Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines: A Complete Diving and Liveaboard Guide

With more than 7,000 islands surrounded by tropical seas, the Philippines offers an incredible variety of scuba-diving experiences.

Divers can explore colourful coral gardens, dramatic walls, historic wrecks, sandy muck-diving sites, and reefs filled with marine life. However, few places compare with Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is known for its healthy coral reefs, clear water, steep underwater walls, and impressive marine biodiversity.

Its remote location and short diving season make every expedition feel like a true adventure.

For experienced divers looking for one of the Philippines’ greatest underwater journeys, Tubbataha Reef deserves a place on the bucket list.

What Is Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park?

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a protected marine area in the Sulu Sea, southeast of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

The park covers 96,828 hectares and includes the North Atoll, South Atoll, Jessie Beazley Reef, and the surrounding deep-sea environment.

It was first recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The protected area was later expanded to include Jessie Beazley Reef.

Tubbataha is home to more than 360 coral species and almost 700 fish species. Its waters also support sharks, rays, turtles, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine animals.

Its isolation has helped preserve one of the healthiest and most important reef systems in the Philippines.

Learn more about the park through the official UNESCO Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park page.

Why Is Diving in Tubbataha So Special?

Tubbataha offers the kind of diving many people dream about.

The reefs rise from deep water, creating coral-covered slopes, shallow plateaus, and dramatic walls that descend into the blue.

Currents carry nutrients through the area, supporting healthy corals, large schools of fish, and a wide variety of marine animals.

During a Tubbataha expedition, divers may encounter:

• Grey reef sharks
• Whitetip reef sharks
• Blacktip reef sharks
• Schools of jacks and barracuda
• Snapper, tuna, and trevally
• Green and hawksbill turtles
• Eagle rays and manta rays
• Napoleon wrasse
• Whale sharks
• Hammerhead sharks
• Colourful hard and soft corals

Marine-life encounters are never guaranteed. Currents, weather, water conditions, animal behaviour, and luck all influence what divers may see.

Even without a rare shark or ray encounter, Tubbataha’s healthy reefs and abundant fish life make every dive memorable.

When Is the Tubbataha Diving Season?

Tubbataha can only be visited during a short diving season, usually from mid-March to mid-June.

During these months, sea and weather conditions are generally more suitable for the long crossing into the Sulu Sea.

Outside the diving season, stronger winds and rougher seas make regular liveaboard operations difficult.

Because the season is short and the number of permitted liveaboard departures is limited, trips can fill up well in advance.

Divers with fixed travel dates should book early, especially when travelling as a group or requesting a specific cabin type.

The Main Dive Areas in Tubbataha

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park has three main diving areas:

• North Atoll
• South Atoll
• Jessie Beazley Reef

Each area offers different underwater landscapes and marine-life encounters.

The sites visited during an expedition will depend on currents, weather, park regulations, and the decisions of the captain and dive team.

Safety will always determine the final itinerary.

North Atoll

The North Atoll offers coral plateaus, steep walls, cleaning stations, and areas with strong or changing currents.

Some of its best-known dive sites include Washing Machine, Shark Airport, Amos Rock, Wall Street, and Malayan Wreck.

Washing Machine

As its name suggests, Washing Machine can have strong and changing currents.

When conditions are suitable, divers may encounter reef sharks, turtles, schooling fish, and other pelagic marine life.

The site is best suited to confident divers who are comfortable in currents and can follow their guide closely.

Shark Airport

Shark Airport is known for its wide coral plateau and frequent reef-shark activity.

Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks may be seen resting above the reef or swimming along the edge of the wall.

Turtles, rays, jacks, and other schooling fish may also pass through the area.

Amos Rock

Amos Rock is known for its beautiful coral growth and rich marine life.

Divers may see reef sharks, turtles, barracuda, tuna, trevally, and large schools of snapper.

The reef is also home to many smaller animals, including nudibranchs, crinoids, and other colourful reef creatures.

