Notes: Child policy: minimum age for these liveaboard cruises is 18 years old.
Dive experience: Advanced Open Water with a minimum of 30 logged dives required.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, fruit juices, airport/hotel return transfers, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 12 liter tanks (DIN and yoke), weights and weightbelts, experienced English-speaking dive masters (5-6 divers per guide), sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (full set, incl. dive computer, SMB: USD 35 per day), dive insurance, park fees (USD 115). There is a fuel surcharge of EUR 200 - 500 per trip. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only in EUR) or bank transfer.
Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, 15 liter tank (USD 6 per day), nitrox fills (USD 138 per trip). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: Black Noddy uses Puerto Princesa Port for cruises to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The local airport is Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). There are direct flights from Cebu City and Manila, as well as from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. For more details, including airlines, see our Philippines travel information section.
Boarding begins at 3 pm for a departure from port around 4:30 pm. Black Noddy returns to port at 10 am on the final day with disembarkation is at 11 am. The last dive of each liveaboard trip will be at around 10 am on the penultimate day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: 15% discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin and pay the regular rate, or pay a single supplement equivalent to the cost of a non-diver for their own private-use cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: None.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): USD 9 227
For the diver who measures a trip, not in nights but in the number of times they drop beneath the surface, the Philippines has always held a particular pull. Yet the true heart of the country's diving lies far from the shore, in the remote atolls of the Sulu Sea. It is here that the steel-hulled Black Noddy liveaboard makes her home, offering a rare blend of boutique comfort and genuine expedition spirit. This is not a cattle boat, nor a floating hotel; it is a 33-metre vessel built for those who want to live the scuba diving life, fully and completely, for 7 or 8 days at a time.
Renovated in 2025, the Black Noddy carries just 16 guests across 8 cabins. This small passenger count is the defining feature of the yacht. It transforms a dive trip into an intimate exploration of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that remains one of the world's most pristine marine ecosystems. The layout is practical and thoughtful: a dedicated stern dive deck provides direct water access, while expansive indoor and outdoor lounges, including an open-top deck perfect for yoga at sunrise or stargazing, offer genuine comfort between dives. Meals are freshly prepared and served in a refined dining space, a welcome ritual after a day in the salt water.
The Black Noddy liveaboard is purpose-built for the Tubbataha season, operating from March to June each year. These expeditions from Puerto Princesa unlock a diving landscape defined by near-vertical walls, coral plateaus, and the deep blue water of the Sulu Sea. With up to 4 dives offered daily, you have the time to explore the North and South Atolls, and potentially Jessie Beazley Reef, immersing yourself in an ecosystem that supports everything from intricate reef life to passing pelagics. The isolation of Tubbataha is central to its magic; there are no resorts, no day-trippers, just you, your fellow divers, and the reef.
What sets the Black Noddy apart is its commitment to a balanced, experience-led voyage. The operator understands that a liveaboard is more than a dive platform; it is a home for the duration of your expedition. The vessel's design encourages a rhythm of diving, eating, resting, and sharing stories of the day's encounters. The indoor saloon is flooded with natural light, while shaded outdoor seating provides a quiet spot to review your dive notes or simply watch the ocean pass by. It is a space that feels both luxurious and entirely unpretentious, a place where the focus remains on the world beneath the waves.
An expedition on the Black Noddy liveaboard is a serious undertaking, and the operator treats it as such. The focus is on the remote atoll diving, not on shore-based excursions. Your time is spent where it should be: on the reef. The crew's expertise lies in navigating these far-flung waters and ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the cruise. While encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and hammerheads are possible in these nutrient-rich waters, the true reward is the sheer health and diversity of the reef itself. This is scuba diving in its purest form.
For the discerning diver, the choice of liveaboard is a crucial one. It determines not just the quality of the diving, but the character of the entire trip. The Black Noddy is an attractive choice: a small-group, boutique experience on a vessel designed for the unique challenges of the Tubbataha crossing. It promises an expedition, not a holiday; a cruise to one of the planet's last great ocean wildernesses, undertaken in comfort and style. This is the dive trip you will measure all others against.
