Philippines
- Covid Travel information
View entry requirements here If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter the Philippines provided you: have acceptable proof of vaccination; have valid tickets for your return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination; your passport is valid for at least 6 months; have registered for an e-TRAVEL Pass prior to your arrival. The requirement to hold a return onward ticket is waived if you are a spouse and/or child of a Filipino citizen or a former Filipino citizen with balikbayan privileges. You are considered fully vaccinated if you received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from your country of origin. Your vaccine must either appear on the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or have received Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization. Fully Vaccinated travellers do not need a Test for domestic flights The Philippines will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. Foreign nationals aged 15 years or older who are not fully vaccinated are required to present a remotely supervised or a laboratory-based rapid antigen test which is negative of COVID-19 and which was taken no more than 24 hours prior to departing for the Philippines. From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 28DEC 2022
Philippines - the location, language, time difference
The Philippines is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK. Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA, most of the population of the Philippines lives on just 11 islands. Most travellers will enter the Philippines through Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB) airports. The reefs are spectacular in the Philippines, with plenty of fish list buzzing around. Moalboal, Bohol and Puerto Galera are all super locations for reef divers. Snorkel with whalesharks in Oslob. Thresher sharks have made Malapascua famous whilst Sangat is wreck heaven. Love macro? Make a beeline for Anilao or Dumaguete. The selection of critters rivals anything you could find in Indonesia.
- GMT +8hr
- Filipino, English
Philippines - weather and climate
The dry season in the Philippines runs from December to April, making it a popular time for divers. May and November are transitional months with air temperatures climbing. June to September is the wet season, as the weather becomes stormier. The Philippines dive resorts are typically well sheltered from the worst, but you can expect to experience rain showers.
Philippines - Currency and Tax
Philippine peso, $USD widely accepted
A transaction fee is usually levied on all credit or debit card payments
How do I get there?
Our holidays to the Philippines can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for the Philippines include Cathay Pacific, Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Etiad. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to the Philippines, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from the Philippines. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.
Are there any extension options?
You can easily hope between islands in the Philippines with the ferry and domestic flight network. Go for more diving in a different area or we can easily add jungle and land adventures too! Please talk to your travel consultant for inspiration and suggestions as to the locations that would work well with your chosen holiday.
Passports and Visas
Passports - Must be valid for 6 months from return date
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Preparing to fly
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras
Current duty free allowances allowed into the Philippines:200 cigarettes, 2L of alcoholic beverages Prohibited goods include narcotics and pornography Allowances can change without notice - please reconfirm before travel.
What do I need to arrange before I go?
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in your Philippines destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in. Domestic flights are common in the Philippines and run frequently. Manila airport is a large airport with several terminals. If you have to move between terminals, please allow between 30 and 60mins to allow for local traffic. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage costs around $2-$5 per kg per way. Hand baggage limits can be strictly enforced on domestic flights. Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
What happens on departure day?
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. On leaving the Philippines there is an airport tax of 750 PHP which must be paid in cash.
Plugs and Electricity
220V flat 2 pin plugs