Puerto Princesa + Tubbataha Gateway (Palawan)

Tubbataha is a seasonal marine park and most diving happens during the official open window from mid-March to mid-June. Those months usually bring the calmest Sulu Sea crossings and the clearest water, often around 26°C to 29°C. Plan your whole itinerary around those dates: book the liveaboard first, then add Puerto Princesa hotel nights before and after. Outside the open season the park is closed, so shift your focus to Puerto Princesa day trips and Palawan topside adventures.

Start by choosing your week within the mid-March to mid-June season, then select an operator whose schedule matches your dive goals (more walls, more macro time, or a mixed itinerary). Because the season is short and berths are limited, popular weeks can sell out well ahead of time. Build in at least one buffer night in Puerto Princesa before departure and one night after return. Confirm what is included: park fees, nitrox, equipment rental, and whether they support snorkeling sessions for non-divers.

Many divers visit with Advanced Open Water or equivalent because Tubbataha commonly involves wall drift dives, current, and deep drop-offs. You should be comfortable with blue-water ascents, liveaboard tender pickups, and deploying an SMB. Depths vary widely, but dives often span 3 m to 40 m depending on the site and your plan. If you are newly certified, consider doing a few warm-up dives or a skills refresher around Puerto Princesa before heading offshore.

Most divers find Tubbataha warm. In season, water is commonly in the 26°C to 29°C range, with the warmest temperatures typically later in the season. A 3mm wetsuit works for many people, especially if you bring a thin hooded vest for repetitive dives and windy surface intervals. If you get cold easily, pack a 5mm or a windproof boat layer rather than relying on thicker neoprene alone. Remember that multiple dives per day can add chill over time.

Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is close to the city, so transfers are usually short. Most liveaboards provide specific boarding instructions and a pickup window, often from a hotel or a central meeting point. Plan to arrive at least one day early, stay near the city center, and keep your gear organized for a quick load-in. If you self-transfer, options typically include hotel shuttles, taxis, or pre-booked vans. Carry small cash for local transport and tips.

Puerto Princesa is tropical, so short showers can happen any month, but the wetter period generally runs through the southwest monsoon months when rain and wind are more frequent. That can affect island-hopping and boat tours more than city activities, so build flexibility into your schedule. If your priority is Tubbataha, note that the marine park is only open mid-March to mid-June, which usually overlaps with better offshore conditions. For topside sightseeing, the drier months from about December to April are the most predictable.

Treat Tubbataha as a strictly enforced no-take marine protected area. Do not touch coral or animals, do not collect anything, and never feed wildlife. The park also restricts behaviors and tools that can damage reefs or disturb animals, including gloves, pointer sticks, and loud tank bangers. Boats operate on moorings rather than anchoring, and waste management matters, including a ban on common single-use plastics. Listen to ranger and crew briefings, because enforcement actions can affect the whole vessel.

Puerto Princesa has reported hyperbaric capability via Ospital ng Palawan, but availability and procedures can change. For any suspected decompression illness, treat it as an emergency: notify your dive operator immediately, administer oxygen if available, and contact DAN for medical coordination. Because Tubbataha is far offshore, evacuation can take many hours, so prevention and conservative diving are critical. Always travel with insurance that covers chamber treatment and medical evacuation, and carry your emergency contacts offline.

Yes, but it depends on the operator, conditions, and park procedures. Tubbataha is offshore and current-prone, so snorkeling and freediving should be done only with boat approval, supervision, and a clear surface safety plan. Choose shallow reef-top areas where you can stay comfortable in the 1 m to 5 m zone and avoid drifting toward wall edges. If your main goal is casual snorkeling, Puerto Princesa nearshore trips are easier and more reliable than committing to an offshore liveaboard.

A good baseline is 2 to 4 extra days in Puerto Princesa: one buffer day before departure, one recovery day after return, and one to two full tour days. That lets you do the Underground River without rushing and still fit in an island-hopping day or an evening mangrove wildlife tour. If weather turns or flights shift, those extra days protect the liveaboard schedule. If you are not doing Tubbataha, you can still build a full 4 to 6 day Palawan trip around land tours and nearshore water time.