It’s rare for anyone to have heard of Dauin for anything other than diving. This little town south of Dumaguete, on Negros Island, has become popular thanks to its underwater world, home to rare species that have made it one of the top destinations for muck diving and macro photography enthusiasts. Even so, although Dauin is best known as one of the top diving destinations in the Philippines—and scuba diving is the main draw—it’s also a great place to go snorkeling, relax by the sea, explore other parts of Negros, and use as a base for visiting Apo Island. Stay a couple of days, slow your pace, and discover other, lesser-known parts of the Philippines.
In this Dauin guide you’ll find everything you need to enjoy your stay: how to get there, what to do, where to stay, where to eat, and practical tips.
Where Dauin is
Dauin sits 15 kilometers south of Dumaguete, on the eastern coast of Negros Island, in the Visayas region. To give you a clearer idea, it’s south of Cebu and west of Apo Island and Siquijor.
Malatapay Port, for getting to Apo Island, is only 9 kilometers away. So Dauin is halfway between Dumaguete and Malatapay.
How to get to Dauin
Getting to Dauin from Dumaguete
The easiest way to get to Dauin is via Dumaguete. From there, the easiest option is usually to take a flight from Manila or a flight from Cebu, though the best option depends on where you’re coming from, as there are also boats from Siquijor, Cebu, or Bohol. You’ll find all the details in How to get to Dumaguete.
Once you’re in Dumaguete, you’ll need to travel the 15 kilometers to Dauin. If you go by private transport, allow around 25 minutes. By public transport, it will depend on the stops, but figure about 45 minutes. These are the options for getting to Dauin:
- Hire a private tricycle, which is around 250–300 pesos per vehicle.
- Rent a motorbike in Dumaguete: between Santa Rosa St. and Perdices St. you’ll find several rental shops. Prices are around 350 pesos per day, although it depends on how many days you rent. It’s hard to get lost, as the road is straightforward.
- Take a jeepney/multicab: these leave from the corner of Perdices St. and Colon St., next to the bell tower. It’s 18 pesos per person to Dauin Public Market, from where you can walk to your accommodation.
- Take a bus: from the Ceres Bus Terminal, buses leave regularly for Sipalay, Bayawan, and Hinobaan, all of which stop in Dauin. If in doubt, ask the driver and they’ll usually let you know when to get off. The ticket is around 20 pesos, but it depends on the type of bus.
Getting to Dauin from Apo Island
If you’ve already visited Apo Island from Dumaguete, you’ll already be familiar with the area. However, if you’ve made the trip from Siquijor, all you need to do to reach Dauin is:
- Take one of the bangkas from Apo to Malatapay: to know the schedule, it’s best to ask at Apo’s tourist office or at the accommodations. One or two leave per day and they’re 300 pesos per person. The trip takes about 30–45 minutes, depending on sea conditions.
- Walk or take a tricycle to the main road.
- Take any jeepney or bus heading toward Dauin: this stretch usually doesn’t take more than 5–10 minutes, as it’s very close.
Things to do in Dauin
Now that you know how to get there, here’s a detailed look at the best things to do in Dauin.
1. Diving in Dauin
As we mentioned above, diving is what has given Dauin much of its fame, especially because it’s considered a muck diving paradise alongside other corners of Southeast Asia like Lembeh.
What is muck diving? Basically, it involves diving over large stretches of sand or mud (hence the name) looking for quirky little creatures like nudibranchs, seahorses, frogfish, or octopuses. These dives are usually done in relatively shallow water (under 18 meters), so they’re suitable for anyone with an Open Water Diver certification.
It’s the kind of diving that may not sound very exciting to beginners because coral dives, with their vibrant marine life, tend to sound much more appealing. However, the more you dive, the more you come to appreciate spotting species that are much harder to find elsewhere, and that’s exactly what Dauin’s volcanic sands offer. Plus, you develop a sharp eye and good buoyancy that make you enjoy it much more.
