Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 06/2016 | Page 80

ISLANDS AND LIVEABOARDS Jessie Beazley Reef – comprise the 130,000-hectare marine protected area in the middle of the Sulu Sea in the Palawan region of the Philippines. The beautiful dive sites consist mainly of walls and dropoffs, which are perfect for some big fish action. Solitude One was transformed from a Japanese merchant vessel to redefine quality service and professionalism in diving hospitality. She has been 18 PHILIPPINES Solitude One Liveaboard Text by ANDREW LOK Images by BO MANCAO The spectacular and pristine reefscapes of Tubbataha are only accessible via liveaboard for a reason; there is virtually no land in sight no matter how hard you gaze at the horizon. One such vessel is the comfortable and highly functional Solitude One. Since divers discovered this remote reef system in the late 1970s, it has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on the planet. A renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site – and now an ASEAN Heritage Park – Tubbataha is well known for its stunning reef scenes, dizzying amount of reef life and amazing visibility. The three reef areas – North Atoll, South Atoll and the SDOP 78