The islands of the Philippines are renowned worldwide for their rich biodiversity, both on land and in the sea, and are a haven for divers looking for an exotic tropical experience. While there is certainly no shortage of colorful corals, invertebrates, and reef fish to see on Philippine reefs, we thought it would be nice to pay tribute to the larger, more majestic marine animals in the Philippines. Here are just 10 extraordinary beasts you can see in these glittering azure waters!
Dugong
The dugong is one of the largest marine mammals swimming near the Philippines’ coasts. Primarily feeding on seaweeds, these bulky creatures are often referred to as the “sea cows” of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Pygmy Sperm Whale
The pygmy sperm whale is another fascinating member that makes the list of majestic marine animals in the Philippines. Weighing only a few hundred pounds as adults, these relatively small whales can be easily approached by divers without fear.
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Even smaller than its predecessor, the dwarf sperm whale also swims through the deep waters of the Philippines. This fully grown whale only reaches a length of about 9 feet and a weight of 500 pounds.
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest marine creature in the Philippine seas. Full-grown adults can weigh above 100 tons and reach more than 20 meters (76 feet) in length.
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is another massive marine animal found within Philippine territory. It is well known for its unique behavior of slapping water with its pectorals and massive tail.
False Killer Whale
Known as a vicious predator, the false killer whale is a relatively small cetacean. Having smooth grey skin, this marine creature resembles a hybrid of a dolphin and a shark from a distance.
Lana’s Sawshark
The Pristiophorus lanae is a unique fish species discovered in the Philippines and the latest to be added to the saw shark family. The Lana’s saw shark is a five-gill species that displays the characteristic long, sawtoothed snout of its brethren. It is named for shark enthusiast and marine biologist Lana Ebert.
Whale Shark
The whale shark is one of the most majestic marine animals in the Philippines. The distinct wide mouth and round white spots on the skin make this gigantic creature a recognized character in the islands, and its docile and curious nature is a hit with humans who come from all over to see the ocean’s largest fish for themselves.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins are also familiar creatures in the waters of the Philippines. These social creatures can often be spotted in pods leaping from the sea’s surface.
Orca
The iconic orca has populations worldwide, but their presence in the Philippines was first detected during a marine mammal survey in the southern waters of the island nation in 2010. A representative of the provincial governor at the time noted that the presence of orcas was a testament to the richness of the area’s marine resources.