Wall Street and Malayan Wreck

Wall Street and Malayan Wreck combine dramatic underwater scenery with opportunities to observe both reef and pelagic marine life.

Depending on the conditions, divers may encounter sharks, rays, turtles, tuna, and large schools of fish.

South Atoll

The South Atoll offers healthy coral plateaus, steep walls, schooling fish, and exciting opportunities to see sharks and rays.

Two of its well-known dive areas are Ko-ok and Delsan Wreck.

Ko-ok

Ko-ok is located near the northern part of the South Atoll.

Its coral formations attract schools of jacks, reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, and other open-water species.

As with all Tubbataha dive sites, marine-life activity will depend on the current and conditions on the day.

Delsan Wreck

Delsan Wreck is one of the most recognised diving areas in Tubbataha.

The reef acts as a feeding and cleaning area for many marine animals. Divers may see reef sharks, turtles, rays, schooling fish, and occasionally larger shark species.

Although the site is named after a wreck, most divers visit it for the surrounding reef and marine life.

Jessie Beazley Reef

Jessie Beazley Reef lies northwest of the North and South Atolls.

It features clear blue water, steep walls, and beautiful hard-coral formations.

Divers may encounter reef sharks, turtles, rays, tuna, barracuda, and large schools of fish.

Strong currents can bring increased marine activity, but they can also create challenging conditions. Divers should remain close to their guide and be prepared to adjust the dive plan when necessary.

Who Can Dive in Tubbataha?

Tubbataha is best suited to experienced and confident divers.

Conditions can include:

• Strong or changing currents
• Negative entries
• Deep walls
• Open-water ascents
• Drift dives
• Remote diving far from land

Most liveaboard operators require an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent qualification.

Some operators may also require a minimum number of logged dives or previous experience in currents. Requirements vary, so always check with the liveaboard before booking.

Divers should be comfortable with:

• Maintaining good buoyancy
• Entering the water from a dive boat
• Responding to changing currents
• Using a surface marker buoy
• Completing open-water ascents
• Following depth and no-decompression limits
• Staying close to their buddy and guide

Previous liveaboard experience can be helpful, but it is not always required.

Divers who have not been underwater recently should consider completing a refresher before the expedition. You can also explore the PADI diving courses available with Sea Explorers Philippines before your trip.

The Tubbataha Liveaboard Experience

There are no resorts, hotels, restaurants, or dive centres on Tubbataha Reef.

The only way to experience the park is aboard an accredited liveaboard vessel.

A liveaboard provides the accommodation, meals, tanks, weights, diving facilities, guides, and general support needed throughout the journey.

A typical day may include several dives, depending on the weather, currents, park regulations, and the vessel’s itinerary.

Between dives, guests can rest, enjoy meals, prepare their cameras, review photographs, and watch the open sea from the boat.

Because the vessel remains far from cities and inhabited islands, evenings are usually quiet and peaceful. The remote setting is an important part of the Tubbataha experience.

Experience Tubbataha Aboard MY Gypsy

Sea Explorers Philippines operates MY Gypsy, an 80-foot boutique liveaboard created for small groups.

With only four guest cabins and space for up to eight guests, MY Gypsy offers a more private and personal way to explore the Philippines.

The yacht operates in different diving regions and offers selected expeditions to Tubbataha Reef.

A smaller guest capacity allows the crew to provide personal service while giving divers more space to prepare their equipment, relax between dives, and enjoy the journey.

Liveaboard schedules, routes, and departure points may change between seasons, so check the latest expedition details before booking.

How Do You Get to Tubbataha Reef?

Puerto Princesa in Palawan is the main gateway for most Tubbataha liveaboard trips.

Travellers normally fly to Puerto Princesa from Manila, Cebu, or another major Philippine airport.

After arriving in Puerto Princesa, guests board their liveaboard and begin the long journey across the Sulu Sea. The crossing commonly continues overnight, depending on the vessel and sea conditions.

Some vessels may offer different embarkation or disembarkation points as part of longer seasonal itineraries.

Always follow the travel instructions provided for your specific expedition.

