Tubbataha Reef, Sulu Sea, Philippines
Published 12 years ago, updated 6 years ago
Ranger Station coordinates: 8.50.856 North – 119.55.066 East
Last year we visited Tubbataha Reef for an extended stay with our steel cutter, Wal Rus. This is to try and clarify the procedures necessary to go there, as there seems to be some confusion about it.
You will not be allowed to stay at Tubbataha without obtaining a permit prior to arrival. The rangers may allow you to stay for a day, or not, and they do patrol the area, which is rather extensive.
Obtaining a permit takes place in Puerto Princesa, on the island of Palawan. The procedure is simple. It took us only two days to get permitted.
The fees are 3000 Pesos per person, and 3000 Pesos for a vessel of 100 gross tons or below. What is very important to realize, is that the fee for the boat is an ENTRY fee. This means that you can stay for much longer than the dive-boats, which all operate on a five-day schedule. We ended up spending 18 days, in April of 2012. Mind you, not every day was picture perfect, there were some very rolly times, as you are on a mooring in the middle of the Sulu Sea, with scant protection from the reef, which at times is totally submerged.
The diving was incredible though, and although there are a lot of currents around the reefs – some of them rather unpredictable – each of us managed to dive twice a day, sometimes together, sometimes alone. This was decided by the currents. When there was little current we dove together, but when they seemed stronger one of us would stay with the dinghy. A magical time for anyone who loves to dive.
Nynke Fortuin – James Klick
Related to following destinations: Philippines
