Remote Tubbataha Liveaboard Expedition 2028

Remote Tubbataha Liveaboard Expedition 2028

Join Bluewater Travel for our newest itinerary, exploring the stunning marine life and pristine coral reefs of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Why Join This Trip?

• Experience one of the ocean's most-protected marine park areas, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
• Exclusive liveaboard access means the park is only reachable by liveaboard during a short season, keeping diver numbers low and sites uncrowded
• Pristine corals, spectacular wall diving, and exceptional marine life density make this a contender for one of our best dive destinations in the world
• Diver to Guide ratio is 4:1
• 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
• Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure

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Trip Overview

Embark on the ultimate 6-night liveaboard adventure aboard the Philippine Siren and discover the legendary Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, one of the world’s most pristine and awe-inspiring dive destinations. Drift along dramatic coral-covered walls, explore vibrant reefs teeming with marine life, and witness encounters with sharks, manta rays, turtles, and massive schools of colorful fish, all set in crystal-clear waters that define the Philippines as a diver’s paradise. This is an unforgettable journey for experienced divers seeking adventure, breathtaking underwater photography, and unparalleled encounters with the ocean’s most spectacular creatures.

Click the Manta Trust logo to learn more!

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Sample Itinerary

• Day 1 – Embarkation: Board the Philippine Siren at Baywalk Pier at 13:00. Enjoy lunch on board, followed by a mandatory briefing and Coast Guard check. There is no diving on this day.
• Days 2–5 – Diving in Tubbataha: Up to 4 dives are scheduled per day, including 3 day dives and a sunset dive. Each day begins with a light breakfast and briefing, followed by Dive 1. Dive 2 follows after a full breakfast and some relaxation. After lunch, Dive 3 is scheduled. A brief snack is served before the Sunset Dive. All dives are limited to 60 minutes in line with Tubbataha regulations.
• Day 6 – Final Dives: Enjoy two morning dives in Tubbataha before the Philippine Siren begins the 12–16 hour crossing back to Puerto Princesa.
• Day 7 – Disembarkation: After breakfast on board, disembark between 09:30 and 10:00. Guests should allow at least 24 hours between their final dive and flight departure.

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Marine Life to Photograph

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a dream destination for underwater photographers, offering an extraordinary mix of wide-angle drama and vibrant reef scenes. Divers can capture sweeping shots of steep walls covered in pristine hard and soft corals, massive schools of barracuda and jacks swirling in blue water, and frequent encounters with reef sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, turtles, and eagle rays. The healthy reefs are alive with color, while excellent visibility and strong currents create dynamic action shots, making every dive an opportunity to photograph iconic big-animal moments alongside rich reef life in one of the world’s most protected marine environments.

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Diving Conditions

The waters around Tubbataha Reefs are warm, clear, and nutrient-rich, offering excellent visibility for diving, while the open seas can bring moderate to strong currents that add excitement to each dive. Topside, expect tropical weather with daytime temperatures in the high 80s°F (30°C) and occasional breezes.

• Water temperature: 79–84°F (26–29°C)
• Visibility: 32-114 feet (10-35m)
• Depth range: 15-100ft (5-30m)

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Connectivity

Philippine Siren offers Starlink Wi-Fi onboard, however, there may be limited or no access to internet once the yacht sails into a remote area or open sea. The cost is $30 per device, per trip and can be purchased onboard.

For more consistent and faster access while in port or near shore, guests can use a local Philippine SIM card with a data plan. Major carriers like Globe and Smart offer prepaid data packages with 4G/LTE coverage across most of the Philippines. You can purchase a SIM and top-up at Manila Airport (NAIA) upon arrival in Manila, at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Ministop, or at carrier kiosks in larger cities before boarding the Siren. Just be sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with local networks before you travel.

Most major US mobile phone providers offer international bolt-on or add-on packages that let you use your phone abroad without changing SIMs. The details vary by carrier and plan.

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Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Tubbataha, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

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Trip Type

This is a GUIDED GROUP TRIP. Led by an experienced Bluewater trip leader or accredited local guide who will manage the trip logistics and ensure your needs are met throughout. While this trip is designed to optimize your photography opportunities, it is not led by one of our photo instructors and so meaningful photography advice from your trip leader should not be expected.

