Davao spearfishing forecast — wind, swell, visibility, tides & live cameras

spearo.app / Philippines / Davao
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◈Davao · Philippines
5.5
wave 0.1 m
visibility~6m

Marginal

Today — right on the edge — wave, wind and visibility.

Sources: Open-Meteo · Copernicus · Sentinel-2 — high confidence · data 12:27

Sources & confidence

Sources
Open-Meteo · Copernicus · Sentinel-2
Method
spearo sea-state engine: consensus of up to 6 models + satellite clarity (ZSD) + buoy-bias checks
Freshness
Re-read every hour, per coast

Compiled by the spearo sea-state engine · How it works →

The verdict comes from seven water factors and hard safety gates — not ten tabs. Go or stay.

How we score the water

Our own model

Our own forecast engine — not a third-party widget. It weighs these water factors into one go-or-stay verdict for this coast; the 0–10 dial is that verdict, read out as a number.

01
Swell & wave memory
Height, period and direction of the swell, plus the wake of recent storms — an old storm still stirs the water, and the engine remembers.
02
Wind & gusts
Speed and gusts, hour by hour — wind speed and an onshore push chop the surface and cut visibility.
03
Tide phase
Timing and range of the tide, calibrated per coast — big spring tides pull the verdict toward caution.
04
Water temperature
Sea-surface temperature — sharply cold water vetoes a green verdict.
05
Currents & outflow
Direction and drift of the current — it pushes you, and it drags turbid coastal water across where you dive.
06
Rain runoff & air clarity
Rain muddies the water inshore through land runoff, while fog and haze cut visibility at the surface.
07
Coast shape & exposure
How the coast faces the swell — a sheltered cove keeps the water clean; an exposed, head-on point takes a penalty.

Safety gates

  • Thunderstorm forecast — an instant red, no exceptions.
  • An official warning (MeteoAlarm / IPMA) — yellow, or red for the higher ranks.
  • Missing input data — a would-be green is capped to yellow rather than overstated.
  • Strong disagreement between forecast models — a green day is pulled back to yellow.
  • Night hours — where night spearfishing is banned by law the window is forced red; where it is legal (Australia outside NSW, New Zealand, South Africa) it is capped at yellow, never green.

It all folds into a single 0–10 score and one verdict: go or stay.

A forecast, not a guarantee — the sea has the last word.

Entry pointsNo-take zones

Where to get in, where to hunt

Entry points with coordinates
Seabed relief — promising ground

This verdict — in your pocket. Open the app for the week's window.

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0 m

Surface

Wind, wave and the swell windows — when to go and the best hours.

spearo.app
updated 12:27
Davao — solo, off the rocks
BORDERLINE
caution — solo off the rocks is risky, check on site · spring tide near high water
wave 0.1 mwind 7 km/hvisibility ~6 mwindow 12:00–18:00
today, best window 15:00–18:00
fish · Visibility 6 m · Water 30.4°C
confidence medium · verdict for the selected day
Whole week — tap a day. is driving swell right now.
›
Solo risk: carry a float · tell someone your plan and exit time · doubt = don't go. A model-based planner; the call is made on site.
Selected day

Windows, hours
and the day's trends.

The day is picked above, in the hero. Here are that day's windows, the hour-by-hour map and the trends. Tap a window to break down the conditions.

Sunday · today2026-10-25
05:24–17:19 · full moon
▲ 04:00▼ 10:00▲ 17:00▼ 23:00 · 1.9 m
Hours (06→20)
06
09
12
15
18
Day's trends
Tide-0.40 m
Wave0.08 m
Wind8 km/h
Water30 °C
fish activity: moonset 04:14 · moderate · moon underfoot 10:20 · high · moonrise 16:29 · moderate · moon overhead 22:50 · high
Conditions window12:00–15:00
caution — solo off the rocks is risky, check on site fish
Hs 0.08 m · calmperiod 4.7 s head-onwind 7→12surge 0viz 5 m
0.08 mcalm · up to ~0.16 · 142° head-on
4.7 sswell moderate
7→12gusts 12 km/h
0weak surge
0.06m/s
5 mrain and mountain runoff
30.4°C5 mm + hood
▲17:00tide rising
Atmosphere5 kmovercast
lowoff the lunar peaks
  • calm conditions: swell, wind and visibility all normal
  • forecast models disagree (on period) — lower confidence in this window
  • flood — water rising
confidence lowday
Open the seafloor map with entry points →
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Nearby towns

  • Mambajao (Camiguin)
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Bohol & Leyte

  • Panglao (Bohol)
  • Palompon (Kalanggaman)

Cebu & Negros

  • Dauin / Dumaguete
  • Santander (Cebu)
  • Oslob (Cebu)
  • Bais
  • Lapu-Lapu (Mactan)
  • Moalboal (Cebu)
  • Sipalay
  • Bantayan (Sta. Fe)
  • Daanbantayan (Malapascua)
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spearo.app · a private marine instrument · Davao · a planner, not a safety guaranteePrivacy
Today
Notify me
Map
Best window · next 3 days
goTuesday · 12:00–15:00
you can see ~6 m ahead fish

transparency ~9 m · satellite, 2 days agosatellite estimate · may differ right at the shore

↑ high tide 16:30 · slack water ~15:45–17:15 bite times: 09:20–11:20 · 15:59–16:59

Tell me when it's on

Just your email — nothing else needed.

