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, Trigger Fish City, Black Rock

Day 1
Your adventure begins Puerto Princesa, the departure point of your liveaboard cruise to Tubbataha. You'll board the Seadoors in the afternoon, giving you time to get comfortable in your cabin before it sets sail in the evening on a tranquil 9-hour cruise towards the atolls.

Core Days
Nestled in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a world-class diving destination that offers an unparalleled marine experience. This remote UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its incredible biodiversity, delivering thrilling shark encounters, a fascinating array of macro life, massive schools of fish, and frequent visits by majestic big pelagics. The diving environment is primarily for advanced divers, featuring exhilarating drift dives along pristine, healthy reefs and dramatic walls, truly placing it off the beaten track.
The park comprises two atolls, the North and South Atoll, and the Jessie Beazley Reef, each offering a distinct underwater topography. The experience is defined by sheer vertical walls, often starting in mere meters of water and plunging into the abyssal blue. These walls are adorned with breathtakingly healthy and vibrant coral gardens - a kaleidoscope of hard and soft corals, giant sea fans, and sponges that form the foundation for an explosion of life.
The primary draw, however, is the consistent presence of large pelagic species. It is not uncommon to complete a single dive surrounded by multiple grey reef sharks and white-tip reef sharks, while schools of jackfish and towering columns of barracuda form immense, swirling fish balls in the blue. The thrill of seeing hammerhead sharks patrolling the deeper drop-offs or witnessing a majestic manta ray glide effortlessly overhead is a regular occurrence, making every descent into the water an encounter with the ocean's most powerful predators.
Beyond the shark-filled channels and walls, Tubbataha offers an unparalleled concentration of marine life that caters to every underwater interest. The shallower lagoons and reef flats, particularly at the South Atoll, serve as critical nesting grounds for sea turtles and seabirds, while the clear waters are a highway for Napoleon wrasse and dogtooth tuna. Specific sites like the Washing Machine offer an exhilarating drift dive through a channel where converging currents create a surge of activity, concentrating marine life into a spectacular, high-energy spectacle. For macro enthusiasts, the coral rubble areas and reef crests hide a treasure trove of smaller critters. The Jessie Beazley Reef, the park's northernmost component, provides a more isolated encounter with dramatic pinnacles and walls that are less dived, offering a sense of true liveaboard exploration.

Final Day
After breakfast, the Seadoors will return to the harbour, providing ample time to organize your equipment and bid farewell to fellow guests.

S. Leyte, Malapascua, Cebu, Bohol & Dumaguete (10 Days / 9 Nights - 22 Dives)

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

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Subway, Southern Leyte: Lamasawa, Pintuyan, Medicare, Padre Burgos, Napantao, Bohol: Anda, Balicasag, Panglao, Cabilao, Cebu: Oslob; and Apo Island, plus land excursion to see tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills

Day 1
Board the Seadoors liveaboard in the afternoon at Cebu Yacht Club, settle into your cabin, and depart in the evening from port to the dive sites you will explore the next day.

Core Days
Embark on the ultimate Philippine liveaboard diving adventure with Seadoors, journeying through the rich waters of Southern Leyte, Malapascua, Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete. This liveaboard itinerary is a diver's dream, offering thrilling shark action from the iconic thresher sharks at Malapascua's Monad Shoal to potential hammerhead sightings, alongside the gentle giants of Oslob. The marine spectacle continues with graceful manta rays, playful dolphins, ancient turtles, and massive schools of fish and big pelagics, all set against a backdrop of incredible macro life and stunning biodiversity. From the famous cleaning stations of Balicasag Island to the vibrant reefs of Apo Island and the diverse sites of Southern Leyte, the environment offers world-class dives suitable for both beginner and advanced divers.
The experience is perfectly rounded out with unforgettable land excursions to see the wide-eyed tarsiers and the geological marvel of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

Day 10
Following breakfast, the Seadoors returns to the harbour, giving you time to pack and dry your gear and say your goodbyes to guests and staff.