It is wise to arrive at least one day before embarkation. This provides extra time in case of flight delays, baggage problems, or weather disruptions.

Booking a return flight immediately after disembarkation is also not recommended. Allow enough time between leaving the vessel and departing from the airport.

Conservation and Responsible Diving

Tubbataha is one of the Philippines’ most valuable protected marine areas.

Visiting vessels must follow permit, environmental, and safety requirements established by the park authorities.

Divers also have an important role in protecting the reef.

During every dive:

• Maintain good buoyancy.
• Never touch or stand on coral.
• Keep fins and equipment away from the reef.
• Secure gauges, hoses, and alternate air sources.
• Never chase, feed, or block marine animals.
• Do not collect shells, coral, sand, or marine life.
• Follow the instructions of your guide.
• Respect all park and vessel regulations.
• Reduce unnecessary plastic and waste.
• Use reef-conscious sun protection.

Good buoyancy is especially important around steep walls and areas with strong currents.

One careless fin kick can damage coral that has taken many years to grow. Responsible diving helps protect the reef while creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

What Should You Pack for Tubbataha?

Careful packing is important because there are no stores or replacement facilities at the reef.

Useful items include:

• Dive certification cards
• Passport and travel documents
• Diving and travel-insurance details
• Dive computer
• Surface marker buoy and reel
• Exposure protection
• Reef-conscious sunscreen
• Hat and lightweight sun protection
• Personal medication
• Motion-sickness medication
• Reusable water bottle
• Dry bag
• Underwater camera equipment
• Chargers and spare batteries
• Spare mask strap and small equipment parts
• Comfortable clothing for time on board

Check which diving equipment is included in your package before travelling.

Rental equipment may be available, but sizes and quantities can be limited. Bring personal equipment whenever possible, especially your mask, dive computer, and exposure protection.

Essential medication should be carried in hand luggage rather than packed only in checked baggage.

Are Permits Required?

All vessels and visitors must meet the park’s permit and entry requirements.

When joining an organised liveaboard expedition, the operator normally arranges the required permits and park documentation.

Park and environmental fees may be included in the package or charged separately. Confirm this before completing your booking.

Guests may be asked to provide:

• Passport details
• Diving-certification information
• Logged-dive information
• Insurance documents
• Emergency contact details
• Medical information

Submit the requested documents early so the liveaboard operator can complete the necessary arrangements.

More information about permitted tourism activities is available through the official Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park tourism page.

Tips for Planning Your Tubbataha Expedition

Before booking your trip, confirm the following details with your liveaboard operator:

• Embarkation and disembarkation points
• Required diving certification
• Minimum logged-dive requirement
• Number of diving days
• Planned number of dives
• Nitrox availability
• Rental-equipment availability
• Park and environmental fees
• Cabin type and occupancy
• Airport and hotel transfers
• Cancellation conditions
• Weather and itinerary policies
• Diving and travel-insurance requirements

Travellers should also keep their expectations flexible.

Tubbataha is a remote and natural marine environment. Currents, weather, and wildlife movement will influence every expedition.

Captains and dive teams may change the route when necessary to provide the safest and most rewarding experience possible.

Why Tubbataha Belongs on Your Diving Bucket List

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is more than a famous diving destination.

It is a protected marine wilderness, an important habitat for threatened species, a centre for scientific research, and a source of national pride for the Philippines.

Its coral walls, healthy reefs, schooling fish, sharks, turtles, rays, and open blue water create an experience that few destinations can match.

However, its greatest attraction may be the feeling of being completely surrounded by the sea.

Far from the mainland, divers have the chance to experience one of the world’s most remarkable reef systems while learning why its protection matters.

By travelling with a responsible operator and following park regulations, visitors can enjoy Tubbataha while helping preserve it for future generations.

Explore MY Gypsy liveaboard expeditions, browse our scuba-diving destinations in the Philippines, or contact Sea Explorers Philippines to start planning your next underwater adventure.

Dive with a Smile in one of the Philippines’ greatest marine treasures.