Question Liveaboard in Philippines or Indonesia

[Splashette]

Hi, first time posting on ScubaBoard so apologies if I'm using the wrong forum.

I am planning a trip to either the Philippines or Indonesia, end of 2025 or early 2026, and would like to do a Liveaboard. I am considering Tubbataha in the Philippines because it sounds like really spectacular diving. Although in 2007, I did a Liveaboard in Palua, which was spectacular, and thinking that Tubbataha might be a similar experience. I know you can't get enough great diving but I am also considering other parts of the Philippines like Visayas or Indonesia's forbidden islands. There is so much out there to explore and the info is overwhelming. Other factors - I am a single female and might be traveling alone so safety is an issue. I have advance certification but wouldn't consider myself pro or highly technical. I would love to see Thresher, Hammerhead and Whale sharks plus muck diving for the first time. I would also love explore small unpopulated islands from a skiff boat as I did in Palua. If you were going to this part of Asia to dive, where would you recommend I do my Liveaboard if given my first opportunity to dive this part of the world? Overwhelmed. Thank you.

 

[Centrals]

Philippines:
Tubbataha is only available from mid Mar to mid June.
Malapascua for the thresher shark.
Southern Leyte for snorkelling with the whaleshark from Nov to May.

If you are feeling adventurous then:

Stay Raja Ampat: The best Raja Ampat accommodation & travel information source

Traditional Papuan accommodation is the best value Raja Ampat accommodation available. Here's all you need to plan a visit and book your stay in paradise.

www.stayrajaampat.com

 

[fantarara]

Phils and Indo have a lot of similarities. I'm an Indonesian who've made numerous trips to Phils (only once for diving though, in Palawan). Either one of the countries will be safe for a female solo diver! Phils people in general speak better English but in the dive industry especially liveaboards, Indo people is also up there.

Tubbataha sounds great, also on my bucket list. Not sure something comparable is available in Indonesia but maybe a combination of a LOB going through Teluk Cenderawasih (for the whale sharks) and Raja Ampat (for everything else).

 

[Splashette]

Philippines:
Tubbataha is only available from mid Mar to mid June.
Malapascua for the thresher shark.
Southern Leyte for snorkelling with the whaleshark from Nov to May.

If you are feeling adventurous then:

Stay Raja Ampat: The best Raja Ampat accommodation & travel information source

Traditional Papuan accommodation is the best value Raja Ampat accommodation available. Here's all you need to plan a visit and book your stay in paradise.

www.stayrajaampat.com

Thank you Centrals!

 

[Splashette]

Phils and Indo have a lot of similarities. I'm an Indonesian who've made numerous trips to Phils (only once for diving though, in Palawan). Either one of the countries will be safe for a female solo diver! Phils people in general speak better English but in the dive industry especially liveaboards, Indo people is also up there.

Tubbataha sounds great, also on my bucket list. Not sure something comparable is available in Indonesia but maybe a combination of a LOB going through Teluk Cenderawasih (for the whale sharks) and Raja Ampat (for everything else).

Thank you Fantarara!

 

[Beth3141]

Hi, first time posting on ScubaBoard so apologies if I'm using the wrong forum.

I am planning a trip to either the Philippines or Indonesia, end of 2025 or early 2026, and would like to do a Liveaboard. I am considering Tubbataha in the Philippines because it sounds like really spectacular diving. Although in 2007, I did a Liveaboard in Palua, which was spectacular, and thinking that Tubbataha might be a similar experience. I know you can't get enough great diving but I am also considering other parts of the Philippines like Visayas or Indonesia's forbidden islands. There is so much out there to explore and the info is overwhelming. Other factors - I am a single female and might be traveling alone so safety is an issue. I have advance certification but wouldn't consider myself pro or highly technical. I would love to see Thresher, Hammerhead and Whale sharks plus muck diving for the first time. I would also love explore small unpopulated islands from a skiff boat as I did in Palua. If you were going to this part of Asia to dive, where would you recommend I do my Liveaboard if given my first opportunity to dive this part of the world? Overwhelmed. Thank you.

Hi! I am female and have traveled solo to Malaysia (Borneo), Indonesia, Egypt and the Philippines. I've never had safety issues traveling abroad. I love to meet people in other countries and am surprised at how many speak English, or at least a little English so we can communicate.

