When is the best time to see thresher sharks in Malapascua?

Thresher sharks are present year-round at Kimud Shoal. Dawn dives (5-6am) give the highest sighting rates, typically above 90%. Visibility is best from March to June, but sharks are there every day of the year.

What certification do I need to dive with thresher sharks?

The cleaning station at Kimud Shoal is at 20-25 metres depth. PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) is recommended. If you only have Open Water, we can upgrade you with an Advanced course on-site in two days.

How do I get to Malapascua Island?

Fly to Cebu, then take a 3-4 hour drive north to Maya port, followed by a 30-minute boat crossing. PDT arranges all transfers as part of your package.

What other marine life can I see at Malapascua?

Beyond thresher sharks, Malapascua offers mandarin fish at sunset, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and beautiful coral gardens. The Lighthouse dive site is one of the best muck dives in the Visayas.

Is the sardine run in Moalboal seasonal?

No. The sardine school at Panagsama Beach is resident year-round. You can snorkel or dive with millions of sardines any day of the year, right from the shore.

Can I snorkel in Moalboal without a dive certification?

Yes. The sardine run, sea turtles, and house reef are all accessible by snorkelling. No certification needed. Pescador Island boat trips also include snorkelling options.

What is the Cathedral Cave at Pescador Island?

The Cathedral is an underwater cave formation inside Pescador Island with a chimney that lets light filter down from above. It is one of the most photographed dive sites in the Visayas and accessible to Advanced Open Water divers.

Do I need to know how to dive to swim with whale sharks in Oslob?

No. The whale shark interaction in Oslob is done by snorkelling in shallow water. No diving certification is required. Non-swimmers can also watch from the boat.

How long does the whale shark encounter last?

Each session is approximately 30 minutes in the water. The whole visit including briefing and boat transfer takes about 1-2 hours. Early morning visits (6-7am) are recommended for fewer crowds.

Are whale sharks in Oslob available year-round?

Yes. Unlike Donsol where whale sharks are seasonal, the Oslob whale sharks are present every day of the year. The interaction site operates daily from around 6am to midday.

What makes Dauin muck diving special?

Dauin's volcanic black sand creates a unique habitat for rare critters found nowhere else in the region. Expect blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, painted frogfish, and dozens of nudibranch species. It is considered one of the top muck diving destinations in the world.

Can I see turtles at Apo Island?

Yes. Apo Island's marine sanctuary is home to a large population of green sea turtles. Sightings are virtually guaranteed on every dive, and snorkellers can also see them in the shallow reef areas.

What is the difference between Donsol and Oslob for whale sharks?

Donsol offers wild, free-swimming whale shark encounters with no feeding involved. Oslob whale sharks are fed to keep them in one place. Donsol is seasonal (November to June) while Oslob operates year-round. Donsol is snorkel-only with stricter environmental guidelines.

When is manta ray season at Ticao Island near Donsol?

Manta rays are typically present at Ticao Island cleaning stations from November through May, with peak sightings from January to April. Ticao is a short boat ride from Donsol and can be combined with whale shark snorkelling.

How many days should I spend in Donsol?

We recommend 3-4 days minimum. This gives you two mornings for whale shark encounters, a day trip to Ticao Island for manta rays, and an evening firefly river tour. Longer stays allow for repeat encounters and relaxation.

What is included in a Philippines dive package?

Our packages typically include airport transfers, accommodation, daily diving (boat and shore dives), equipment rental, and meals. Specific inclusions vary by package level. We offer budget, standard, and premium options for each destination.

When is the best time to dive in the Philippines?

The Philippines offers year-round diving. The dry season (November to May) generally has the best visibility and calmest seas. Whale sharks in Donsol peak from February to April. Thresher sharks at Malapascua are year-round. Each destination has its own peak season.

What dive certification do I need for Philippines diving?

Most dive sites require PADI Open Water or equivalent certification. The thresher shark dive at Malapascua is at around 20-25 metres so Advanced Open Water is recommended. Non-divers can take PADI courses starting from Discover Scuba Diving (1 day) up to full Open Water certification (3-4 days).

Can I swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Yes. In Oslob, Cebu, whale shark encounters run daily year-round. In Donsol, Sorsogon, wild whale shark season runs from November to June, with peak sightings from February to April. No diving certification is needed as encounters are snorkelling-based.

Do I need to be an experienced diver?

Not at all. We cater to all levels from complete beginners to technical divers. Non-divers can learn to dive with PADI courses at any of our destinations. Many of our best experiences, including whale sharks and sardine runs, are accessible by snorkelling.

Can I visit multiple dive destinations in one trip?

Yes. Our multi-destination packages are our most popular option. Common combinations include Malapascua plus Moalboal, or Malapascua plus Donsol. We handle all inter-island transfers so you just enjoy the diving.

Tubbataha Reef: The Complete Liveaboard Diving Guide

Andrea
Dec 1, 2025
2 min read

Tubbataha Reef Natural Park is the Philippines at its most wild and untouched. Sitting in the middle of the Sulu Sea, 150 kilometres southeast of Puerto Princesa, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is only accessible by liveaboard and only during a narrow season window. The remoteness is precisely what makes it extraordinary. With no recreational fishing, no day-trippers, and strict visitor numbers enforced by the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, the reefs here have been allowed to develop undisturbed for decades.

What Makes Tubbataha Special

Tubbataha is two separate reef systems — North and South Atoll — plus the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef. Together they support an extraordinary concentration of marine life: 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 11 species of shark, 11 species of cetacean, and important nesting grounds for sea turtles and seabirds. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres, and the sheer volume of life on any given dive is among the highest anywhere in the Indo-Pacific.

What You'll See

The signature sightings at Tubbataha are sharks — lots of them. Whitetip reef sharks are present on virtually every dive. Grey reef sharks patrol the walls in numbers. Hammerheads appear in the blue water. Nurse sharks rest on sandy patches. Occasional tiger sharks and bull sharks keep divers alert. Beyond sharks, Tubbataha is famous for its manta ray aggregations, dense schools of barracuda and jackfish, Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, and some of the healthiest hard coral formations in Southeast Asia.

The Season: Mid-March to Mid-June

Tubbataha is only open for diving between approximately mid-March and mid-June each year, when the Sulu Sea calms down enough for safe passage. Outside this window the sea conditions make the crossing impractical and the park is closed to visitors. This narrow season means liveaboard berths are in high demand and sell out many months in advance — sometimes a year ahead for the better operators. Booking early is not just advisable, it's essential.

Choosing a Liveaboard

All Tubbataha diving is done from liveaboards departing from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A typical trip is 5 to 7 nights and includes 4 to 5 dives per day. Operators range from budget-friendly local vessels to luxury expedition yachts. The main practical differences come down to cabin size, food quality, dive equipment standard, and how many divers are on board. Smaller boats mean less crowding at dive sites, which matters at Tubbataha's most popular spots. Philippines Dive and Travel works with a curated selection of operators and can match you to the right vessel for your budget and expectations.

Experience Requirements

Tubbataha is not a destination for beginners. Currents can be strong and unpredictable, dives are often in open water with a blue water descent, and the conditions can change quickly. Most operators require a minimum of 50 logged dives and Advanced Open Water certification, and some require more. Rescue Diver is strongly recommended. That said, if you meet the requirements, Tubbataha rewards experienced divers with some of the most memorable diving available anywhere on earth.