A Philippines liveaboard with us means a trip on Philippine Siren, a 40 metre wooden vessel that sails either to Tubbataha Reefs from Puerto Princesa or around the Visayas from Cebu. This guide covers what to check, pack and pay before you go. The four things that matter most: your certification level for your route, landing by noon on Tubbataha embarkation day, marine park fees paid on board, and registering on the eTravel system before you fly.
At a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Boat | Philippine Siren: 40 metres, up to 16 guests in eight cabins |
| Tubbataha routes | Tubbataha National Park (6 nights, from Puerto Princesa); Tubbataha and More (13 nights, between Puerto Princesa and Cebu) |
| Visayas routes | Visayas, Southern Leyte and Malapascua (10 nights); Malapascua and Visayas (10 nights); Southern Visayas (6 or 7 nights). All based in Cebu. |
| Level required | Tubbataha: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, 50 logged dives, comfortable in currents. Visayas: PADI Open Water or equivalent, 25 logged dives. |
| Embarkation | 13:00 on day one. Disembarkation 09:30 to 10:00 on the last day. |
| Water temperature | 27 to 30°C at Tubbataha in season (operator figure). Visayas: ask us. |
| Tubbataha season | Mid March to mid June only |
| Currency | Philippine peso (PHP); park fees are quoted in US dollars |
| Time zone | UTC+8, no daylight saving |
| Plugs | Types A, B and C; 220 to 230 V, 60 Hz. Bring a UK adaptor. |
Certification, logged dives and documents to bring
Your route sets the minimum level. The operator’s requirements are short and firm, so check yours before you pay a deposit.
Tubbataha National Park and Tubbataha and More
The operator’s mandatory requirement is PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, a minimum of 50 logged dives, and being comfortable in currents. The reason is the reef itself. The operator says Tubbataha is not suitable for entry-level or inexperienced divers because of its exposed location, strong currents, deep wall dives and surge.
Tubbataha also needs a park permit for every guest. The operator applies for the Visitor Entry Permits on your behalf and needs your full details, including passport, dive logs and contact information, at least two weeks before the cruise.
Visayas, Southern Leyte and Malapascua routes
All Visayas routes ask for PADI Open Water or equivalent and a minimum of 25 logged dives. Southern Visayas trips include Balicasag Island, where the local authorities issue dive permits. For these trips the operator must send a copy of every diver’s certification card. Without it, the whole boat risks being refused permission to dive Balicasag, so please send us a clear scan as soon as you book.
Below the minimum?
Courses on board must be pre-booked so an instructor is available. The operator lists PADI Enriched Air Nitrox and PADI Deep Diver, with other specialities on request, and offers online learning for PADI Advanced Open Water and Nitrox. Course prices do not include materials or certification registration. If you need Advanced Open Water or more logged dives for Tubbataha, talk to us early so you arrive qualified.
Philippine Siren cannot support rebreather divers.
Getting there from the UK
Where you fly to depends on your route. Book flights only after we confirm your cabin, and send us your flight times so transfers can be arranged.
Tubbataha: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Tubbataha trips start in Puerto Princesa on Palawan, and the transfer from Puerto Princesa Airport or your local hotel to the boat is included. Embarkation is from Baywalk Pier at 13:00. If you are flying in on the day, the operator asks that your flight lands no later than 12:00. If you cannot land by noon, plan to arrive the day before.
On boarding day, lunch is followed by a mandatory briefing from the Tubbataha Management Office and a Coast Guard check before the boat can leave port. There is no diving that day. Tubbataha lies about 150 km south east of Puerto Princesa, and the return crossing takes 12 to 16 hours.
Tubbataha and More: one way
Tubbataha and More cruises between Cebu and Puerto Princesa, so you fly into one city and out of the other. Check which direction your departure runs before you book flights. When the trip ends in Cebu, disembarkation is at the Marina Seaview Restaurant on Mactan Island at 10:00.
Visayas routes: Cebu
All Visayas routes start and finish in Cebu, with transfers between Cebu Airport or your local hotel and the vessel included on both days. The operator’s itinerary documents name the Marina Seaview Restaurant on Mactan as the meeting point. Embarkation is at 13:00 and there is usually no diving on the first day.
One transfer detail is worth knowing. On the 6 night Southern Visayas trip, transfers between Cebu and Moalboal are not included. On all routes, disembarkation is between 09:30 and 10:00 after breakfast.
Your flight home
The operator asks that you leave at least 24 hours between your final dive and your flight. The last full diving day usually has two morning dives before the boat heads back. FCDO notes a departure tax of 850 pesos at Cebu Mactan airport, which can change, so check with your airline.
Entry, visas and travel advice
The rules below come from the FCDO travel advice for the Philippines, which was still current on 3 November 2026. Check the latest FCDO advice for the Philippines before you travel, as the Philippine authorities set and can change these rules.
- British passport holders can visit for tourism for up to 30 days without a visa.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
- Most visitors are expected to show proof of return or onward travel.
- You must register on the eTravel system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code. FCDO says registration is free and some airlines will not let you board without it.
- You cannot bring in more than 50,000 pesos in cash, and foreign currency worth more than 10,000 US dollars must be declared.
FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, with some island exceptions. Read the full advice and check it against your route: Tubbataha trips sail from Palawan into the Sulu Sea, and the other routes sail in the Visayas. FCDO also notes that most typhoons hit between June and November.
