Anilao is best known as a diving destination. While Tubbataha Reef is widely considered the Philippines’ Diving Mecca, many regard Anilao as an “Eden,” the birthplace of scuba diving in the country. But Anilao is more than the treasure-trove it keeps beneath the waves. Its shores are mostly rocky, but in between some of the promontories are small pockets of white and beige sand for the picky beach bum. Its land is wrinkled with small mountains that are great for beginners. It is also your gateway to the islands of Tingloy, which has been gaining a lot of attention over the past few years.

Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island—and numerous cays. The history of Bimini is as fascinating as the islands themselves. Just 50 miles from the United States, they served as a convenient offshore speakeasy and liquor store during prohibition. Rumrunners used to store their stash on the nearby shores. And speaking of rum, Ernest Hemingway called Bimini his summer home. Jimmy Buffett spent time here while writing his book, and Martin Luther King, Jr. even composed parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech while sailing with local boat builder, Ansil, who still lives on the islands today.

Local California Diving

Dumaguete is a city on Negros Island, in the southern Philippines. The lush, waterfront Rizal Boulevard is backed by bars and restaurants. The Silliman University Anthropology Museum displays prehistoric artifacts from local indigenous groups. Nearby is the 1900s wooden Silliman Hall. Opposite the leafy Quezon Park is the 19th-century St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and its belfry, the Campanario de Dumaguete.

Mo'orea is a South Pacific island, part of French Polynesia's Society Islands archipelago. It's known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches. In the north, Mount Rotui overlooks picturesque Ōpūnohu Bay and the settlements around Cook's Bay. Inland, hiking trails wind through rainforest on the slopes of Mount Tohivea. The Belvedere Lookout has panoramic views of the island’s peaks and Tahiti beyond.

Pulau Sipadan ('Border Island' in Malay) is an island of outstanding natural beauty.

The island is only 12 hectares (30 acres) and is covered by pristine rainforest.

The amazing diversity and abundance of marine life found at Sipadan makes it one of the top world's top diving spots and without doubt the most famous scuba destination in Malaysia.