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: North Atoll: Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Terraces, Jessie Beazley Reef; South Atoll: Ko Ok, Delsan Wreck, Lighthouse, Triggerfish City, Black Rock

Day 1
Guests typically board the MY Dolphin liveaboard in Puerto Princesa during the afternoon, allowing plenty of time to settle into your cabin, meet the crew, and participate in a thorough orientation and safety briefing. As the sun sets, you'll depart the port for the approximately 9-hour overnight cruise to the remote Tubbataha Reefs National Park.

Core Days
Tubbataha, a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, is a jewel nestled in the middle of the Sulu Sea. This isolation contributes to the park's staggering biodiversity, boasting over 370 types of coral and more than 600 species of fish. The marine ecosystem is vibrant and healthy, attracting a diverse range of large pelagics. Tubbataha is renowned for its shark action, a major highlight for scuba divers. Expect to encounter an array of species, including grey reef sharks, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, silky sharks, and occasionally scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks. The steep walls are breathtaking, covered in lush, colorful soft corals, massive barrel sponges, and vibrant sea fans. The reef tops and shallows transition into pristine hard coral gardens. While the macro life here is excellent, the main stage is dominated by the 'big stuff,' such as enormous schools of barracuda, fast-moving dogtooth tuna and giant trevally, manta rays, and numerous turtles (green and hawksbill).
Exploring the North Atolls dive sites, the Malayan Wreck, a small ship now completely encrusted with a lush overgrowth of hard and soft corals, has been transformed into a vibrant artificial reef where divers find reef fish sheltering in the structure and often see schooling fish like jacks and snappers, all while watching for the frequent shark patrols off the adjacent reef slope. Shark Airport lives up to its name, functioning as a popular staging area where various shark species, including grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, cruise, rest, or congregate, often offering superb visibility for observation.
The isolated Jessie Beazley Reef, a seamount located a few miles from the main atolls, frequently experiences strong currents that attract large schools of pelagic fish, making for adrenaline-pumping, high-action drift dives where you can expect exciting encounters with large tuna, barracuda, and potentially numerous sharks.
Diving at the dive sites of South Atolls, Ko Ok is famous for its intricate wall, covered in impressive concentrations of colorful soft corals, crinoids, and sponges; it's a wonderful place for photographers and divers looking for smaller reef life nestled amongst the wall structure, though the sheer drop-off always holds the promise of larger visitors from the blue. Named for the navigation structure on the nearby reef flat, Lighthouse is a fantastic dive site for observing marine megafauna; Manta rays are often sighted here, especially in the shallower areas, alongside numerous turtles feeding on the rich reef top. Finally, Black Rock is an isolated, often current-swept pinnacle and a major hotspot for pelagic action, attracting large schools of trevally and barracuda, making it a prime location for encountering hammerhead sharks and other large pelagic fish patrolling the open ocean, while its healthy corals also provide refuge for abundant smaller life.
On the last dive day, you will make 2 or possibly 3 dives before you begin the return journey.

Day 8
After your final night at sea, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast onboard the Dolphin. You will then say your farewells to the crew and disembark the liveaboard.

Apo Reef, Coron, Batangas & Dugongs (7 Days / 6 Nights - 21 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Anilao, Verde Island, Apo Reef, Coron

Day 1
Your adventure begins at the Sea Spring Resort in Mabini, Anilao, where you will board the M/Y Dolphin liveaboard. After a safety briefing and an introduction to the crew, the boat sets sail. The tour kicks off with 2 dives in the world-renowned Anilao area, the nudibranch capital of the world and a paradise for muck diving and macro photography. Keep your eyes peeled for rare critters like rhinopias, bumble bee shrimp, bobbit worms, boxer crabs, hundreds of nudibranch species, and the elusive blue-ringed octopus. The day includes delicious meals served on board as you settle into the rhythm of life at sea.

Core Days Over the next few days, the Dolphin will explore the crown jewels of the Philippines' biodiversity and history. The itinerary is a progression from vibrant coral gardens to pelagic action and haunting historical sites.
One day is spent at the legendary Verde Island Passage. Drift along dramatic walls and pinnacles that are blanketed in dense, colorful soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. These nutrient-rich waters are a magnet for large schools of jacks, and eagle rays soaring in the blue.
You will also dive at Apo Reef, the second-largest contiguous coral reef system in the world. Experience the thrill of diving at Shark Ridge, where sightings of patrolling reef sharks and schools of barracuda are common in the crystal-clear waters with 40-meter-plus visibility. Explore the Apo Island Wall, a stunning vertical drop-off adorned with giant sea fans, and glide through the Apo Lagoon, a sanctuary for resting white tip reef sharks and sea turtles.
The liveaboard adventure culminates in Coron Bay. Begin with the awe-inspiring Irako Maru, a 147-meter electric supply ship considered one of the most beautiful wrecks in the world, its decks now adorned with soft corals and home to large batfish. Then, shift gears for a magical dive with the gentle and rare dugongs in their seagrass home. The exploration continues with penetrations into the massive Okikawa Maru, an oil tanker offering immense swim-throughs, and a visit to Barracuda Lake, where you can experience a dramatic thermocline and stunning rock formations.
On Day 6 the boat will return to port, arriving during the evening.

