About Aladin
Aladin is a prominent dive site located within the Apo Reef Natural Park in the Philippines, distinguished by its extensive reef and dramatic wall topography. As a boat dive, it offers an immersive experience into one of the country's most biodiverse marine protected areas, characterized by exceptional coral health. The site features a dynamic depth range, with the reef crest starting around 4 meters and descending along a wall to a maximum depth of 40 meters. This varied underwater landscape supports a wide array of marine species, from intricate reef fish to larger pelagic visitors, often seen cruising the deeper sections. The visibility is typically very good, enhancing the visual spectacle of the coral formations. While specific seasonal sightings of pelagic marine life are not detailed for Aladin, the Apo Reef area generally offers consistent marine biodiversity. The best conditions for diving, including calmer seas and excellent visibility, are experienced during the dry season, particularly from January to May and in December. Divers at Aladin can expect a well-structured reef dive that transitions into a thrilling wall dive. Entry is typically by boat, requiring careful coordination with the dive guide. The site is best suited for Advanced Open Water divers or those with at least 25 logged dives, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of its deeper and more exposed sections.
Highlights
Apo Reef's premier reef and wall diveExtensive coral gardensDramatic wall divingMild current conditionsExcellent visibilityDiverse reef ecosystemBoat dive access
Season calendar
Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season
Dec – Apr (Dec–Apr)
Best diving conditions across most regions. Calm seas, excellent visibility. Tubbataha Reef accessible Mar–Jun only. Thresher sharks year-round at Malapascua.
May & Nov (May, Nov)
Weather shifts between seasons. Still excellent diving in many areas. Fewer crowds and lower prices. Some regions still offer perfect conditions.
Jun – Oct (Jun–Oct)
Typhoon season — mainly affects northern regions. Southern Visayas and Mindanao still offer good diving. Reduced visibility. Best prices and fewest crowds.
Dive site facts: Aladin
- Depth
- 4–40 m
- Typical dive
- 22 m average, 50-60 min
- Current
- Mild
- Visibility
- 10–25 m
- Water temperature
- 27–30°C
- Entry
- Boat
- Level
- AOW recommended (25+ dives)
- Dive type
- Reef, Wall
- Night dive
- Possible (check with operator)
- Region / port
- Apo Reef, Philippines
- Coordinates
- 12.6820° N, 120.4470° E
Conditions & Currents
Aladin generally experiences mild currents, which contribute to a comfortable dive experience while still supporting nutrient flow for marine life. Divers should always attend the pre-dive briefing for real-time information on current strength and direction, as conditions can fluctuate with tides. Entry is exclusively from a boat, and both entry and exit procedures are typically planned around the prevailing currents to ensure diver safety and ease. Visibility at the site is consistently good, ranging from 10 to 25 meters, providing clear views of the extensive reef and wall structures. Water temperatures remain warm throughout the year, between 27°C and 30°C, negating the need for thick exposure suits. This combination of mild currents, good visibility, and warm water makes Aladin suitable for Advanced Open Water divers with some drift experience.
Dive profile & how the dive runs
Diving at Aladin typically begins with a boat entry, dropping divers near the reef crest. The dive then proceeds along a sloping reef that transitions into a captivating wall. The reference depth for the site ranges from 4 to 40 meters, allowing for exploration at various levels based on certification and experience. Divers will follow the reef's contour, often drifting gently with the mild currents along the wall, observing the diverse marine life and coral formations. The route is guided to showcase the best features of both the reef and the wall, with careful monitoring of depth and bottom time. The turn point is determined by gas consumption and no-decompression limits. The safety stop is commonly conducted in the shallower sections of the reef, usually around 5 meters, where divers can enjoy the vibrant coral gardens before ascending back to the surface for a boat pickup.
Underwater photography
Aladin offers excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially when capturing the expansive coral gardens and the dramatic wall drop-offs; a fisheye or wide-angle lens is ideal for these shots. Macro photographers should also be prepared, as the vibrant coral formations likely harbor smaller critters, though specific macro subjects are not detailed in the sources. Given the good visibility and potential for varying light conditions along the wall, strobes are recommended to bring out the true colors of the reef. Divers should prioritize excellent buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the fragile coral structures, especially when positioning for shots or navigating near the wall face. Always maintain a respectful distance from marine life and avoid touching the reef.
