Tubbataha liveaboards

I am considering diving the Tubbataha atolls and am looking for feedback on the liveaboards from anyone who has dove Tubbataha. All feedback is welcome regarding the actual diving, the accommodations, service, etc.

Thank you!

I've done it on a couple of the Explorer boats. The Explorer boats aren't the newest and of course, the group is involved in controversy over one of the boats running up on the reef:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/i...p/t-136566.html

I avoid the fleet now and use private boats.

Atlantis also has a boat, the Azores, not been on it but your money is sent to an account in HK or SG so there's no taxes paid in PI, which is why I don't dive with them anymore.

Tubbataha is very nice and some of the wrecks north of Palawan are awesome as well. Viz is fantastic but somehow, I personally prefer going to Apo Reef more. I think there's better reef scenes and fish populations there than Tubattaha. But that's a very subjective choice. I do suggest you check it out.

Check out the SY Philippines Siren. At certain times of the year they go there. The boat is FABULOUS!! The crew was the best on any liveaboard I've been on.

Drew, You like Apo reef better? I just returned from a month in Apo Reef and nearby diving and have to say I was disappointed. The reef showed lots of damage (el nino?) and the pelagic fish schools are badly depleted. I suspect the reefs are not healthy enough to support a large pelagic population. This was the first place I have seen widespread bleaching of anemones as well as corals. All the dive guides told me that you have to go to Tubattaha to see the big schools, now.

Admittedly, it's been a while since I've been to Apo or Tubattaha, but I think the last year has been tough on tropical coral species globally. Coral bleaching has been reported in many places:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37022

That's why it's always good to get independent feedback from recent travelers. Don't get me wrong, I like Tubattaha. I just happen to find Apo Reef more to my taste for images, well before the die off but certainly there was a site that had sea snakes that beat out Gunung Api or Manuk on any day. But they have been harvested over the years.

Apo's corals is one of its draw cards. Very sad to hear that.

One of the best outfits is the Palausport, the family who runs it, the Choys were one of the pioneers of diving Tubbataha. http://davidchoy.multiply.com/ or email: davidwchoy@hotmail.com One of the family is always on board to ensure the trip goes well. They know the reefs well, they used to own the Tristar before it wallowed in a super typhoon in Manila Bay in 2007.

Stu

p.s. I was at Tubbataha when the Eco Explorer ran aground....took them a long time to get re-floated. They've apparently also run aground in Honda Bay. They have the highest turn over rate of any boat that plies Tubba.

M/V Atlantis Azores - First Class crew and very nice boat (refurbished Aggressor boat).

We were on one of their cruises last year. I wrote a trip report that can be found here...

http://www.divetrip.com/philippines/atlant...ores_report.htm

I understand the controversy about the Explorer fleet but I have to say that my trip on the Eco Explorer three years ago was absolutely fantastic - great diving, great boat and dive crews, and a very comfortable experience. The equipment deck and showers are spacious, and the top deck has lots of room for meals, hanging out, napping, sunning, whatever. There were about 18 divers on my trip and it never felt crowded. Once a year around late February they run a "transition trip" when the boat is repositioned from Anilao to Palawan. That makes for a trip with one day diving at Apo then five days at Tubbataha, and is usually cheaper. BTW the entire Explorer fleet was still at Anilao as of last weekend so if you're thinking of going soon this might be a good time to get in contact