South Atoll

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.