Tubbataha Reef: 6-12 May 2026
Tubbataha Reef: 6-12 May 2026
Guide price may vary, enquire now
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Introduction
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park showcases pristine reefs with an exceptional diversity of marine life. As the Philippines' first marine reserve, the park features extensive reef flats, sheer walls plunging over 100 meters deep, and vast areas of the deep sea. Its remote, undisturbed nature, along with the presence of large marine species like tiger sharks, cetaceans, turtles, and schools of pelagic fish such as barracuda and trevallies,enhances the park’s breathtaking beauty.
Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is one of the oldest ecosystems in the Philippines. It plays a crucial role in the reproduction, dispersal, and colonization of marine organisms throughout the Sulu Sea, supporting fisheries beyond its borders. As a natural laboratory, the park allows for the study of ecological and biological processes, particularly coral reef formation. It sustains a wide variety of marine species dependent on reef ecosystems. The presence of top predators like tiger and hammerhead sharks signals a healthy ecological balance. The atolls also provide an ideal site for studying how natural reef systems respond to the impacts of climate change.
Tubbataha's reefs support 360 coral species, representing almost 90% of all coral species in the Philippines. The park is home to 11 species of cetaceans, 11 species of sharks, and around 700 species of fish, including the endangered Napoleon wrasse. It boasts the highest known population density of whitetip reef sharks globally. Pelagic species such as jacks, tuna, barracuda, manta rays, whale sharks, and various other shark species are also abundant. Additionally, the park is a vital nesting, resting, and juvenile development site for green and hawksbill turtles.
Features
Highlights
✓ UNESCO World Heritage location
✓ Special Hosts: Jill Heinerth & Nays Baghai
✓ Full board, meals & snacks
✓ Up to 4 dives per day & 3 dive guides
✓ Double & Twin cabin configurations
Dive Services
✓ 18 dives on Tubbataha Reef
✓ Nitrox available
✓ 3 dive guides on board
✓ Dive deck charging station
✓ Rental equipment available
✓ Unique photography & videography advice available
Included
✓ Local airport transfers - Puerto Princesa
✓ Unlimited drinking water, tea/ coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks
✓ Dive deck towels, bath towels & liquid soap
✓ Full board meals
✓ 11L air cylinder, weights & belts
✓ Dives as per itinerary
Excluded & Additional Fees
Mandatory Marine Park & Port Fees
USD 120 per person will be collected once on board.
Additional Costs
Domestic or International flights
Nitrox fees
Private guides
Alcohol and onboard purchases
Dive or travel insurance
Rental equipment
Fuel Surcharges
Fuel is a significant operational cost for any dive operation, especially liveaboards. Due to the volatility in oil prices, influenced by global events like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, predicting fuel costs ahead of scheduled trips is challenging. Therefore, some operators may impose a fuel surcharge closer to the departure date but will notify guests in advance. If fuel prices stabilize, no surcharge will be applied.
Payment Plan
Percentage of your invoice total
0% - Now
25% - 48 hours after the reservation is made
25% - 1st May 2025
50% - 1st March 2026
Cancellation Fees
For expeditions such as this, each payment made is non-refundable. Please refer to our terms of service for further details.
Meet your hosts
Jill Heinerth
With over 30 years of underwater exploration, Jill is the first explorer in residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration and Canada’s Polar Medal.
Jill is passionate about sharing her love for the underwater world and is a dedicated advocate for conservation. Her excitement about visiting one of the most biodiverse places on Earth is beyond words. As an accomplished filmmaker and photographer, Jill has decades of experience, from planning a shot to finding the right moment to capture it correctly. During our adventure Jill will be on hand to offer advice throughout your own creative processes.
Nays Baghai
After reading Jill's autobiography, Into the Planet – My Life as a Cave Diver, multi-award-winning documentary Director Nays Baghai was determined to display Jill's story on the big screen. As the visionary behind Descent, which won Best Australian Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival, Nays reached out to Jill, and together they crafted the beautifully curated film Diving into the Darkness. An avid diver, Nays will be available to share his unique perspective and expertise in film, photography, and creative vision with us during the expedition.
Matt Waters
As the founder of Nomadic Scuba and the Scuba GOAT Podcast, Matt takes care of the expedition logistics and organisation. A multi-agency dive instructor he is passionate about our blue world and is at his happiest when diving with a camera in hand. A semi-professional photographer Matt has accrued over 4 million views on pexels and loves to share his knowledge about photography and animal interaction with all who share
the same passion.
