Tubbataha Reefs
The Philippines' Crown Jewel — A Remote UNESCO Marine Sanctuary
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park lies in the middle of the Sulu Sea, approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The park covers nearly 100,000 hectares and consists of two large atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef. Due to its remote location and strict protection since 1988, the reefs are in exceptional condition with over 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, and nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles. Diving is only possible during the brief liveaboard season from mid-March to mid-June when seas are calm enough for the 10-12 hour crossing from Puerto Princesa. The walls drop vertically into the abyss, and the sheer biomass of marine life is staggering.
Top Dive Sites
Amos Rock
5-40m+A dramatic pinnacle on the North Atoll rising from the deep to within 5 meters of the surface. The rock is blanketed in healthy corals and swarming with fish life. Grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks, and schools of barracuda are regular visitors to this current-washed site.
Shark Airport
10-30mNamed for the flat sandy plateau where whitetip reef sharks rest like planes on a runway. This South Atoll site features a stunning wall alongside the sandy area, with nurse sharks, leopard sharks, and stingrays resting on the bottom during the day.
Wall Street
5-40m+A sheer vertical wall on the North Atoll dropping into the abyss, covered in massive sea fans, soft corals, and barrel sponges. The wall attracts large pelagics including tuna, jacks, and occasional hammerheads cruising in the blue beyond the reef edge.
Black Rock
8-35mA dark rocky outcrop on the South Atoll known for large pelagic encounters. The site is swept by currents that attract grey reef sharks in impressive numbers, along with eagle rays and large Napoleon wrasse. Dawn dives here sometimes reveal hammerheads.
Jessie Beazley Reef
5-35mA small isolated reef located between the two main atolls, fully submerged and surrounded by deep ocean. This tiny reef punches above its weight with incredible shark action, schooling fish, and pristine hard coral cover. Tiger sharks are occasionally sighted here.
Featured Marine Species
Whitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Giant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
Dogtooth Tuna
Gymnosarda unicolor
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Diving Conditions
Best Season
Mid-March to mid-June (only season accessible by liveaboard)
Water Temperature
27-30°C
Visibility
25-45m
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced
Frequently Asked Questions
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