Verde Island Passage⚠ data unverified
Philippines · Asia · South China Sea
4.0
/ 5
★★★★☆
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Level Advanced
Marine life
4.5
Visibility
4.0
Accessibility
3.4
Facilities
3.2
Pros
- Excellent visibility up to 25 m
- 4 standout marine species
- Best conditions in Mar–May
Cons
- Strong currents — skilled divers only
- Deep dives to 40 m
Best for
Not for
Plan your trip
$$$🛏️
Suggested stay
1–2 days
💸
Cost level
Relative cost $$$ · ≈ $71/day
Developed dive town, but options are limited and prices average.
🏨
Where to stay
Day-boat diving based at a dedicated dive resort or dive centre. A manageable dive base with a handful of operators.
🧭
Real daily cost in Philippines
Around $71/day per person · food $24 · hotel $46
Good to know
- Expect strong current — run drift dives with an experienced local guide.
- Conditions can be demanding; dive with an operator who knows the site.
- Built for experienced divers — an Advanced Open Water cert is a good idea.
- Prime season is Mar–May.
📷 Kampfgruppe · CC BY-SA 3.0
Depth
5–40 m (16–131 ft)
Visibility
25 m (82 ft)
Water temp
27–29°C (81–84°F)
Current
Strong
Best season
Mar–May
Certification
Advanced
Dive shops
5
Why go
Verde Island Passage sits in the South China Sea off Philippines, a wall and reef system where dives drop from shallow tops into deeper water. Dives run to 40 m with around 25 m visibility, strong currents and sea temperatures of 27–29°C. Marine highlights include turtles, trevally, corals and sharks. Best season is Mar–May, typically reached by boat. Built for experienced divers. An Advanced Open Water certification is recommended. Strong currents and dives to 40 m call for solid buoyancy and comfort at depth.
Site type
WallReefDrift
Access
Boat
Clear water and the chance of corals — what more do you want?
Reliable conditions and plenty of variety — I rate it highly for guiding.
Worth the journey — the Mar–May window is the time to go.