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Dive site

Sulu Sea, Philippines

Tubbataha Reefs

Typical depth

30m

Type
Wall
Typical depth
30 m
Level
Advanced
Visibility
25–45 m
Water temp
27–30 °C
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Min cert
Advanced Open Water
  • Offshore Atoll
  • Wall
  • Drift
  • Liveaboard Only
  • UNESCO World Heritage
  • Marine Park
  • Seasonal

When to dive

BestAvoidOK

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is open to liveaboards only and only mid-March through mid-June, between the NE and SW monsoons. Outside that window the Sulu Sea is too rough to access and the park is closed. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993; ranger station enforces no-anchor and no-fishing rules.

8.8500° N, 119.9167° E

Notes

UNESCO marine park, liveaboard-only Mar–Jun.

Marine life

Rays
manta ray, eagle ray
Corals
pristine hard coral cover, sea fans, black coral
Sharks
whitetip reef shark, grey reef shark, occasional whale shark, occasional tiger shark, hammerhead (rare)
Turtles
green, hawksbill
Pelagics
giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, barracuda schools, spanish mackerel
Whales & dolphins
dolphin pods, occasional pilot whale
Reef fish
jackfish schools, snapper, napoleon wrasse, triggerfish

Dive clubs that visit this site

Sources

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