Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
8.773859, 119.815288
Tubbataha is located in the middle of the Sulu Sea, around 150km southeast of the town of Puerto Princesa, Palawan in the Philippines. Recently enlarged, the Natural Park covers an area of 970 km2. The reefs are situated on the Cagayan Ridge, composed of extinct underwater volcanoes. Being a true atoll structure, it is believed that the atolls of Tubbataha were formed thousands of years ago as fringing reefs and volcanic islands.
Dive boats leave from Puerto Princesa and take about 12 hours to arrive at the atolls. The diving season is short. It starts around the middle of March and ends three months later. During this time the prevailing winds come from the south resulting in generally calm conditions.
Tubbataha’s isolation had preserved its marine life from over-exploitation over the years. About 40 years ago this changed and over-fishing and destructive fishing techniques such as cyanide and dynamite fishing threatened this paradise. After an extensive campaign by environmentalists and divers, the Philippines declared it a national marine park - a first for the country. It was subsequently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also an important nesting and resting place for migratory and resident seabirds.
Also called the Jewel of the Philippines, Tubbataha is an important asset for global conservation. It is home to more than 1200 marine species, many of which are threatened to some degree. It is an exceptionally healthy reef ecosystem and its strong no-take protections ensure this biodiversity remains.
On an incoming tide, the visibility feels almost infinite - a rare occurrence in diving. Seemingly endless fields of hard coral combined with beautiful coral walls that give way to great depths make this a coral and marine life diversity paradise. Its beauty is sometimes almost overwhelming even for a seasoned diver.