Your best window — with you. Forecast in your pocket.

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−10 m

The water column

Visibility and what drives it — post-storm clearing, river plume, temperature and the thermocline.

What it is

A marine instrument,
go / no-go for solo hunting.

spearo.app folds wind, wave, swell period, visibility, tides, water temperature and risk into a single verdict — go to the spot or not. It computes 7 days ahead from open marine models (Open-Meteo, IPMA), with no sign-up and no accounts. Built for solo spearfishing off the rocks, where any mistake costs dearly.

Now live: 3016 spots across 406 stretches of coast — mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.

See all spots →
−20 m

The seabed

Relief and bottom type, tides, and the depths of each spot.

On the rock

The forecast is the plan.
The call is on the rock.

The models set the window. Whether you go in is read only at the water: count the sets, watch the surge on the entry. If in doubt, you don't get in.

Entry points

Where to get in
off the rocks.

Scouted entries, coloured by today. The colour is the sea state at the spot, not a guarantee: the wash and a slippery entry you judge on site.

Open the seafloor map →
Angel's Cove (Talikud north)Davao
borderline
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Reef and drop-off at the north-west tip of Talikud, boat, 3–20 m; current along the point on the tide change. Resort area — check the barangay sanctuary buoys. Coords approx.

Google Maps
Coral Gardens (Talikud)Davao
borderline
⚠ Restrictions apply
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Hard-coral garden on the south-west side of Talikud Island, boat from Davao/Samal, 3–15 m with a slope beyond. Popular dive site and widely reported as a barangay sanctuary — treat as no-take unless the barangay confirms otherwise. Coords approx.

Google Maps
Kaputian reef (Samal south-east)Davao
borderline
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Fringing reef off the Kaputian beach park on the south of Samal, shore/boat, 1–12 m; beach-park swimming area in front — stay well outside it. Coords approx.

Google Maps
Mansud Wall (Talikud)Davao
borderline
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Wall off Mansud on the north shore of Talikud, boat, top at 5–8 m dropping past 30 m; pelagics on the current. Deep-water mark for experienced divers. Coords approx.

Google Maps
Pindawon Wall (Samal)Davao
borderline
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Wall off Pindawon on the south-west coast of Samal, facing the Davao channel, boat, 5–25 m. Ferry and banca traffic in the channel — float and flag mandatory. Coords approx.

Google Maps
Punta Dumalag (Matina Aplaya)Davao
borderline
⛔ Banned here
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—

Mainland point at Matina Aplaya in Davao City, shore, 1–8 m on sand, rubble and patchy coral; river-fed and murky (often 2–5 m), best on a neap tide after dry days. Inside the Punta Dumalag Marine Protected Area (37 ha, Davao City ordinance) — fishing is banned, so no spearfishing here; the mark stays for the forecast and orientation only. Coords approx.

Google Maps

SOLO is the biggest risk: underwater you can black out from lack of oxygen silently and fatally, with no one around. Solo is never truly «safe». Below are the best weather windows; carry a buoy, tell someone your plan and exit time, and any doubt — don't go.

One morning glance — and you know.

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play
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point your camera
≈

Surfacing

Cameras, map and reference — to hand as you come up.

Live cameras, map & reference
Open the seafloor map →
Reference

What's in season,
what the law says.

