The Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, Philippines is a spectacular natural site.

While it is well known as a top diving location in the Philippines, it should not be forgotten that it is also considered one of the world’s most pristine coral reefs.

This world-renowned underwater site occupies an area over 130,000 hectares and consists of three atolls and a large deep sea area where numerous marine habitats can be found.

Tubbataha Reef is considered one of the top diving spots in the world for good reasons: It offers a magnificent underwater world that is made grander by its turquoise, clear, and pristine waters that will let you see corals and fish even at 10 metres below!

While a popular diving spot, Tubbataha’s dive season is only from March to June. Diving activities in the area are conducted under the guidance of the rangers and the money earned from this tourist activity goes into the preservation of the reefs.

The Tubbataha Reef and its underwater formation was created from the eruption of undersea volcanoes and eventually became one of the biggest marine ecosystems in the world.

The name Tubbataha is derived from the ancient language Sama-Bajau which translates to ‘long reef exposed at low tide.’

Whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and Napoleon wrasse are some of the marine life that you can find in the Tubbataha Reef area. Aside from the huge range of fish life there are over 360 types of coral present.

Tubbataha Reef helps sustain a high diversity of marine life. It is a habitat of fish and invertebrate larvae that benefit the Sulu Sea and the eastern coastline of Palawan.

Aside from providing a marine habitat, Tubbataha Reef is also essential in the process of reproduction, dispersal, and colonization by marine organisms in the entire Sulu Sea system.

It also houses numerous species of seabirds: Ground nesters and tree nesters can be found in this natural reef. Some of the ground nesters include the Brown Booby, Brown Noddy, Great Crested Tern, and Sooty Tern.Tthe tree nesters include the Red-footed Booby and the endemic Black Noddy.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. With this recognition, Tubbataha is given massive seascape complete protection from all sorts of destructive activities.

National protected areas legislation and different environmental legislations govern the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. This makes it possible for actions to be taken against threats such as marine debris removal and illegal fishing. A ranger station to ensure the protection of the marine ecosystem is situated permanently on the north atoll.

We will be flying with Etihad Airways from London to Manila (and back)
via Abu Dhabi.

We are flying Economy Class.

We will have 30kg checked in baggage allowance
plus 7kg carry on baggage.

The international flight schedules are as follows:

Because we are departing in April we will be on British Summer Time; Philippines will be 7 hours in front of UK

Because we are departing London Heathrow at 09:30 we will need to check in around 06:30 which means we will need to be near the airport the night before. This will mean travelling up the day before (21st April) and staying in a hotel or B&B. (This is something we need to organise before we travel).

The local currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso: currently (July '25) £1.00 = P76.8 and $1 = P57.2

Below is the itinerary of the upcoming Tubbataha Expedition.

We are travelling at the best times for weather, sea conditions and diving.

There is an option of an extension to the trip for more diving in Puerto Galera, This option departs on May 16th.

The dates are April 21st to May 6th. This may have to change due to airline schedules etc. We must be in Puerto Princessa by the 24th in order to be able to board the Agrressor II on the 25th. The actual charter is from April 25th to May 2nd (fixed dates and already sold out).

Departing on the 21st would give us two nights in a Manila hotel. This would give us breathing space after the long haul flight from London to Manila which is around 15 hours. Arriving in the evening and then flying down to Palawan the next morning would be a bit hectic.

The Manila hotel we will be using before transferring to Palawan is the Belmont Hotel because it is very close to the airport. Some of us stayed there during the 2018 Puerto Galera trip.

The bold red highlights are actual web links to the relevant pages.

Below is the internal flight schedule berween Manila and Puerto Princesa:

When we arrive in Puerto Princesa the day before we embark for Tubbataha we will be saying in the

Sunlight Guest hotel:

We are also travelling aboard probably the best boat available:

The Philippines Aggressor II is 140 feet long with a 26 ft. beam, built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. There is a beautiful spacious salon, sun deck with shading, chaise lounges and deck chairs, bar, and grill. The yacht is diesel powered, cruises at 8 knots and has 220V and 110V power onboard.

Our cabins (1 to 8) are described as Deluxe Staterooms: A comfortable room with 2 single side by side beds (Staterooms 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 can be made into a king bed or kept as two single beds). Every room has a panoramic window and comes with a private bathroom & shower. All rooms have individual climate control, a TV monitor with a media player and a hair dryer. Room Size: 10' x 14'. Single Bed size: 36 x 76 inches.

