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Doug's Ridge

3.6 — based on 20 community signals
4.2 12 species 23 contributors

Doug's Ridge offers year-round diving near Danjugan Island's seven ecosystems in the Philippines. Healthy coral and diverse marine life make it accessible to most divers.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark, Common octopus, Nudibranch

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Doug's Ridge location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.9 kn
Wave
0.64 m
Water
29.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (35%)
Now: SE (134°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.29m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1.3m)

+1.3 m0 m+0.0 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.3m ▼ 12:00 · +0.22m ▲ 03:00 · +1.24m ▼ 14:00 · +0.14m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.1 · very high Air PM2.518 · moderate 05:39 17:48
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 9.5 0.76 9 2mm
09-20 6.4 0.52 9 5mm
09-21 7.3 0.3 8 6mm
09-22 7.6 0.22 9 1mm
09-23 5.5 0.18 8 1mm
09-24 5 0.1 7 4mm
09-25 5.9 0.06 9 5mm

About this spot

Doug's Ridge sits near Danjugan Island, a site known for its seven distinct ecosystems visible both above and below the waterline. The ridge provides divers with access to healthy coral systems and varied marine habitats. The area shows no signs of coral bleaching stress, indicating stable reef conditions. Waters here support active marine communities, making it a reliable choice for exploration. The ridge's position near Danjugan Island means divers can experience multiple habitat types during a single trip. The combination of different ecosystems—from shallow reefs to deeper structures—creates opportunities for both new and experienced divers. Local diver observations have documented 12 distinct species in the area, confirming the biological richness of the site. Access to Doug's Ridge is straightforward, and the site operates outside a marine protected area, allowing standard dive procedures. The year-round diving window means you can plan trips across any season. Community videos and reports from 3 documented dives provide useful reference material for pre-trip planning and technique review.

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

Marine life

Blacktip reef sharkCommon octopusNudibranch

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 First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11282km · ~2595kg · €47

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 Doug's Ridge?

Doug's Ridge is diveable year-round, so you can plan trips according to your schedule. No specific seasonal closures or poor-weather windows are documented for this site.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not formally documented for Doug's Ridge. We recommend contacting local dive operators near Danjugan Island to confirm conditions and match the site to your training level before booking.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve distinct species have been documented at Doug's Ridge. The site benefits from Danjugan Island's seven different ecosystems, which support diverse coral and fish populations. Coral bleaching stress is not present, indicating a healthy reef environment.

Do I need permits to dive Doug's Ridge?

Doug's Ridge is not located inside a marine protected area, so standard dive protocols apply. Check with local dive operators for any current local regulations or recommended procedures before your visit.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Winning Cliff Dives From Red Bull Cliff Diving 2019 Philippines

Red Bull Cliff Diving
💬 3 top comments
  • Thanks REDBULL for choosing PHILIPPINE'S

    @strawhatpirates6268 · 👍 42
  • The best spot I've seen for cliff diving.

    @blackmarlin3166 · 👍 181
  • Rock climbing at the same time cliff diving is insane set up. What an amazing athlete!

    @lippscakecouture3926 · 👍 5

Danny Macaskill: The Ridge

Cut Media
💬 3 top comments
  • Who's still watching ten years later? 👀

    @CutMedia · 👍 612
  • This is how my dad goes to school..

    @krishnakaliraman · 👍 4000
  • No matter how many years go by, this video is still the best one. The rider, the music, the landscape, the vibes, everything ❤

    @Panchijorch · 👍 406

Philippines - Wild Paradise (4K UHD)

rogeruzun
💬 2 top comments
  • This is an amazing video, I really enjoyed watching. Thank you for uploading!

    @ciregreen8 · 👍 0
  • Didn't see any threshers when I was there, but nearly ruptured my eardrums by dynamite fisherman. House reef consisted of a sunken jeepney. Hotel had saltwater showers. The worst dive trip ever.

    @oceanic16 · 👍 0
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Mar, calmest Oct-Jun-May, dry Jan-Apr.

5-year monthly climate

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

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