Jessie Beazley West

Tubbataha Reef, Palawan

The western corner of Jessie Beazley Reef, a small isolated reef about 20 km northwest of Tubbataha North Atoll and a standard stop on liveaboard itineraries. Depth runs from a reef top near 5 m down a wall to about 40 m. Its open-ocean setting makes for pelagic-rich diving: schools of jacks, barracuda, and fusiliers, with grey reef and silky sharks on the wall and occasional hammerheads and whale sharks during the March-June peak. Napoleon wrasse, turtles, and large groupers populate the reef. Liveaboard only; currents moderate to strong; Advanced Open Water certification required.