Diving Tubbataha Reef,
Expedition Fleet, Cebu, Philippines
Tubbataha Reef is situated almost in the middle of The Sulu Sea with the islands of Palawan to the west and Panay, Negros and Mindanao to the east. The 33,200 hectare site was declared a National Marine Park in 1988 and a World Heritage Site in 1994. Thanks to local efforts, illegal fishing and coral collection have been stamped out and the gradual destruction that was taking place before 1988 has been halted and the reef is now back in pristine condition. The diving here is considered some of the best in the world.
MV Stella Maris Explorer
The reef lies 182 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Island and it is only reachable by live-aboard boats which can be found in Puerto Princesa itself. Despite its inaccessability, the reef is now extremely popular with adventurous divers, so early booking of a live-aboard vessel is advised to avoid disappointment.
Tubbataha is made up of two reefs, simply referred to as the North and South Reefs or Islets, that are separated by 4 nautical miles of water with surrounding depths that descend to around 1,200 meters. The North Reef is 4-5 km wide and completely encloses a sandy lagoon. The reef is shallow and some of it is uncovered at low tide. The South Reef is 1-2 km wide and also encloses a lagoon. On the southern tip is a islet with a lighthouse. This is used as a rookery for birds and is frequented by turtles.
Itinerary & Schedules
Mar – Jun 2010
» Click here for Expedition Fleet’s 2010 Tubbataha Dates and Schedules
» Click here for Expedition Fleet’s 2011 Tubbataha Dates and Schedules
Enquiry / Booking Form
2010 Stella Maris Explorer Dive Package Cost
Deluxe Cabin
- USD $1,867 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
Standard Cabin
- USD $1,734 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
C-Deck
- USD $1,600 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
*Extra USD $100/pax for fuel surcharge
**Fuel Surcharge may apply without prior notice
2010 Borneo Explorer Dive Package Cost
Suite A
- USD $1,558 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
Suite B
- USD $1,445 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
Deluxe
- USD $1,340 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
*Extra USD $100/pax for fuel surcharge
**Fuel Surcharge may apply without prior notice
2010 Oceanic Explorer Dive Package Cost
Deluxe Cabin
- USD $1,556 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
Standard Cabin
- USD $1,445 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
C-Deck
- USD $1,334 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
*Extra USD $100/pax for fuel surcharge
**Fuel Surcharge may apply without prior notice
2010 APO Explorer Dive Package Cost
Deluxe Cabin
- USD $1,340 per diver Transition/Regular Trip
*Extra USD $100/pax for fuel surcharge
**Fuel Surcharge may apply without prior notice
Dive Package Inclusions
- Aircon accommodation on board
- Fullboard meals (except drinks)
- Unlimited no-decompression diving including night dives
- Use of tanks, weights, belt, boat and services of a divemaster
Dive Package Exclusions
- All international airfare and airport taxes in/out of the Philippines
- Domestic airfare and airport taxes: Manila/Puerto Princesa/Manila
- Land transfers (airport/Batangas or Batangas/airport) for the transition trip
- Apo Reef Conservation fees approximately US $38 per person
- Tubbataha Conservation fees approximately US $78 per person
- Airport and porterage fees
- Alcoholic Drinks and soda
- Gear Rentals and Nitrox fills
- Other incidental expenses
- Dive and Travel Insurance
- Fuel Surcharge may apply without prior notice
» Check out the Expedition Fleet Liveaboards here.
Itinerary & Schedules
Mar – Jun 2010
» Click here for Expedition Fleet’s 2010 Tubbataha Dates and Schedules
» Click here for Expedition Fleet’s 2011 Tubbataha Dates and Schedules
Regular Trip
Day 01 / Embarkation at Puerto Princesa
Day 02 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 03 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 04 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 05 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 06 / Disembarkation at Puerto Princesa
Transition Trip 1
Day 01 / Embarkation at Batangas
Day 02 / Dive Apo Reef
Day 03 / Dive Cuyo Island
Day 04 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 05 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 06 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 07 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 08 / Embarkation at Puerto Princesa
Transition Trip 2
Day 01 / Embarkation at Puerto Princesa
Day 02 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 03 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 04 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 05 / Dive Tubbataha
Day 06 / Dive Cuyo Island
Day 07 / Dive Apo Reef
Day 08 / Embarkation at Batangas
Special Trips
Special Trips are extended voyages from the normal 6 day trip to an 8 day trip to allow divers to visit more of Tubbataha’s Dive sites as well as repeat the special ones.