Combine with nearby dive sites
Getting there & logistics
Aladin is located within the Apo Reef Natural Park, which is typically accessed via liveaboard trips or extended day trips from nearby islands. The main gateway to the Philippines for international travelers is usually Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB). From these hubs, domestic flights or ferries would be taken to reach jump-off points for Apo Reef, such as San Jose, Occidental Mindoro or Coron, Palawan. Liveaboard itineraries are a popular choice for visiting Apo Reef, often combining multiple dive sites within the park over several days. Due to its remote location as a marine protected area, specific park fees or permits may be required, which are usually handled by the liveaboard operator or local dive center. Trip lengths for Apo Reef excursions generally range from 3 to 7 days.
Safety & environment
For diving at Aladin, the nearest recompression chamber is located at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City, Metro Manila. In the event of a dive emergency requiring chamber treatment, evacuation would involve significant time and logistical coordination, likely by air or sea. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance that includes emergency evacuation and recompression treatment is strongly recommended for all divers visiting this remote site. While currents are generally mild, divers should always follow the lead of their experienced local guide, especially regarding entry and exit procedures from the boat. It is crucial to stay within certification limits, particularly given the maximum depth of 40 meters. Conservative dive planning, including monitoring gas supply and no-decompression limits, is essential for a safe dive at Aladin.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
Suited for
- Advanced Open Water divers
- Divers with 25+ logged dives
- Drift diving enthusiasts
- Underwater photographers (wide-angle)
- Divers seeking pristine reef and wall environments
Less suited for
- Open Water certified divers
- Divers without current experience
- Divers with fewer than 25 logged dives
- Beginners or those needing extensive supervision
- Divers seeking purely macro subjects
FAQ
Aladin FAQ
What kind of marine life can I expect to see at Aladin?
Aladin is renowned for its healthy and extensive coral gardens, which serve as the foundation for a vibrant reef ecosystem. While specific species beyond coral are not detailed in the sources, the site's rich environment within Apo Reef suggests a diversity of reef fish and potentially larger pelagic species commonly found in such wall and reef dive sites.
Is Aladin suitable for beginner divers?
Aladin is not ideal for beginner Open Water divers. It is recommended for Advanced Open Water certified divers or those with at least 25 logged dives due to its maximum depth of 40 meters and the potential for mild currents. Divers should have some experience with boat entries and drift diving.
What are the typical dive conditions at Aladin?
You can expect warm water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 30°C and good visibility between 10 and 25 meters. Currents are generally mild, making for a comfortable dive experience. However, conditions can vary, so always check with your local dive operator.
How do I access the Aladin dive site?
Aladin is a boat dive, meaning you will reach the site by boat. It is part of the remote Apo Reef Natural Park, often visited via liveaboard trips or extended day tours from other islands in the Philippines. There is no shore access to this site.
What is the depth range for diving Aladin?
The dive site features a reef beginning around 4 meters and descends along a wall to a maximum depth of 40 meters. This allows for varied dive profiles, but divers should plan their dives within their certification and experience limits, especially when exploring deeper sections.
Why dive Aladin from a liveaboard?
Aladin is one of Philippines's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Aladin on their Philippines itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Aladin
These liveaboards may visit Aladin on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Infiniti
Philippines
25 guests39 m
Seadoors
Philippines
16 guests25 m
Resolute
Philippines
16 guests35 m
Dolphin
Philippines
18 guests31 m
Navis 1
Philippines
22 guests23 m
Philippine Siren
Philippines
16 guests
Palau Sport
Philippines
24 guests38 m
Philippines Aggressor
Philippines
26 guests43 m
Stella Maris Explorer
Philippines
20 guests33 m
Solitude One
Philippines
24 guests52 m
Atlantis Adventurer
Philippines
16 guests33 m
Philippines Aggressor II
Philippines
26 guests43 m
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