Sulu Sea Scuba Diving

The diving itself is split into three main areas, the Tubbataha North Atoll, the Tubbataha Southern Atoll, and the Jessie Beazley Reef, which is a coral atoll situated a short distance away (14 miles).

Around Tubbataha North Atoll are actually a number of small dive sites, all of which are worth spending some time at. The atolls themselves offer shallow reef tops, which are prolific in marine life, and which slowly give way to dramatic drop offs which plunge into the depths below. The walls themselves are characterised by the various crevices and overhangs which are to be found all around the atoll, and which are home to a huge variety of marine life. Squirrelfish, black and white snappers, can both be found darting between the large amounts of Whip Coral, Black Corals and Gorgonians. Also to be found at Tubbataha Reefs are Leopard Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Manta Rays and a number of large Napoleons and Groupers. Away from the walls, the crystal clear visibility, and currents coming in from the open oceans, mean there is always the opportunity to spot something large coming in from the open seas.

The diving at Tubbataha South focuses primarily on the large wall which starts at 15 metres and goes down to depths of over 50 metres. As with the majority of diving in the Sulu Sea, there are a good number of larger marine animals in the area, and there are regular encounters with Manta Rays and a variety of different types of shark. To the southwest of the atoll is Amos rock, a wall dive which also offers a good variety of corals including Whip Corals and Gorgonians. Amos Rock also houses a large population of Green and Hawksbill Turtles, as well as Angelfish and Butterfly fish.

The Jessie Beazley reef is essentially a huge coral pillar, which rises from the depths to just below the surface of the water. Beneath the small top of the atoll are steep walls which house an incredible array of marine life in the various crevices and overhangs. Large groupers, accompany the resident populations of jacks and barracuda which seem to inhabit the waters surrounding Jessie Beazley Reef.

The Sulu Seas, and in particular the Tubbataha Reefs are undoubtedly exceptional dive sites in every sense of the word. Great locations, excellent visibility and prolific marine life all combine to offer what is genuinely a unique diving experience. The remote nature of the area do mean that it is only the more committed divers who go there, however, what is not in dispute is that the longer journey was worthwhile.