In season now
  • talakitok / mamsa / badlon
    trevally / jack · Caranx ignobilis / Caranx melampygus · 0–25 m · target (freedive)
  • lapu-lapu / suno / pugapo
    grouper / coral trout · Epinephelus spp. / Cephalopholis spp. / Plectropomus leopardus · 3–30 m · target (freedive)
    No national minimum size; a draft FAO (s.2019) proposes a length-at-first-maturity (Lm) guide — NOT enacted law. Slow-growing — take large ones sparingly.
  • maya-maya / pargo / bambangon
    red snapper · Lutjanus spp. (L. malabaricus, L. bohar, L. gibbus) · 5–40 m · target (freedive)
    Large reef predators can accumulate ciguatoxin — poisoning risk from certain reefs. Be cautious with big individuals.
  • mangagat / manggagat
    mangrove red snapper · Lutjanus argentimaculatus · 0–15 m · target (freedive)
  • katambak / kanuping / bukawin / silay
    emperor · Lethrinus spp. (L. nebulosus, L. olivaceus, L. harak) · 5–40 m · target (freedive)
  • lipti / lipit / aluman
    sweetlips · Plectorhinchus spp. · 3–30 m · target (freedive)
  • mulmol / loro
    parrotfish · Scarus spp. / Chlorurus spp. · 2–20 m · target (freedive)
    The 'parrotfish is banned / Cebu banned it' rumour is FALSE (fact-checked). A legal target, but ecologically important (grazes reef algae) — take moderately.
  • labahita / indangan / mongho
    surgeonfish / unicornfish · Acanthurus spp. / Naso spp. · 2–20 m · target (freedive)
  • samaral / danggit / kitong / padas
    rabbitfish · Siganus spp. (S. guttatus, S. canaliculatus, S. fuscescens) · 1–15 m · target (freedive)
    Venomous fin spines — handle with care.
  • barakuda / asugon / rumpi / lusod
    barracuda · Sphyraena spp. (S. barracuda, S. jello) · 0–30 m · target (freedive)
    Large reef predators can accumulate ciguatoxin — poisoning risk from certain reefs. Be cautious with big individuals.
  • asilo / adgawon / agba-on / admon
    green jobfish · Aprion virescens · 5–45 m · target (freedive)
  • tanigue / tangigue / tangi
    narrow-barred Spanish mackerel · Scomberomorus commerson · 2–30 m · target (freedive)
    Names: 'tanigue/tangigue' = Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus). In Visayan 'tangigi' usually = wahoo (Acanthocybium) — don't conflate with the next card.
  • tangigi / guahon
    wahoo · Acanthocybium solandri · 5–40 m · target (freedive)
  • dorado / duradu / pandawan / dulama
    mahi-mahi / dolphinfish · Coryphaena hippurus · 0–30 m · target (freedive)
  • tambakol / bariles
    yellowfin tuna · Thunnus albacares · 10–50 m · target (freedive)
  • bangkulis / lanhu-an / gantaan
    dogtooth tuna · Gymnosarda unicolor · 15–45 m · target (freedive)
  • kugtong / pugapo / lapu-lapu na higante
    giant grouper · Epinephelus lanceolatus · 5–50 m · ⚠️ release
    NOT on the national banned list (verified:false), but large, vulnerable (IUCN) and often MPA-protected — release it, don't take large ones. This is advice, not a ban.
  • mool / taposak / taungan
    bumphead parrotfish · Bolbometopon muricatum · 3–20 m · ⚠️ release
    NOT on the national banned list (verified:false), but IUCN-vulnerable and protected in many MPAs — release it. In FAO 208-1 the name 'mol-mol' means the Napoleon wrasse (mameng), NOT this fish — don't conflate.
Law
  • ✓Recreational breath-hold spearfishing for personal consumption needs NO national licence (RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654). There is NO single national registry of spot rules — municipal waters (0–15 km) are governed by each LGU through its Municipal Fisheries Ordinance. The national fisheries authority is BFAR; () are managed by DENR-BMB. A foreigner has no automatic right — check with the LGU.
  • ✓There is NO national by-name gear ban: RA 8550/10654 do not name compressor, hookah or scuba. But many LGUs ban apparatus (compressor) hunting by ordinance, and nationally it is an offence if it pounds/damages the reef (Sec 97) or is paired with poison (Sec 92) — treat apparatus hunting as off-limits unless a local ordinance allows it. Any take inside an /sanctuary is prohibited (Sec 101).
  • ✓Never take, from the national do-not-take list: whale shark and manta (FAO 193 s.1998), all sharks and rays and the sawfish, sea turtles and dugong (RA 9147), mameng/Napoleon wrasse (FAO 208-1 s.2024), giant clam (taklobo) and seahorse. Bumphead parrotfish and giant grouper (kugtong) are NOT nationally banned, but are vulnerable (IUCN) and often protected by local — release them.
  • ⛔ Mameng / humphead (Napoleon) wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) — nationally BANNED (FAO 208-1 s.2024, Annex A C.5; CITES App. II). Not a legal target — release it.
  • ⛔ Whale shark, all sharks and rays, manta/devil ray and sawfish (Rhincodon typus, Mobula/Manta spp., Pristidae) — nationally protected (FAO 193 s.1998; RA 9147 / BFAR protected list). Taking is banned.
  • ⛔ Sea turtles & dugong (Chelonia mydas et al., Dugong dugon) — protected (RA 9147). Taking/disturbing is prohibited.
  • ⛔ Giant clam (taklobo, Tridacna spp.) — protected (RA 9147; CITES App. II). Do not take.
  • ⛔ Seahorse (Hippocampus spp.) — protected (RA 9147; CITES App. II). Do not take.

