These pictures were taken in April of 2013 while on the dive boat 'Atlantis Azores'. We spent a week at Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. To get to Tubbataha you fly to Manila, then to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan. From there the dive boat takes you 100 miles out to the reef. There are no islands out there. Tubbataha Reef is a marine reserve and diving is allowed only a few months out of the year.

The diving in that area is very good. The reef is healthy despite the dynamite fishing that was going on. There are lots of sharks, large tuna, turtles and manta rays.

All photos were taken with a Nikon D300 digital camera using 16mm, 60mm and 105mm lenses. Underwater light was provided by two Sea & Sea YS-120 strobes.

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Map of the Philippines Clear water at the reeftop Sea fan and Anthias Pooh and a sea fan Art and a sea fan
A large school of Jacks Skin of a Sea Cucumber Vertical dropoff Young Green Sea Turtle Clear water and the skiff above
Blue-Spotted Stingray Trio of Emperor Angelfish Vertical wall Pair of nudibranchs Colorful Piufferfish being cleaned
Divers on the wall Large red Sea Fan Nudibranch on a soft coral The top of the reef and the ranger station Art and a soft coral
Art photographing a school of Jacks Divers and a Sea Fan Green Sea Turtle in shallows Diver and a school of Jacks Diver and a school of Jacks
Art photographing a turtle Hawksbill Turtle A Blenny grins from his home in the reef Pygmy Seahorse Colorful nudibranch
Art and Sara on the reeftop Native canoe at Palawan Sunset on the reef Anthia in a Sea Fan Anenomefish at home
Anenomefish at home Tiny Cowrie on a Sea Fan Palawan sunset Canoes at dusk on Palawan Atlantis Azores dive boat
Blue-and-white nudibranch Triggerfish Juvenile Gray Reef sharks Diver and turtle Looking up the wall
Sunset on the reef School of Pennantfish The lighthouse on the reef Divers-eye view of the Azores Square-Spot Anthia
School of Pennantfish


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