Tubbataha Philippines Photo Expedition - Atlantis Azores Liveaboard - May 28 - June 4, 2022.
Optional Atlantis Dumaguete Pre-trip Add-on May 23-28th, 2022.
Tubbataha is located in the Sulu Sea, at the center of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Rarely visited due to its location and its status as a marine preserve and UNESCO world heritage site, Tubbataha is made up of two reefs, simply referred to as the North and South Reefs. The North and South Reefs both enclose a sandy lagoon. On the southern tip is an islet with a lighthouse. This is used as a rookery for birds and is frequented by turtles.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than 573 species of fish, 373 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, 12 species of dolphins and whales, nestling hawksbill and green sea turtles. It is one of the most reliable places to photograph large schools of fish, larger pelagics, sharks and mantas in clear, blue offshore waters.
Charters are only available in two late spring months a year due to weather and sea conditions, as it is an offshore area. Our charter in May is at a prime time! Atlantis Azores is a comfortable 107' long, 16 passenger vessel. Most diving is out of two RIBs. All staterooms have climate-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, shower gel and ensuite facilities.
Click here for more information about diving Tubbataha Marine Park.
Sample Itinerary:
Northern Tip of North Atoll
Fissures and crevices lead into it where nurse and whitetip reef sharks can be found resting during the day. Small manta rays, stingrays and spotted eagle rays, together with numerous turtles have all been spotted. The wall has huge gorgonian fan corals, soft corals and barrel sponges. Blacktip, whitetip and grey reef sharks can normally be seen patrolling here in numbers.
Southern End of North Atoll
Malayan, Wallstreet and Amos Rock are the pick of the dive sites. Fans and macro will enjoy these sites with Denise pygmy seahorses clinging to the sea fans. See scorpion fish, moray eels and even ghost pipefish. Don’t worry pelagic fans, you can still see huge dogtooth tuna, sharks and spanish mackerel in the blue.
Northern Tip of South Atoll
Highlights include Black Rock, T Wreck and Eiger Wall. You will lose count of the number of green and hawksbill turtles in the area. Look out for marble stingrays in the sand. Eagle rays often cruise by and expect to see large grouper and giant trevally.
Southern End of South Atoll
This area is known for its lighthouse and is home to famous divesites Delsan Wreck and Black Rock. Hammerheads are the most prized sighting here as well as occasional whale sharks passing by. Look out for guitar sharks in the shallows.
Jessie Beazley Reef
The charter finishes with a couple of dives at Jessie Beazley Reef. You can see schools of bumphead parrotfish munching on the corals. Watch out for inquisitive napoleon wrasse. The shallow reefs are full of colorful tropical fish like the regal angelfish and titan triggerfish.
Southern End of North Atoll
The dive starts on a gentle slope that is covered in superb unmolested corals and ends with a wall covered with dramatic gorgonian fans where sharp eyed divers can often spot pygmy seahorses. If there’s current, you’ll come across a wide variety of large fish, including narrow-barred spanish mackerel, giant trevally, red snapper, napoleon wrasse and giant groupers.
You’re almost certain to see whitetip and grey reef sharks. Look out for manta rays, spotted eagle rays and both green and hawksbill turtles closer to the surface. Other fish that can be seen include rainbow runners, african pompano, angel fish, leaf scorpion fish, fire dart fish and down deeper, decorated dart fish.
Getting to Tubbataha
Guests fly internationally into Manila (MNL) then board a domestic flight (approximately 1-¼ hours) to Puerto Princesa (PPR), which is located on the island of Palawan. Guests board the Atlantis Azores Saturdays at 5pm. They cast off from the port around 7pm for the 10-hour journey to Tubbataha where we arrive the next morning in time to start diving.Details:
Charter includes 7 days, 6 nights on the Atlantis Azores, a 16 passenger vessel in Deluxe Twin Share Cabins. Cabins are a/c with en-suite heads.Deposits are $1000 per person. Note: New booking deposits are refundable until the Philippines re-opens, then they are non-refundable.
Price does not include: International air travel to Manila, air transfer from Manila to Puerto Princess - $250, Marine Park fee - $250
Nitrox, Land Excursions or Rental Gear.
We also have an optional pre-trip resort-based add-on May 23-28th at Atlantis Dumaguette Resort, for incredible macro diving. Includes RT transfers from Manilla, 4 days/5 nights lodging in twin share rooms, meals, 4 days of 5 tank boat dives, one trip to Apo island. Does not include Park Fees, nitrox, etc. Cost is $1758.
Click here more information about the Atlantis Azores Liveaboard. Download a flyer here.
Call 800-359-1295 or signup online.
