Diving in Palawan

Best Time to Dive Tubbataha

The diving season in Tubbataha is limited to mid-March through mid-June when sea conditions are calmest, offering optimal visibility ranging from 30 to 45 meters. Planning ahead is crucial, as liveaboard trips during this period are in high demand.

Note: Due to their historical value, many of these sites are protected, and it is illegal to remove artifacts.

Access and liveaboards

Tubbataha can only be reached by liveaboard, departing from Puerto Princesa. Trips typically last 5 to 7 days, with 3 to 4 dives per day. All diving is done from boats, and sites are selected based on daily conditions to ensure safety and variety.

Marine life you can expect when diving in Tubbataha

Tubbataha is one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. You’re likely to see:

• 🦈 Reef sharks, hammerheads, and even tiger sharks
• 🐢 Green and hawksbill turtles
• 🐠 Huge schools of jacks, barracuda, and snapper
• 🐙 Macro life like nudibranchs, crabs, and seahorses
• 🐋 Occasionally manta rays and whale sharks

Every dive offers a new highlight, whether it’s a wall of fish or a close-up macro encounter. This is why it’s so great to dive here. You have the chance to see so many different species and since so few divers you will have that amazing feeling of being the first to see it. Bring your cameras!

Why diving in Tubbataha?

Because it’s protected, remote, and untouched. Tubbataha offers something that few dive destinations can: reefs in perfect condition, marine life in abundance, and the feeling that you’re diving in a place very few have seen. If you’re looking for a true bucket-list dive trip, this is it.

The magic of diving in Tubbataha – a truly wild adventure

Diving in Tubbataha is unlike anything else in the Philippines. Far from the mainland, in the middle of the Sulu Sea, this protected marine park feels like its own world. There are no resorts, no day boats, and no crowds—only clear water, pristine reefs, and the raw beauty of nature.

To get there, you’ll need to join a liveaboard. These trips run from March to June, when sea conditions are calm and visibility is at its best. While the journey takes time, it’s more than worth the effort. Each day offers multiple dives across different sites, and every descent reveals something new.

The reefs when diving in Tubbataha

Some areas feature steep coral walls covered in soft corals and sea fans. Others offer gentle slopes with schools of fish, turtles, and colorful macro life. Strong currents often bring in pelagic species, including sharks, rays, and occasionally even whale sharks. The variety is staggering, and the marine life is thriving—thanks in large part to strict conservation rules.

What makes diving in Tubbataha so special is the feeling of exclusivity. It’s just you, your boat, and the ocean. With no nearby cities or islands, the environment feels untouched, and the silence between dives reminds you how remote—and rare—this place truly is.

Whether you’re an experienced diver looking for your next big adventure or simply someone who values nature at its purest, Tubbataha delivers an unforgettable experience from start to finish.