photo by Greg Lecoeur C/O Seadoors
Uncharted Philippines makes touring the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park a reality for divers wanting to explore the best diving destination the Philippines has to offer. Stretching for 97,000 hectares in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the premier scuba diving spot in the Philippines and one of the best in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the home to more than 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 11 species of shark, and hundreds of birds.
photo by Greg Lecoeur C/O Seadoors
The Heart of the Coral Triangle
Emerging over thousands of years from the site of now-extinct volcanoes, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park sits in the midst of what is known as the “Coral Triangle." The Coral Triangle is a region known for the world’s highest marine biodiversity, encompassing the waters in parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Tubbataha Reef is composed of three separate reefs: the North Atoll, the South Atoll, and Jessie Beazley reef. There are also a few islets within the reef that provide important nesting grounds for birds and sea turtles.
photo by U.S. Pacific Fleet (via Flickr)
Protecting a Natural Treasure
Due to destructive fishing practices in the 1980’s, such as cyanide and dynamite fishing, divers and other activists began to urge the Philippine government to take action to protect the reef. In 1988, President Corazon Aquino declared Tubbataha Reef as the nation’s first protected marine reserve. This crucial first step, along with additional protections by conservationists, have made Tubbataha one of the healthiest coral reefs in the world. In spite of two bleaching events in recent decades, the reef has bounced back quickly, in large part due to its protected status. However, the reef still faces ongoing threats from trash (especially plastic debris), climate change, and human navigation error, as witnessed when the United States Naval Ship Guardian ran aground in January of 2013. The accident damaged more than 2,000 meters of the reef and led to the United States paying nearly $2 million in damages.
photo by Greg Lecoeur C/O Seadoors
The Gold Standard of Marine Diversity
CNN listed Tubbataha Reef as the 8th best diving location in the world, primarily based on its amazing marine diversity and position within the coral triangle. For many diving and scuba enthusiasts, it is a dream trip and the experience of a lifetime. The season for visiting the reef is from mid March through mid June, when water temperatures, weather, and visibility (of 30 meters/100 feet!) are aligned for the best experience. Some of the fantastic creatures and plants you might see in vivid color in these pristine waters include red table coral, white tipped reef sharks, damselfish, hawksbill sea turtles, tridacna clams, brain coral, and hundreds more. Some of the avian life includes the greater crested tern, red-footed booby, and the brown noddy. It’s an underwater adventure like no other on the planet.
photo by Carla Kishinami (via Flickr)
Uncharted Philippines can take you on the ultimate Philippine diving trip to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, where our knowledgeable guides can ensure you have the best diving experience of your life, in one of the most exotic and beautiful diving regions in the world. Discover the magic of the Philippines for yourself.