Tubbataha is a nature ocean marine park in Palawan, Philippines and designated as such in 1988, the first of its kind in the country. Five years later it earned the ranks as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the only such site in all of Southeast Asia. Recently it has been ranked as the eighth best dive site in the world by CNN travel website cnngo.com.
It is located 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the world’s capital of Marine Diversity.
Coral Triangle
This massive triangle includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands, and is home to 600 species of corals (more than 3/4 of the world’s total), six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, more than 2,000 species of fish (37% of the world’s total) and the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Over 120 million people live within this “Amazon of the seas” and rely on it for food, income and protection from storms.
Overlooked by the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) and the Coral Triangle Center, a private foundation based in Bali, Indonesia.
Tubbataha – a Nature Paradise
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Tubbataha caries its weight in gold, hosting 360 coral species (half of all known), 600 species of fish and 100 species of birds within its 100,000 hectares of nature preserve.
This rich oasis provides almost 30% of the country’s total fisheries production, its ocean currents carrying vast amounts of marine larvae to the rest of the Sulu Sea.
On visiting the natural wonder, National Geographic photographers remarked: “The first thing that strikes you is that you are in an ocean wilderness. You encounter the sea and marine life here on their terms, not yours.”
Or as a marine biologist from the University of Miami commented: “All of the signs are that Tubbataha Reef is nearing what we believe to be the true natural state. This is an amazing thing that’s happened.”
History
The name Tubbataha means “long reef exposed at low tide” and comes from the Samal language, native language of the seafaring people of the region who would visit the area occasionally in line with their nomadic lifestyle.
Protection
A certain Algelique Songco worked as a diving professional for 7-8 years in Tubbataha, but after watching the natural wonder deteriorate over the years due to dynamite and cyanide fishing, she decided to roll up her sleeves and do something about it.
In 2001 she applied as a park manager and was initially paid by the WWF, since funds were not yet available locally. But since then her efforts have grown into a team of voluntary park rangers (some of them members of the Philippines’ Navy, Military, Coast Guard and Local Government), each living on the Tubbataha Reef Ranger Station for two months at a time, running patrols 24/7 to protect nature’s paradise.
Fortunately, this lonely outpost and spit of sand and concrete jutting from the water is about to undergo a major facelift, applying solar panels, micro-wind turbines, sunshades doubling up as a rainwater collection system and hydroponically-grown vegetables to maximize self-sufficiency, considering its remote location.
The new add-on structure will also house a research building with eight live-in marine biologists. Furthermore, a library, visitor center, museum and shop will educate the public and encourage further fund raising. Which is currently funded by the Philippine government, private groups, and partially as compensation when a US Navy ship ran aground into the reef in 2013.
In 2023, these brave marine park warriors won the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award.
Diving
Trips to the reef are only run from March to June every year, when the seas are calm enough to make the 10 hour trek there and the waters clear and visible.
The liveaboard ships (only way to visit this remote area) depart from Puerto Princesa and last 5-7 days, with 3-5 days saved for diving and excursion.
Visibility is 10-35 meters, depending on the tides, good for snorkeling too, and since some dive sites experience strong currents, intermediate to advanced diving skill level is recommended.
Booking
We have partnered with two cruise companies (below) and you can book through us at their regular published rates. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning these tours.
Price comparison
| Discovery | Infiniti |
|---|---|
| $2,840 lower deck | $3,299 standard |
| $3,370 upper deck | $3,599 delux |
Discovery Fleet Philippines
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Originally constructed as a three-masted schooner in 1973 in Denmark, this sailing vessel traveled around the Caribbean and was later redesigned to serve as a navigation training ship. In 2006, she went through a refitting process and was given a new and more robust engine plus state-of-the-art navigational equipment. Then she was brought to the Philippines to fulfill the role of an adventure cruise ship. In 2013, the cruise ship was renamed Discovery Palawan and went through a 1.5 million USD renovation to give her a fresh and stylish look.
Online booking:
Infiniti Liveaboard
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Also 94% voted yes out of 22 reviews on Facebook.
The Infiniti live-aboard was custom designed & specially constructed by divers for divers in Thailand [2013].
- The Infiniti is a 39 meter (133 ft) all steel vessel with four decks.
- The Infiniti is classed & certified by RINA, Italy for unrestricted navigation in the open sea.
- The Infiniti boasts world-class systems and equipment including emergency management systems, fire fighting appliances including a CO-2 room; and state of the art navigation & communication electronics.
- All inside areas are air conditioned.
- Newly renovated, spacious guest rooms all with en-suite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, safety boxes, picture windows and plenty storage have been designed to maximize guest comfort and to make you feel right at home during your stay.
- Delicious & nutritious meals and refreshments are prepared in the onboard kitchen & served buffet style in the large dining room. Fresh fruits , snacks, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages ( no extra charge) available.
- There are multiple relaxation lounges including a large, beautiful indoor lounge well stocked with entertainment, a huge sundeck with cushioned loungers and hammocks & an outdoor lounge with a self serve beverage bar!
- A brand new camera room with several charging stations, and plenty of counterspace, shelves and drawers for camera equipment and your photography requirements.
- The Infiniti is equipped with all facilities for scuba diving with a large shaded dive deck, personal diving stations, an expert dive team, a Nuvair Nitrox Membrane, Bauer compressors, top of the line scuba equipment, & two 5-meter RIBs (tenders).
Write to us for booking or more info.
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We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.