Fees · Destination Guide
Puerto Princesa And Tubbataha Gateway Palawan Philippines
A seasonal liveaboard to UNESCO reef walls, with Palawan nature on shore
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 12 sources
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Visitor Fee - PHP 5,000 per person
- Tubbataha Divemaster Fee (operator staff) - PHP 500 per divemaster
- Typical payment pattern: Budget for the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park visitor fee (effectively the park entry tag) plus any operator charges like nitrox or equipment rental.
What people usually pay
Budget for the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park visitor fee (effectively the park entry tag) plus any operator charges like nitrox or equipment rental. Topside attractions around Puerto Princesa also use permits and capacity controls, especially the Underground River, which is usually arranged through tour operators.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Visitor Fee | PHP 5,000 per person per trip / per park entry | All visitors entering Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park | Where to pay | Collected via your liveaboard. Minors 12 and below are exempt according to the park fee schedule. |
| Tubbataha Divemaster Fee (operator staff) | PHP 500 per divemaster per trip | Liveaboard operators | Where to pay | Included in operator compliance costs and typically not billed as a separate guest line item. |
| Tubbataha vessel permits and park coordination | Handled by operator per voyage | Liveaboard vessels | Where to pay | Vessels require permits and pay additional fees. Guests normally see this indirectly through trip pricing. |
| Drone permit (if applicable) | Permit required per activity | Anyone intending to fly a drone in the park | Where to pay | Drone use is regulated in Tubbataha. Request approval before travel and do not fly near islets without clearance. |
| Underground River tour permit and boat allocation | Varies by tour package date and time-slot specific | Visitors to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River area | Book through a licensed tour operator in Puerto Princesa or Sabang | Permits and boat slots are capacity-controlled. Booking through an operator simplifies logistics. |