This is diagram of the boat layout. We have block booked the 8 cabins on the lower deck.

Each stateroom has ample storage and individual climate controls. Staterooms have a safe aboard to store valuables such as passports, cash, credit cards or anything else.

There is a variety of nightly entertainment, including diving, fish identification presentations, movies, games and more. If you have a favourite movie or presentation to share, we encourage you to bring it along. A small library of books for exchange is maintained onboard as well as fish identification books for reference.

All meals, snacks and beverages are provided. Board Basis is full board, for drinks they state “The Aggressor’s beverage selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a limited selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary. You are also free to bring your own alcohol aboard.

Fifteen crew are on hand to cater to guests, providing guided dives, evening entertainment and chef-prepared meals. Other amenities include a hot tub and wet bar, indoor lounge and restaurant, and state-of-the-art scuba facilities include nitrox fills and two dive tenders.

We are going to the best dive location in the world
on the best liveaboard in the world!

Boat features

• Sundeck
• Hot tub
• Outdoor dining area
• Leisure deck
• Bar
• Indoor dining area
• Common area
• Audio & video entertainment
• Indoor saloon
• Air conditioning throughout the vessel
• Wi-Fi in selected areas

Boat facilities

• Dive deck
• Individual dive lockers or stations
• Charging station
• Separate rinse tank for camera or electronics
• Nitrox
• Dive courses
• Equipment rental
• Tender(s)

Food & Drinks

Guests aboard the Philippines Aggressor II are treated to a delightful culinary experience throughout their journey. The vessel offers a diverse and plentiful menu, ensuring that divers and guests are well-nourished for their underwater explorations. From American feasts to barbecues and local cuisine, the onboard meals cater to various tastes.

The day starts with a selection of fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals, and juices for a refreshing breakfast. Lunches feature a variety of options, including hot soups, homemade bread, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Chef-prepared dinners served each evening showcase a mix of salads, vegetables, seafood, beef, or chicken, accompanied by fresh homemade desserts.

The following is an EXAMPLE of a 7 day itinerary aboard a Tubbataha Charter.

It is NOT a guaranteed itinerary. Just an idea of what we can expect since no two charters are identical.

The Aggressor II liveaboard trip to Tubbataha lasts seven nights and includes diving at the North Atoll, South Atoll, and Jessie Beazley Reef.

The itinerary includes 3-4 dives per day, with a total of up to 20 dives in the Tubbataha area.

The trip typically begins with an overnight crossing to the reefs, followed by diving days at the North and South Atolls, and then a return crossing to Puerto Princesa.


Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Day 1: Embarkation and departure from the port (around 16:00 - 18:00).
  A boat briefing and dinner followed by an overnight crossing (12-15 hours) to the Tubbataha Reefs.

• Day 2: Diving at Jessie Beazley Reef and the North Atoll.

• Day 3: Diving at the North Atoll.

• Day 4: Diving at the South Atoll.

• Day 5: Diving at the South Atoll.

• Day 6: Diving at the North or South Atoll, and then Jessie Beazley Reef.
  A night crossing back to Puerto Princesa.

• Day 7: Arrival in Puerto Princesa. Two optional morning macro dives.
  The afternoon is for rest and relaxation followed by a farewell dinner ashore.

• Day 8: Disembarkation and transfer to the hotel.

Important Considerations:

• Tubbataha Reefs National Park does NOT permit night diving.

• Diving: Dive times are usually limited to 60 minutes per dive.

• The specific dive sites and itinerary can be adjusted based on weather, sea conditions, local regulations, and the experience of the guests.

• The best time to dive in Tubbataha is generally from mid-March to mid-June, due to park regulations and weather conditions.

• Regulations: Tubbataha is a protected area, and dive operators must adhere to specific regulations
  and park fees are compulsory.

Here are some videos produced around Tubbataha to give you an idea what it is like out there
and to whet your apetite for the upcoming trip.