What can you see while diving in Dauin? Some of the most sought-after critters in these waters are the flamboyant cuttlefish or Metasepia pfefferi, the pygmy seahorse, the hairy frogfish or striped frogfish, the mimic octopus, and the blue-ringed octopus. These are a dream for macro photography enthusiasts. If you’re not sure what we mean, take a look at this video:
There are more than 20 dive sites in Dauin, and they’re not all macro-focused. For example, in Masoplod you’ll find healthy coral reefs; and you also have almost-daily trips to Apo Island, with a marine sanctuary where turtle sightings are almost guaranteed.
Of course, you can also get your Open Water Diver certification here—Advanced Open Water, Rescue… prices are broadly in line with what you’ll find in other parts of the Philippines. The OW starts at 18,000 pesos. You can read more about this in Diving course in Bohol, which is one of the best places to learn to dive in the Philippines.
If you need contacts to dive in Dauin, we can give you excellent recommendations if you leave us a comment on this very article. We promise you’ll have an amazing experience.
How to go diving in Dauin? How much does it cost?
Contact one of the many dive schools in the area and compare prices. We’ve dived with Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort and with Bongo Bongo Divers (cheaper) and liked both. In reality, what matters most is the divemaster you get, since on this kind of dive, it’s crucial to have someone show you many things you wouldn’t spot on your own. Booking one or two days in advance should be enough.
Typical prices for diving in Dauin are more or less similar everywhere and are around 1,500–1,700 pesos per dive including equipment. One thing you should check carefully is whether they include the marine sanctuary fees: 140 pesos per day, or 200 pesos per day if you’re bringing a camera.
If you’re thinking of doing the Apo Island diving trip, figure about 5,000–6,000 pesos for 3 dives with equipment, fees, and lunch.
When is the best time to dive in Dauin?
While you can dive in Dauin year-round, it’s best to visit during the dry season—that is, from December to May—when visibility is around 15–30 meters, since the sea is calmer. In the rainy season, visibility drops to 10–20 meters. Also, if there’s a lot of swell, dive trips to Apo from Dauin are canceled.
Water temperature is always around 26–30°C. You’ll find it warmer in June and cooler in February. A 3mm wetsuit works for Dauin year-round.
2. Snorkeling in Dauin
If you don’t have a diver certification or don’t feel like tank diving, you can always grab your mask and snorkel and enjoy the nearby reefs just off Dauin’s coast. Although we wouldn’t say it’s one of the best places to snorkel in the Philippines, it’s still definitely worth it.
In front of Uzi’s Beach Resort, a few steps from Bongo Bongo, you’ll find the marine sanctuary without having to swim out too far. The exact spot is marked on the map of Dauin we’ve included at the end of this article.
Technically, you’re supposed to pay a sanctuary protection fee of 50 pesos. Still, it’s not very common for anyone to ask for it.
3. Day trip to Apo Island
Another great thing to do in Dauin—unless you’re planning to spend the night there—is to visit Apo Island. This small island is just 30 minutes by boat from the coast, so it would be a shame to miss it, especially if you’ve never swum with sea turtles or if you love diving, since here you can do some of the best dives in the Philippines.
How can you do the trip to Apo from Dauin? Here are your options:
- Book it through any accommodation or dive center: it’s a very popular thing to do in Dauin, so it’s a safe bet. It usually costs 5,000–6,000 pesos if you’re diving, including 3 dives, lunch, and fees (200 pesos). If you’re not diving and just want to snorkel, the most common price is 1,900 pesos including equipment, lunch, and fees (100 pesos). Departure is around 9:00 and return around 14:00.
- Go on your own: this is a bit more of a hassle, but you’ll save if there are 3–4 of you. To do this, go to Malatapay (10–15 pesos by bus/jeepney) and hire a boat. It’s 2,500 pesos round-trip for the day. Once on the island, you’ll have to pay 100 pesos in environmental fees and rent snorkel gear if you don’t have it.
