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. Feel free to send us a note for bookings or more info:
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.
Different cruise ship operators – price (per person) comparison
| Operator | Standard | VIP | Rating/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Liveaboard | $2,850 lower deck | $3,050 upper deck | 8.5 |
| Infiniti | $3,299 standard | $3,599 delux | 9.4 |
| Philippines Siren | $4,440 | $4,440 | 8.8 |
Under each operator you will find a Read More button to see more information. You can click on the ratings to see the reviews.
* All prices shown may be subject to occasional discounts, so feel free to check with us!
Dolphin Liveaboard
Their schedule
Explanation: Tours = number of tours in succession during the stated period; Days = duration of tour; Dives = number of dives expected per tour; Price = price per person in USD for standard cabin (VIP is $200 more).
Detailed description of each tour.
The Dolphin is a 90-foot (27-meter) liveaboard dive vessel with a sturdy steel hull, expertly crafted to deliver both relaxation and exhilarating underwater experiences. Featuring ten fully air-conditioned cabins—including six cabins suitable for twin occupancy and two exclusive VIP suites complete with private bathrooms and mini-bars—the Dolphin ensures guests enjoy exceptional comfort and privacy throughout their journey.
For diving enthusiasts, the boat boasts a fully equipped dive center, two dedicated diving skiffs, and convenient on-deck showers for rinsing off after each dive. Guests can relax and recharge on the spacious Upper Deck, furnished with comfortable sun loungers, shaded areas, barbecue equipment, and even a dance floor. Gourmet meals, served all-inclusive style, paired with beverages from the full bar, enhance the onboard experience, allowing guests to savor delicious food and drinks against the backdrop of the tranquil ocean.
Join an unforgettable voyage to Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized globally as a premier diving hotspot. Operating from March through June, the Dolphin provides exclusive access to breathtaking underwater scenery, including vibrant coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and an extraordinary diversity of marine life. Encounter majestic whales, playful dolphins, powerful sharks, graceful sea turtles, and over 700 species of colorful fish. With its pristine waters and flourishing coral reefs, each dive at Tubbataha Reef is guaranteed to deliver thrilling discoveries and memorable adventures.
Diving Equipment Prices
( Full Set – 30$ PHP per day ) Regulator – 8$ PHP per day
- BCD – 8$ PHP per day
- Computer – 8$ PHP per day
- Wetsuit – 5$ PHP per day
- Mask – 2$ PHP per day
- Boots – 2$ PHP per day
- Fins – 2$ PHP per day
- Torch – 6$ b PHP per day
- Torch – 3$ PHP per night dive
- Backup Torch – 1$ PHP per night dive
- SMB – 2$ PHP per day
MV Dolphin provided Dive Gear:
- Weights, Tanks
Inclusions
- Full-Board Meal Plan ( All Meals)
- Accomodations
- ALL Cabins Have Full-Size Bathrooms
- ALL Cabins Above the Water-Line
- ALL Cabins Have Large Windows
- VIP Cabins Available
- Diving ( 4 Dives Per Day )
- Tanks & Weights
- Transfers From Hotel or Airport
Exclusions
- International and Domestic Flights
- Hotel and Meals Before and After Trip
- Equipment Rental
- Wifi US$ 40
- Nitrox US$ 120 USD
- Marine Park Fees US$ 100 USD.
- Tips
Regarding the following fees:
- Marine Park Fee $100 USD ( Government Mandatory )
- Nitrox $120 USD whole week ( Optional onboard )
- Wifi Unlimited whole Trip
Facility
- 9 bright fully air conditioned cabins w/ ensuite toilet and bath
- Hot and cold shower
- VIP rooms (# 1,2) ) w/ king size bed and mini bar
- 2 twin-sharing cabins (# 7, 8) w/ 2 single beds
- 5 twin-sharing cabins (# 3,4,5,6,9)
- w/ a double bed and bunk bed
- Library of books, magazines
- Entertainment center with TV, DVD and stereo
- Lounge
- Sundeck
- 2 open rinse showers on deck
- Crew Number：14, including 3 dive guides
Scuba Diving Equipment
- 3 Compressors, 40 tanks, regulators, BCD, weight belts, weights, air fills and nitrox membrane system,
- 1 x24 ft Fiberglass tender boat, 1×21 ft Fiberglass tender boat.
Diving
- up to 5 dives per day including night dive.
- Weights, weight belts and 12l aluminium tanks with standard yoke and DIN valves are included.
- All dives are guided by professionals and from tender boats.
For safety reasons!
- Each diver must have a dive computer and a surface marker balloon.
- For night dives, every diver must have a strong main light and a backup light.
Other Information
- Nitrox Available: 100 PHP per tank
- Technical and Rebreather Dive : Available, Rate on request and must be booked in advance.
- Rental Dive Equipment : Available, Rate on request and must be booked in advance.
- Dive insurance：Highly recommended, as well as travel insurance.
- Wi-Fi Internet Available：No.
- Laundry Service：Available with additional cost
- Massage Service：Available with additional cost
- Payment on board：By cash: USD, EURO, local currency PHP (Philipine pesos)
- Crew gratuities : Not included, an average is 5 to 10% of your cruise price depending upon your satisfaction.
Infiniti Liveaboard
Their schedule
Detailed description of each tour
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).
