Explore Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa, nestled in the heart of Palawan Island, Philippines, offers a dive experience that is both diverse and captivating. The city serves as a gateway to the renowned Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning drop-offs and vibrant coral gardens. Divers of all skill levels can find their niche, from sheltered reefs ideal for novices to the thrilling currents that challenge more experienced adventurers. The local marine life is nothing short of spectacular, with opportunities to see everything from the elusive dugong to the graceful manta rays that frequent Pandan Island.
For those with a passion for photography, Puerto Princesa doesn't disappoint. Macro enthusiasts will be thrilled to capture images of colorful nudibranchs and cleverly camouflaged frogfish. Additionally, the waters are teeming with a variety of fish species, including lionfish, cardinals, snappers, and sweetlips, against a backdrop of hard and soft corals. Dive environments range from shallow reefs to depths of 10 to 40 meters/33 to 131 feet, ensuring a rich and varied underwater landscape.While shore and boat dives are prevalent, liveaboard trips offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the more remote and pristine areas, especially when heading to Tubbataha Reef. These excursions often pair with a visit to Coron Island, known for its historical shipwrecks, adding a unique dimension to the diving adventure. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a beginner, the waters of Puerto Princesa promise a memorable and inspiring dive journey, making it a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast.
Dive Activity
Diving in Puerto Princesa
cuba diving in Puerto Princesa invites divers into a world of fantastic coral gardens. In Puerto Princesa Bay, there are a number of muck dive sites, where photographers can grab their cameras and capture a range of weird and wonderful creatures against the muddy backdrop. Red Cliff is a particularly great muck dive site. Pete’s Reef is one of the more adventurous dives in the bay, offering a negative entry and drift dive along a multi-hued sloping reef.
Delving into Tubbataha Reef via liveaboards will find divers in fun swim-throughs, drop-offs, and pristine reefs. Sandy bottoms offer the chance to hunt for macro life while there are also a few wrecks in the area, such as Malayan Wreck. With strong currents, you can expect some excellent drift dives while visiting.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Puerto Princesa
In the reefs and sandy seabeds of Puerto Princesa Bay, divers are likely to see a myriad of small fish as well as the larger pelagics, including tuna and barracuda. Octopus hide in rocky crevices while sea turtle and dugong are often seen in the area munching on seagrass and algae. Don’t be surprised if the view from your Peurto Princesa dive resorts includes dolphins as long-nosed dolphins are resident to the area.
When diving the Tubbataha Reef, expect rich marine biodiversity, with a total of 600 fish species, 11 shark species and 360 coral species in the area. Whale sharks regularly visit the reef in groups while nurse sharks and reef sharks are always spotted. Manta rays can be seen gliding effortlessly through the water as grouper, barracuda, and mackerel all hunt for small fish. Macro life is also abundant here with frogfish and countless bright and colourful nudibranch finding refuge in the reef.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
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Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
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Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
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Wrasse
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Whale Shark
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
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Total number of species approx.: 12
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Lionfish
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
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Parrotfish
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
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The best Months to dive in Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa diving is best from November through to May. From June to December is Palawan Island’s rainy season, so it is best to avoid diving during these times. Often the dive sites are still accessible in the rainy season but the water visibility can be compromised. Currents can be strong in some areas of Puerto Princesa Bay but divers will also find themselves at a number of calm reefs.
The two large atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reefs that comprise the Tubbutaha Reefs, are only accessible for three months of the year. From March until June, when the conditions are at their calmest, liveaboards sail across the Sulu Sea to experience the beauty of the marine park.
