Everything on Coron Island is pure magic. Even the jellyfish are more spectacular.

Sabang’s incompetent dive shops have caused us quite a bit of pain, but the underwater experience completely makes up for it. With over 40 spectacular dive sites close to shore and plenty of snorkeling off of Monkey Beach and Big La Laguna Beach, we have managed to look beyond the sloppy service and, instead, look at colorful coral, fish and crustaceans. Hold your breath and follow along on our underwater safari.

Watch out! There are some scary things a-lurkin’ in those rocks just offshore. And they blend in with their surroundings perfectly.  The scorpionfish above appears to have activated its cloaking device. Can you see it?

Just in case you can’t quite make it out, we’ve added the highlighted picture below to help you find our little friend. For scale, he is about 9-10 inches long.

If Darwin had been a diver, the Philippines would most certainly have been one of his favorite destinations. The undersea world here boasts some of the world’s greatest examples of natural camouflage. Ten minutes underwater here will teach you more about evolution than a dozen biology textbooks.

We recently introduced the mysterious oarfish to our visitors in the form of a rather questionable picture of the legendary Naga from Laos. By some strange stroke of coincidence, scientists recently managed to capture a living oarfish on film for the first time. It’s quite a surreal creature.

Other recent discoveries here in the Philippines also spark the imagination. Researchers have discovered a new, multicolored giant monitor lizard which can grow up to two meters long in northern Luzon. (You might remember that we have a special place in our hearts for monitor lizards.) And straight out of Little Shop of Horrors, scientist have discovered a giant, meat-eating pitcher plant in Palawan, although I don’t think it will be swallowing up any people.

Isn’t it great to know that there is still something to discover in a rather used-up world?