Hammerhead Shark Philippines March – Encounter Guide & Best Sites

Tubbataha open-water dives in prime season. Hammerheads at outer reef walls.

Encounter overview

Diving or snorkelling with hammerhead sharks in Philippines during March is high season, with an encounter probability of approximately 70% under normal conditions. Schooling hammerhead sharks are one of diving’s most prized spectacles – dozens to hundreds of animals wheeling in slow formation, their alien silhouettes unmistakeable from any depth.

Best sites

• Monad Shoal (Malapascua)
• Tubbataha Reef
• Puerto Galera

What to expect

Scalloped hammerheads school by day at seamounts and pinnacles, dispersing at night to hunt. Cold, nutrient-rich upwellings are the trigger – the sharks aggregate where baitfish are thick. Schools are shy; approach slowly and avoid bubbles.

Water conditions in March

Water temperature in Philippines typically ranges 26-30°C. Visibility at Monad Shoal (Malapascua) in March is generally good; check local liveaboard or dive operator reports the week of your trip for specific conditions. Wall diving, macro, pelagic is the primary dive style in Philippines.

Practical tips

Stay below the school – looking up into blue water keeps you less visible. Avoid flash photography. Cold thermoclines signal you are in the right zone. Early morning dives yield the most sharks before recreational traffic starts.

Getting there

Fly into Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), or Puerto Princesa (PPS). Tubbataha reef, malapascua threshers, oslob whale sharks, sardine run. 30-day visa-free for most nationalities. Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP).

Is March a good time to visit Philippines for hammerhead shark?

Yes – March is high season for hammerhead sharks in Philippines. Encounter probability is around 70% on a dedicated trip. Best sites include Monad Shoal (Malapascua), Tubbataha Reef, Puerto Galera. Check availability at Monad Shoal (Malapascua) as spaces fill quickly in peak months.