Day 7
After a final breakfast on board, it's time to say farewell to the crew and your fellow divers as you disembark the M/Y Dolphin in Coron.
Note: This itinerary operates in both directions (Coron to Anilao and vice-versa). Please check the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports for your specific trip date.

Tubbataha, Apo Reef & Coron (9 Days / 8 Nights - 25 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha: North Atoll: Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Terraces, Jessie Beazley Reef; South Atoll: Ko Ok, Delsan Wreck, Lighthouse, Triggerfish City, Black Rock; Cambari, Apo Reef, Coron: Delian Island, Cathedral Cave, Coron Wrecks. Cambari Island for sunset beach excursion and snorkeling.

Day 1
This liveaboard adventure showcases the very best of the Philippines' marine biodiversity and history, taking you to 3 world-class destinations in one expedition. It begins in Puerto Princesa, where you will board the M/Y Dolphin in the afternoon. After settling into your comfortable cabin and attending a welcome briefing, the vessel departs in the evening. Enjoy your first dinner on board as it commences the overnight cruise to the legendary Tubbataha Reefs.

Core Days
Spend a few days exploring the remote and pristine atolls of Tubbataha. This is the heart of the Coral Triangle, a sanctuary for large marine life. At North Atoll, experience the thrill of Shark Airport, a cleaning station where you can see dozens of grey reef sharks and whitetip sharks swirling in the current. Explore the dramatic drop-offs of the Terraces and the vibrant coral gardens of the Malayan Wreck. At South Atoll, dive at Ko Ok, a magnet for pelagics like manta rays and schooling barracuda. Discover the stunning biodiversity at Triggerfish City and the dramatic pinnacle of Black Rock, known for sightings of hammerhead sharks. You may also visit the isolated Jessie Beazley Reef, a submerged atoll offering wild, unpredictable encounters in the open ocean.
As the Dolphin liveaboard cruises towards Coron, it stops for a day of diving at Apo Reef, the Philippines' largest contiguous coral reef. Explore pelagic-filled channels and dramatic walls where reef sharks are a common sight. Glide through swim-throughs adorned with giant barrel sponges and sea fans, while massive schools of jacks, snappers, and trevally dominate the blue. The reef is also a haven for macro life, with nudibranchs and colorful tunicates hidden among the corals.
The adventure continues in the historic waters of Coron. Dedicate the day to diving the iconic WWI wrecks, such as the Olympia Maru and Okikawa Maru, which are now magnificent artificial reefs teeming with life like batfish and sweetlips. You will also explore the stunning karst landscapes above and below the water, with dives at sites like Cathedral Cave, a breathtaking swim-through cavern where light filters down from above, and the vibrant reefs of Delian Island.
The Dolphin expedition culminates with a relaxing sunset beach excursion at Cambari Island. Enjoy a refreshing swim, snorkel in the shallow coral gardens, and toast to an unforgettable journey on the pristine sand.

Day 9 After a final breakfast on board, you will say farewell to the crew and disembark at Sea Spring Resort in Anilao.
Note: This liveaboard itinerary operates in both directions (Anilao to Puerto Princesa and vice-versa). Please check the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports for your specific trip date.

Tubbataha, Mindoro, Romblon & Cagayan (11 Days / 10 Nights - 31 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities

Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha: North Atoll: Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Terraces, Jessie Beazley Reef; South Atoll: Ko Ok, Delsan Wreck, Lighthouse, Triggerfish City, Black Rock; Cagayancillo, Pamitinan, Mamanoc, Tatay, Boracay, Romblon Marinduque, Verde Island, Puerto Galera. Island hopping, cliff diving, beachcombing.

Day 1
You will be met at Puerto Princesa Airport or collected from a local hotel and transferred to the departure point of your liveaboard tour. Guests normally board in the afternoon and settle into their cabins before the evening departure from port for the 9-hour cruise to the atolls.