Malapascua, Cebu & Bohol (7 Days / 6 Nights - 16 Dives)

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

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Kimud Shoal, Gato Island, Kalangaman, Sambawan Island; Bohol: Balicasag, Cabilao; Cebu: Oslob

Day 1
Your diving adventure with Seadoors begins at the departure point of your liveaboard. You'll board in the afternoon, giving you time to get comfortable in your cabin before you set sail in the evening

Core Days
Embark on a thrilling underwater safari exploring the rich marine corridors of Malapascua, Cebu, and Bohol. This itinerary is a predator-packed spectacle, designed to immerse you in the most iconic and heart-pounding dive experiences the Philippines has to offer. The adventure begins in the deep blue waters surrounding the small island of Malapascua, a world-renowned destination for pelagic encounters. The day starts in the pre-dawn gloom with a descent into the mysterious depths of Monad Shoal, an underwater island or "seamount." Here, in the cool, nutrient-rich upwellings, you will witness one of the ocean's most elegant and enigmatic rituals: the daily cleaning of the majestic thresher sharks. With their impossibly long, scythe-like tails trailing behind them, these deep-water sharks approach the cleaning stations, allowing for a truly privileged and humbling encounter that is almost unparalleled elsewhere on the globe. But Malapascua's allure extends far beyond its iconic dawn dive. For a chance to see schooling hammerhead sharks, Kimud Shoal is your next destination. This submerged pinnacle acts as a magnet for large pelagic, and while the hammerheads can be shy, glimpsing a school of them materializing from the blue is an unforgettable sight. The action continues at Gato Island, a marine sanctuary where a swim-through tunnel connects two sides of the island. Above water, it's a bird sanctuary; below, it's a world of vibrant soft corals, bustling with sea snakes, white-tip reef sharks, and a spectacular display of macro life, including the elusive blue-ringed octopus. For a change of pace, the journey to Kalangaman Island is rewarded with a stunning sandbar above water and pristine reefs below, often patrolled by jacks and barracuda. Further afield, Sambawan Island offers breathtaking wall dives in crystal-clear visibility, where massive schools of trevallies and snappers create living, swirling walls of silver. Crossing the channel to Bohol, the safari continues at the world-famous Balicasag Island. This marine sanctuary is a masterclass in biodiversity. Its dramatic drop-offs, known as "The Cathedral" and "The Black Forest," are adorned with magnificent sea fans and dense, healthy hard corals that plunge into the abyss. As you drift along these vibrant walls, you are likely to be surrounded by massive, tornado-like schools of jackfish and big-eye trevallies. The current-swept points are also a hotspot for frequent and awe-inspiring manta ray encounters, where these gentle giants gracefully somersault through the water column to feed on plankton. Meanwhile, the shallower gardens are a haven for green sea turtles and a dazzling array of colourful reef fish. A short boat ride away, Cabilao Island offers a more serene but equally rewarding dive experience. Known for its reliable and often calm conditions, Cabilao's reefs are pristine and teeming with life. Its key attraction is the regular presence of large pelagic, including hammerhead sharks passing by on their migrations. The sites here are also famous for fantastic macro diving, with frogfish, ghost pipefish, and a stunning variety of nudibranchs hidden amongst the coral rubble and anemones. The grand finale of this aquatic journey brings you to the coast of Cebu, in Oslob. Here, you will have a breathtaking encounter with the world's largest fish, the gentle whale shark. While the ethics of this baited interaction are a topic of discussion, the sheer scale and grace of these leviathans are undeniably magnificent. Floating at the surface as a 10-meter long whale shark glides silently past, its speckled skin filtering the sunlight, is a moment of pure, childlike wonder that provides a powerful culmination to your safari. With sites suitable for both beginner and advanced divers, from the serene coral gardens to adrenaline-fueled drift dives, this tour offers an unforgettable concentration of the Philippines' most iconic marine life. It is a journey that captures the full spectrum of the underwater world, from the tiny and cryptic to the vast and majestic, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the vibrant heart of the Coral Triangle.

Day 7
The liveaboard returns to the harbour after breakfast, allowing time to dry your gear and say farewell.

