Sogod Bay is the centre of diving in Southern Leyte! This is where most of the whale shark tours leave from, but it’s also home to some of the best diving in the Philippines. 

The bay is lined with small dive shops and B&Bs, and the water is teeming with coral, fish, and turtles.

It felt low-key compared to places like Moalboal or Coron, which is a rarity in the Philippines. Tourism here is still new, so the whole experience is a bit more raw and quieter.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Whale shark spotting trips run from here in season (Nov–May).

• Healthy reef with heaps of marine life.

• Plenty of small dive resorts and guesthouses, but no big hotels.

• Still under-the-radar, so don’t expect a busy nightlife or big restaurants.

TO ACCESS

• Around 2 hrs from Liloan port or 4 hrs from Tacloban by van.

• Whale shark tours cost around ₱2,500-₱4000 per person, usually full-day with gear and lunch.

• Book with local dive shops in advance (Peter’s Dive Resort, Sogod Bay Scuba, etc).