Black Noddy has 8 cabins in total. 4 en-suite Voyager cabins on lower deck (no portholes); 3 twin bed (2 single beds) cabins and 1 cabin with queen sized double bed. There are 3 twin bed cabins on the main deck with fixed seaview windows: 2 Ocean cabins with en-suite bathrooms and 1 Explorer cabin with a shared bathroom. There is also 1 Horizon suite with a king sized double bed, en-suite facilities and a fixed seaview window on the upper deck.
All the cabins have:
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Fixed seaview windows on the main/upper deck
- No portholes on the lower deck
- Bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
- Hand basin, towels, toiletries, hairdryer
- Reading lights
- Personal safety box
- Mains outlet 220 volts - 24 hours per day
- US-style 2 pin plugs (Type A)
- Bedding and storage space
- Cabinet and mirror
- Smoke detector
- Fire extinguisher
- Life jackets
No. of bathrooms / showers - 8 / 8 - hot water
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Trip highlights: shark action, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha: North Atoll; Amos Rock, Shark Airport, Washing Machine, Malayan Wreck, South Atoll; Delsan Wreck, Ko-ok, Black Rock; Jessie Beazley Reef
Day 1
Arrive in Puerto Princesa and transfer to the Black Noddy. Settle into your cabin, complete the dive and safety briefings, then watch the shoreline of Palawan recede as the vessel sets course across the Sulu Sea towards Tubbataha.
Core Days
Tubbataha is only accessible for a few months each year, from March to June, when sea conditions are at their calmest. The Black Noddy liveaboard makes the most of this short season with up to 4 dives daily, taking you deep into a UNESCO World Heritage site that remains one of the planet's most pristine marine ecosystems.
The North Atoll delivers the big-ticket experiences. Amos Rock, also known as Southwest Rock, is a submerged pinnacle where pelagic species cruise the blue water and reef fish crowd every ledge. Shark Airport lives up to its name - this is where you are most likely to encounter whitetip and blacktip reef sharks patrolling the current-swept channels.
Then there is Washing Machine, a dive site named for its surging, changeable currents that attract larger predators and make for an exhilarating drift. The Malayan Wreck, a coral-encrusted shipwreck on the north-eastern edge of the atoll, has become a reef in its own right, host to schools of parrotfish, batfish and resident sharks. Between dives, you might surface near the ranger station on Bird Island, where brown boobies and terns nest above the waterline.
The South Atoll offers a different character: dramatic wall diving where the reef plunges into the abyss. The Delsan Wreck, a small freighter that ran aground on the reef flat, now functions as an artificial reef, dense with jacks, barracuda and batfish. Sites like Ko-ok and Black Rock are known for stronger currents and the promise of bigger sightings; hammerhead sharks are the prized encounter here, with occasional whale sharks passing through.
Then there is Jessie Beazley Reef, a small seamount lying roughly 20 kilometres north-west of the North Atoll. This isolated reef rises from 500-metre depths, its walls draped in pristine Acropora and Porites corals. The fish density here is extraordinary, and the crystal-clear water makes it a photographer's dream. With the Black Noddy, you reach these sites efficiently and comfortably, maximising your time beneath the surface.
After the 2 morning dives on the last full day, the Black Noddy liveaboard will return to Puerto Princesa, anchoring offshore.
Final Day
Wake to the final sunrise at sea, enjoy a last breakfast on board, then complete the crossing back to Puerto Princesa. Disembark with your gear packed, your logbook full, and the certainty that you have dived one of the last great marine wildernesses on Earth.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
The sun, just a suggestion on the horizon, is the first signal that the day’s adventure onboard the Black Noddy liveaboard is about to begin. For the diver, this is a familiar and cherished routine; one where the primary focus is the water, and the boat is a sanctuary of comfort and sustenance between dives. Long before the sun climbs over the Philippine archipelago, a gentle activity stirs the crew. A light breakfast is laid out at 5:30 am. This isn't a full meal but a strategic bite to prepare you for the early morning plunge - your pre-dive fuel: a selection of breads with spreads like peanut butter, jams, and Nutella, accompanied by hot chocolate, tea, and freshly brewed coffee.