Malapascua, Cebu, Bohol & Dumaguete (10 Days / 9 Nights - 24 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Kimud Shoal, Gato Island, Kalangaman; Bohol: Balicasag, Cabilao, Panglao, Anda; Cebu: Oslob and Sumilon Island; Apo Island, plus land excursion to Cebu (waterfall)

Day 1
Your liveaboard adventure begins at Cebu Yacht Club. You'll board the Seadoors in the afternoon, settle into your cabin, and depart in the evening to journey towards the first dive sites.

Core Days
This extraordinary liveaboard journey through the central Philippines offers a spectacular showcase of the region's most iconic marine life, promising encounters with everything from majestic whale sharks and schooling hammerheads to graceful manta rays, playful dolphins, and abundant turtles, all complemented by world-class macro diving. The diving environment is wonderfully diverse, catering to both beginner and advanced divers with a range of sites.
The adventure spans multiple legendary locations: in Malapascua, you'll make pre-dawn dives at Monad Shoal to see thresher sharks and explore Gato Island; in Bohol, you'll experience the stunning walls and fish tornadoes of Balicasag Island; and in Cebu, a visit to Oslob or Sumilon Island provides a chance to snorkel with whale sharks. The itinerary also includes the rich marine sanctuary of Apo Island near Dumaguete, and may even feature a land excursion to a beautiful Cebu waterfall, perfectly blending unparalleled underwater action with a touch of terrestrial exploration.

Day 10
The liveaboard returns to the harbour in the morning, allowing ample time to dry your gear and say your goodbyes.

Southern Leyte & Malapascua (7 Days / 6 Nights - 16 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Kimud Shoal, Gato Island, Sambawan Island, Camotes; Southern Leyte: Lamasawa, Pintuyan and Napantao

Day 1
Your dive tour starts by boarding the liveaboard in the afternoon. After settling into your cabin, the MV Seadoors departs in the evening, cruising overnight to position you for the next day's exploration.

Core Days
This liveaboard journey combines the world-renowned shark action of Malapascua with the rich, biodiverse waters of Southern Leyte, offering a thrilling portfolio of marine encounters. The trip is highlighted by consistent sightings of pelagic giants, including whale sharks and manta rays, alongside the unique daily ritual of seeing thresher sharks at cleaning stations, with frequent appearances from dolphins, turtles, and a spectacular array of macro life.
Malapascua is a legendary destination for pelagic hunters, famed for its reliable, heart-pounding shark encounters. The adventure begins in the pre-dawn darkness at Kimud Shoal, a submerged atoll that is one of the very few places in the world where divers can consistently observe the enigmatic thresher shark. As the sun begins to lighten the sky, these graceful creatures, with their iconic long, whip-like tails, emerge from the deep blue to be cleaned by smaller wrasses at the shoal's cleaning stations. For another intense pelagic spectacle, Monad Shoal offers the chance to witness schooling hammerhead sharks. This sunken seamount peaks at a depth that attracts these predators, and while they can be shy, the sight of a squadron of hammerheads materializing from the depths is a truly transcendent experience.
Contrasting these blue-water adventures is Gato Island, a marine sanctuary renowned for its underwater lava tunnel swim-throughs. The island's waters are a biological hotspot, serving as a home for resident white-tip reef sharks and the fascinating, venomous sea snakes that weave through the vibrant soft corals. Further afield, Sambawan Island boasts breathtaking wall dives where massive schools of jackfish and trevallies form a circling wall of silver, creating a dynamic spectacle.
The islands of the Camotes offer a different but equally captivating charm. Here, the diving is characterized by pristine coral gardens, fascinating underwater caves, and a sense of untouched beauty. Divers can explore intricate cavern systems like those at Buho Rock, where light beams pierce the darkness to illuminate stunning coral formations and vast schools of sardines. The sites are known for their excellent visibility, dramatic drop-offs adorned with sea fans, and a high likelihood of encountering larger pelagic like sharks and manta rays patrolling the open water.
Seadoors journeys to Southern Leyte to dive in a world of pristine reefs and intimate marine encounters. The primary draw near Pintuyan is the opportunity for in-water interactions with whale sharks. Unlike other locations, these interactions are often conducted without baiting, leading to more natural and sustainable encounters with the gentle giants as they passively feed on seasonal natural upwellings. Complementing this is the Napantao Marine Sanctuary, a stellar example of community-led conservation. Its thriving coral reef is a bustling metropolis of marine life, featuring a stunningly preserved San Miguel wreck encrusted with corals, and slopes that are home to a dizzying array of macro life, from flamboyant cuttlefish to a rainbow of nudibranchs. For those seeking ultimate serenity and unspoiled beauty, the reefs surrounding Lamasawa Island provide a remote diving paradise. The currents that sweep these vibrant walls and pinnacles bring in nutrients, supporting lush coral growth and attracting large pelagic, making every dive an adventure into a thriving, healthy underwater wilderness.