Accommodation
Premium Double
✓ Double bed
✓ En-suite bathroom
✓ Air-conditioning
✓ Bathrobes & towels
✓ Maximum 2 people
Premium Twin
✓ Twin beds
✓ En-suite bathroom
✓ Air-conditioning
✓ Bathrobes & towels
✓ Maximum 2 people
The booking process
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Initial planning
Found the perfect trip, or interested in recommendations? Submit a query and we’ll tailor something for you
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Email proposal
We’ll coordinate with the operators and collate the relevant information for you; to make selecting your next dive adventure easy
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Invoice and deposit
When you want to proceed, we’ll secure your spot and issue an invoice.Deposits usually due within 48hrs, then once we receive your deposit your booking is confirmed
Know before you go
How do I get there?
Nearest airport: Puerto Princesa (PPS)
Connecting International arrivals via Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB)
You can also connect through other Philippine airports, however we stick to the main two mentioned above.
We would advise including a night stop in Puerto Princesa before embarkation day as the local government and port impose strict departure times without deviation.
Following the trip, you can plan your departure flights on disembarkation day, however, make sure that the flight times are later than 12:30 as early departure from Philippine Siren is not an option.
Do I need a visa for this trip?
Tourist visas allowing 30-day access to the country is applied upon arrival. You can if you wish apply for an extension online.
Please always check with the Philippino Embassy within your home country to confirm the requirements.
What level of dive training is needed for these trips?
It is not uncommon to experience strong currents at Tubbataha reefs, therefore all divers need to be certified as Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent, having logged 30 or more dives and also experienced in current.
What are the dive conditions like?
Water Temperature: The water temperature typically ranges from 25°C to 29°C (78°F to 85°F).
Visibility: Visibility here is usually excellent, ranging from 24 to 37 meters (80 to 120 feet).
Location: Tubbataha is located in the Sulu Sea, at the heart of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Its two atolls, known as North and South Atolls, enclose a sandy lagoon and small islets, with a distance of 4 nautical miles between them. On the southern tip, there's an islet with a lighthouse, which serves as a rookery for birds and is often visited by turtles. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to at least 573 species of fish, 373 species of coral, 12 species of dolphins and whales, 11 species of sharks, and nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles.
Getting There: The departure point is Puerto Princesa, which is a 90-minute flight from Manila or Cebu. The crossing to Tubbataha generally takes 12-16 hours by liveaboard.
MONEY - Can I pay by card/ phone during the trip?
The local currency is the Philippine pesos (PHP).
The majority of established hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards, however; smaller, family-run places probably will not. There are banks and ATM's with various maximum withdrawal limits and fees.
TOP TIP: Nomadic Scuba uses WISE for our transactions, and we save hundreds on
pointless fees and exchange rates. If you haven't opened an account yet we strongly urge you to do so (it takes 5 minutes). Link: Show me how to be WISE
Do I need dive insurance for this trip?
Absolutely, without a doubt! Comprehensive travel and diving insurance is essential for planning any scuba diving trip. Many operators require proof of both before allowing you to participate in their activities or use their services here's why.
We recommend DiveAssure for both dive and travel insurance. You can choose between single-trip or annual coverage.
To arrange your insurance now, please use this link -DiveAssure registration.
Are there any medical reasons why I cannot dive?
Operators providing dive services will require you to complete an RSTC medical declaration. Should you need to answer ‘YES’ to any of the questions then you will need a doctor to sign as authorizing you to be medically fit to dive. You can find an example of the RSTC medical questionnaire here.
What type of power sockets are on board?
The cabins are fitted with European-style plug sockets. However, the Philippine Siren has a dedicated charging station on the main deck with plenty of space and several adapter options, US/UK/EU/AUS.
For safety reasons during Nomadic Scuba liveaboard charters, we would kindly request that all guests agree on a 'No charging electronic devices' policy in any of the cabins.
Do we need to use a dive guide?
Guides are provided free of charge, however, guests are responsible for their dive profiles and must stay within the limits of their certification.
Can I extend my stay and do more than one trip?
Absolutely, if there is space on the boat or you are considering another vessel, let us know how we can help.
Additionally, keep an eye out on future posts as we are currently planning a resort based week directly after this liveaboard. We can add this to your plans and invoice if you decide to continue the adventure with us.
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Expert navigation
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Preferred operators
We are proud to work with professional and dedicated operators around the world that have the expertise and resources to deliver unforgettable diving and travel adventures
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Bookings made easy
With a straightforward booking process and flexible payment plans, we aim to simplify the logistics so you can focus on the fun stuff