Explore Tubbataha

Experience the best diving destination in the Philippines with Philippines Explorer ONE.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is widely regarded as one of the finest diving destinations in the world. Accessible only for a short window each year, this remote UNESCO World Heritage Site offers exceptional visibility, healthy coral systems, and consistent encounters with large pelagic life.

Aboard Philippine Explorer One, we offer three carefully designed Tubbataha itineraries, each shaped around sea conditions, travel distances, and the kind of experience our guests value most. Rather than offering a single “one size fits all” trip, these itineraries allow guests to choose the balance of exploration, immersion, and journey that suits them best. Choose from 7-nights focusing purely on Tubbataha, or our longer 10-night or 13-night trips, or enquire to charter the whole boat and help us create your own unique trip itinerary. Anything is possible.

Maximum 4 dives per day, often 3 dives only, leaving more time to explore, enjoy the scenery, and relax.

This unique itinerary happens just twice per year on board Philippines Explorer One, to visit combine the remote reefs of Tubbataha with the diving highlights of the Visayas. Designed as a true expedition-style voyage, this option offers variety both above and below the surface, with long passages broken up by rewarding dives and quiet anchorages.

3 itineraries to explore Tubbataha

1. TUBBATAHA & THE VISAYAS - 14 days, 13 nights

Day 1: Cebu - embarkation

Day 2: Cabilao

Day 3: Balicasag & Panglao

Day 4: Oslob & Whale Sharks

Day 5: Apo Island

Days 6 & 7: Cagayan Islands

Day 8: Cavili & Arena Islands

Days 9 & 10: Tubbataha North Atoll

Day 11 & 12: Tubbataha South Atoll

Day 13: Jezzie Beazley Reef (2 dives)

Day 14: Disembarkation Puerto Princesa

This itinerary pairs Tubbataha with the lesser-visited reefs around Cagayancillo, adding an extra layer of exploration while maintaining a strong focus on remote, uncrowded diving. There are options in the schedule for this itinerary to depart from Campomanes Bay and arrive back to Campomanes Bay at the end of the trip, making travel arrangements easy. Or we also have the option to depart from Puerta Princesa to Campomanes Bay (or vice versa). See our full schedule for details.

2. TUBBATAHA & CAGAYANCILLO - 11 days, 10 nights

Day 1: Puerta Princesa / Campomanes Bay - embarkation

Days 2 to 10: depends on point of departure but includes the following...

Jessie Beazley & Malayan Wreck area

Tubbataha North Atoll (Ranger Station area)

Tubbataha North Atoll (Shark Airport area)

Tubbataha South Atoll

Cavili & Arena Islands

Cagayancillo & Cagayan Islands

Day 11: Puerto Princesa / Campomanes Bay

A concentrated itinerary dedicated entirely to Tubbataha itself. Ideal for guests who want to maximise time within the park, this option minimises transit and focuses on repeat dives at some of the world’s most pristine reef systems. Starting always in Puerta Princesa and returning to Puerta Princesa at the end of the trip.

3. TUBBATAHA - 8 days, 7 nights

Day 1: Puerta Princessa - embarkation

Day 2: Tubbataha North Atoll

Day 3: Tubbataha South Atoll

Day 4: Tubbataha South Atoll

Day 5: Tubbataha South/North Atoll

Days 6: Tubbataha North Atoll

Day 7: Jessie Beazley Reef

Day 8: Puerta Princesa - disembarkation

Experience on board Philippines Explorer One

Philippine Explorer One has been developed as a new generation of diving liveaboard boat for the Philippines. She is the perfect diving liveboard for the sea conditions of Tubbataha; built originally for the North Sea, now fitted with CMC fin stabilisers, you can experience the ultimate comfort at sea. As the Tubbataha season has been lengthened there are not many suitable diving liveaboards that can do the WHOLE Tubbataha season, but Philippines Explorer One can.

Diving schedules are designed to balance exceptional underwater encounters with adequate rest, surface intervals, and time to enjoy life on board. Night navigation is kept to a minimum wherever possible, and days are shaped by conditions rather than rigid timetables.

On selected departures, we are joined by a renowned underwater photographer, Gerald Rambert, offering guests the opportunity to refine their skills, improve their approach to composition and lighting, and gain insight into photographing large marine life in challenging environments. These trips are suitable for photographers at different stages of their journey and are conducted in a relaxed, supportive manner. Contact us for more information about these unique trips.