Best time to dive Tubbataha Reefs
Liveaboard-only national park; diving is permitted only from mid-March to mid-June, most reliably April–May. Trips leave from Puerto Princesa (~10 h crossing) and sell out 9–18 months ahead.
Peak season: March–June
Book a Tubbataha Reefs LiveaboardUpcoming departures on DivebookerOverall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov high · Dec high · Jan high · Feb high · Mar high · Apr high · May high · Jun high · Jul high · Aug high · Sep high · Oct medium · Nov medium · Dec medium
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Macro life | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Coral & reef health | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Visibility | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Water temperature | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Weather & sea state | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Operations & access | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wreck diving | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Climate outlook
How this year's forecast differs from a typical year
- Weather & sea state +1 · El Niño suppresses typhoons and rain; La Niña brings more storms (Nov 2026 – February 2027)
- Coral & reef health -1.3 · Heat stress in the months after a strong El Niño (widespread bleaching in 1998) (Apr 2027 – October 2027)
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| December 2026 | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| January 2027 | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 25–35 m |
| February 2027 | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 25–35 m |
| March 2027 | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 30–40 m |
| April 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 30–45 m |
| May 2027 | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 30–45 m |
| June 2027 | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 25–35 m |
| July 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 20–30 m |
| August 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 20–30 m |
| September 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 20–30 m |
| October 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 20–30 m |
| November 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
| December 2027 | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 25–35 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| grey reef shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| hawksbill turtle | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| whale shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||||
| manta ray | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Current strength
- 3 / 5
- Luxury level
- 3 / 5
- Typical depth
- 5–30 m
- Max depth of interest
- 40 m
- Dive styles
- Liveaboard
- Suggested certification
- Advanced Open Water
- Nearest airport
- PPS
- Snorkelling
- Good
Famous sites: Amos Rock · Black Rock · Jessie Beazley · Delsan Wreck
Season notes & sources
- Liveaboard-only national park; diving is permitted only from mid-March to mid-June, most reliably April–May. Trips leave from Puerto Princesa (~10 h crossing) and sell out 9–18 months ahead.