Day 7
Upon the morning return to the harbour, you'll have plenty of time to organise your equipment and bid farewell to your fellow guests and the Seadoors liveaboard crew.

Cebu, Bohol & Dumaguete

Trip highlights: whale sharks, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Bohol: Cabilao, Panglao; Dumaguete: Apo Island, Dauin; and Cebu: Oslob, Sumilon

Day 1
You will be met at airport and transferred to Cebu Yacht Club, the departure point of your liveaboard tour. Guests normally board Seadoors in the afternoon and settle into their cabins before the evening departure from port to the dive sites you will explore the next day.

Core Days
This diverse liveaboard journey through the central Visayas showcases the best of Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete, offering a versatile marine experience for divers of all levels. The trip is highlighted by unforgettable encounters with gentle whale sharks, numerous sea turtles, and an incredible spectrum of marine diversity, from large pelagics to world-class macro life.
In Cebu, prepare for sheer spectacle. You'll be mesmerised by the millions of sardines forming a shimmering, swirling curtain in Moalboal - an unforgettable dance of light and motion. You'll dive along walls where strong currents bring in sharks and giant trevally. And you will have the chance to spot whale at Oslob.
Over in Bohol, the experience is all about vibrant life and accessibility. You're practically guaranteed incredible encounters with friendly sea turtles at Balicasag Island, often right as you descend. The environment features stunning coral walls that drop into the abyss, acting as a stage for pelagics, while the sandy slopes are perfect for spotting exotic critters. It’s the perfect blend of reliable big-animal encounters and fantastic macro diving, all in calm, clear waters.
Then, Dumaguete is a scuba world of 2 personalities. Just off the black sand beaches of Dauin, you'll embark on fascinating muck dives, hunting for the weird and wonderful, like cryptic octopus and dragonets. Then, jump over to the protected sanctuary of Apo Island, a classic reef dive teeming with turtles and breathtaking hard corals. This combination offers the best of both worlds: the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of a pristine, established marine ecosystem.

Final Day
Seadoors will return to the harbour in the morning, so there will be plenty of time to dry and arrange your gear and say your goodbyes. The crew will transfer you to the airport or nearby hotel.

Malapascua (6 Days / 5 Nights - 14 Dives)

Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Kimud Shoal, Gato Island, Maripipi, Sambawan Island, Kalangaman, Camotes

Day 1
Your Seadoors liveaboard tour to Malapascua will depart from the Cebu Yacht Club. The standard procedure is for guests to board in the afternoon, settle into their assigned cabins, and then depart from the port in the evening to journey towards the first dive sites, which you will explore the following day.

Core Days
Renowned as the only place in the world to reliably see magnificent pelagic thresher sharks, Malapascua offers a world-class diving experience that caters to both beginner and advanced divers. This Seadoors safari is defined by thrilling shark action, including potential encounters with hammerhead sharks at deeper sites, alongside the possibility of spotting manta rays, dolphins, and turtles, all set against a backdrop of stunning marine diversity and excellent macro life.
Your exploration will centre on iconic sites such as Monad Shoal for pre-dawn thresher shark encounters and Kimud Shoal for hammerheads, while also including the sea snake-filled tunnels of Gato Island, the vibrant walls of Maripipi and Sambawan Island, and the picturesque reefs of Kalangaman and Camotes, ensuring a versatile and unforgettable Philippine liveaboard diving adventure.

Day 6
You'll have a relaxed morning as the liveaboard returns to the harbour, allowing plenty of time to organize your equipment and share farewells with your new friends before disembarking.

