A WORLD AWAY

Six Dive Locations Reachable Only by Liveaboard

- MELISSA SMITH

From meeting new buddies from around the world to being able to get wet five times a day, liveaboard diving has plenty of perks. But one of the best benefits of a liveaboard is reaching areas of the ocean that are inaccessible by dayboat.

Out in the big blue, you never know what you’ll encounter. Many of these far-flung destinations are part of marine protected areas little influenced by human activity. Their locations alone—isolated in the middle of major waterways—make them an attractive pit stop for migrating pelagic megafauna like sharks, rays and whales.

Granted, these are not always easy destinations to access. In fact, the most remote islands may take up to 36 hours to reach. But once you’re anchored over your first dive site in a floating hotel hundreds of miles from civilization, you’ll realize the travel was a small price to pay for the adventure that awaits.

TUBBATAHA

PHILIPPINES

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park is made up of two atolls dense with biodiversity that serve as nesting grounds for endangered turtles and more than 100 species of birds. Below, pristine reefs cover the seafloor. “Tubbataha is kind of a hidden gem,” says Kevin Purdy, sales marketing manager of All-Star Liveaboards. “The closest island is 100 miles away, so it’s like a little oasis that draws in all kinds of marine life.”

This UNESCO World Heritage Site might be your best bet to see whale sharks, manta rays, hawksbill turtles, hammerheads, spinner dolphins and schooling gray reef sharks all in one day.