Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Apr–May · Moderate current · 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Current
- Moderate
- Water temperature
- 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Visibility
- 20–40m: Commonly 20–40m; best in April (often 30–40m).
- Experience
- Advanced Open Water is the practical minimum.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Napoleon (humphead) wrasse are common on the walls here: Tubbataha holds a healthy population of this endangered species.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Herds of 20–40 are a common Tubbataha sight, grazing across the reef flats and shallow coral.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
The most reliable shark here: grey reef sharks appear on nearly every dive, often in groups of several, patrolling the walls and drift sites like Washing Machine and Amos Rock.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Regularly seen on the coral walls alongside green turtles; both species nest within the park.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Amos Rock (Southwest Rock)
One of Tubbataha's signature wall dives, with a section of reef densely populated by oversized fish and regular grey reef and whitetip sharks.
5–40m · Moderate current
Delsan Wreck
A South Atoll site combining wreck structure with a coral wall; reef sharks and schooling fish are common when current is running.
18–33m · Moderate current
Jessie Beazley Reef
A separate reef north of the two atolls, often dived on the way in or out; walls and schooling pelagic fish when current runs.
7–40m · Moderate current
See all 7 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsDemanding. Fly to PPS. Typical trip $–$$$.
Route overview
Demanding
Liveaboard only, with a 10h open-ocean crossing to reach the diving.
Airport options
PPS
Puerto Princesa International Airport
Reached on domestic flights from Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB): despite the 'international' name there are currently no scheduled international flights, so most divers connect via Manila; liveaboards depart from Puerto Princesa port
Typical trip cost
$–$$$
under $2,000 to over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- A 6-night/7-day Tubbataha liveaboard runs roughly US$1,600 on budget boats up to US$4,500+ on luxury vessels, most sitting around US$2,000–3,500 per person, excluding flights.
- Fuel surcharges and the standard PHP 800 Puerto Princesa liveaboard/port terminal charges may be extra.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
Conservation fee PHP 5,000 per visitor/diver (about US$85–90)
PHP 500 for divemasters
children 12 and under exempt. Usually included in or added to the liveaboard package.
How it works
Entry is only via a licensed liveaboard operator holding a Permit to Operate from the Tubbataha Management Office. Individual divers do not arrange their own permits; the operator handles park clearance and collects the conservation fee.