The first dive of the day is scheduled for 6 am. This is the golden hour for many underwater photographers and keen divers, offering the best chance for the most active marine life in the soft, clear light. You’ll descend into a world just waking up, a stark contrast to the daily grind back on land.Upon surfacing, a proper breakfast awaits at 7:30 am. This is a time for stories from the first dive to be shared over a hearty meal. The buffet is a mix of Western and Filipino classics: crispy bacon, hot dogs, eggs cooked to your liking, and fragrant garlic fried rice. For a more local flavour, you might find beef tapa, a sweet and savoury cured meat, or champorado - a rich, comforting chocolate rice porridge. You can supplement these with pancakes, cereal, or an assortment of fresh bread.
By 10 am, you’re back in the water for your second dive, with the sun now high enough to illuminate the reef in full colour. The schedule is a scuba diver’s dream, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the underwater world before the midday heat sets in. Lunch is served at 12 noon. The meal is a well-earned spread, usually centred around rice, a selection of soups, and crisp salads. A typical main course might feature grilled tuna with a tangy citrus dressing, or a savoury beef salpicao. Pasta dishes are also a staple, providing the carbohydrates needed for the afternoon’s energy. The meal is always rounded off with a plate of fresh tropical fruit.
As the afternoon sun beats down, a third dive is scheduled for 1 pm. For those seeking a more leisurely pace, this is also a perfect time to relax on the sun deck, catching up on reading or simply watching the endless blue horizon. A snack break at 2:30 pm provides a welcome pick-me-up. This is a chance to try some local treats for free, like banana cue (deep-fried caramelised bananas on a stick), sweet potato fries, or freshly popped popcorn. If you're feeling peckish, the crew also has a selection of assorted local chips available for purchase.
The final dive of the day is at 3:30 pm, often a gentle drift or a shallow reef check, perfect for ending the day’s diving on a tranquil note. As the sun begins its descent, you can wash the salt from your skin and relax. A sunset drink from the bar is a popular choice, with San Miguel Beer, wine, soda water, and soft drinks available for purchase. Dinner is served at 7 pm. The evening meal is the main event, a generous buffet designed to satisfy the hunger of a day spent at sea. You might find a hearty steak or an oven-baked pork belly served with creamy mashed potatoes and a rich gravy. Grilled shrimp, fresh from the ocean, are a frequent highlight. The meal, like lunch, is accompanied by rice, salad, and followed by fresh fruits and, on many nights, a scoop of ice cream to finish.
Life onboard the Black Noddy is punctuated by the clinking of plates and the sound of laughter in the dining area. The cuisine is a genuine fusion of Asian, Filipino, and Western influences, providing a diverse palate of flavours that suits the international clientele. The crew, hailing from the Philippines, bring their own culinary traditions to the galley. It’s a taste of the region, a way to connect with the culture you are exploring.
But the routine holds a special exception. On one evening of the cruise, the crew will set up a Beach BBQ. This is the one night where the deck of the Black Noddy is swapped for the sand of a secluded island. The crew transforms a private stretch of beach into an open-air kitchen and dining area. As the sky turns a brilliant orange, the smell of grilling meat and seafood fills the air. This free onboard event is the pinnacle of the social experience, a chance to eat, drink, and share stories from the week under a canopy of stars. It’s the perfect culmination of the rhythm of life on the Black Noddy liveaboard.
The key to the Black Noddy liveaboard is this seamless integration of adventure and comfort. You wake to dive, and you eat to fuel the next dive. Everything else - the sun, the sea, and the food - falls perfectly into place around it.