Highlights
The Infiniti is a 39m liveaboard built for diving into the fantastic dive sites of the Philippines year-round. The Infiniti yacht offers 11 newly renovated rooms with an emphasis on comfort. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, large picture window, or porthole. Guests can relax in the spacious indoor lounge, the outdoor lounge, and the massive sundeck with cushioned loungers and hammocks. It is the perfect place for relaxation, sunbathing, yoga, evening BBQs, or stargazing. Freshly prepared meals and snacks are served in the indoor dining area.
Infiniti has a knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated crew providing superior onboard service. Infiniti has state-of-the-art diving amenities, including Bauer compressors, top-of-the-line equipment, a large dive deck, camera tables, rinse tanks, and charging stations. MV Infiniti allows for a limited number of divers to provide personal attention, creating once-in-a-lifetime diving excursions. The new camera room with charging stations, counter space, shelves, and drawers caters to all photography requirements so you can capture the amazing underwater world of the Philippines. Itineraries visit Malapascua to dive with Thresher sharks, Visayas & Bohol to spot whale sharks, and Tubbataha National Park for reef diving.
Included: VAT, Alcoholic Beverages, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.
Required Extras: Dive Insurance, Fuel Surcharge (120-140 USD per trip), National Park Fees (120-200 USD per trip), Port Fees (110-220 USD per trip).
Optional Extras: Travel Insurance, Gratuities, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Local Flights, Extra Dives, Nitrox (10-162 USD per tank), Nitrox Course (199 USD per item), Private Dive Guide (500 USD), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (150-450 USD).
Philippine Siren
Their schedule
Highlights
The 40m S/Y Philippines Siren is an excellent choice to cruise the waters of the Philippines. Divers designed this luxurious liveaboard for divers to provide superior ease and comfort. Aboard Philippines Siren, scuba enthusiasts will enjoy exciting dive sites and lavish accommodations.
The Philippines Siren crew of 12 is on hand to ensure guest satisfaction for up to 16 divers. This intimate liveaboard offers ample space, including 8 large cabins with individual climate control, an entertainment system, and en suite bathrooms. The SY Philippines Siren also features an air-conditioned lounge with a cocktail bar, sofas, a 42-inch TV, and a movie network. Massage service is available daily. The decks feature a covered outdoor dining area where meals and refreshments will be served buffet-style throughout the day and an upper-level sun deck with cushioned loungers.
A massive shaded diving deck provides individual stations and personal storage lockers. The main lounge offers a fully equipped camera and video station of professional quality. Philippines Siren schedules year-round dive trips to Cebu, Dauin, Tubbataha, Apo reefs, Malapascua, Donsol, Coron Wrecks, and Anilao.
Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Kayaks, Land Excursions, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.
Required Extras: National Park Fees (75-160 USD).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Local Flights, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox (100-130 USD), Nitrox Course (100 USD), Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (50-250 USD), Laundry / Pressing Services (1 USD per item), Massage.
* Extra fees are shown per person.
Life on a Siren liveaboard
A Siren liveaboard leaves nothing to be desired in the way of creature comforts. Their design and amenities make them more akin to floating hotels than expedition vessels. The interior design of each craft is delicately detailed, with gleaming wood and well-picked color combinations. The furnishings inside and outside are also attentively styled, from sunbeds to common spaces. Extra amenities include same-day laundry and free shower gels, a library, board games, free kayaking, and a massage, which can be booked any day. Meals with the Siren fleet feature the freshest vegetables, meat, and seafood, and there’s always a mix of cuisines in the buffet, from Western to Thai, Indonesian, and Filipino. Available all day are fresh fruit and various beverages, including free rehydration/mineral salts and even free local beer. With advance notice, all food preferences can be catered for.
Diving with the Siren fleet
Diving with the Siren fleet has some special perks. One is the inclusion of high-quality dive equipment at the base price. Another is the availability of a free guide for any dive. You always have it if you want to support finding special creatures or navigating a tricky area. The opposite is also true; if you and your buddy want to set out alone, you will be well-prepared beforehand by the onboard dive briefing and then sent on your way. Siren vessels provide free nitrox for as many dives as you want and can even certify you for nitrox during your trip. The vessels are also rebreather-friendly if you book in advance to ensure compatible equipment. To top it off, the Siren fleet aspires to be the “pro’s choice” for underwater photographers and videographers. Each vessel provides outdoor and indoor workstations for cameras, storage drawers, and numerous charging points with adaptors.
Anyone from beginner divers to professional photographers is welcome on a Siren liveaboard, though beginner divers are advised to check the itinerary descriptions carefully; each itinerary has a recommended experience level. Up to four dives a day are offered from the spacious, shaded dive deck. With the yachts stationed year-round in their destinations, it’s easy to find a schedule that fits your needs. Special offers and regulated trip rates add to the value for money of the Siren fleet, which aims to provide affordable high standards for all diving enthusiasts.
Siren liveaboard vessels and destinations
The Philippines Siren offers world-class diving in this archipelago of over 7000 islands. The waters of the Visayas region are the primary sailing turf of this Siren vessel, which visits Cebu, Bohol, and Negros. Special offerings on these itineraries include thresher sharks in Malapascua, pygmy seahorses in Cabilao, muck diving in Dauin, and gorgeous, diverse coral reefs in Apo and Balicasag Islands. The Philippines Siren also offers dedicated voyages to Tubbataha World Heritage Site, an atoll reef in the South Sulu Sea. Tubbataha represents the pinnacle of Philippines diving.
Booking
We have partnered with the above cruise companies so you can book through us at their regular published rates. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning these tours.
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island hopping diving cruises in the Philippines
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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.