Rules are set by municipalities: municipal waters 0–15 km are run by the LGUs and there is no single national registry. There is NO national by-name gear ban, but LGU/MPA bans and zoning are widespread and apparatus (compressor/scuba) hunting is barred by ordinance in many LGUs. Before heading out, check the local Municipal Fisheries Ordinance, BFAR and DENR-BMB (MPAs); in many sanctuaries any take is banned.

Safety protocol
  • Sets: watch the wave trains ≥15 min before entering; Hmax ≈ 2×Hs, the wash can run 50 m past the foam line. A lull >10 min with period >12 s = a big set «overdue», do NOT enter; enter right after a full set passes and re-check at minute 30.
  • Exit FIRST: find your exit AND a backup before entering. On a rocky/boulder shore a 0.5 m rise in swell can make the exit impossible — getting pinned/unable to climb out is the main killer.
  • Headland rip: prominent points often have a permanent topographic rip regardless of the model — locate it, enter/exit on the windward side, never swim against it.
  • Cold: wetsuit per the SST chip; the first shiver = a metabolic surge and a drop in breath-hold → get out at the first steady shiver. Cap the session at 45–60 min below 15 °C.
  • Solo discipline: buoy up; tell someone the spot and exit time; conservative breath-hold (never push it in cold/murky/surfy water); visibility <3 m — don't enter.
  • Afternoon wind: on many coasts the wind builds from midday — plan to be out of the water by midday; the chop builds — get out.
  • UV 11:00–15:00 (UVI ≥6): sunscreen and cover up on the surface interval.
  • Solo is a fundamental risk (hypoxic blackout with no buddy). Any doubt = No-go.

FAQ — spearfishing in Davao

Where can I spearfish in Davao?

Davao has rock entry points such as Coral Gardens (Talikud), Angel's Cove (Talikud north) and Mansud Wall (Talikud). Davao Gulf on the south-east of Mindanao — the reefs and walls of Samal and Talikud islands, 15–20 minutes by boat from the city. Below you'll find each spot (access, shelter and hazards) and today's forecast.

When is the best season in Davao?

Near typhoon-free; Siargao's Pacific groundswell runs year-round (the habagat is calmer), the Camiguin/Bohol-Sea side is sheltered.

How cold is the water in Davao?

Warm year-round, 26–30 °C — 1.5 mm/rashie. Clear Pacific water; Siargao is swell-exposed, the Camiguin bays are calm.

Is Davao good for a beginner?

Freedive only (compressor/scuba barred by ordinance in many LGUs); no-take inside MPAs/sanctuaries. Siargao is Pacific-swell exposed; Camiguin's White Island is an advisory zone.

Do I need a licence in Davao?

In Davao, breath-hold spearfishing is legal nationwide in the Philippines with no licence for personal-consumption fishing (RA 8550/10654), but municipal waters (0–15 km) are governed by the local LGU — it may ban it, restrict it to zones, or ban night hunting. Any take inside an MPA/sanctuary is prohibited (Sec. 101), and compressor/scuba are barred by ordinance in many LGUs. Breath-hold only, with a marker buoy. Do not take mameng (Napoleon wrasse), whale shark, sharks & rays, manta, sawfish, sea turtle, dugong, giant clam or seahorse; release bumphead parrotfish and giant grouper. Check the local Municipal Fisheries Ordinance and see the guide.

Full guide: spearfishing in the Philippines →

Western Visayas

  • Guimaras (N. Valencia)
  • Concepcion (Islas de Gigantes)
  • Culasi (Mararison)
  • Malay / Boracay (Aklan)
  • Romblon

Bicol

  • Matnog
  • Gubat
  • Donsol
  • Legazpi (Albay)
  • Virac (Catanduanes)
  • Caramoan
  • Gasan (Marinduque)

Mindoro

  • Bulalacao (Or. Mindoro)
  • San Jose (Occ. Mindoro)
  • Sablayan (Apo Reef)
  • Puerto Galera (Sabang)

Palawan

  • Taytay
  • San Vicente (Port Barton)
  • Linapacan
  • Coron (Busuanga)
  • Puerto Princesa (Honda Bay)
  • El Nido

Batangas

  • San Juan (Laiya)
  • Lobo
  • Tingloy (Maricaban)
  • Anilao / Mabini
  • Calatagan
  • Nasugbu

NW Luzon

  • San Antonio (Pundaquit)

All 52 spots → · spearo.app — All countries

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