Dive Site: Dimakya Island

About Dimakya Island

Dimakya Island, part of the Calamian Islands in Northern Coron, Palawan, is a natural paradise renowned for its pristine environment and exceptional diving. While famous for its World War II wrecks, a major draw for underwater photographers and enthusiasts is the elusive dugong, often found feeding in shallow, grassy waters. The island's only resort, Club Paradise, actively conserves the area's natural resources, protecting significant portions of the island, including a lagoon that hosts various bird species and monitor lizards. The diving around Dimakya offers a rich tapestry of marine life and historical sites. Nearby reefs boast stunningly healthy staghorn and soft corals, teeming with anemones and a vibrant array of reef fish, creating a "Nemo-like" experience. For wreck diving aficionados, the Kyokuzan Maru, a Japanese WWII ship sunk in 1944, is a highlight, featuring excellent coral growth, schooling fish, and safe penetration opportunities into its cargo holds and pilot house. This blend of vivid reef ecosystems and accessible wreck diving makes Dimakya a unique destination. While the house reef suffered damage from a typhoon, the nearby wrecks and other reefs continue to offer excellent conditions. Water temperatures consistently range between 28-29°C (82-85°F). The dive staff are highly experienced and safety-conscious, providing top-notch support, including refresher courses and assistance with equipment, ensuring a comfortable and rewarding experience for divers of various skill levels. With its calm seas and minimal currents at many sites, it's an ideal location for a relaxed yet enriching dive adventure.

Dive site facts: Dimakya Island

Depth

3–22 m

Typical dive

10–22 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

25 m

Water temperature

26–30°C

Entry

Shore / Boat

Level

All levels

Dive type

Coral reef, macro

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Coron, Palawan

Coordinates

12.016700, 120.200000

Conditions & Currents

Currents around Dimakya Island are generally mild, making it an ideal site for divers of all experience levels. The gentle water movement allows for leisurely exploration of the coral gardens and observing marine life without significant drift. Visibility is consistently excellent, often reaching 25 meters, especially during the dry season, enhancing the overall dive experience. Entry is typically a comfortable shore or tender entry, with no challenging surge conditions. Water temperatures remain warm throughout the year, ranging from 26-30°C, negating the need for thick wetsuits. These calm conditions and clear waters contribute to a tranquil diving atmosphere, allowing for extended bottom times and detailed observation of the reef's intricate ecosystem.

Marine life & sighting chances

Hawksbill turtle

common

Green turtle

occasional

Dugong

occasional

Clark's anemonefish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Emperor angelfish

occasional

Moorish idol

occasional

Parrotfish

common

Grouper

occasional

Blue-spotted stingray

occasional

Cuttlefish

occasional

Giant clam

common

Sea star

common

Pygmy seahorse

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Dimakya Island Coral Garden begins with a sandy entry on the island's east side, where the reef flat slopes gently. You'll start in shallow water, around 2 meters, navigating through an impressive display of tabletop and branching corals, teeming with juvenile fish. As you follow the gentle slope, the depth gradually increases, with the most vibrant coral diversity found between 8 and 12 meters. Here, massive brain corals, delicate plate corals, and giant clams are prominent features. The dive progresses along the reef, reaching its deepest point at approximately 22 meters, where scattered bommies on a sandy bottom reveal blue-spotted stingrays and hovering cuttlefish. The turn point is flexible, allowing for exploration of the deeper sections before gradually ascending back along the coral-rich slope. Your safety stop will be conducted at 5 meters, offering further opportunities to observe the shallower reef life and enjoy the tranquil environment.

Underwater photography

Dimakya Island's healthy coral gardens and abundant, habituated marine life offer excellent photography opportunities for both wide-angle and macro enthusiasts. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle rectilinear lens is ideal to capture the expansive coral formations, particularly the tabletop Acropora and brain corals, along with the scenic reef slopes. Consider bringing strobes to bring out the true colours of the corals and fish. For macro photography, a dedicated macro lens will be invaluable for capturing the intricate details of butterflyfish species, nudibranchs, and the fascinating colour changes of cuttlefish. The relaxed nature of the hawksbill turtles allows for close-up encounters, but always maintain respectful distance to avoid disturbing them. Buoyancy control is paramount here to protect the pristine corals; avoid contact and maintain a neutral position to ensure ethical and impactful photography.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Coron Bay — Skeleton Wreck

  Explore a shallow Japanese shipwreck teeming with marine life.

• Sangat Island

  Features several well-preserved Japanese WWII wrecks.

• Okikawa Maru

  A large Japanese supply ship wreck, popular for advanced divers.

• Barracuda Lake

  A unique freshwater dive with thermoclines and distinct geological features.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Dimakya Island typically involves flying into Busuanga Airport (USU) from Manila. From Busuanga, a 30-minute land transfer takes you to the port, followed by an hour-long boat transfer to Dimakya Island. While day visitors can arrange diving through Club Paradise Resort, staying at the resort offers the most convenient access to the house reef. Many liveaboard itineraries and dive operators in Coron also visit nearby sites, often combining Dimakya's pristine reefs with Coron's famous World War II wreck dives. This combination allows for a well-rounded trip, showcasing both reef and wreck diving. Typical trip lengths vary, but a 3-5 day stay is common for focused reef diving, while longer itineraries may include other Calamian Group sites.

Safety & environment

Diving at Dimakya Island is generally safe due to its mild currents and excellent visibility. However, standard dive safety practices are essential. Always dive within your certification limits and with a buddy. The nearest recompression chamber is approximately 20 km away in Coron, highlighting the importance of cautious diving. Emergency evacuation would primarily involve boat transfer to Coron, followed by land transport. Divers should have comprehensive dive insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation. The marine sanctuary status means divers must respect all rules, including no touching of marine life or corals, and no collecting of specimens. Maintain neutral buoyancy to protect the fragile reef system. It's advisable to check your gear thoroughly before each dive, and stay hydrated, especially during surface intervals.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Dimakya Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Dimakya Island

These liveaboards may visit Dimakya Island on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Infiniti

Philippines

25 guests39 m

$280/day

Seadoors

Philippines

16 guests25 m

$335/day

Resolute

Philippines

16 guests34.6 m

$314/day

Dolphin

Philippines

18 guests31 m

$326/day

Navis 1

Philippines

22 guests23 m

$250/day

Philippine Siren

Philippines

16 guests

$309/day

Palau Sport

Philippines

24 guests38.35 m

$215/day

Philippines Aggressor

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day

Stella Maris Explorer

Philippines

20 guests33 m

$398/day

Solitude One

Philippines

24 guests52 m

$460/day

Atlantis Adventurer

Philippines

16 guests32.5 m

$421/day

Philippines Aggressor II

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$247/day