Eastern Visayas Unveils An Underwater Paradise: DOT Confirms Vibrant New Dive Destinations Across Five Provinces

Published on December 1, 2025

An extensive and meticulously planned assessment was recently brought to conclusion by the Department of Tourism (DOT) 8 in the region of Eastern Visayas. This comprehensive undertaking spanned a period of twelve days, during which eleven distinct diving locations across the territory were subjected to rigorous examination. The endeavor yielded highly encouraging results, confirming the presence of extraordinarily vibrant coral reefs, a wide array of diverse marine life, and several previously undocumented features deemed promising for future recreational development.

These positive findings are expected to serve as a strong reinforcement of the region’s standing as a burgeoning and rising hub for marine adventure tourism within the Philippines. The initiative was strategically designed not only to validate the ecological richness of the sites but also to develop a strong, structured foundation for the long-term sustainability of dive tourism in the area, ensuring that conservation remains central to all forthcoming promotional activities. The successful completion of this assessment is considered a crucial step toward attracting a discerning international and domestic diving audience.

Methodology of the Comprehensive Assessment

The thoroughness of the evaluation process was assured through a specialized partnership forged between DOT 8 and leading technical experts from Applied Technical Diving and Marines Solutions. This collaboration ensured that the assessment was executed with the utmost professional standards, marrying tourism objectives with ecological expertise. The survey teams were tasked with a multifaceted inspection protocol, focusing on several critical components necessary for establishing world-class diving destinations.

Detailed observations were recorded regarding the prevailing underwater conditions, the overall health and density of the reef health, and the practicality of the specific dive entry and exit points. Furthermore, comprehensive documentation was undertaken to capture the unique and distinct ecological features present at each of the eleven sites. The data collected during this prolonged survey period is considered invaluable, as it provides an objective, professional opinion on the environmental integrity and commercial viability of the designated areas. This data will be instrumental in the creation of responsible dive tourism frameworks for the foreseeable future.

Validation Across Five Provinces

The assessment ambitiously covered key coastal territories spanning five different provinces of Eastern Visayas, reflecting a commitment by the DOT 8 to a broad and inclusive regional development strategy. This effort was meticulously directed by DOT-8 Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, whose insights were shared regarding the necessity of validating the resources available across the region. The eleven sites that were scrutinized represent a mix of established destinations and areas that possess significant undeveloped potential.

A Focus on Existing Dive Centers

Within the list of surveyed areas, the sites located in Southern Leyte province were specifically highlighted as the region’s established diving spots. These sites, which include the area around San Francisco, are already supported by existing dive resorts and are the operational base for organized dive tours. The inclusion of these proven locations in the survey was essential for benchmarking standards and confirming the continued health and viability of the region’s existing marine tourism products.

Identifying New Horizons

The remaining nine sites that underwent assessment were classified as potential dive areas, awaiting the necessary infrastructural development to fully capitalize on their natural wealth. These areas are distributed across four other provinces, signaling a significant expansion of the diving map in Eastern Visayas:

• Biliran Province: A substantial portion of the effort was dedicated to this province, with five distinct sites being scrutinized: Naval, Almeria, Kawayan, Caibiran, and Maripipi. The concentration of potential sites in Biliran indicates a strong prospect for the province to become a primary cluster for marine activities.
• Leyte Province: The coastal area of Palo was assessed, adding to the province’s potential in the marine adventure sector.
• Eastern Samar: The waters near Borongan City were included in the comprehensive survey, offering the promise of new dive circuits along the eastern seaboard.
• Northern Samar: Three important sites were validated in this northernmost province: Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente.

The Imperative for Infrastructure Development

The rationale underpinning this comprehensive validation effort extends beyond mere confirmation of ecological richness; it is deeply rooted in the practicalities of tourism development. It was emphasized by Director Karina Rosa Tiopes that a critical gap currently exists between marine resources and market readiness. It was stated that a compelling marketing campaign for dive sites, regardless of how abundant their marine resources are, cannot be effectively launched if no operational dive shop or fully equipped dive resort is present to service the clientele.

Shaping Sustainable Tourism Frameworks

The comprehensive data gathered throughout the twelve-day initiative is poised to fulfill a crucial function in the strategic planning of DOT 8. The collected information is intended to play an instrumental role in the formation of responsible and sustainable dive tourism frameworks tailored specifically for the Eastern Visayas region. This planning is viewed as critical to ensuring that the growth of the tourism sector is managed in an ecologically sensitive manner.

The findings are anticipated to directly support the subsequent development of standardized dive products. This standardization process ensures that future diving excursions and activities will consistently adhere to stringent criteria, thereby meeting both safety and environmental protection standards. A deliberate focus on conservation-centric practices has been strongly underscored, which reflects the paramount importance placed on safeguarding the region’s invaluable underwater heritage for subsequent generations. The successful implementation of these frameworks will not only boost the region’s economic prospects but will also solidify its reputation as a leader in conscientious marine adventure travel. The entire initiative serves as a powerful testament to the Department of Tourism 8’s unwavering commitment to facilitating the successful promotion of Eastern Visayas as a premier, yet ecologically responsible, marine adventure destination.