Do you want to escape from it all on your next scuba diving holiday? Then try Tubbataha on our stunning Philippines liveaboard. Tubbataha is a remote national park in the middle of the Sulu Sea with diving that is off the charts. This is a scuba diving holiday of pure escapism and breath taking moments underwater and only dived when at its seasonal best (Mar-Jun). Home to literally hundreds of fish, shark, dolphins and coral species, the Tubbataha itinerary will deliver inspirational diving, all from the comfort and luxury of your liveaboard home.
With an average of 3-4 dives a day the thrills will come in thick and fast. Tubbataha itself is comprised of two reefs, both of which can be diving in a number of ways. If you hanker after big fish head to the northern tip of the north or south reefs where greys, black tips and white tips patrol the drop off. Eagle rays, manta and sting rays all swoop around you (especially on the south reef!). Vast gorgonians sway in the currents. Trevally, tuna and barracuda just add to your pelagic tally. Where the currents are a bit gentler you find both green and hawksbill turtles. Move round to the south sides of both reefs to hunt for some of the macro life. Pygmy sea horses are there - we promise! Just relax as you watch small reef fish dance between clown fish protecting their anemones. Hunt out some of the rarer species such as leaf scorpion fish. It is quite remarkable just how diverse these two reef systems really are!
Tubbataha will suit any diver looking for fresh thrills but make sure you book early - these trips fill fast! If you want to get your nerves tingling again with excitement, then try this itinerary for it's remote nature and daring drop offs. Photographers will find a mass of subjects, both big and small. The diving is extremely varied in scope but Tubbataha itself can be quite challenging with huge drop offs and fast currents. This itinerary hits all the hot spots and in a single liveaboard holiday you will visit what are arguably the Philippines' most exciting dive sites. Let Scuba Travel jet you off on a diving holiday that will make others green with envy.
There are a select number of 9 night trips available, which also include time snorkelling with whalesharks at Oslob (Cebu) as well as the Tubbataha marine reserve.
Solitude One is a true ocean going liveaboard, which makes her the ideal boat for cruising the the Philippines on the search for pelagics. The main focus of her time here is Tubbataha, a remote and dramatic marine park. But she ... Learn more about Solitude One - Philippines
Scuba Travel run the Tubbataha itinerary when the season is the best for the ultimate big fish sightings.
Embarkation
Philippines Aggressor and Solitude 1 will embark at Puerto Princessa, which is usually reached by a domestic flight from either Cebu or Manila.
Trip Duration
Solitude 1 Tubbataha trips run for 6 nights with 7 days spent on board your liveaboard.
Philippines Aggressor Tubbataha trips run for 7 nights with 8 days spent on board your liveaboard.
There are normally up to around 4 dives a day including night dives (may differ on your first and last day). This can vary depending on local weather conditions.
Arrival
On arrival in Puerto Princessa you will be met and taken to the boat. There will be a full welcome briefing on arrival and you can set your kit up. If you have prepaid any rental equipment this will be given to you on arrival. There is then your first dinner and you can settle in for the evening.
Depending on arrival times you may or may not dive on the arrival day.
A normal Tubbataha itinerary will dive at both the north and south reef systems in Tubbataha during the course of the trip but the balance between the two locations will depend on where the best sightings have been and local conditions.
North Reef & Jessie Beazley reef
Diving on the North Reef of Tubbataha is where you trip will usually start and finish.
On the outside northern tip, the fissures in the ref lead you to resting nurse sharks and white tips. Manta, stingrays and eagle rays are also common and everywhere on the North Reed you have masses of turtles. The corals are also excellent here with vast gorgonians growing in the currents.
The southern side of North Reef is a great dusk dive especially to watch the fish feeding. You can also find dogfish tuna, treavelly and barracuda. Head to the eastern side for macro delights - pygmy sea horses can be found here and Spanish makerel school around you. More rays and sharks sightings will come in thick and fast.
South Reef
South Reef is where the turtles sightings are are their most frequent. As you come to the northern tip green and hawksbills cruise past. The manta also seem quite playful here, hanging about to look at divers.
The Lighthouse on the southern side lends itself more to macro diving and the reef is alive with a myriad of smaller reef fish darting between the anemones.
Disembarkation
You will normally leave the boat after breakfast on your last day and be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home. Please do speak to the travel consultant at the time of booking to confirm the exact last day arrangements.
Alternatively, why not add an extension at one of the many beautiful resorts in the Philippines.
We would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
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