In our Apo Island Guide you’ll find all the information about this island.
4. Baslay Hot Spring
Negros is home to some of the Philippines’ active volcanoes, which is why you’ll find several hot-spring areas. The closest to Dauin is Baslay Hot Spring, a cluster of pools in the middle of nature where you can enjoy a warm soak. The trail isn’t particularly easy, but it’s not too difficult either. Reaching them will take 15–20 minutes.
While you’re there, take the opportunity to stop by Baslay Highland Brew Coffee. Here you can drink coffee from the surrounding plantations and enjoy great views, as it sits 300 meters above sea level. Be careful if you dived the same day or the day before because of the altitude—better leave it for later.
5. Beach and relaxation
Snorkeling and diving are the main things to do in Dauin, but it’s also an ideal destination to spend a few days relaxing. Dauin’s aren’t the best beaches in the Philippines if you’re dreaming of long stretches of powdery white sand. However, its volcanic black coast has its charm because you’ll have clear, calm waters of the Bohol Sea at your disposal—and the beaches are almost always empty.
Thanks to diving, Dauin has lots of beachfront resorts that lack nothing. In our opinion, spending a couple of days by the pool and enjoying meals with sea views is a pretty great plan. Below we tell you about some of the best places to stay in Dauin.
Since it’s still a little underdeveloped, in Dauin you can still soak up that atmosphere that has been somewhat lost on more touristy islands. Dauin is a quiet town with lush vegetation, goats roaming freely, a lively market and, of course, a church. The most popular is St. Nicolas of Tolentine Church, which is apparently the oldest in the province. Next to it there’s a Spanish-era watchtower covered in vegetation.
6. Malatapay market
If you need a bit of bustle and it happens to be a Wednesday when you’re in Dauin, don’t miss the chance to visit Malatapay market. It’s about 10 minutes by bus from Dauin, right at the junction with the road to the port where boats to Apo depart. On this day, local farmers and livestock traders gather to sell their products, so it’s a good opportunity to get closer to local life.
7. Visit Dumaguete and day trips around it
Finally, it may sound obvious, but one of the best things to do in Dauin is to visit Dumaguete. Being just half an hour away, you can go and come back the same day and see the main sights.
We also encourage you to do some excursions in the surroundings. For example, you can visit Casaroro Falls and Pulangbato Falls or, if you want to stretch your legs more, climb Cuerno de Negros or Mount Talinis. We cover all of that in Things to do in Dumaguete.
Where to stay in Dauin
You can see that you could go to Dauin and go back to stay in Dumaguete because they’re very close. However, our advice is that if you want peace and quiet—or if your aim is to dive—you stay overnight in Dauin. Honestly, it’s a totally different experience.
With the town’s growing popularity as a diving destination, some interesting places to stay have started popping up. First came the resorts geared toward divers who come to spend a few days by the sea, but little by little, more budget-friendly places have been opening up. These are ideal for travelers who want something simpler without missing out on the area’s incredible diving.
Below we list some recommended places to stay in Dauin:
Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort
This was the first place we stayed in Dauin on our first trip. Back then we lived in Manila and wanted to treat ourselves to a weekend, so we didn’t hesitate and opted for the comforts of this seaside hotel. It has it all: a pool right by the beach, spacious and comfortable rooms, and the kind of tropical atmosphere we love. Plus, if you don’t want to move around too much and just relax, they have a dive center, free kayaks for guests, and a great restaurant.
Book at Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort here
Bongo Bongo Divers
If you want to stay in Dauin without spending too much, Bongo Bongo Divers is a good alternative. Also located near the sea and with a pool, they offer simple double rooms with fan or air-conditioning and hot water in the shower for under $32 per night. If you’re traveling solo, you can also stay in one of their shared dorms.
