Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the Philippines’ premier marine wilderness, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rising from the middle of the Sulu Sea roughly 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa. This remote atoll system comprises two massive coral reefs separated by an eight-kilometer channel, together protecting nearly 100,000 hectares of some of the most pristine marine habitat in the Coral Triangle. The reef walls plunge dramatically from shallow coral gardens into deep blue abysses, creating a vertical underwater landscape teeming with over 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and even the occasional whale shark gliding through the deep.

Reaching Tubbataha requires commitment — the only way to dive here is via a multi-day liveaboard expedition departing from Puerto Princesa during the narrow March-to-June season when the seas are calm enough to make the 10-hour overnight crossing. But for divers who make the journey, the reward is encounters with an underwater world that few places on Earth can match. Wall dives drop into swirling schools of barracuda and jacks, shallow gardens pulse with nudibranchs and clownfish, and large pelagics patrol the blue with a confidence that speaks to the park’s strict protection.

Pro tip: Book your liveaboard well in advance — there are only about a dozen permitted vessels and the short season fills up quickly, especially the prime April-May period. Bring a good underwater camera and reef-safe sunscreen. Even experienced divers describe Tubbataha as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so budget for the best trip you can afford.