Core Days
The Tubbataha Reefs National Park is an UNESCO World Heritage site and lies in the Sulu Sea in the middle of the Coral Triangle. There are 370 types of coral, 600 species of fish, 12 species of cetacean. Due to their isolation, the atolls are a great area for shark action with species such as guitar, blacktips, white tips, grey reef sharks, silkies, hammerheads and whale sharks. The walls are adorned with beautiful soft corals, barrel sponges and lots of cleaning stations. The shallows are made up of hard coral gardens. Although the macro life is fantastic here, it take a back stage to the big marine life action, such as dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, barracuda, turtles and manta rays. There will also be a few dives in Coron, on the way to or from Palawan.
There will also be a few days in transit between Puerto Princesa and Mabini. Here you can dive some of the most popular destinations such as Puerto Galera, Verde Island and Boracay, as well as less frequently visited regions, such as Cagayancillo and Marinduque. Romblon is an area known for the diversity of its seascapes and for being home to rare macro species. You can expect rich reef flats, dramatic walls, caves, canyons and overhangs. It even has its own Blue Hole! The shrimp species diversity is noteworthy, and other A-list critters include blue-ringed octopus, white ornate ghost pipefish, wonderpus, mimic octopus, Lembeh sea dragons, bobbit worms and a dizzying array of nudibranchs.
Before your 1st dive of the day you start with a light breakfast, with a large cooked breakfast to follow before the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about your morning's underwater experiences. You can relax for a while after lunch, but before long it will be time for the 3rd dive, and then 4th dive before dinner. Some days may feature a night dive instead of a 4th day dive. There will be an afternoon snack each day as well as fresh fruit juices and shakes every day. At every lunch and dinner dishes including fish, meat and seafood, as well as various vegetable options. There is a broad mix of local and international food with some meals inspired by Italian and Chinese cuisine. Enjoy local dishes like pork or chicken adobo, coconut milk shrimps, kinilaw and lumpia, with a glass of wine or beer. Meals are enjoyed in the saloon dining area on the main deck.
On Day 6 you will make 2 or possibly 3 dives.

Day 10
You will say your farewells and disembark the yacht after breakfast at Berbarabe Port.
Note: this itinerary operates in both directions so please check exact port details above.

Apo Reef & Coron (7 Days / 6 Nights - 22 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Apo Reef, Coron, Coron Wrecks

Day 1
The liveaboard trip begins at Coron Lualhati Park, where you will board the M/Y Dolphin. After a safety briefing and a warm welcome from the crew, the yacht departs from port. The adventure kicks off with a check-dive at the famous Barracuda Lake. Experience the stunning thermocline where cool and hot waters meet, creating a surreal, shimmering effect as you pass through different layers. This otherworldly site, set within a dramatic karst limestone formation, is unique start to the expedition. After the dive, the liveaboard sails towards Apo Reef. The day concludes with snacks and a delicious dinner served on board as you settle in.

Core Days Over the next few days, the M/Y Dolphin will explore the premier pelagic playground of Apo Reef before culminating the adventure with dives at the legendary WWII wrecks of Coron Bay. Apo Reef is the largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines. Dive into crystal-clear waters with visibility exceeding 40 meters, where you can expect thrilling encounters. At sites like Shark Ridge and Shark Encounter, you'll come face-to-face with patrolling grey reef sharks and resting whitetip reef sharks. The San Antonio Wreck, a small aircraft ferry turned artificial reef, is now home to schools of snapper and offers a fascinating historical touch. Explore the vibrant coral gardens of Apo Lagoon, a sanctuary for sea turtles, and drift along the stunning Ego Wall, a vertical drop-off adorned with giant sea fans and frequented by massive schools of trevally and surgeonfish.
The Dolphin liveaboard expedition culminates with a day of unforgettable wreck diving in the historic waters of Coron Bay. Begin with a dive at the colossal Okikawa Maru, a 160-meter oil tanker offering immense swim-throughs and encrusted with beautiful soft corals and anemones. Next, explore the Kogyo Maru, a construction ship whose intact cargo holds still contain cement bags and machinery, making it a time capsule of the war. The Olympia Maru and the Tangat Gun Boat offer equally fascinating profiles, with their decks and holds now serving as artificial reefs teeming with life, from batfish and lionfish to delicate ghost pipefish.
As the day ends, the boat returns to port in Coron, allowing you to relax and reflect on an incredible week of diving.

Final Day
After a final breakfast, it's time to say farewell to the crew and your fellow divers as you disembark the liveaboard.

Apo Reef (6 Days / 5 Nights - 18 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: beginner divers, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Coron Twin Lagoon, Apo Reef

Day 1
The M/Y Dolphin cruise begins at Coron Lualhati Park, where you will board the liveaboard. After a safety briefing and crew introductions, the yacht departs from port. The adventure kicks off with a spectacular check-dive at the iconic Coron Twin Lagoon. Navigate through a narrow, crevice-like entrance that opens into a hidden body of water. One moment you're in clear seawater, and the next you plunge into hazy freshwater. This unique site, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, is a great beginning to the tour. After the dive, the liveaboard sets sail towards Apo Reef. The day includes lunch and dinner as you adjust to the rhythm of life at sea.

