South Atoll
Tubbataha Reefs · Philippines
Tubbataha's South Atoll is the shallower, wider platform of the two main atolls and is famous for its resident manta ray cleaning stations on the eastern rim. Reef manta rays queue at specific coral heads between 12 and 18 m to be groomed by wrasse and butterflyfish — divers who kneel downurrent are rewarded with mantas gliding overhead in close, unhurried passes. The atoll interior shelters enormous bumphead parrotfish aggregations and sleeping whitetip sharks, while the outer wall is patrolled by grey reef sharks and sea turtles.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
5 to 15 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
| Vis (m) | 5 | 10 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Current | Strong | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Green sea turtle
Last confirmed Jun 6, 2025 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Whitetip reef shark
Last confirmed May 18, 2026 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Reef manta ray
Last confirmed Apr 30, 2024 · 2 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Bumphead parrotfish
Last confirmed Apr 27, 2024 · 4 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Midnight Snapper
Last confirmed Jun 7, 2025 · 3 records
Rare
Now and then
Bluefin Trevally
Last confirmed Jun 7, 2025 · 1 records
Rare
Now and then
Harlequin Sweetlips
Last confirmed Jun 6, 2025 · 2 records
Rare
Now and then
Napoleon Wrasse
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear