Sunset Cove Beach & Dive Resort · Alad Island, Romblon
Marine Life Reference Books
Essential Reading for Macro Divers & Underwater Photographers
The field guides our dive guides use every day. Understand what you see underwater in Romblon — and photograph it better.
Essential Reading for Macro Divers and Underwater Photographers
Understanding what you see underwater transforms every dive. The books on this page are the reference guides our dive guides and underwater photographers rely on every day at Sunset Cove. They cover the fish, nudibranchs, sea slugs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and reef life of the tropical Indo-Pacific — the same animals you will encounter diving Romblon's rich macro reefs.
We have divided this page into two collections. The first features classic PDF field guides from New World Publications — the definitive printed references written by the world's leading nudibranch and reef fish scientists. The second features the complete digital photo guide series by Andrey Ryanskiy of Reef ID Books — compact, beautifully photographed identification guides covering over 8,500 species across the Indo-Pacific.
Reef Fish Identification — Tropical Pacific
The definitive guide to over 2,500 reef fish species across the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Indo-Pacific. Detailed species accounts, range maps, and clear identification notes make this essential for any diver in Romblon's waters.
Reef Creature Identification — Tropical Pacific
The companion volume covering invertebrates — nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, echinoderms, and more. Essential for macro divers exploring Romblon's rich invertebrate life, with hundreds of Philippine species and behaviour notes throughout.
Nudibranch Behavior
A unique look beyond identification — this book explains how nudibranchs feed, reproduce, defend themselves, and interact with their environment. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the critters of Romblon, not just name them.
Nudibranch & Sea Slug Identification — Indo-Pacific, 2nd Edition
The most comprehensive nudibranch and sea slug guide for the Indo-Pacific — over 1,000 species with full-colour photographs. The reference our dive guides use to identify species in the Sunset Cove Marine Life Encyclopedia. If you own only one nudibranch book, make it this one.
About the Authors — New World Publications
Nudibranchs of the Coral Triangle
A photo-rich field guide to nudibranchs and sea slugs across the Coral Triangle — the most biodiverse marine region on Earth, including the Philippines. Essential for macro divers in Romblon.
Coral Reefs Philippines
A comprehensive photographic guide to the coral reef life of the Philippines — fish, invertebrates, and corals. Directly relevant to diving in Romblon and the surrounding island groups.
Reef Fishes of the Coral Triangle
A photographic identification guide to the reef fishes of the Coral Triangle — covering hundreds of species across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Living Seashells of the Tropical Indo-Pacific
A photographic guide to the living molluscs of the tropical Indo-Pacific — cone snails, cowries, and more. Useful context for macro divers interested in mollusc diversity.
Coral Reef Crustaceans from Red Sea to Papua
A photographic guide to the shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans of the coral reef. An excellent companion for macro divers targeting cleaning stations and decorator crabs in Romblon.
Starfishes and Other Echinoderms of the Tropical Indo-Pacific
A photographic identification guide to starfish, sea urchins, brittle stars, feather stars, and sea cucumbers of the tropical Indo-Pacific.
Life on the Reef: Corals, Sea Squirts, Sponges & More
A photographic guide to sessile reef life — corals, sponges, bryozoans, sea squirts, and marine plants. Useful for understanding the habitats many Romblon macro species depend on.
Marine Flatworms of the Tropical Indo-Pacific
A photographic guide to polyclad flatworms of the Indo-Pacific — often mistaken for nudibranchs, these colourful animals are a rewarding macro find on Romblon reefs.
The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs
A stunning photographic journey through the coral reefs and hidden sea creatures of the Indo-Pacific — written by one of the world's leading marine biologists and underwater photographers. With over 300 colour images and vivid storytelling, this book reveals the secret lives of reef inhabitants that most divers swim past without noticing. Dr. Smith is the international authority on seahorses and has completed over 3,500 dives across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Rated 4.8/5 by over 570 readers.
Marine Biology for the Non-Biologist
The perfect book for divers, snorkelers, and ocean lovers who want to understand what they are looking at underwater — without needing a science degree. Andrew Caine strips away complex terminology and explains marine biology in a straight-forward, humorous, and accessible style. Covering life histories, feeding strategies, reproduction, reef architecture, and ocean ecology, this book has sold over 13,000 copies and holds a 4.5/5 rating with over 470 reviews. Caine actively responds to readers and has guided aspiring marine biology students worldwide.