Malapascua, Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete & Cagayan

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

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers

Dive sites and activities: Malapascua: Monad Shoal, Kalangaman; Cagayancillo Islands, Bohol: Balicasag, Cabilao, Dumaguete: Dauin, Apo Island; and Cebu: Oslob

Day 1
Your diving adventure begins at the Cebu Yacht Club, where you will board the MV Seadoors in the afternoon. This gives you ample time to unpack and get comfortable in your cabin before you set sail in the evening, cruising overnight to position ourselves for the next day's underwater exploration.

Core Days
This ultimate Philippine liveaboard expedition weaves together the most iconic diving destinations of the Visayas, offering an unparalleled spectrum of marine life for both beginner and advanced divers. The safari is a pelagic lover's dream, featuring everything from the reliable thresher and hammerhead sharks of Malapascua's Monad Shoal and the guaranteed whale sharks of Oslob, Cebu, to the possibility of manta rays, dolphins, and schools of big pelagics. The Seadoors itinerary balances thrilling action with incredible diversity, exploring the remote and pristine reefs of the Cagayancillo Islands, the world-class walls and fish tornadoes of Bohol's Balicasag and Cabilao, and the unique muck diving of Dauin paired with the vibrant coral gardens of Apo Island near Dumaguete, creating a complete and unforgettable underwater adventure.

Final Day
Following the morning return to the harbour, there will be plenty of time for you to dry your gear, pack your belongings, and bid farewell to the group before disembarking from the liveaboard.

Tubbataha, Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete & Cagayan

Trip highlights: whale sharks, 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, wall diving

Dive sites and activities: Cebu: Oslob, Sumilon; Bohol: Cabilao, Panglao; Dumaguete: Apo Island, Dauin; Cagayancillo Islands, Tubbataha Reef: North and South Atolls and Jessie Beazley Reef; plus land excursion to Cebu (waterfall and hot springs)

Day 1
The departure point for your liveaboard is the Cebu Yacht Club. Seadoors guests are asked to board in the afternoon to allow time to settle in before the evening departure, as you will be travelling overnight to reach the remote dive sites scheduled for the next day.

Core Days
This epic Philippines liveaboard expedition is the ultimate adventure for scuba divers, showcasing of the country's best and seamlessly blending the remote, pelagic-rich wonders of Tubbataha Reef with the accessible marine diversity of the central Visayas.
Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha offers a world-class diving experience defined by pristine coral walls, breathtaking drop-offs, and unparalleled marine biodiversity. Descend into crystal-clear waters to encounter, schools of jacks and barracuda, thrilling shark action, majestic whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and nesting sea turtles. As a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remote atoll delivers pristine and vibrant reef systems, making it the ultimate destination for serious divers seeking an unforgettable underwater adventure in the Philippines.
Cabilao in Bohol is renowned for its rare and mesmerising encounters with large schools of hammerhead sharks, whereas Balicasag offers vibrant reefs and the world-famous macro life. In Oslob, the highlight is the chance for an encounter with gentle whale sharks, while nearby Sumilon Island offers pristine walls and reliable sightings of schooling jacks and barracuda against a backdrop of stunning blue water.
Dumaguete offers the ultimate two-in-one dive safari: at Apo Island, you'll explore a protected marine sanctuary teeming with turtles and lush coral gardens, while the black sand slopes of Dauin provide a world-class muck diving paradise for finding rare and exotic critures like bumblebee shrimp and robust ghost pipefish. For the ultimate frontier adventure, the remote Cagayancillo Islands offer extreme pelagic action, untouched coral walls, and a true sense of discovery far from the crowds.
With a diving environment that includes exhilarating drift dives, dramatic walls, and incredibly healthy reefs, this Seadoors liveaboard adventure is perfectly complemented by a land excursion in Cebu to experience a scenic waterfall and relaxing hot springs, creating the perfect balance between intense underwater exploration and tranquil terrestrial discovery.

Final Day
The liveaboard will arrive back at the harbour early morning in Puerto Princesa, which provides sufficient time for you to arrange your gear and offer your goodbyes before concluding the trip.
Note: this is a transit trip and can operate in either direction. Check your specific trip for exact port details.