Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is one of the Philippines’ most iconic and pristine diving destinations, located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, approximately 150 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This remote marine sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is accessible only by liveaboard, making it one of the most exclusive and rewarding dive experiences in Southeast Asia.
Tubbataha is composed of two large atolls—North Atoll and South Atoll—as well as the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef. The park protects over 97,000 hectares of coral reef, supporting an extraordinary concentration of marine biodiversity. Divers can expect dramatic walls, steep drop-offs, coral gardens, lagoons, and channels teeming with life.
Diving conditions in Tubbataha are best suited for intermediate to advanced divers. Currents can be strong and unpredictable, particularly on wall dives and channels, but they are also responsible for the park’s incredible marine life. Visibility is excellent, typically ranging from 20 to 40 meters, offering breathtaking views of healthy hard and soft corals and massive schools of fish.
The climate is tropical, with warm air temperatures year-round averaging between 26 and 32°C. Water temperatures range from 26–29°C (79–84°F) during the dive season. Tubbataha is open only from March to June, when seas are calm enough for liveaboard access. Outside of this window, the park is completely closed to protect the reef.
Marine life encounters in Tubbataha are world-class. Divers regularly see large schools of barracuda, jacks, snappers, and fusiliers, as well as white-tip, grey reef, and silky sharks. Pelagic sightings may include hammerheads, manta rays, eagle rays, whale sharks, and occasionally tiger sharks. Macro lovers will also enjoy nudibranchs, shrimp, and reef critters hiding among the vibrant coral formations.
Dive Season : the Tubbataha Reefs is only 3 months a year, running from mid-March until mid- June. And liveaboard trips are the only option for divers to reach this amazing destination, as there are no accommodation facilities.
Liveaboard Diving Regions :
North Atoll
The North Atoll features dramatic vertical walls starting as shallow as 5–10 meters and plunging into the deep blue. This area is known for excellent visibility, large schools of fish, and frequent shark encounters. Common sightings include grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, and massive schools of barracuda and jacks. Coral coverage is exceptional, with healthy hard corals and colorful soft corals lining the walls.
South Atoll
The South Atoll offers a mix of walls, coral gardens, and channels with strong currents. This region is particularly famous for pelagic encounters, including manta rays, eagle rays, and hammerhead sharks. Reef life is abundant, with dense fish biomass and thriving coral formations. Drift dives along the walls are common and highly exhilarating.
Jessie Beazley Reef
Located northwest of the main atolls, Jessie Beazley Reef is a shallow reef system known for its vibrant coral gardens and high fish density. This site is ideal for wide-angle photography, with schooling fish, sharks, turtles, and rays frequently seen. Due to its exposure, conditions can be current-swept, but the rewards are spectacular.
Marine life
Tubbataha is a remote UNESCO marine park — pelagic paradise. Highlights include:
- Whale sharks (peak Mar-Jun)
- Manta rays (both reef and oceanic species)
- Tiger sharks (occasional)
- Schools of barracuda and jacks in tornado formations
- Hawksbill and green turtles (nesting on the islands)
- Massive schools of skipjack tuna
- Coral gardens with 350+ species
