Tubbataha Dive Site Highlights
Delsan Wreck - South Atoll. Laying in of water, this wreckage attracts schools of snappers & sweetlips, as well as eagle rays and plenty of sharks. White tips, black tips and grey reef sharks can all be seen feeding here. Turtles are common visitors and there are plenty of molluscs and crustaceans to entertain macro lovers around the wreckage and along the wall. During our trips we often dive here twice as the marine life is simply fantastic.
Washing Machine - North Atoll. The reef slopes to 12m then drops into the abyss, not for the feint hearted, Washing machine is known for its strong and sometimes unpredictable currents, however with them come the sharks and manta rays. Grey reef and white tips are amongst the common sightings and the occasional hammerhead is know to cruise by and the mantas make diving in currents look easy and graceful! Expect also to see large Napoleon wrasse, pickhandle barracuda, jacks and dogtooth tuna.
Lighthouse - South Atoll. The shallow sloping reef with sea grass beds is the place to observe the numerous turtles as they feed on the grasses and soft corals. Also common here are spotted and ribbon tail stingrays, the reef is swarmed with butterfly, angel and banner fish - all happily feeding away. A gentle dive after the previous exhilarations.
Seafan Alley - North Atoll. As the site name suggests this reef wall is dotted with large gorgonian sea fans- take a closer look for pygmy seahorses and long nose hawkfish - though you won't find them in the same fan as the hungry hawkfish eat the seahorses! This site is also popular with red-toothed triggerfish and sweetlips, barracuda and tunas can be seen in the blue water where we also keep a look out for silver tip sharks.
Weather and Water Temperature
The Philippines is a tropical country and the weather is fairly even all year round. The year is roughly divided into two seasons; ‘rainy’ and ‘dry’. The rainy season generally begins in early June and can extend through to November. In general the months with greatest rainfall tend to be July and August. The rainy season often brings days of uninterrupted sunshine punctuated by occasional thunderstorms and rain. The central Visayas including Cebu, Bohol and Negros are sheltered from the monsoon rains and thus have less pronounced seasons. These areas are liable to have rain at any time of the year, but it’s usually not too serious. The dry season runs from November through to May but there is always the chance of light rainfall during this period. The warmest months are usually March through to May and the highest humidity is in June, July and August. Year round coastal and inland temperatures range from 27 °C – 28 °C (81 °F- 82 °F) up to 33 °C – 34 °C ( 91 °F- 93 °F) with an average of approximately 31 °C ( 87 °F). Evenings are marginally cooler.
Water temperatures are broadly similar throughout the region; the coolest waters are usually to be found in January – March with an average of approximately 24 C – 26 C ( 75 °F- 78 °F) Warmer waters are common in May – July with averages of approximately 26 °C – 28 °C (78 °F- 82 °F). Most guests find that a 3mm shorty and possibly a rash vest is suitable for the water temperature in the warmer months, and 3mm – 5mm long for the rest of the year. However, for guests who feel the cold easily, especially with repeated diving, then we recommend to bring an extra vest / hood. In short bring what you feel most comfortable in.
