Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Scuba diver explores colorful coral reef teeming with marine life in the Galápagos Islands.
📷 Walter Torres · Pexels

7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC)

3.8 — based on 25 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

7 Islands Reef offers year-round diving near East Maquinit Island in the Philippines with documented marine species and active local community engagement.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
BleachingRiskPhotoFriendlyShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC) location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
2.4 kn
Wave
0.14 m
Water
29.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (45%)
Now: ESE (117°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.15m

Next: Low at 04:00 (+0.4m)

+1.4 m+0.2 m
▼ 04:00 · +0.4m ▲ 10:00 · +1.38m ▼ 17:00 · +0.27m ▲ 23:00 · +1.04m
Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed 16Thu 17Fri 18
UV8.7 · very high Air PM2.518 · moderate 05:48 18:02
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-12 4.5 0.22 9 3mm
09-13 8.4 0.26 9 2mm
09-14 10.6 0.38 9 1mm
09-15 5.9 0.28 6 3mm
09-16 4.3 0.18 8 4mm
09-17 4.5 0.12 9 28mm
09-18 5.4 0.16 8 30mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

7 Islands Reef sits in the Philippines and delivers year-round diving access near East Maquinit Island. The site draws divers through its reef systems and the presence of recorded species observations, making it a known destination for underwater exploration in this region. Local divers have contributed video documentation to the site, offering insight into conditions and marine life encounters. This community-driven content helps newer divers understand what to expect underwater. The reef sits outside a Marine Protected Area, which shapes access and management considerations. The site is currently flagged for coral bleaching watch status, a reminder that Philippine reefs face thermal stress. This underscores the importance of responsible diving practices—minimal contact with corals, proper buoyancy control, and respect for the ecosystem. Twelve species observations are on record, indicating reliable marine life activity. Your best bet is contacting local dive operators familiar with 7 Islands Reef conditions. Water conditions, depth ranges, and difficulty vary seasonally despite year-round access. Dive shops in nearby towns can provide current reports and guide services.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Philippines: 119 Sites, Wrecks & Walls Worth the Flight

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌑 Moon New moon · 0%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 10957km · ~2520kg · €45

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 11h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive 7 Islands Reef?

7 Islands Reef opens year-round. However, current conditions shift with season. Contact local operators for real-time visibility, water temperature, and swell forecasts before booking.

What is the difficulty level and typical depth?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not published for this site. Local dive shops familiar with the reef can assess your experience level and match you to the right conditions on any given day.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are documented at 7 Islands Reef. Community videos provide visual evidence of local marine life. Ask your operator for species checklists and recent sightings before your dive.

Do I need permits or special access?

7 Islands Reef lies outside a Marine Protected Area. Standard Philippine diving regulations apply. Your local operator will handle permits and know current access requirements for East Maquinit Island.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

W Divers Coron

3.7 km
4.4 (81 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified
Hours: Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Aquahabitat Divesafari & Tours

3.8 km
5.0 (167 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 46+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Neptune Dive Center

3.3 km
4.5 (139 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 52+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM

PAX Dive

3.3 km
4.9 (388 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 38+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Dive Center Coron

3.4 km
4.6 (208 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 39+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Dive Center Coron

3.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

SCUBA DIVING BELIZE | Ambergris Caye and Placencia | travel vlog 2019

Fearless & Far
💬 3 top comments
  • Which was your favourite animal we saw? 🦈 Get Certified with PADI www.padi.com/ Follow William Drumm on Insta www.instagram.com/williamdrumm Thanks for Watching!

    @fearlessandfar · 👍 21
  • Every single video I wonder why doesn’t he have like 70 million subscribers. I love this channel thank you so much for making videos ❤️❤️❤️

    @alexhrock6250 · 👍 35
  • I'm so in love with the sleeping turtle 😍😍

    @leahjanegarcia3610 · 👍 4

Scuba Diving Philippines - The Top 5 Dive Sites in the Country

Critter Hunter
💬 3 top comments
  • If you like this video and want to see more, make sure to subscribe! Just click the link - www.youtube.com/channel/UCgZ4PmHITuqaZQa4YhPGQww?s…

    @CritterHunter · 👍 4
  • Looks incredible, such a variety of species. I hope I get to dive those one day.

    @robertwestling2467 · 👍 6
  • Thanks so much Justin. My last diving there was 1991. Like McArthur said, “I’ll be right back”. Hopefully 2021 after the virus.

    @pukibob · 👍 4

We Found Bohol’s Best Kept Secret: Scuba, Wildlife & Culture!

DiVE KS
💬 3 top comments
  • Well done Erika and Kirk!! This is an awesome video!!!

    @emilieauger8497 · 👍 6
  • Finn Snow can bring you to Tubattaha Reef, well he is a vlogger that's love diving as well

    @ATEEMY1965 · 👍 4
  • Yes! The Philippines has the best divesites in the the world!!

    @evildisaster8149 · 👍 0
wind peaks Feb-Jul-Mar, calmest Aug-Oct-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

Nearby spots

Barracuda Lake Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Barracuda Lake

Barracuda Lake in the Philippines is a year-round dive destination known for its unique freshwater-saltwater mix and abundant barracuda schools.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Coron — IRAKO Wreck Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Coron — IRAKO Wreck

Advanced wreck dive on the IRAKO in Coron, Philippines. A deep Japanese cargo ship from WWII in 28–42m of water.

Advanced 28–42m
Teru Kaze Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Teru Kaze

Teru Kaze is a year-round Philippine dive site with 12 recorded species observations and active community documentation.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Dive site Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Dive site

Dimipac Island offers year-round diving in the Philippines with diverse marine life and accessible reef exploration.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Corde Point Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Corde Point

Corde Point is a year-round dive site within Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines, featuring healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
South Corner Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

South Corner

South Corner at Apo Reef Natural Park offers year-round diving in a protected marine sanctuary with healthy coral and rich biodiversity.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →