a community-based group in Dumaguete that brings together local freedivers through regular dive sessions and events. The community is known for organizing exclusive dives at Tampi Port, making it a great group to connect with if you’ve always wanted to experience one of Negros Oriental’s unique port dives.
While not a freediving school or formal community, Salt and Sun Lifestyle is a freediving shop and has become a familiar name among freedivers in Dumaguete. Through the experiences of Harvey Belandres, the brand celebrates the ocean lifestyle through storytelling, photography, and community gatherings. It’s a great place to discover different freediving communities, connect with fellow divers, and appreciate the lifestyle that comes with spending more time in the water.
Freediving in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, is one of those experiences that quietly stays with you long after you leave. While many divers come for the world-famous reefs of Dauin and the marine biodiversity of Apo Island, what makes the freediving scene here special is the community behind it.
What makes Dumaguete different from any other destinations I’ve experienced is its laid-back and community-driven approach to freediving. I love how they’re building a deeper connection with the ocean and the people who share the same passion for it.
If you’re looking for a place to learn, explore, and grow as a freediver, Dumaguete is a destination worth experiencing.
Would you recommend this spot for someone visiting the country for the first time with a limited schedule? Or do you think there are ‘bigger’ attractions and cities to see as a top priority?
No, I don’t recommend this spot for someone visiting the Philippines for the first time. There are other attractions to see first, but this depends on what you want to do. Philippines is famous for white sand beaches and islands. If you want a diverse province with wide range of tourist attractions, I recommend visiting Cebu.
thank you for the advice1