Tubbataha Reef

Palawan, Philippines

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Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, Philippines, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most pristine and ecologically significant marine protected areas located in the middle of the Sulu Sea.

It consists of two large atolls, the North and South Atolls, and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef, covering nearly 100,000 hectares of diverse and healthy coral reef ecosystems featuring over 360 species of coral and nearly 700 species of fish.

The reef is renowned for its clear waters, steep reef walls, and abundant marine life including sharks, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and rare seabirds, making it a critical breeding and feeding ground.

Tubbataha serves as a natural laboratory for studying coral reef ecology and conservation, with its remote and undisturbed environment helping sustain biodiversity and fish populations beyond its boundaries. It is also a world-class diving destination prized for its vibrant underwater landscapes and large pelagic species sightings.