Philippines Azores/Tubbataha

"Tubbataha needs to be on every diver's bucket list"

Imagine yourself surrounded by pristine hard corals as far as the eyes can see, thousands and thousands of reef fish, cruising sharks and rays, swimming turtles and drop-offs into oblivion. Welcome to Tubbataha!

Tubbataha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is only accessible by liveaboard for 3 months out of the year. It's located in the Sulu Sea, at the center of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Rarely visited due to its location and its status as a marine preserve, Tubbataha is made up of two reefs, simply referred to as the North and South Reefs. The North and South Reefs both enclose a sandy lagoon. On the southern tip is an islet with a lighthouse. This is used as a rookery for birds and is frequented by turtles.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than 573 species of fish, 373 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, 12 species of dolphins and whales, nestling hawksbill and green sea turtles. No wonder this remote ‘hidden gem’ of the Philippines is a haven for larger pelagics and even larger schools of fish.

"The new standard in liveaboard diving in the Philippines"

Join Atlantis Azores, Philippines only Blue Water Rates Private Yacht, to explore some of the best diving in the world. It boasts distinct itineraries showcasing parts of the Philippines on schedules only possible by liveaboard. Atlantis Azores, hosting 16 divers, is equipped with the utmost safety features, spacious dive deck and excellent food.

Anilao - Solitude Acacia Resort

"World-Class Diving On Your Doorstep"

Embark on an unforgettable journey at Solitude Acacia Resort, one of the best resorts in the Philippines, nestled in Anilao, where tranquility meets adventure. Engage in thrilling water and land-based activities amidst vibrant coral reefs, leaving you fulfilled and eager for more. Scuba diving in Anilao is a highlight here, catering to both beginners and experienced divers.

This renowned diving destination boasts a rich diversity of unique species, including various nudibranchs and rare endemic creatures. Dive into the excitement of blackwater diving, encountering astonishing “alien-like” rare critters that inspire awe. With numerous dive sites around, your underwater exploration will be endless.

The long list of small-scale sea life and critters that you can find in Anilao includes nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, and pipefish. But don't leave your wide-angle lens at home. Beautiful coral reefs, turtles, huge schools of jacks, jellyfish, and the occasional reef sharks await in Anilao.

The resort has been praised for its incredible dive crew where you can find some of the best dive guides and spotters to aid underwater photographers. The boat and land crew have had special training to handle all diving equipment such as cameras, tech gear, and rebreathers. The dive center can provide full gear rentals including wetsuits, dive masks, fins, BCD’s, tanks and air fills, and regulator sets.

While Anilao is perfect for macro photography, divers find so much more while exploring the deep blue waters. Divers explore unique reef and wall dives as well as sea mounts and coral gardens. Divers encounter the occasional shark, manta ray, or eagle rays. Twin Rocks is one of the most famous dive sites in the area and is known for schools of jackfish in the vast coral garden. This site is an easier dive and goes to twenty meters depth. Cathedral is another popular site that is known for the iconic concrete cross that lies between two boulders. The cross was submerged to fifteen meters in the 1980s after it was blessed by Pope John Paul II. Secret Bay has a wide range of reefs to explore, from five meters to thirty meters, divers experience a plethora of critters on this great muck dive.

Basura is a great site for underwater photographers. The word 'basura' means trash in Filipino as the site was originally littered with waste, but it has since been cleaned thanks to the local community. While there is no longer any trash covering the site, there is a variety of marine critters. Beatriz Rock is a sea mount next to Sombrero Island and the reef starts at six meters and features a sandy bottom at twenty meters. This site has a slight current and strong sun rays.