A liveaboard that boards in Cebu and has Malapascua on its itinerary might be what you are looking for. I have a land-based trip booked in April that includes Malapascua. Thresher sharks are also on my "hope to see" list. You can either precede or follow the liveaboard with a few days at a land-based resort. Cebu is easy enough to get to from Dumagette then a van to Dauin or in reverse. Mike's was highly recommended to me by a couple who has stayed there twice. I'll be there this April.

I love Raja Ampat, but it takes longer to get there. The macro in Ambon was fabulous; you just have to get past the trash. Have been on the Damai II twice and have a trip booked on it for Nov 2026. That itinerary includes a bit of the Banda Sea. Didn't get enough of the sea snakes/kraits on a past trip.

Where you decide to go, depends on what you want to see. Saw sea snakes in the Philippines, too, but only a few. Have fun!

 

[Anish]

Hi, first time posting on ScubaBoard so apologies if I'm using the wrong forum.

I am planning a trip to either the Philippines or Indonesia, end of 2025 or early 2026, and would like to do a Liveaboard. I am considering Tubbataha in the Philippines because it sounds like really spectacular diving. Although in 2007, I did a Liveaboard in Palua, which was spectacular, and thinking that Tubbataha might be a similar experience. I know you can't get enough great diving but I am also considering other parts of the Philippines like Visayas or Indonesia's forbidden islands. There is so much out there to explore and the info is overwhelming. Other factors - I am a single female and might be traveling alone so safety is an issue. I have advance certification but wouldn't consider myself pro or highly technical. I would love to see Thresher, Hammerhead and Whale sharks plus muck diving for the first time. I would also love explore small unpopulated islands from a skiff boat as I did in Palua. If you were going to this part of Asia to dive, where would you recommend I do my Liveaboard if given my first opportunity to dive this part of the world? Overwhelmed. Thank you.

I found Tubbataha underwhelming. Komodo is awesome. I haven't dived Raja Ampat yet but Id choose it over Philippines. For Threshers Malapascua is your best bet. If you want guaranteed Whalesharks, then there's Oslob. But for overall reefs, Mantas, sharks etc, go to Indonesia.

 

[Splashette]

Hi! I am female and have traveled solo to Malaysia (Borneo), Indonesia, Egypt and the Philippines. I've never had safety issues traveling abroad. I love to meet people in other countries and am surprised at how many speak English, or at least a little English so we can communicate.

A liveaboard that boards in Cebu and has Malapascua on its itinerary might be what you are looking for. I have a land-based trip booked in April that includes Malapascua. Thresher sharks are also on my "hope to see" list. You can either precede or follow the liveaboard with a few days at a land-based resort. Cebu is easy enough to get to from Dumagette then a van to Dauin or in reverse. Mike's was highly recommended to me by a couple who has stayed there twice. I'll be there this April.

I love Raja Ampat, but it takes longer to get there. The macro in Ambon was fabulous; you just have to get past the trash. Have been on the Damai II twice and have a trip booked on it for Nov 2026. That itinerary includes a bit of the Banda Sea. Didn't get enough of the sea snakes/kraits on a past trip.

Where you decide to go, depends on what you want to see. Saw sea snakes in the Philippines, too, but only a few. Have fun!

Thank you Beth3141, your diving experience is impressive. I heard about the trash in Indo, but I can overlook this for good diving. The links will be helpful too. I am leaning toward Raja Ampat. If I can swing it, I might end my trip in the Phil for Malapascua just for threshers and a little bit of beach time. By any chance, would you be able to suggest an island in the Phil with nice beaches, rustic and not too touristy, I'll end my trip there. Thanks again.

 

[Splashette]

I found Tubbataha underwhelming. Komodo is awesome. I haven't dived Raja Ampat yet but Id choose it over Philippines. For Threshers Malapascua is your best bet. If you want guaranteed Whalesharks, then there's Oslob. But for overall reefs, Mantas, sharks etc, go to Indonesia.

Anish, that is helpful because I was afraid of Tubbataha might not live up to the hype. I will look into Komodo. Thank you.

 

[dirtfarmer]

If your going to finish your trip with Thresher Sharks at Malapascua it's the perfect spot for your beach time you are asking about.