Brief descriptions of some of the more popular dive sites:

1. Shark Airport:
One of the most popular dive sites in Tubbataha, Shark Airport, is best known for the sharks – whitetip reef sharks and grey reef sharks are common here. In the site, the bottom is rather flat and sandy, like an airport that is where these big animals lay down to relax. Divers can also dive to the corals which are full of many species of fish and other marine creatures.

2. Delsan Wreck:
The Delsan Wreck is a shipwreck that has attracted divers across the globe, due to the unique shape of the ship’s wreck that has become an artificial reef. This site is home to a lot of jacks, barracudas, and sometimes even manta rays. The site itself is covered with corals and forms part of the spectacular coral reef, thus giving divers a chance to swim through and around a shipwreck.

3. Malayan Wreck:
Another popular dive site is the Malayan Wreck, which is a ship that has been deliberately sunk to form a shipwreck and a home for marine life. Underwater divers are known to be able to swim through the shipwreck and can expect to see various kinds of sea creatures like groupers, lionfishes, and nudibranchs, among others. The structure of what remains of the ship and its surroundings make for some interesting shots when snorkeling and taking photographs.

4. Amos Rock:
Amos Rock is characterized by sheer walls that abound with soft corals and Gorgonian Fans. This site is also famous for the pelagic fish like the tuna and barracuda as well as the normal reef inhabitants like the angelfish and the butterfly fish. Due to the steep drop-offs and abundance of marine life, Amos Rock is considered one of the most beautiful dive spots.

5. Jessie Beazley Reef:
Jessie Beazley Reef is another interesting dive site and comprises of two large coral atolls, known as the North Atoll and South Atoll. The area is quite untouched and boasts beautiful coral gardens and many sea creatures. It has different species of animals such as turtles, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and different colorful fish within the reef. The water is very clear and the corals are heathy to make the diving a most breathtaking one.

For those wanting to stay longer and are able to do so there is an option to stay on in the Philippines and do more diving in Puerto Galera.

There will obviously be an extra cost for this extension but the internationl flight costs will remain the same.

The dive package for the extension will be with Scandi Divers in La Laguna Beach, Puerto Galera.
(La Laguna beach is next to Sabang Beach).

The extension also includes three nights in Manila (Makati) before flying home to the UK but it will be possible to fly out directly on return from Puerto Galera.

The extension calendar will looks like this:

Scandi Divers - Trip Advisor Review - 27th January 2023

From the moment you step off the speedboat onto the beautiful beach at Big La Laguna you are treated like part of the Scandi family. The staff from front of house to the dive team have only one aim, to give you as great a holiday as they can, nothing is too much trouble.

The food is absolutely amazing with 3 course lunches and dinners with great menu choices. The breakfasts are also fabulous, my choice most mornings was the “American” …bacon, sausage, fried eggs and amazing hash Browns…but there were also wonderful pancakes, continental and Philippino options as well as omelettes.

The bar is well stocked with beer wine and spirits and, as everywhere else at Scandi, the staff are incredible, they know when you need a refill but never seem to be watching you….a great skill !!

The rooms are all spotless and cleaned every day. There are a wide choice of rooms to suit any budget, but whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed. Gifts were left on our beds on a number of occasions and we also had some wonderful “Towel Sculptures” !!

The dive centre is right on the beach and you really won’t find an easier way of diving. All your kit is loaded onto the boat for you, all you need to do is find the energy to walk with your camera across the beach to the boat and take a seat.

Most of the dive sites are a short 2 or 3 minute boat ride with the furthest being about 12 mins. As you approach the site you are helped on with your kit and then you roll backwards into the incredible underwater world of the Philippines.

The marine life was quite simply stunning. The colours need to be seen to be believed and we saw more creatures for the first time than on any other dive trip we have done.

After the dive you are welcomed back onto the boat with hot towels, which are wonderful and then whisked back to Scandi where you just walk off the boat with your camera.

All your gear is taken off the boat for you and then thoroughly rinsed ready for the next dive. All this whilst you are enjoying post dive cake !!

On our final night there was a local band at dinner followed by a breathtaking fireshow.

After the show the band returned and we spent the evening singing and dancing with our fellow divers and a large proportion of the Scandi staff…they seem to enjoy it as much as we did and they are brilliant at making everyone feel involved but also hitting the right balance of not forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.

We shall definitely be returning to this part of the world and when we do it will be to Scandi Divers and their little slice of heaven.