Philippines — Tubbataha and Malapascua

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,600 islands at the very heart of the Coral Triangle, where the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, and Sulu Sea converge. Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is accessible exclusively by liveaboard during the short season from March to June. Two atoll structures are surrounded by kilometer-long walls patrolled by sharks, mantas, and turtles.

Malapascua Island in northern Cebu is the only place on the planet where thresher sharks can be observed almost daily. They ascend to the Monad Shoal cleaning station from 200 meters depth at dawn, and morning dives here start at 5:30. Coron in Palawan holds a fleet of Japanese ships sunk by American aviation in 1944 — one of Asia’s best wreck destinations.

Anilao in southern Luzon is the cradle of Philippine diving and the recognized capital of macro photography. Volcanic slopes are covered with coral gardens inhabited by blue-ringed octopuses, mandarinfish, dozens of nudibranch species, and harlequin shrimps. The Philippines offers a unique combination of pelagics, wrecks, and macro at some of the most affordable prices in the region.