Route Description - Dauin - Tubbataha - Dauin
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tubbataha is only accessible by liveaboard and offers some of the Philippines’ most pristine diving. Expect dramatic drop-offs, vibrant reef tops, and encounters with whale sharks, hammerheads, thresher sharks, reef sharks, turtles, and large pelagics like tuna and barracuda.
Day 1
Guests depart from Pura Vida Dive Resort in Dauin around noon and travel overland to Campomanes Bay, where M/Y Gypsy officially begins its journey to Tubbataha.
Once on board, guests receive a mandatory safety and orientation briefing from the Tubbataha Management Office, followed by a final inspection conducted by the Coast Guard before departure. No diving is scheduled on embarkation day. The vessel sets sail immediately, cruising toward the breathtaking reefs of Tubbataha. After a scenic sunset cruise and a restful overnight journey, guests awaken at the first dive destination: Cagayancillo, part of the Tubbataha municipality that governs the marine park.
Days 2–3
The vessel anchors at one of the beautiful reefs of Cagayancillo, offering multiple dive sites to explore.
Up to four dives are scheduled daily—three daytime dives and one sunset dive—typically following this schedule:
•Light breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
•Full breakfast and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 2
•Lunch and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 3
•Snack followed by a briefing for Sunset Dive (night dives are not permitted in Tubbataha)
•Dinner
In accordance with Tubbataha Marine Park regulations, each dive is limited to a maximum of 60 minutes.
Days 4–6
For the next three days, the vessel explores both South and North Atolls of Tubbataha. Two days are recommended at each region, known for spectacular pelagic encounters at world-class dive sites such as Black Rock, Shark Airport, Delsan Wreck, and more.
The daily routine remains as follows:
•Light breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
•Full breakfast and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 2
•Lunch and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 3
•Snack followed by a briefing for Sunset Dive (no night dives permitted)
•Dinner
As per park regulations, all dives are limited to 60 minutes.
On the final day in Tubbataha, the boat begins a sunset cruise toward Calusa Island, part of the Cagayancillo group, in preparation for the final dive day.
Day 7
After an overnight cruise, the vessel arrives at Calusa Island, home to a lesser-known but exceptional dive site. Here, divers may encounter hammerhead sharks, schooling fish, and thriving coral reefs.
Following the morning dives, the boat anchors in a shallow lagoon where guests can enjoy the white sand beach of a secluded private island before the final dive.
Dive schedule for the day:
•Light breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
•Full breakfast and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 2
•Lunch and relaxation, followed by a briefing and Dive 3
•Snack followed by a briefing for Sunset Dive (no night dives permitted)
•Dinner
In the late afternoon, M/Y Gypsy sets sail on a sunset cruise back to Campomanes Bay.
Day 8
A relaxed breakfast is served on board. Disembarkation takes place between 09:30 and 10:00 AM, with guests returning to Pura Vida Dive Resort in Dauin in time for lunch. In the afternoon, guests may opt for a shore dive or unwind by the pool with a piña colada in hand.
Note:
This expedition includes extensive sea travel. While every effort is made to fulfill the planned dive schedule, adverse weather and sea conditions may impact the vessel’s ability to reach certain dive sites on time, potentially affecting the number of dives possible.