Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Diver explores underwater world with sharks in Maldives' clear blue waters.
📷 Pexels User · Pexels

Shark Airport

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.1 12 species 13 contributors

Shark Airport is a year-round dive site within Apo Reef Natural Park, known for shark encounters and healthy coral in the Philippines.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

🐢 MPA · Apo Reef Natural Park updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Pelagic hotspotMPAPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Green sea turtle

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Shark Airport location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
8.6 kn
Wave
0.46 m
Water
29.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (17%)
Now: SE (137°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.04m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1.21m)

+1.3 m+0.2 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.21m ▼ 12:00 · +0.28m ▲ 03:00 · +1.21m ▼ 13:00 · +0.25m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.6 · mod Air PM2.51 · good 05:47 17:56
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 10.9 0.52 6 11mm
09-20 6.6 0.4 7 4mm
09-21 6.8 0.36 9 7mm
09-22 7.1 0.3 9 6mm
09-23 4.2 0.3 2 0mm
09-24 9.7 0.24 5 3mm
09-25 8.8 0.24 9 0mm

About this spot

Shark Airport sits inside Apo Reef Natural Park, a protected marine area in the Philippines. The site takes its name from frequent shark sightings, making it a destination for divers seeking pelagic encounters. The reef sits in a no-stress coral status zone, indicating healthy conditions that support diverse marine life. The site offers year-round diving opportunities, so planning around weather and personal schedules matters more than seasonal windows. The protected status of Apo Reef Natural Park means strict management and monitoring, which helps preserve the ecosystem. This framework protects both the reef and visiting divers. Twelve recorded species observations and three community-contributed videos provide real-world documentation of what divers encounter here. These resources give you a sense of the site before booking. Local dive operators familiar with Apo Reef can brief you on current conditions, entry points, and what to expect on the day.

📖 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

Marine life

Green sea turtle

Dive types

ReefPelagic / blue water

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 ↔ 10905km · ~2508kg · €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

What's the best time to dive Shark Airport?

Shark Airport is diveable year-round. Check with local operators on weather windows and sea conditions for your specific travel dates. Typhoon season (June–November) may affect access, so confirm conditions before booking.

How deep is Shark Airport and what's the skill level?

Depth and difficulty data are not available for this site. Contact local dive operators in Palawan or near Apo Reef for site-specific details on depth, current, and required experience before diving.

What marine life will I see?

Sharks are the main draw here. Twelve recorded species observations confirm diverse fauna. Watch the three community videos to see documented encounters and get a realistic preview of wildlife you might meet.

Do I need permits or special access?

Shark Airport is inside Apo Reef Natural Park, a protected marine area. You must dive with an authorized local operator. Inquire about park permits, fees, and any restrictions when booking your dive.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

SHARK AIRPORT

Dive Destination PH

One Dive #5 - Tubbataha - Shark Airport

Philippine Dive Holidays

Diving at Shark Airport, Apo Reef, Palawan, the Philippines

WillDV
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Jul, calmest Apr-Jun-May, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Apr (0/100) Now: Sep (75/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Manta Point Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Manta Point

Manta Point at Apo Reef Natural Park offers year-round manta encounters in a protected marine zone with healthy coral.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Jack's Point Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Jack's Point

Jack's Point is a year-round dive site within Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines, known for healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Aladin Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Aladin

Aladin dive spot in Apo Reef Natural Park offers year-round diving with healthy corals and abundant marine life in a protected area.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Barracuda Point Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Barracuda Point

Barracuda Point is a year-round dive site within Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines, known for encounters with schooling barracuda and healthy coral.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Shark Ridge Philippines Diving
🇵🇭 Philippines

Shark Ridge

Shark Ridge is a year-round dive site in the Philippines' Apo Reef Natural Park, known for shark encounters and healthy coral.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
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+
Shark Point Maldives Diving
🇲🇻 Maldives

Shark Point

Shark Point in the Maldives is a year-round dive destination known for shark encounters and diverse marine life.

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 →