National park · Philippines
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Visit Tubbataha by live‑aboard: book a 3‑day dive trip (≈10 h boat from Puerto Princesa) in March–June, pay the park entry fee (check), and follow all reef‑care rules.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Mar–Jun
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 14Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
- Palawan ↗Most visitors enter visa-free for 30 days; check your passport's rules before booking.
- Palawan ↗PPS terminal fee is included in the ticket: about ₱200 domestic, ₱700 international (2026 estimate).
- Palawan ↗El Nido and some beaches charge local eco or entrance fees in cash; keep small notes.
- Palawan ↗Best known for: limestone lagoons and island tours around El Nido, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, and long white-sand beaches; Palawan is the westernmost province, between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.
- Palawan ↗Get in: fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) from Manila (~1 h 20) or Cebu (~1 h 15); El Nido (ENI) has small-aircraft flights from Manila and Cebu; ferries reach Coron from Manila and San Jose, Mindoro.
- Palawan ↗Best time: roughly Dec–May, driest and busiest Jan–Apr; Jun–Nov is wetter with typhoon risk that can cancel ferries and flights.
- Palawan ↗Days needed: five nights covers Puerto Princesa and El Nido; seven adds Port Barton; ten lets you add Coron by ferry.
- Palawan ↗Where to stay: Puerto Princesa for the airport and Underground River; El Nido for lagoon tours; Port Barton for a quieter beach; Coron for the Calamian Islands.
- Palawan ↗Cost: mid-range by Philippine standards; El Nido rooms and island tours cost more in Jan–Apr, and cash eco fees and boat tours add up.
At a glance
- Country
- Philippines
- Area
- 970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²)
- Area varies by source; roughly 970 km² of marine zone (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Mar–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Princesa
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a remote marine protected area in the Sulu Sea, famed for pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life and bird‑nesting islets; access is only by licensed live‑aboard vessels, and visitors must follow strict reef‑care rules.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1993World Heritage Site for marine biodiversity.
- Ramsar wetlandWetland of International Importance.
Size and age
970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²) · national park since 1993
Area varies by source; roughly 970 km² of marine zone (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Princesa.
Why go
- World‑class diving and snorkeling on extensive coral reefs.
- Encounter over 1,000 marine species, including turtles and reef sharks.
- Visit remote bird‑nesting islets with limited human impact.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCalmer seas but fewer vessels; early season.
- FebSimilar to Jan.
- MarStart of main season, calm seas.
- AprPeak calm, high visibility.
- MayWarm, clear water; most trips booked.
- JunEnd of calm period, still good conditions.
- JulTyphoon risk increases.
- AugTyphoon season; seas often rough.
- SepTyphoon season continues.
- OctPost‑typhoon, variable conditions.
- NovCooler, occasional storms.
- DecCooler, less predictable.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reef fish, sharks, manta rays, turtlesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Nesting seabirds (terns, frigatebirds)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Coral species (over 600)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Princesa
Live‑aboard boat (≈10 h) departing from the port; tickets sold by licensed operators.
10 h
Open the page →
From Cagayancillo (nearest inhabited island)
Charter boat (≈2 h) to the park; limited services.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger station (TMO) | Entry point, ticket office, basic facilities, souvenir shop. | Open to visitors with permit. |
| Dive sites | Coral walls, pinnacles, sand flats, bird‑nesting islets. | Accessible only via live‑aboard; no anchoring allowed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official TMO site; approximate for reef sites.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | PHP 1,000–1,500 (≈ US$18–30) | person | Exact fee set by Tubbataha Management Office (check). |
| Live‑aboard dive package (incl. park fee) | PHP 20,000–35,000 (≈ US$400–650) | person | Typical 3‑day package; varies by operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Diving permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₱1,000–1,500≈ US$18–30
- ₱20,000–35,000≈ US$400–650
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tubbataha Management Office – Official site before you go.
Park rules
- No anchoring
- Use mooring buoys only; anchoring damages coral.
- No fishing or collecting
- All extraction prohibited; fines apply.
- Follow Diving Best Practice
- Read TMO guidelines; maintain neutral buoyancy and limit contact.
- No litter
- All waste must be taken back to the mainland.
- Permit display
- Carry entry and diving permits at all times.
Where to stay
In the park
Live‑aboard vessels
Cabins on licensed boats; meals and dive gear included.
Near the park
Puerto Princesa town
Hotels for pre‑ or post‑trip stay; 10 h travel to park.
Safety
Typhoons high
Strong currents medium
Medical emergency medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Access only by boat; no wheelchair facilities.
- Live‑aboard cabins have limited mobility access; check with operator.
Visiting lightly
- Follow TMO reef‑care guidelines; use reef‑safe sunscreen.
- Do not touch or collect marine life.
- Support operators with environmental certifications.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park?
Entry is PHP 1,000–1,500 per person (check exact fee); most visitors pay via a live‑aboard package that includes the park fee.
What are the best hikes in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park?
The park has no land trails; the main activities are scuba diving, snorkelling and short walks on the small islets for bird watching.
When is the best time to visit Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park?
March to June offers the calmest seas and highest visibility; book well ahead as permits sell out quickly.
Do I need a diving certification to visit?
A valid scuba certification is required for dive trips; snorkelling is open to all with a permit.
Can I stay on the islands?
No accommodation exists on the reefs; visitors stay on licensed live‑aboard boats or in Puerto Princesa before/after the trip.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Loading…
Was this useful?