Philippines

Diving in Tubbataha Reef

24 sites85 species27–30 °C15–45 m vis

Photo: Gianni Orsatti / Unsplash

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the middle of the Sulu Sea, 150 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This pristine atoll system — the only true atolls in the Philippines — consists of two large atolls (North and South) and the satellite Jessie Beazley Reef, spanning 97,030 hectares of strictly protected marine habitat. Tubbataha lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle and hosts 600+ species of fish, 360+ species of coral (more than half of all coral species on Earth), 13 species of sharks, and 13 species of marine mammals. Accessible exclusively by liveaboard during a 3-month season (mid-March to mid-June), Tubbataha is one of the most exclusive and pristine dive destinations in the world. With no-take protection since 1988, fish biomass has recovered dramatically, making it one of the most effectively managed marine protected areas in Asia and a global conservation success story.

Tubbataha means 'long reef exposed at low tide' in the Samal language, named by traditional fishermen who navigated these waters for centuries.Tubbataha is the only true atoll system in the Philippines and one of only ~30 atolls in the world with emergent sand islets (Bird Island and Lighthouse Islet).The park hosts over 360 species of coral — more than half of all coral species known on Earth — making it one of the most biodiverse reef systems on the planet.Tubbataha has been a strictly enforced no-take zone since 1988. Fish biomass has increased over 200% since protection began, making it a global model for marine conservation.Shark Airport is one of the most reliable shark encounters in the world — divers regularly see 30+ grey reef sharks circling overhead like aircraft in a holding pattern.Only 6–8 liveaboard vessels are allowed in the park at any one time, and only ~2,000–3,000 divers visit per year — fewer than some single dive resorts see in a month.The USS Guardian, a US Navy minesweeper, ran aground on Tubbataha Reef in 2013. The $65 million salvage operation and environmental remediation set a global precedent for reef damage liability.Tubbataha is home to 11 species of sharks including tiger sharks, scalloped hammerheads, whale sharks, thresher sharks, and silky sharks — one of the highest shark diversities in Southeast Asia.The park is completely closed to visitors from mid-June to mid-March — 9 months of absolute quiet each year for the ecosystem to recover and for seabirds and sea turtles to breed undisturbed.

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Conditions

Water temp

27–30 °C

Visibility

15–45 m

Depth

5–40 m

Current

Strong

Best season

Mid-March to mid-June (peak: April–May). The park is strictly closed the rest of the year.

Month	Summary
Jan	Park closed. The reefs rest during the northeast monsoon. No diving is permitted.
Feb	Park closed. Cooler waters and calm seas — the ecosystem is undisturbed. No diving.
Mar	Season opens mid-March. Water 27–28°C, visibility 20–35m. Early-season plankton blooms attract whale sharks. Calm seas and excellent diving conditions as the season begins.
Apr	Peak diving month. Water 28–29°C, visibility 25–40m. The best overall conditions — stable seas, maximum clarity, and abundant marine life. Manta rays at cleaning stations, sharks at Shark Airport and Amos Rock.
May	Prime diving month with the warmest water at 29–30°C. Visibility 25–40m. Hammerhead sharks schooling at Black Rock and North Wall. Peak manta season. All dive sites accessible in excellent conditions.
Jun	Season closes mid-June. Water still warm at 29–30°C, visibility 20–35m. Late-season hammerhead peak at North Wall and Black Rock. Seas may become rougher as the southwest monsoon approaches. Last chance before the 9-month closure.
Jul	Park closed for the southwest monsoon season. Rough seas and strong winds make the crossing dangerous. Reefs rest and recover.
Aug	Park closed. Southwest monsoon continues. No vessels can safely operate. Marine life breeds undisturbed.
Sep	Park closed. Monsoon winds begin to ease but seas remain unpredictable. The reef ecosystem regenerates in peace.
Oct	Park closed. Transition period between monsoon seasons. The reefs are pristine and ready. No diving permitted.
Nov	Park closed. Northeast monsoon begins, bringing calmer seas. Preparations for the next diving season start. No diving yet.
Dec	Park closed. Cooler waters at 27–28°C during the northeast monsoon. Liveaboard operators prepare vessels for the March reopening. No diving permitted.

Dive Sites (24)

Amos Rock (Southwest Rock)

5–40m · Advanced

Wall · Pinnacle · Shark encounter

Bird Island

1–25m · Beginner

Snorkeling · Turtle nesting · Seabird colony

Black Rock

5–40m · Advanced

Pinnacle · Tiger shark · Hammerhead encounter

Coral Garden (North Atoll)

2–15m · Beginner

Coral garden · Anemone garden · Photography

Coral Wall

5–35m · Intermediate

Wall · Coral garden · Photography

Delsan Wreck

5–25m · Intermediate

Wreck · Artificial reef · Turtle encounter

East Wall

5–50m · Advanced

Wall · Shark encounter · Gorgonian garden

Jessie Beazley North

5–40m · Advanced

Wall · Shark encounter · Pelagic encounter

+16more sites in the appGet the app →

Marine Life (85)

must-see

Loggerhead Turtle

must-see

Bull Shark

must-see

Green Sea Turtle

must-see

Hawksbill Turtle

must-see

Spotted Eagle Ray

must-see

Great Hammerhead

must-see

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

Great Barracuda

Common Lionfish

Grey Reef Shark

emperor angelfish

Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse

+73more species in the app

Dive shops

No dive shops are listed for this destination yet.

Guides

Top 12 Dive Sites in Tubbataha: From Sharks to Coral Walls

Shark Airport, Black Rock, Amos Rock, and Jessie Beazley — compare Tubbataha's best dive sites by skill level, season, and marine life encounters.

14 min read

Tubbataha Dive Conditions: Temperature, Visibility & Season

Water 27–30 °C, visibility to 45 m, and strong atoll currents. Complete conditions guide for the Philippines' remote 3-month liveaboard diving season.

13 min read