Best Time to Dive in Tubbataha Reef

The best time to dive in Tubbataha Reef is between mid-March and mid-June, as this is the reef's dive season. Due to the reef's national park status, authorities do not permit diving outside of this time frame.

The short season has been planned well, as these months are truly the best time to dive in Tubbataha Reef. Limiting diving means that the reef remains largely unscathed, and the dive season offers optimal conditions. Expect clear skies, calm seas and spectacular 30-40 metre visibility in the water - it really is a bucket-list dive.

Due to its remote location, Tubbataha Reef can only be accessed by liveaboard. Tubbataha liveaboards fill up early (due to the limited time frame), so it's crucial to plan your Philippines trip well in advance.

Don't be put off by the time limits: once you've made it off the liveaboard and into the crystalline water, the diving is absolutely incredible. Expect to see massive schools of twinkling tuna and burly barracuda - and, if you keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot a thresher, silky or hammerhead shark.