Dive site · access from Donsol & Ticao Pass
San Miguel Island Reef
Fringing reef sites near San Miguel Island off Donsol, used as the everyday scuba alternative to the offshore seamount.
- Depth
- 5–25m
- Current
- Moderate
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Reef and macro dives — nudibranchs, frogfish, soft and hard corals
- More predictable conditions than Manta Bowl
- Schooling fish over reef and sand
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Moderate current can affect whether the site is suitable on the day.
Access and timing
Plan this through Donsol & Ticao Pass
Best overall months: Feb, Mar, Apr. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Donsol & Ticao Pass
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at San Miguel Island Reef.
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | peak season |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | peak season |
Pelagic thresher shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Whale shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | peak season |
| June | occasional |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Bigeye trevally
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Scalloped hammerhead shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Diving Bicol: Guide to Bicol Dive Destinations, PhilippineDives.com
- Ticao Island diving, Expat Getaways
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.