Reef/WallUNESCO World HeritageMarine Protected Area

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Near Tubbataha Reefs

Depth: 5–40 mLevel: Advanced Open WaterMarch-June

An atoll in the middle of the Sulu Sea, made up of the North and South reefs plus Jessie Beazley Reef. It is an exceptional example of an all but intact atoll reef, with a vertical wall of some 100 m, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. The landmark sites are Amos Rock, a seamount with hammerheads and eagle rays, Black Rock, the North atoll wall and the manta cleaning stations of the South atoll.

Depth

5–40 m

Recommended level

Advanced Open Water

Average visibility

30 m

Protection status

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, 96,828 ha; the first marine park in the Philippines

UNESCO designation

World Heritage Site (inscribed in 1993)

Did you know?

The diving window is one of the narrowest in the world: outside the three months from mid-March to mid-June the Sulu Sea makes the crossing impossible and the park closes, so the liveaboards reposition to other routes for the rest of the year. That enforced closure is a large part of the reason the reef remains as it is.

Sources consulted: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (ficha 653) · liveaboards.com · sandislandcat.com · DAN World

Location

Loading map…

2 parks within 30 km.