Your Guide to Diving in Tubbataha

North Atoll

Shark Airport
Its name comes from the common sight of multiple white tip sharks lying at rest on a healthy shallow plateau; reminiscent of the aerial view of an airport with all the planes lined up, side by side. Normally there is some current present here so you will dive this as a drift. Other sharks you may see are grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, silky sharks and maybe even whale sharks and guitar sharks. Turtles, dog-toothed tuna, moray eels and eagle rays are also regularly seen. There are many triggerfish that may be protecting their nests so divers should keep an eye on them and avoid moving directly over them into the funnel of their 'strikezone'.

Washing Machine
As the name suggests, this Tubbataha site can be quite a roller-coaster experience. Located at the north-east corner of the atoll, this is where currents meet and you can feel them changing direction during your dive. You will drift over a heavily fissured reef covered by purple and orange anthias. In the large crevices you can see stingrays, turtles, nurse sharks and white tips sheltering from the current. When you make your way on to the wall there are barrel sponges, soft corals and enormous gorgonian fans benefitting from the movement of nutrient-rich water. This site has a reputation for reliably excellent visibility, so you can spot creatures in the blue even at a distance. These may include manta rays, eagle rays and even whale sharks.

Amos Rock
The famous Amos Rock, sometimes called Southwest Rock is one of the first-mentioned dive sites in any discussion of Tubbataha. There is a fabulous section of wall here covered in sessile life and populated by a large number of jumbo-sized fish. Expect to see big examples of grouper, snapper, dog-toothed tuna, bluefin and giant trevally and Napoleon wrasse. If diving at dusk, you can watch these big bully boys hunting smaller prey around the lip of the wall. The site is also often teeming with mackerel and sharks, mostly grey reef and whitetips, as well as both pickhandle and great barracuda. If diving here at night, the shallows bustle with sea cucumbers, flatworms, nudibranchs, lobsters, crabs and crinoids. It is also always worth checking gorgonian fans for one or more delightful pygmy seahorses.

Malayan Wreck
The wreck itself is quite unremarkable and is only one of many features of this dive. Long before the wreck comes into view, you will spend time drifting along a wall looking out for sharks, Grey reef sharks and whitetips are common, while nurse sharks and and hammerheads are not unheard of. Gorgonian fans here can support pygmy seahorses so there is always someone doing an up-close inspection. Other fish to watch out for are african pompano, leaf scorpionfish and rainbow runners. The dive ends at the eponymous wreck where bumphead parrotfish and marble rays are often around. The wreck also makes a great night dive.

Other popular North Atoll dive sites
Seafan Alley showcases the impressive gorgonian sea fans, often home to pygmy seahorses, that are a feature of diving in Tubbataha. This deep wall boasts seafan coverage that stretches on seemingly forever. Wall Street is a sheer wall where fat groupers and Napoleon wrasse are common. Whale sharks may also put in an appearance. Malayan Wall promises the chance to see schooling hammerheads. From the Malayan wreck you simply swim out far into the blue, scanning in front and below you for the thrilling telltale shapes of swimming hammerheads.