Anilao à Coron

Anilao, Batangas Anilao is best known for macro, with frogfish, octopus and pygmy seahorses on its slopes and shallow walls. Its coral-covered rocks also draw schools of jacks and batfish, so there is more here than critters.

Maricaban & Tingloy More exposed to current than the mainland sites, these islands have walls and coral gardens draped in soft corals. Reef fish are plentiful and turtles are often found resting on the reef.

Verde Island & Puerto Galera Strong tidal flows feed walls hung with sea fans and black coral, with jacks, tuna and mackerel out in the blue. Around Puerto Galera, drifts and canyon dives change with the tide, and small wrecks add variety.

Parc naturel d'Apo Reef Around 28km (17 miles) west of Mindoro, Apo Reef covers about 34km² (13 square miles) and is the largest coral reef system in the Philippines. Protected since 1980, its walls and drop-offs are known for reef sharks, turtles, groupers and bumphead parrotfish

Calauit Snorkelling with local Tagbanua guides over seagrass beds frequented by dugongs and turtles. Sightings are common, although they cannot be guaranteed.

Épaves de la baie de Coron Japanese ships sunk in 1944, from large freighters and tankers to a small, shallow gunboat. Holds and engine rooms still contain cargo and machinery, and the coral growth is home to batfish, lionfish and scorpionfish.

Barracuda Lake, île de Coron A lake ringed by limestone cliffs, with jagged underwater formations and a shimmering layer where fresh water meets salty.