Macro Life

CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC 1. Bonaire It comes as no surprise that Bonaire was voted the best place in the Caribbean to hunt for macro life. Pretty much any reef, wreck or pile of rubble is bursting at the seams with everything from seahorses and arrow crabs to secretary blennies and flamingo tongue cowries. Classic sites like 1,000 Steps and Alice in Wonderland are always high on the list. For a spot you might not have heard of, there’s a shallow garden just up the wall next to the wreck of the Hilma Hooker. This site is packed full of cleaning stations and is the perfect spot to grab some photos on your way up from the wreck, which, incidentally, is also covered in life. [Puerto Rico »](/bonaire>Go Now »

2. <a href=) 3. Curaçao PACIFIC 1. Philippines With excellent wrecks in Coron Bay and fabulous big-animal sites in Tubbataha, the Philippines have long been regarded as a world-class wide-angle destination. That this diverse country is getting its due as a top-notch macro destination is only fitting, as the Philippines feature a handful of sites to rival Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait and Malaysia’s Mabul. The most famous is Anilao, just a hop, skip and a jump from the country’s capital in Manila. Basura is home to gaudy nudibranchs, mimic and wunderpus octopuses, harlequin shrimp and ghost pipefish; newly discovered Secret Bay is home to even more treasures. The fun doesn’t stop there. If your taste for critter hunting has only begun, head farther south to Dumaguete, Davao and Bohol. Go Now » 2. Malaysia » 3. Indonesia NORTH AMERICA 1. Canada/British Columbia Macro life isn’t particularly easy to find in North America, but the diving and diversity in British Columbia usually surprises people, so it’s easy to see why our savvy readers would vote this destination No. 1 in Macro Life. The waters off Vancouver Island are home to hooded nudibranchs, wolf eels and more — especially around the famous wreck of the Saskatchewan. Chup Point in Barkley Sound is always a favorite for seeing the little guys, as are Novas Scotia’s wrecks, which are covered in anemones, cleaner shrimp and candy-striped shrimp. Go Now » 2. Washington State 3. California