Route Description - Tubbataha
Accessible only by liveaboard, the Tubbataha Reefs were proclaimed as a National Marine Park in 1988 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, in recognition of their outstanding universal value in terms of marine life species diversity and richness. These reefs consist of vertical walls or near drop off's rising out of great depths where hammerheads, thresher sharks and whale sharks can be seen.
This liveaboard adventure allows up to 19 dives, including up to 4 sunset dives in and around Tubbataha National Marine Park.
150km South East of Puerto Princessa on Palawan Island, the Tubbataha reef system covers 970km², with 100km² of pristine coral reefs for divers to explore.
Formed Millennia ago along the Cagayan ridge, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park consists chiefly of two atolls (North and South) and the Jessie Beazley reefs. This delicate reef system supports over 600 different fish species and over 300 coral species, whilst providing a haven for nesting hawksbill and green turtles and numerous birds.
A field station on the north atoll is manned by rangers year-round and during your trip you can visit the rangers to learn more about conservation and reef protection.
On a typical day up to 4 day dives (dives no longer than 60 minutes) are offered. There is no night diving in Tubbataha. The diving day is usually scheduled as follows:
Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4, where possible
Dinner
Tubbataha itineraries are not suitable for non-divers who wish to snorkel or swim, and it is not permitted to go ashore.