What to Expect from Our Guided Group Trips

• Meet like-minded travelers - Our Group Trips are perfect for solo travelers who enjoy meeting other divers or photographers and enjoy the support of a pre-arranged itinerary. Your trip leader will arrange group activities such as meals or game nights to ensure everyone feels part of the Bluewater family.
• Problems solved - Your trip leader will be on hand to assist with any issues you may have. From delayed or canceled flights, to lost room keys and dietary requirements. We have dealt with it all before and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

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Inclusions

• 6 nights full board accommodation, double/twin occupancy
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
• Unlimited drinking water, tea, coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks
• Up to 4 dives per day
• 11 litre (AL80) cylinder with air fills
• Weights, weight belt, and SMB
• Transfer between Puerto Princesa Airport or local hotel and embarkation/disembarkation point

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Exclusions

• Marine, park, and port fees ($120 per trip, to be paid on board)
• Transfers outside of Puerto Princesa
• Nitrox ($100 per trip, paid in advance or onboard)
• Equipment rental ($200 per trip, paid in advance or onboard)
• WiFi internet access ($30 per trip)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Laundry ($1 per item)
• Massage ($45 per hour)
• Crew gratuities
• Flights
• Airport Terminal fees
• Diving insurance (Mandatory for all guests)
• Travel insurance (Mandatory for all guests) - ask us about our preferred partner plan

*Prices listed in the exclusions are subject to change.

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Accommodation

About the Philippine Siren

For further details about the accommodation, visit our dedicated Philippine Siren page. The vessel is a luxury liveaboard designed for divers who want the ultimate Philippine diving experience. With spacious, comfortable cabins, a fully air-conditioned lounge, buffet-style dining, and a sun deck with loungers, every detail is crafted for relaxation and convenience. The vessel features a large dive deck with individual stations, personal storage, and all the equipment you need, including 12L tanks, weights, and SMBs. Guests enjoy expert dive guides, varied itineraries to explore vibrant reefs, walls, wrecks, and encounters with whale sharks, thresher sharks, and abundant marine life. Whether diving, dining, or unwinding on deck, the Philippine Siren offers a seamless blend of comfort, adventure, and world-class service.

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Philippines Trip Extensions

Want to extend your trip? We can also help with that. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! Explore more of the Philippines before or after your Tubbataha trip.

Read More

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Trip Leader

Mike Chiado

Mike Chiado has over four decades of experience in the entertainment post production industry. Mike is CTO of Company3 and oversees technology, workflow and image science departments for feature motion pictures, episodic and advertising businesses. Mike become a PADI Master Scuba Diver in 1991 which included the speciality of Underwater Photography (film-based, BTW!), and actively diving and photographing tropical and California waters. View Mike Chiado's underwater photography portfolio.

Read more about Mike Chiado.

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How To Get There

Flight Information

Arrival

The trip embarks and disembarks in Puerto Princesa. Guests should fly in and out of Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). International flights are usually booked through Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB), with Manila offering a wider choice of onward flights to Puerto Princesa. We recommend arriving in Manila, Cebu, or Puerto Princesa at least one day before embarkation to allow for possible delays and to start your holiday well-rested.

Recommended hotels in Puerto Princesa include:

• Hue Hotel (embarkation meeting point)
• Canvas Boutique Hotel
• Aziza Paradise Hotel

If you plan to arrive in Puerto Princesa on the day of embarkation, book a flight arriving no later than 12:00 noon. The airport is a short taxi ride from the Hue Hotel. All guests must arrive at the Hue Hotel meeting point before 12:30 pm to ensure a smooth departure from Puerto Princesa.

Departure

Disembarkation is between 09:30 am and 10:00 am on April 25th. Guests should schedule flights out of PPS from 12:30 pm onwards. We strongly advise against booking earlier flights due to safety and logistical concerns with tender transfers. The boat’s arrival time depends on weather conditions, so we cannot guarantee it will be back in port before lunchtime.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights and transit hotels for domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Contact Us for more information.

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Payment Schedule

• Deposit: $1,000 to book your spot
• Payment 2: $1,000 due 1 May 2027
• Balance: due 1 December 2027

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