Core Days Over the next few days, you will be fully immersed in the breathtaking world of Apo Reef, the largest atoll-like reef system in the Philippines. Dive with the Dolphin liveaboard into crystal-clear waters with visibility often exceeding 40 meters, a hallmark of this pristine marine park where the vibrant tapestry of life is on full display.
Feel the thrill of diving at sites like Shark Ridge, where you can observe patrolling gray reef sharks and resting white tip sharks in the channels, while the deeper blue hints at the occasional passing hammerhead. Explore vibrant coral walls, such as Ego Wall, which are adorned with giant sea fans, sponges, and crinoids. These structures provide shelter for dense congregations of colorful anthias, damselfish, and butterflyfish, creating a dazzling wall of color that parrotfish diligently graze upon.
Witness the incredible phenomenon of cleaning stations, where large pelagic species like manta rays and Napoleon wrasse hover patiently while smaller cleaner wrasse provide their essential services. Encounter massive schools of trevally and snapper that cut through the blue, while graceful sea turtles glide effortlessly over the coral gardens. Keep a keen eye on the reef itself for a hidden world of macro life, where giant clams nestle in the substrate, well-camouflaged octopus and squid flit between corals, and intricate nudibranchs and sea squirts add a splash of color to the seafloor.
As the day ends, the boat returns to port in Coron.

Day 6
After a final breakfast on board, say farewell to the crew and your fellow scuba divers as you disembark the Dolphin liveaboard.

Apo Reef & Coron (Adventure) (20 Days / 19 Nights - 53 Dives)

Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha, Cagayancillo, Sipalay, Apo Island, Dauin, Sumilon, Bohol: Balicasag, Cabilao; Cebu: Mactan, North Cebu, Malapascua, Manoc, Gigantes, Boracay, Romblon, Marinduque Island, Verde Island

Day 1
Your extensive Philippine diving expedition commences in Puerto Princesa with your boarding of the M/Y Dolphin liveaboard. After a warm welcome and an introductory briefing from the crew, you'll have time to unpack and familiarize yourself with your new floating home. As dusk falls, the ship will depart, leaving Palawan in its wake. Savor your first meal on board while cruising towards the remote Tubbataha Reefs, the first destination on your epic journey through many of the best diving regions of the Philippines.

Core Days
This tour is a diver's dream, traversing the Philippine archipelago to explore its most iconic underwater worlds. You'll begin with multiple days at the remote Tubbataha Reefs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, experience the adrenaline rush of Shark Airport, a cleaning station teeming with grey reef sharks, and explore the vibrant Malayan Wreck. At South Atoll, sites like Ko Ok and Black Rock are magnets for pelagics, offering chances to see manta rays, schooling barracuda, and even hammerhead sharks.
Often called the 'gateway to Tubbataha', the remote Cagayancillo archipelago offers a taste of pristine reefs, untouched ecology without the crowds. Expect dramatic drop-offs, vibrant soft coral gardens, and a high likelihood of encountering pelagics like sharks and tuna in its clear, current-swept waters. It's a true expedition for explorers seeking raw, unfiltered nature. Famed for its stunning sugar-white sandbars and the iconic Punta Ballo dive site, Sipalay offers a blend of scenic beauty and underwater drama. Its slopes and walls are adorned with gorgeous sea fans and colorful soft corals, attracting a bustling population of reef fish, turtles, and macro critters, all bathed in excellent visibility.
From there, the liveaboard sails into the Visayas. You'll stop at Cabilao and Balicasag Island in Bohol, famous for its spiral vortex of jackfish and resident turtle populations. You'll also explore the muck diving paradise of Dauin in Negros Oriental, the protected sanctuary of Apo Island. You'll then venture to Malapascua Island, the only place in the world for a reliable, dawn encounter with the enigmatic thresher sharks at Kimud Shoal. Further explorations in the Visayas will reveal the hidden gems of the Gigantes Islands, where dramatic limestone cliffs backdrop dives rich with marine life, and the thriving coral gardens of Sumilon Island.
Next, you'll head to the world-renowned shores of Boracay, not just for its powdery sand but also for its vibrant reef systems. The route then leads to the tranquil islands of Romblon, known for its world class macro life, and Marinduque Island, offering serene dives and authentic local culture.
The adventure culminates in the rich waters of the Verde Island Passage. Dive at Verde Island, where walls are covered in colorful soft corals and fish density is staggering.

Day 20 The expedition with Dolphin concludes at Sea Spring Resort in Anilao. After one last meal on board, you will disembark and bid the crew goodbye.
Important: This liveaboard voyage can run from Anilao to Puerto Princesa. Always double-check your booking documents for the correct embarkation and disembarkation ports.