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A lively underwater scene showcasing diverse coral formations and marine life at a vibrant coral reef.
📷 Zir YU · Pexels

Hilutungan Sanctuary

3.5 — based on 14 community signals
4.2 12 especies 18 colaboradores

Hilutungan Sanctuary is a protected marine area off the Philippines, offering year-round diving in a managed ecosystem with 12 documented species.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Hilutungan Sanctuary updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Principiante
MPAFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
beginner
Mejores meses
Todo el año
Vida marina
Nudibranquio

Mejores operadores aquí

Ver todos los operadores ↓

Mapa

Este spot Operadores Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de Hilutungan Sanctuary © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
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Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
3.1 kn
Olas
0.04 m
Agua
30.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (25%)
Now: SSW (211°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.52m

Hoy: Alta 15:00 (+0.4m), Baja 10:00 (+0.22m)

+1.4 m0 m-0.1 m
▼ 10:00 · +0.22m ▲ 15:00 · +0.4m ▼ 18:00 · +0.36m ▲ 03:00 · +1.29m Ahora +1.4m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV9.05 · very high Aire PM2.530 · moderate 05:33 17:42
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 12 0.18 9 2mm
09-20 5.8 0.04 9 4mm
09-21 6.4 0.04 8 10mm
09-22 8 0.04 8 7mm
09-23 5 0.02 9 6mm
09-24 6.4 0.02 8 2mm
09-25 5.8 0.02 8 3mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

Hilutungan Sanctuary protects waters around Gilutongan Island in the Philippines. The site sits within a marine protected area, meaning the reef and its inhabitants receive active management and monitoring. This status makes it a reliable destination for divers interested in conservation-focused experiences. The sanctuary hosts diverse marine life across its depths. Twelve species have been documented at the site, reflecting the biodiversity typical of Philippine reefs. Community-contributed videos show what divers encounter underwater, giving you a real sense of conditions and wildlife before you visit. You can dive year-round at Hilutungan Sanctuary, making it accessible whenever you plan a trip. Because the area is under protection, local operators follow strict guidelines to keep the reef healthy. This means smaller groups, respectful diving practices, and a better chance of seeing thriving coral and fish populations during your dive.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Filipinas: 119 sitios, naufragios y paredes que justifican el vuelo

Mejores meses

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

Vida marina

Nudibranquio

Tipos de buceo

Arrecife

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

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 · 49%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 12226km · ~2812kg · €51

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 54/100
  • Visado: Visado a la llegada · 30 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 12h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 11h este · 8 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Hilutungan Sanctuary?

The sanctuary is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows. Check current coral bleaching advisories and weather patterns closer to your travel dates for optimal conditions.

What depth and difficulty level should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data is not currently available. Contact local dive operators or the sanctuary's management office before booking to confirm requirements and get site-specific briefings.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been documented at Hilutungan Sanctuary. Watch community videos contributed by divers to see actual footage of the wildlife and reef structure you'll encounter underwater.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Hilutungan Sanctuary is a marine protected area, so access rules apply. Work with an authorized local dive operator who knows current permit requirements and MPA regulations before your dive.

Operadores cerca de este spot

Centros de buceo, escuelas de kite y surf en un radio de 10 km, desde OpenStreetMap.

Uncle Mike's Crib

5.5 km
4.0 (58 reviews)
Centro de buceo
Teléfono: +63 917 647 2762
Horario: Mo-Su 06:00-19:00

300-meter Deep Diving Wall

5.5 km
Centro de buceo

Poby Divers Center

5.9 km
Centro de buceo

SiDive

8 km
Centro de buceo

Ocean Dive Supply Mactan

8.5 km
Centro de buceo
Teléfono: +63 917 178 7277
Horario: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 09:00-18:00

Aquaventure Whitetip Dive Supply

9.4 km
Centro de buceo
Teléfono: 0920 955 5861
Horario: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

60 registros · 50 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Culcita novaeguineae

Asteroidea · Oreasteridae
GBIF
Última observación:
15 mar 2026
×1registros

Grapsus albolineatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
13 mar 2026
×1registros

Lyncina lynx

Gastropoda · Cypraeidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Lambis lambis

Gastropoda · Strombidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Tridacna crocea

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Archaster typicus

Asteroidea · Archasteridae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Dardanus deformis

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Tripneustes gratilla

Echinoidea · Toxopneustidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Clibanarius cruentatus

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Ophiarachna incrassata

Ophiuroidea · Ophiomyxidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Bohadschia marmorata

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Echinothrix calamaris

Echinoidea · Diadematidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 feb 2026
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Mactan Island diving Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary - Cebu, Philippines

Jenn Cashion

HILUTUNGAN MARINE SANCTUARY - ISLAND HOPPING ADVENTURE | GulpiTV

GULPI tv
💬 1 top comments
  • Wow! Nice trip

    @marilyntalisic7641 · 👍 0

Hilutungan Island Marine Sanctuary,Cebu,Philippines

Cebu Sea
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Mar (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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