Diving

Siquijor Snorkeling & Manta Bowl Dive

๐Ÿ“ Siquijor Islandโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…ยฝ4.8โฑ Half day (4-5 hrs)
โฑ Half day (4-5 hrs)โœ… Free cancellation๐Ÿ“ฑ Instant confirmation๐ŸŒ English guide๐Ÿ‘ฅ Small group

About this tour

The waters around Siquijor are among the least-dived in the Philippines despite harbouring reef systems of exceptional quality. The island sits at the intersection of the Bohol Sea and the deeper Sulu Sea basin, creating the nutrient-rich, current-swept conditions that big marine life loves. The Manta Bowl is the headline act: a large submerged depression off the island's north coast where manta rays gather at cleaning stations and thresher sharks drift in from the deep on regular patrol routes.

The tour combines snorkeling at shallow reef sites along the Siquijor coast with a deeper dive at the Bowl itself. For snorkelers, the coastal reef gardens between San Juan and Paliton Beach are extraordinary โ€” dense coral bommies at 2โ€“5 metres depth, thick with sweetlips, triggerfish, and occasional sea turtles cruising through. For certified divers, the guide takes small groups to the Manta Bowl's cleaning station site at 15โ€“22 metres, where manta rays the size of dining tables hover motionless while cleaner wrasse work their gills.

Boats depart from the main Siquijor pier or San Juan Beach depending on the morning's conditions and current forecasts. The crew are experienced local divers who have worked these sites for years and know the manta schedule better than anyone. Book via Klook for confirmed equipment, safety gear, and an experienced dive-certified guide.

Highlights

  • โœ“Manta ray encounters at the Manta Bowl cleaning station
  • โœ“Thresher shark patrol routes at the Bowl's outer edge
  • โœ“Shallow reef snorkeling at Paliton and San Juan coastal reefs
  • โœ“Small-group diving with experienced local dive guides
  • โœ“Full equipment provided โ€” tanks, BCD, regulator, wetsuit
  • โœ“One of the most pristine and least-crowded dive areas in the Visayas

What's included

  • โœ“Bangka boat to reef and Manta Bowl sites
  • โœ“Snorkeling gear (mask, fins, vest)
  • โœ“Scuba equipment for certified divers (BCD, regulator, tank, wetsuit)
  • โœ“Dive guide
  • โœ“Instant confirmation via Klook

Frequently asked questions

What certification do I need to dive the Manta Bowl?
Open Water Diver certification minimum. The cleaning station at 15โ€“22m is accessible to OWD; the deeper patrol route requires Advanced OWD.
Are manta rays guaranteed?
Mantas are resident in the area but large pelagic animals cannot be guaranteed on every dive. The crew monitor conditions daily and will advise on recent sightings before departure.
Can non-divers come on the boat?
Yes โ€” the tour includes shallow reef snorkeling for non-divers while certified guests dive the Bowl. Everyone gets in the water.

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