WHERE / TO / DIVE
FIELD NOTES · 2026
#5 of 20 · Philippines

Tubbataha

Protected reefs with sharks and schooling fish.

Where to Dive editorial
Whale shark at Jessie Beazley; representative of diving Tubbataha
Whale shark at Jessie BeazleySource ↗
Overall rank
#5 of 20
Editor’s score
9.4 / 10
Best months
April
Go for
Coral walls · Grey reef sharks
The short answer

Why dive here?

Tubbataha has hard-coral walls, large sea fans and plenty of fish. Grey reef sharks are a regular sight, alongside jacks and dogtooth tuna. You may also see mantas, whale sharks or hammerheads during the short liveaboard season.

Timing

When to go

The best time to dive here is April. Check the linked season guide and ask your operator about conditions for your dates.

Best diving in April
The diving

What to look for

These are the main draws. Sightings vary by site, season and luck.

  • Coral walls
  • Grey reef sharks
  • Dogtooth tuna
  • Mantas
Practicalities

Conditions and trip planning

Confident intermediate to advanced. April usually brings calmer Sulu Sea crossings and good visibility.

Trip format: Liveaboard only during the short park season.

Why it sits here

About the score

Tubbataha scores 9.4/10 for diving at its best. The ranking favours sharks and other large animals, followed by reef health and variety across the trip. Price and travel time do not affect the score.

Photos

Open a photo for its source and credits.

Whale shark at Jessie Beazley; diving Tubbataha
Whale shark at Jessie BeazleyJuan Andrés Fuentes Martínez
Bigeye trevallies at Delsan Wreck; diving Tubbataha
Bigeye trevallies at Delsan WreckJuan Andrés Fuentes Martínez
Giant manta at Black Rock; diving Tubbataha
Giant manta at Black RockJuan Andrés Fuentes Martínez
Sea turtle at Trigger Fish City; diving Tubbataha
Sea turtle at Trigger Fish CityJuan Andrés Fuentes Martínez
Staghorn coral at Jessie Beazley; diving Tubbataha
Staghorn coral at Jessie BeazleyJuan Andrés Fuentes Martínez
Tubbataha reef scene; diving Tubbataha
Tubbataha reef sceneBo Pardau
Recent trip footage

Dives on video

Watch for the conditions, marine life and pace of the dives. Each video shows one trip.