Dauin South

Dauin South is a reef and muck dive site located a short boat ride from shore in Dauin, in the Philippines, reachable within five minutes. The site combines a coral garden in the shallower zone with a sandy, macro-rich bottom below, with a maximum depth of 20 metres.

The reef holds an impressive variety of small and cryptic creatures: frogfish, Costasiella, pipe horses, pygmy pipe horses, ornate ghost pipefish, banded pipefish, nudibranchs, and garden eels are regularly found in the seagrass and along the bottom. Larger animals also visit regularly, including potato groupers, turtles, anemonefish, and occasional flamboyant cuttlefish, making the site particularly popular with underwater photographers.

Entry and exit are from shore, passing through a backyard and then over progressively larger rocks before reaching the water. The rocky entry and exit are the main hazard; divers who are not sure-footed should ask their guide for assistance, especially when surf is running. Once in the water, conditions are straightforward, with light current and water temperatures of 28–29 °C. The site is rated beginner level and is considered an easy, enjoyable dive. The best season runs from October to June.