Tubbataha Reefs is located in the center of the Sulu Sea between the Island of Palawan and the Visayan islands. The jump off point is Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The best time to go to Tubbataha Reefs is during the Philippine Summer season from mid-March to mid June.
Days are hot and dry and sea conditions are at their calmest and clearest.
Tubbataha Reef Transition 1 is the transition of the ships from its home port in Anilao Batangas to Tubbataha Reefs, stopping at Apo Reef and Cuyo Islands for a day of diving in each location before reaching Tubbataha. Guests have to book a flight out from Pto Princesa at the end of the trip.
Tubbataha Regular Trip starts and ends at Puerto Princesa. All diving is done in the Tubbataha Reefs National Park.
Tubbataha Reef Transition 2 is the transition of the ships from Tubbataha to their home port in Anilao, Batangas. The itinerary is similar to that of the Transition trip 1 but in reverse.
153 Island Cruise Republic can arrange your air tickets going to/from Puerto Princesa. There are several airlines that flies down to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The ships embark for Tubbataha between 6-8 pm on the day of departure. Arriving guests are picked up at the Airport and transferred to the ship, assigned a dive crate and checked into their rooms.
They have the whole afternoon at leisure to take in the city attractions, go last minute shopping for toiletries, etc.
A pre- departure briefing will be done during the evening of arrival when guests will be asked to fill out forms and sign waivers, be given boat assignments and informed of dive schedules as well as ship/park safety regulations and procedures.
On the day of arrival, the ship is usually in port by 6 am and guests are disembarked after breakfast . 8 am is the usual disembarkation time but guests who have later flights are free to remain on board until airport transfer time. Puerto Princesa Airport/ship transfers are included in your package.
From Manila, it is approximately 3 ½ hours going to Anilao, Batangas.
Yes, we can help you arrange your land transfers/ hotel arrangements.
Accommodations on board, no decompression diving, tanks, weights, weight belt, boat, services of a divemaster, roundtrip land transfers from Puerto Princesa airport to boat and v.v, all meals, and complimentary tea, coffee, juice.
Guests can do maximum of 3 Dives a Day and 1 Night Dive. Night dive is not included on the last diving day.
Guests should arrived Puerto Princesa not later than 1700H (5pm) on the embarkation day.
A valid passport is required. Visas are not required for tourists who will no stay no longer than 21 days provided that they have an onward or return journey tickets and do not belong to restricted nationality. For long staying guests visas are required, you can apply at the nearest Philippine consulate in your country of origin.
Upon arrival in the Puerto Princesa Airport please look for members of our Staff wearing a t-shirt with Expeditionfleet’s LOGO.
The Philippines is a tropical country with an average temperature of 32°C (80°F). March to June is hot and dry (36°C); rains and typhoons abound from July to October; November to February is pleasantly cool (around 23°C) and dry. In mountainous regions, temperatures dip to about 15°C.
Yes, all of our dives are conducted in small groups from tender boats ensuring quick entry and exit from the water.
Yes there is, please take a look our sample itinerary. However, ONLY advanced divers will be allowed to do so.
Not necessarily. All dives begin with a back-roll onto the reef top which is usually around 15 meters. After everyone has trimmed their buoyancy and are comfortable, the dive leader will then bring the group to the drop off and down the wall.
Current is usually present in Tubbataha and thus drift diving is the norm. Divers go with the flow of the current and upon surfacing, are picked up by the chaseboat.
The check-out time in the vessel is 0800am on the last day.
The weather is quite warm during the trip because it is the summer season. A 3mm suit is more than adequate.
Yes we have gear for rent but we do NOT have torches/flashlights and dive computer for rent. There are torches available for sale on board. Please advise us in ADVANCE what sizes (for the gears) you will be needing.
Yes, we usually encourage our guests to avail of the St Paul subterranean River Tour on the day of arrival and spend an additional night in Puerto Princesa. This is to allow divers to maximize the last day’s dives without violating the NO FLY Period.
The St Paul Subterranean River is also a UNESCO World heritage Site just like Tubbataha.
The nearest Re-compression chamber is in Cebu City.
We can arrange you in some beautiful resorts in different places in the Philippines like Puerto Galera, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol etc.
1. The boat travels overnight to Tubbataha reef on the day of departure and return so you can count on your first dive (conditions permitting) in the early morning on the second day of your booking and your last dive on the evening before the last day of your booking.
2. Flights between Manila and Puerto Princesa are often delayed so it is recommended to book your flights with arrival well before 4pm on the day of departure. Extra time can be used to organize your gear on the boat. You might also want to consider arriving a day earlier and do an Underground River Tour.
3. Departure flights are recommended 24 hours after your last dive. If you plan to dive in the evening the day before the overnight return trip to Puerto Princessa, it is recommended to schedule your departure flight in the late afternoon or evening on the last day of your trip.
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