Diving at Doljo Housereef (Philippines)

Published14 Mar 2026

Doljo Housereef defines the northwestern edge of Panglao Island, presenting a dynamic dive profile. Its terrain begins with a shallow reef shelf at approximately 5 m (16 ft) before transitioning into a vertical wall. This impressive drop-off extends beyond 60 m (200 ft). Divers encounter a structural complexity suitable for various skill levels, from gentle slopes to sheer faces.

Starting the day at Doljo Housereef, the ambient air temperature is recorded at 29°C. Ongoing monitoring shows wave heights measuring 0.2 m. This data represents the current surface conditions for early activities.

Dive Site Location & Key Facts

Coordinates9.5933, 123.7256

Max Depth--

Entry Type--

Water Type--

Dive Types

ReefWall

Dive Site Overview

This site sets itself apart with dramatic underwater terrain and diverse marine habitats, appealing to a wide range of diver interests. Its unique blend of vertical walls and gently sloping reefs supports both expansive and intricate views.

Divers often encounter large pelagics like Spanish mackerel, barracudas, and eagle rays cruising the deeper sections, adding an element of excitement to the dive. The walls are adorned with an array of giant sea fans and barrel sponges, creating vibrant, living backdrops ideal for wide-angle photography. Simultaneously, the site's rich ecosystem allows keen observers to spot unique macro critters such as nudibranchs and giant frogfish, often found tucked into the intricate coral gardens.

This offers a compelling balance of grand vistas and minute, fascinating details on a single dive. The healthy reef system here also supports resident turtles and various schools of colorful reef fish, contributing to a consistently rich and engaging underwater experience.

Doljo Housereef provides excellent visibility and a generally peaceful ambiance, distinguishing it from more crowded dive locations in the region while still offering abundant marine encounters.

Doljo Housereef

Conditions are Good

8/10

Confidence: 8/10

Indicates meteorological model agreement and data availability.

Best Dive Window

07:00 - 14:00

Optimal conditions expected

06:12

18:45

H: 10:45

L: 16:20

Air / Sea Temp

29° / 31°

Wave Height

0.3 m

Wind Speed

22 km/h NE

Rain Chance

50%

Current conditions near Doljo Housereef show 29° air, 31° sea temperature, 0.3 m waves, and 22 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.

Radius: ~12km

Updated: Nov 3, 2026, 17:12 local time

MARINE: OPEN-METEOWEATHER: YR.NO

Best Time to Dive

The consistent climate patterns here support excellent diving for most of the year. Conditions for diving typically rate "Excellent" (score 9) from March through June, and again from August to December. Even during "Good" months like February and July, the underwater experience remains highly rewarding. Air temperatures are comfortably warm throughout the year, averaging between 27°C (81°F) in February and 28.5°C (83°F) in May. Rainfall remains relatively low across all seasons, with minimal impact on visibility. Wave heights are generally manageable, often below 0.5 meters (1.6 feet), indicating calm surface conditions. This consistent stability ensures reliable access and enjoyable underwater excursions, regardless of the specific month.

PEAK SEASON SCORE

95/100

Excellent

Scores combine air & water temps, waves, wind & rainfall for overall conditions.

BEST MONTHS TO DIVE

JAN

APR

MAY

DIVE SCORE (0–100)	93 JAN	90 FEB	92 MAR	97 APR	96 MAY	93 JUN	89 JUL	93 AUG	92 SEP	92 OCT	92 NOV	92 DEC
AIR TEMP (°C)	27	27	27	28	29	28	28	28	28	28	28	27
WATER TEMP (°C)	29	28	28	29	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	29
WAVES (M)	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.2	0.4	0.4
WIND (KM/H)	17	18	16	14	13	15	21	19	19	15	16	15
RAIN (MM)	4.7	6.3	4.9	3.4	5.9	8.3	6.9	4.8	5.7	8.5	8.6	7.9

DIVE SCORE GUIDE (0–100)

Excellent (90–100)

Very Good (80–89)

Good (70–79)

Moderate (50–69)

Poor (30–49)

Not Recommended (0–29)

Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.

Dive Experience & Conditions

Mild currents typically characterize Doljo Housereef, facilitating relaxed drift dives along its impressive wall system and more deliberate exploration of its slopes. A gentler flow provides ample opportunity for divers to explore the intricate details of coral structures and observe marine life without significant effort, beneficial for photographers. Visibility consistently rates as excellent, often exceeding typical expectations for a housereef, which enhances both wide-angle and macro photography opportunities. A gently sloping reef near the surface transitions into a dramatic vertical wall, beginning around 20 meters (65 ft). Such varied topography creates diverse micro-habitats, supporting a broad spectrum of species at different depths and offering distinct views depending on a diver's chosen profile. Wave height averages generally remain low, further contributing to comfortable surface conditions.

Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines

Approaching this site requires an understanding of its varied depth profiles. A shallow reef top, starting at 5 meters (16 ft), is accessible for less experienced divers and for conducting safety stops.

However, a vertical wall extends beyond 60 meters (200 ft), necessitating appropriate certification and experience for deeper exploration. Divers should plan profiles carefully, especially when extending beyond recreational limits.

Maintaining good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing delicate coral formations on slopes and walls. Always dive within certified limits and consider a local guide to navigate specific entry and exit points effectively.

Recommended Equipment

Dive Computer

This gear list is based on verified equipment signals for Doljo Housereef, Philippines. Always confirm final gear choices with your dive operator, guide, or liveaboard.

Recommended Dive Suit

Water temperatures at Doljo Housereef are currently estimated to be around 31°C (87°F), shaping the overall diving conditions for today. Surface air temperatures are resting at 29°C (85°F).

Dive skin or rash guard is generally considered suitable for water temperatures like this. A hood or vest is suggested for sensitive divers due to surface winds.

Conditions in the coming days are expected to stay within a similar temperature range.

Doljo Housereef conditions last reviewed: 17:12 local time (UTC+8), Nov 3, 2026

Emergency & Medical Support

Essential information to help you plan your dive trip to Doljo Housereef.

Hyperbaric chambers are a critical part of dive safety infrastructure. Availability varies significantly by region, and not all dive areas have immediate access.

Before diving, it's recommended to:

confirm nearest medical facilities
check emergency procedures with local dive operators
ensure dive insurance covers evacuation if required

24/7 Available

Divers Alert Network

Diving emergency assistance available through DAN World.

+1-919-684-9111

24/7 emergency hotline
Diving medical assistance
Evacuation coordination

View official DAN emergency contacts

Emergency contacts are provided for reference. Always verify local emergency services before diving.

Marine Life at Doljo Housereef

Vibrant underwater landscapes support a varied array of marine life. Divers regularly encounter large pelagics like barracudas, Spanish mackerel, and eagle rays patrolling deeper blue sections.

Among extensive giant sea fans and barrel sponges, macro enthusiasts can spot numerous nudibranchs and often elusive giant frogfish. Green sea turtles cruise along healthy reefs, alongside schools of snapper and a multitude of colorful angel and butterfly fish, making every dive a discovery.