Destination: The Philippines

A long stretch of more than 7,000 islands, the Republic of the Philippines is surrounded by three water bodies - the Pacific Ocean to the east, the South China Sea to the west and the Celebes Sea to the south. Such a watery heaven ensures many types of reefs and an abundance of marine species. The Philippines offers diving on fringing reefs, atolls and barrier reefs. Species range from the seemingly ubiquitous rays - blue-spotted stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, marble rays and leopard rays - to the black-and-white banded sea snakes. Best times of the year to visit fall between November and mid-June.