Southwest Wall

Tubbataha Reef, Palawan

Southwest Wall is a spectacular dive known for its dramatic drop-off, vibrant reef life, and regular pelagic sightings. A narrow coral plateau leads abruptly to a sheer vertical wall richly decorated with gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges, and soft corals. Descending the face, divers find overhangs, small caves, and crevices that shelter resting whitetip reef sharks and a host of cryptic species. Grey reef sharks are common here, along with schools of big-eye barracuda, trevally, and dogtooth tuna. The reef is densely populated with anthias, butterflyfish, parrotfish, moorish idols, and angelfish, while a closer look turns up nudibranchs, shrimp, leaf scorpionfish, and blennies. Liveaboard access only; Advanced certification required.