Malapascua Island's Thresher Shark Divers

Malapascua
Diving

Tubbataha Reef Liveaboards

In the center of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha Reef National Park. Declared a World Heritage site by the World Conservation Union in 1993, the park is composed of 2 coral atolls separated by an 8 km wide channel. These picturesque tropical atolls, known as North and South Tubbataha, host an amazing variety of tropical reefs, turtles and large pelagics. Manta and eagle rays, white and black tip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are seen on many of the dives. Nurse, shovelnose, leopard and hammerhead sharks are common. Schools of jacks and snappers congregate on the wall, while sleek barracudas patrol. Make sure you visit the Malay Wreck with its amazing school of sweetlips and bumphead parrotfish. Terrain ranges from gentle slopes to sheer walls in excess of 914 meters (3000ft.)! The spectacular explosion of life and color make this an experience never to be forgotten. Visit the magnificent Tubbataha Reefs between the months of March and June. The first and last trip of the season are "Transition Trips" which are one extra day and also go to Apo Reef or Coron.

There are two sets of trips for Tubbataha, those aboard the Expedition Fleet and those on the M/Y Hans Christian Andersen.

Itinerary

Day	Regular Trip	Transition Trip (March/April)	Transition Trip (June)
1	Arrive PPS/Embark	Arrive Batangas/Embark	Arrive PPS/Embark
2	Dive Tubbataha	Apo	Dive Tubbataha
3	Dive Tubbataha	Cuyo	Dive Tubbataha
4	Dive Tubbataha	Dive Tubbataha	Dive Tubbataha
5	Dive Tubbataha	Dive Tubbataha	Dive Tubbataha
6	Arrive PPS/Disembark	Dive Tubbataha	Cuyo
7	NA	Dive Tubbataha	Apo
8	NA	Arrive PPS/Disembark	Arrive Batangas/Disembark

Above itinerary subject to change without prior notice, dependent on weather conditions. Fuel surcharge may apply.

Schedule 2013

Trip Type	Discovery Palawan	Vasco Tubbataha
Transition Trip 1	March 27-Apr 3	March 28-Apr 4
Regular Trip	Apr 4-9	Apr 4-10
Regular Trip	Apr 10-17 (FULL)	Apr 10-16
Regular Trip	Apr 17-23	Apr 18-24
Regular Trip	Apr 27-May 2	Apr 25-May 1
Regular Trip	May 2-8	May 2-8
Regular Trip	May 9-14	May 9-15
Regular Trip	May 16-21	May 16-22
Regular Trip	May 23-28	May 23-29
Regular Trip	May 30- June 4	May 30-June 5
Transition Trip 2	June 6-13	June 6-13

Schedules subject to change

Rates 2013

(USD, per person based on twin sharing)

Discovery Palawan (Formerly Hans Christian Andersen)	Transition Trip (7N)	Regular (6N)	Regular (5N)
Standard	$1,600	$1,920	$1,600
Upper Deck	$1,850	$2,220	$1,850
Vasco Tubbataha	Transition Trip (7N)	Regular (6N)	Regular (5N)
Standard	$1,900	$1,900	NA

Itinerary and prices subject to change without notice
Fuel surcharge may be applied at any time without prior notice

Details

	Regular trip	Transition trip
Package inclusions:	6 days/5 nights accommodation on board Full board meals 3 boat dives per day plus one night dive (except last night in Tubbataha) Use of tanks, weights, belt, boat and services of a Divemaster Transfers - Puerto Princessa airport to boat	8 days/7 nights accommodation on board Full board meals 3 boat dives per day plus one night dive (except last night in Tubbataha) Use of tanks, weights, belt, boat and services of a Divemaster Transfers
Package exclusions:	Air tickets to/from Puerto Princessa Gear rental Tubbataha conservation fees, currently P3,000 Alcoholic drinks Dive and travel Insurance Fuel surcharge may apply without prior notice Other incidental charges	Air tickets to/from Puerto Princessa and Manila Land transfers in Batangas Gear rental Conservation fees, currently P4,500 Alcoholic drinks Dive and travel Insurance Fuel surcharge may apply without prior notice Other incidental charges

How to Get There

Guests going to Tubbataha have to take domestic flight out of Manila or Cebu to Puerto Princessa and back. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines are flying to this route. Transition trips in March embark from Batangas, and in June disembark at Batangas. The June HCA transition trip disembarks in Cebu.

The Boats

Find out more about the boats

M/Y Vasco
M/Y Discovery Palawan (formerly Hans Christian Andersen)

Booking

Payment policies

Equipment rental and nitrox

Pre-requisites

Please note that Tubbataha can have slightly advanced diving conditions and is mostly wall diving. You should be AOW certified with a minimum of 40 logged dives.

Malapascua Diving

Malapascua & the Philippines

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