Live-aboard TUBBATAHA REEF, Palawan, Philippines Tubbataha Reef is a coral atoll in the Sulu Sea 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan province. It is a marine sanctuary established on August 11, 1988 and covers an area of 97030 hectares. Added to the UNESCO world listings in December 1993, it is under the protection of the Philippines Department of Defence. They stand guard on one of the permanent sand banks to prevent poachers. The name comes from two words of the Samal language meaning a long reef exposed at low tide. The reef is composed of two atolls. Each reef has a small island at the centre. They are separated by a deep strait 8 kilometres wide; one measure 5 kilometres long by 3 kilometres wide; the second, 16 km long and 5 km wide. There are thousands of species of marine life: manta rays, lion fish, clown fish, green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles. This is one of the most popular diving sites in the Philippines. It is open from mid-march till mid-june. It is a sanctuary watched over by the marine park rangers. CRUISES TUBBATAHA It is about cruises towards the atolls of Tubbataha north reef, south reef and the Reef of Jessie Beazley: whales, dolphins, sharks, tortoises and napoleons are present. Reefs shelter more than 350 species of corals and 500 species of fishes DESTINATION Departure of Puerto Princesa navigation towards the East, 90 Nautical miles between 10 and 12 hours, access of the Reef of Jessie Beazley, then Atolls of Tubbataha, return towards Puerto Princesa on the inverse road. PROGRESS We shall go to look for you either at the airport or to your hotel the day of the departure between 1 pm and 5 pm; Seadoors is moored to the Port of Puerto Princesa. The choice and the fitting of the equipment of rent can be made the afternoon In the MOANA (plan to arrive enough early) Seadoors sets sails at 7 pm. The landing is between 8 am and 11 am in the last day morning, we shall drive you either to the airport or to your hotel. THE FLIGHTS If you come from Manila, you can reserve the on-line local flights on www.cebupacificair.com, www.philippineairlines.com or www.tigerair.com You have to get back your luggage at the airport Ninoy Aquino, take a taxi for Domestic Airport, and show your tickets to the driver of the taxi, he will bring you to the good terminal. The running costs between 200 and 300 pesos if you take a taxi official meter, it is necessary to plan a margin of 2 hours to make this transfer. On arrival in the domestic airport, it is enough to show its ticket of flight, you will be directed towards the check-in desk and you will be given your boarding passes.
AIRPORT OF ARRIVAL Airport of Puerto Princesa, 5 minutes to the center of Puerto Princesa SCHEDULE OF BOARDING Loading (Boarding): port (bearing) of Puerto Princesa between 1 pm and 5 pm Landing: port (bearing) of Puerto Princesa between 8 am and 11 am SCHEDULE OF DEPARTURE OF THE CRUISE Seadoors sails at 7 pm Proposed Hotels THE LEGEND HOTEL 3* SUN LIGHT GUEST HOTEL 3* Meeting Point for Boarding A mini-bus will pick you from the airport or your hotel at the start of the afternoon. TUBBATAHA 6 Nights CRUISE 3 to 4 dives each day TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 97,030-hectare Marine Protected Area, located in the Sulu Sea, 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa City, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. The Marine Park includes the Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs (three atolls), and a large area of deep sea. In December 1993, the UNESCO declared the Tubbataha Reefs National Park as a World Heritage Site, as a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. In 1999, Tubbataha was listed as one of the Wetlands of International Importance. In 2008, the reef was nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Researches have shown that Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals (about 75% of all coral species in the world and 90% of the corals found in the Philippines), 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, 100 species of birds and also nesting Hawksbill and Green sea Turtles. The reserve also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region DAY ITINERARY D0 Arrival to PUERTO PRINCESA, a guide will pick you up at your hotel or at the airport, and will drive you to Seadoors. Welcome on board, safety and boat briefing and assignation of cabins. We will sail for about 9 hours to the atolls.
