The remoteness and imperturbability of Tubbataha Reef support the presence of large marine fauna: whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, and pelagic: big school of barracuda, trevally and jack fish, being the unique world's atoll reef with a very high density of marine species and the presence of high predators as tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks, 700 species of fish including the threatened Napoleon wrasse and 600 species of corals, means that 90% of Philippines's coral are represented here.
WHY SHOULD GO AND DIVE TUBBATAHA REEF
One of the best preserved marine areas on the planet
The marine park of Tubbataha Reef was established in 1985 to safeguard an area of extraordinary naturalistic interest. The fully submerged reef is located in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, 90 miles south of Palawan Island. Thanks to the great distance from the mainland and the often difficult climate, Tubbattaha remained isolated until the early 1980s, when local fishermen equipped with motor boats, began exploitation, fishing with bombs and without rules. Fortunately, the Philippine government decreed the marine park area and since then, the excellent management and strict rules, with an absolute ban on fishing, have allowed the conservation and made Tubbataha one of the best preserved marine areas on the planet.
The marine park of Tubbataha was established in 1985 to safeguard an area of extraordinary naturalistic interest
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park has been included in the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. For divers it is a paradise, there is a great variety of large animals, reef sharks, greys, tigers, white tips, oceanic mantas, large groupers, tunas, napoleons, barracudas, green turtles and hawksbill turtles, just to name a few. For the macro there are nudibranchs, crabs and shrimps and pygmy seahorses. Beautiful corals, gorgonians and anemones with a relative infinite variety of reef fish make it all very colorful. The diving environment includes a 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
Beautiful corals, gorgonians and anemones and infinite variety of reef fish make it all very colourful
All you need to know to go Tubbataha Reef
Where is located: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a submerged reef in the middle of Sulu Sea, don't expect to find anything but 2 uninhabited atolls with a ranger station. How to reach it: Tubbataha Reef is a diving destination accessible by liveaboard only. Boarding and disembarkation take place in Puerto Princesa, which can be reached by internal flights from Manila and Cebu. Diving Season: Tubbataha can only be visited on a cruise between March and June, when sea conditions are calm. There are no shelters in the area, in periods of rain and typhoons -July to February-, liveaboards cannot operate in the park.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a submerged reef in the middle of Sulu Sea
Dive Cruises in Tubbataha Reef
The best liveaboards operating in Tubbataha:
Atlantis Azores
Without doubt the best diving boat in the Philippines, 32 meters long, with 8 cabins all with private bathrooms and air conditioning. Atlantis offers cruises to Tubbataha from March to June. The boat has a comfortable and spacious dive deck, room with private spaces for storing video cameras, restaurant, sundeck and bar. The number of dives per day can reach up to 5.
Seadoors Liveaboard
A 25M dive boat with 8 cabins all with bathroom and air conditioning, for a maximum of 16 divers. At the center of the main deck, the restaurant hall, with library and comfortable sofas and the video camera charging station. The sundeck is located in a panoramic position.
Infiniti Liveaboard
The Infiniti, a 39-meter boat, with 11 cabins with bathroom and air conditioning. The common areas consist of an enclosed lounge with air conditioning, where meals are served and a huge sundeck with sun beds and mattresses for relaxing moments. The on-board service is of excellent quality. The diving area is extended, with tables and refills for cameras, Bauer compressors and top-level equipment.
Philippine Aggressor
The new Philippine Aggressor, 45 meters, has 12 cabins for 24 divers, divided into three categories: 5 deluxe lower deck, 04 deluxe main deck and 3 suites with balconies. All cabins have private bathrooms and air conditioning. A large indoor hall that serves as a restaurant, an outdoor lounge, the sundeck with sun beds and armchairs, bar, grill and a photo and video center, form the common areas. The Philippine Aggressor entered service in May 2020, from mid-March to mid-June it operates in Tubbataha.
To Dive Tubbataha Reef
It is very important to remember that to be able to dive Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines, you will necessarily require a liveaboard in the months of March to June, which you must book in advance of at least 1 or 2 years. Don't miss the opportunity to dive the best preserved reefs on the planet, get in touch to plan a custom diving charter or reserve a personalized diving trip with the liveaboard specialists of Cruising Indonesia!