Check out Bongo Bongo Divers here
Ceazar’s Place
Right in front of the marine sanctuary, this is another place to stay in Dauin with a 7.8/10 rating on Booking.com. The rooms may not be the most luxurious or the largest, but they’re spotless and have air-conditioning, a TV, good Wi-Fi, and a bathroom with hot water. Besides the friendliness of the staff, what we love most about this hotel is its beach area, with sun loungers and a convenient on-site restaurant.
Click here and book at Ceazar’s Place
AivyMaes Divers Paradise Resort
Another budget option in Dauin is this resort where you can choose between small bamboo bungalows with shared bathroom and fan, or rooms and cabins with sea views with their own bathroom and air-conditioning. Excellent value for money right on the beach. They have their own dive center and the staff are lovely.
If you’re backpacking, they also have beds in shared rooms for 4 people.
Book AivyMaes Divers Paradise Resort here
Vida Homes Condo Resort
Travelers looking for something a little more upscale to stay in Dauin shouldn’t hesitate to book Vida Homes Condo Resort. You’ll have your own apartment by the sea, with a huge living and dining area and a beautifully designed kitchen. Add to this incredible gardens, a gym, a spa, a pool, a restaurant, and a bar to enjoy cocktails while you take a dip.
The apartments belong to the same company as Sea Explorers, one of the most prestigious dive centers in the Philippines.
Click here and book your apartment in Dauin
Where to eat in Dauin
As soon as you set foot in Dauin you’ll see that tourism here is far less developed than in destinations like Siquijor or Bohol. Even so, thanks to diving, a few interesting restaurants have been popping up. Of course, the resorts also have options for a meal or a cold beer. Here are some places to eat in Dauin:
- Dauin Dive Cafe: the last time we went to Dauin we arrived at midday starving, and when we saw this restaurant we didn’t hesitate for a second to go in—even with our backpacks. It’s a small, very pleasant place where you’ll mainly find Western food: burgers, hot dogs, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. They have options for vegetarians.
- Finbar: burgers, pizzas, wings, pasta, sandwiches… It caters to an international crowd, and you’ll find lots of cocktails and craft beers. On weekends they have live music.
- Jardin Restaurant: possibly the best restaurant in Dauin right now.
- Dauin Public Market: if you’re craving fresh fruit or vegetables, this is your place. Plus, in the market you’ll find some very affordable carinderias where you can try typical Filipino dishes.
Useful tips for visiting Dauin
- Best time to visit Dauin: we already told you a bit about this when talking about diving, but the rainy season here runs roughly from June to November. The rainiest month is usually October, but that doesn’t mean it rains every day. If you want to ensure better weather, it’s best to come between January and May.
- How many days to spend in Dauin: this depends a lot on your plans. If you’ve come to dive, we suggest at least 2 full days: one to dive Dauin’s sites and another to go to Apo Island. If you’re only coming to snorkel and/or relax, one day will be enough.
- Money in Dauin: there’s an ATM on the main road, next to a bakery. Still, don’t rely on it completely and withdraw cash in Dumaguete, where there are plenty. Most dive centers accept card payments, but they also apply a variable fee (3%–5%).
- Internet in Dauin: since it’s so close to Dumaguete, Wi-Fi at most accommodations tends to work reasonably well, but don’t rely on it too much and bring your SIM card with data.
- Healthcare in Dauin: if you need to see a doctor, you’ll have to go to Dumaguete, where there are several major hospitals. Remember that it’s essential to travel with travel insurance for the Philippines. Here’s a 5% discount on the travel insurance we use.
Map of Dauin
Here’s a map we made so you can get a clearer visual overview of everything you can do in Dauin, plus the accommodations and restaurants we’ve recommended:
We hope this Dauin guide has helped you plan your visit to this small corner of Negros Oriental. It may not be as well-known as other places in the Philippines, but if you decide to visit, you’ll really enjoy its tranquility and its underwater world.
If you have any questions or suggestions, leave us a comment below!