DAY ITINERARY D1 PNORTH ATOLL MALAYAN WRECK. You can see the remains of a Malayan ship that stranded here from the mooring place, now home of bump head parrot fish, sweet lips, green sea turtles, napoleons, moray eels, angel fish. On the wall you can see dogtooth tuna and eagle rays. WALL STREET. It's a sheer wall dive plunging deep into the blue, all covered with stunning corals. Notable sightings include white tip sharks, grey sharks, groupers, Napoleon wrasse Look into the blue to check for Hammerheads! D2 SOUTH ATOLL DELSAN WRECK. Named for the remains of a small ship which sank at the southeaster edge of the South Atoll, the dive is known for sifting of big fish. When the current is running grey reef sharks, white tips and silky sharks are often found. LIGHT HOUSE in the South Atoll, the sandy bottom on the top of the reef is home of all kind of rays, eagle rays, marble rays, devil rays and the majestic manta ray., D3 SOUTH ATOLL T WRECK AND BLACK ROCK. Those two dive sites are located in the North corner of the South Atoll, the plateau slopes gently from 15 to 25 m. Whitetips can often be spotted sleeping on the seabed or cruising in search of prey. Mantas and bid pelagic are also common. If you are lucky it's a place also for Tiger Sharks. D4 NORTH ATOLL SHARK AIRPORT. The top of the reef is a combination of sandy bottom and beautiful corals where sharks lie resting during the day. Also sighting school of sweetlips, Hawksbill Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, On the wall, when the current is present you can numerous sharks and pelagic cruising. WASHING MACHINE. Located at the exposed northeastern edge of the North Atoll, this dive site gets its name for the unpredictable currents, which sometimes change direction in the middle of a dive. One of the best dives to see the show of sharks and pelagic cruising and hunting for preys. D5 NORTH ATOLL TERRACES the plateau is one of the most beautiful coral gardens, dropping off to a shelf at 20 m and after the wall to the deep blue. Endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles can often be found searching the sunny shallows in search of corals. Also schools of baby parrot fish as well as rays. JESSIE BEAZLEY. This reef is known by the mystic stories told by the local fishermen. A special atmosphere is felt in this small reef. You won't ever forget it for its amazing visibility, sea fans and numerous sharks. D6 The breakfast is served! Optional: Underground River for a fee, one of the 7 Wonders of Nature of the World. You will be transferred to the airport or to your hotel. The route can undergo modifications according to the weather conditions or the safety conditions. The description of the dives is based on what we were able to observe regularly, but every dive is different
SCHEDULE & RATES TUBBATAHA Ex-Puerto Princesa Date Nights Price 14-20 Mar 2015 6 1640 Euros 21-27 Mar 2015 6 1690 Euros 28-3 Apr 2015 6 1690 Euros 4-10 Apr 2015 6 1740 Euros 11-17 Apr 2015 6 1690 Euros 18-24 Apr 2015 6 1690 Euros 25-1 May2015 6 1740 Euros 2-8 May 2015 6 1690 Euros 9-16 May 2015 7 1860 Euros 16-22 May 2015 6 1690 Euros 23-29 May 2015 6 1740 Euros 30 May 5 Jun 2015 6 1690 Euros 6-12 Jun 2015 6 1690 Euros SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDED: Transfers to and from the airport to the boat Full board and lodging on the boat in cabin (couple bed + single bed) private toilette and bathroom All Meals on the boat Coffee Tea fruits Non-alcoholic drinks (water, juices, tea, and coffee) Three to four dives each day including night dive (except last day 2 dives) subject to navigation Bottle 12 l, belt and ballast NOT PROVIDED: Local marine park taxes Diving and cancellation insurance Rent of diving equipment Alcoholic drinks Airport taxes Air transport Island excursions Meals when ashore Hotel stay
A boat designed for the scuba diving SEADOORS, the 25 meters vessel, can easily accommodate 16 guests, on each trip allowing abundant space for all divers. The 6 large cabins plus 2 luxury rooms, all have a double bed plus an additional single bed, depending on the guest's requirements. If needed 3 people can comfortably share one cabin. All the cabins have an elegant wooden finish and are equipped with individually controlled air conditioned and have private bathrooms with hot water. Towels are provided. The main facilities of the boat are on the lower deck providing guest with a spacious indoor airconditioned saloon with comfortable sofas, camera charging station, flat screen and sound system. There is also a large selection of fish ID and wildlife books, novels, travel guidebooks, a music collection plus a range of current movies. Dining is outdoors under a covered area with uninterrupted ocean views, a cocktail bar and sound system. Soft drinks, fresh fruit shakes, coffee, tea and water are available for free. For the alcoholic drinks there is a fee. An expansive dive deck provides ample space for the divers even when the vessel is full, and underwater photographers and videographers will definitely appreciate the large fresh water rinsing tanks and designated areas for charging and preparation of equipment. There are two decks, the one on the bow offers a shaded relaxation area, and the upper deck is for sun bathing lovers. Both have cushioned loungers.
The vessel also benefits from 2 high-powered polyester dingy Additional services include tours on land, full range of PADI and CMAS courses and snorkeling. There is laundry service and Nitrox is available for a fee. Safety is a major concern for us. All staff is trained for each possible calamity to go and board all safety and emergency services present. Pleasure Cruiser Length: 25 metres, two decks Beam: 6 metres Construction material: Steel Clearance: 2.45 metres Speed: 10 knots Equipment on board: Standard equipment for 220VAC and 12VDC Two solar panels for maintenance Two genset 80KVA and 65KVA Insulated electricity panel Desalination machine Technicomar 220V 200L/H Electronique :.GPS route-tracer; radar; sonar, VHF, BLU, Satellite phone inmarsat Bridge: command panel and navigation Ventilation of cabins by opening portholes Air-conditioning in cabins and lounge Fittings include: Eight cabins with ensuite shower/toilets/ hot water A large air-conditioned lounge with audio-visual equipment Fitted kitchen Spacious dining room
Crew There are nine crew members: The captain, chief navigator, mechanic, overseer, 2 Zodiac crew, 2 sailors, 1 cook Staff CMAS and PADI, English, French, Spanish EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Seadoors is equipped with all the safety emergency equipment needed and the crew is specially trained in all aspects of safety, including emergency and evacuation procedures. The emergency equipment on board includes: -life raft -life jackets -fire extinguishers -emergency long distance radios -satellite phone -16 pure medical oxygen tanks, 50L each -Resuscitator Mask -BAVU -Pharmacy -2 portable DAN kits with oxygen tanks and resuscitator mask -2 underwater portable VHF for the guides. Diving equipment The spacious diving deck is designed to operate in a safety and secure way. It has personal drawers and shelves for each diver, to store their own equipment. Two high powered polyester dingy of 8 meter each accompanying The boat is equipped with a scuba air-filling station, with two air compressors, that can fill up to 16 meters of air per hour, and a Nitrox blender. 45 12L aluminum tanks and 15L available on request.