Open Water Courses
Leyte is situated in the Eastern Visayas to the northeast of Cebu and north of Bohol. Leyte is among the country’s most historic provinces, proud of its rich and significant past. It was the site not only of a major uprising against the Spaniards but also of the famous landing of US forces during the World War II, marking its place in history as the point of entry for the American forces of liberation. What was left of the Japanese fleet was destroyed around the island, but wreck diving is not possible due to the depths and uncertain locations of the warships. All the diving here is concentrated on the southern part of the island and can effectively be split into three main areas - around and off the coast of Limasawa Island, Pananon Island and Libagon. All areas offer good diving, but southern Leyte is best known for the chances to come across whale sharks that migrate through these waters. The best time to see them is from November to the end of May. Divers love Leyte for its long and intact coral reefs and beautiful drop offs. Limasawa Island is a very popular destination on the south of Leyte Island with dive sites for all levels of divers. The area has amazing drop-offs, deep canyons, and a variety of corals and fish. Sogod Bay is known for whale shark watching and some quite attractive dive sites visitors have a chance to explore.
Diving in Leyte is available all year-round. The best time to come here is from November through May when the average air temperature ranges between 26-36C/80-96F and the average water surface temperature around 26-30C/80-86F. Visibility ranges between 10-40m/32-131ft, depending on the ties. Currents can be strong at some sites.
What to see
Its dive sites are home to many kinds of marine life, including whale sharks, grouper, barracudas, tiny pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and pipefish as well as turtles, frogfish, and napoleon wrasse, a large diversity of corals, gorgonians, tables, brains, sea whips, barrels, and sponges.
Some of the best dive sites on the south of Leyte Island are Max Climax Wall, Peter's Mound, Napantao, Adrian's Cove, Padre Burgos Pier, Tangkaan Point. Napantao fish sanctuary is a great home to huge gorgonians, black, and soft corals along with many other species like batfish, grouper, sweetlips, turtles and barracudas.