Health and insurance
We cannot give medical advice, and that includes fitness to dive. Please speak to your GP or a travel clinic about vaccinations and any other health advice for your trip. FCDO suggests checking vaccine advice at least 8 weeks before your trip, and NHS Fit for Travel has destination pages to read before your appointment. Ask a doctor whether you are fit to dive, especially if anything has changed since your last trip.
FCDO warns that medical care may not meet UK standards, particularly in rural and remote areas. The operator names the nearest hyperbaric chambers as Viscom Station Hospital in Cebu City for the Visayas and Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa for Tubbataha, with evacuation to Manila also possible.
That remoteness is why your insurance matters. FCDO says insurance should cover your itinerary, activities and emergency costs. When you check a policy, ask your insurer about:
- Scuba diving cover to the depths you plan to dive.
- Hyperbaric chamber treatment.
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation from a remote reef.
- Cancellation and curtailment, given the June to November typhoon season.
Specialist dive cover, such as that offered by DAN, can sit alongside travel insurance. We do not recommend a particular policy.
Money on board
Your trip price covers the boat, but some costs are paid on board. Here is what to expect.
What is included
- Transfers between the local airport or hotel and the vessel on embarkation and disembarkation days.
- Shared cabin, full board.
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice and soft drinks.
- An 11 litre (AL80) cylinder with air fills, weights and a weight belt.
- Up to 4 dives a day.
What is not included
- Flights and any additional transfers.
- Marine park and port fees, and other obligatory surcharges.
- Equipment rental and nitrox.
- Alcoholic drinks and on-board merchandise.
- Crew and dive guide gratuities.
Park and port fees
Marine park and port fees are obligatory, vary by route, and are added to your on-board extras to be paid before disembarkation. The operator says all surcharges can change at any time without notice. For Tubbataha National Park, the operator currently charges US$120 per person (checked 3 November 2026; confirm before travel). For Visayas, Southern Leyte and Malapascua, the operator currently charges US$175 per person (checked 3 November 2026; confirm before travel). For the other routes, fees apply, paid on board; we confirm the current amount before you travel. We also confirm whether any fuel surcharge applies to your departure.
Wifi is available on board as a paid extra. The operator does not publish payment methods or tipping guidance in the information we hold, so ask us before you go and we will tell you what to bring.
What to pack
Dive kit
- Your certification card and logbook (or app) showing your logged dives.
- Dive computer and torch. These are not part of the rental set.
- Your own regulator, BCD, mask and fins if you prefer your own kit.
- A surface marker buoy (SMB). One is included on most routes, but you may prefer your own.
- Exposure protection suited to 27 to 30°C water at Tubbataha in season. The operator does not give a wetsuit recommendation, so ask us for advice on the Visayas.
Leave the reef hook and gloves at home if you are going to Tubbataha. Both are banned in the park, and reef hooks are also not allowed at Kimud Shoal and Monad Shoal near Malapascua.
Rental and nitrox
Rental is available on board but must be pre-booked so the right sizes are on the boat. Philippine Siren has its own nitrox compressor. Nitrox is charged as an extra on most routes and you need to be certified to use it. The operator says rental, nitrox and courses, and on some routes marine park and port fees, can be pre-booked and pre-paid at the time of booking. Ask us when you book.
Clothes and personal items
- A reusable water bottle. Tubbataha has banned single-use plastics, including plastic bottles and cups. You can also buy an Eco Tumbler on board.
- Light clothes for warm days, and a layer for air-conditioned rooms.
- Sun protection, hat and sunglasses for the deck.
- Any personal medication you need for the whole trip.
Towels, bathrobes and shower gel are provided in the cabins.
Camera kit and charging
Philippine Siren has separate rinse tanks for cameras and designated areas for charging and camera preparation. Bring a UK to Type A or C adaptor and check your chargers are rated for 220 to 230 V. Drones are not allowed in Tubbataha unless you hold an advance permit from the Tubbataha Management Office.
Documents
- Passport valid for 6 months after arrival.
- eTravel QR code (registered within 72 hours of arrival).
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- Insurance policy details and emergency numbers.
- Certification card and logbook.
A day on board Philippine Siren
Philippine Siren was built on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and handcrafted from ironwood and teak. She takes up to 16 guests in eight cabins: two fixed doubles, four fixed twins and two cabins that can be set up as either. Every cabin has individually controlled air conditioning, plenty of storage and an en-suite bathroom with hot water.
The saloon is air-conditioned, with a bar, seating and a large TV. Meals are served outdoors under a covered area with views of the sea. The dive deck has space for every guest’s kit even when the boat is full, plus fresh water showers for after each dive. Two tenders take you to the dive sites.
A typical diving day
- Light breakfast, briefing and dive 1.
- Full breakfast, rest, briefing and dive 2.
- Lunch, rest, briefing and dive 3.
- Snack, rest, briefing and dive 4 (a sunset or night dive where possible).
In Tubbataha the day is up to 4 day dives, each no longer than 60 minutes, and there is no night diving. You cannot go ashore in the park, and Tubbataha trips do not suit non-divers who want to snorkel or swim. You can visit the rangers at the field station on the North Atoll to learn about reef protection.
Extras off the dive deck
Non-diving extras: the boat also has kayaks, a laundry service and massage. Ask us about prices before you travel.
Diving conditions to prepare for
Every itinerary is an example only and can change because of weather, local rules or the Captain’s decision. Several routes include overnight sailings, and the operator says bad weather can affect them.
| Route | Nights | Dives (up to) | Season and dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubbataha National Park | 6 | 19 | Mid March to mid June. Live dates: March to June 2027. |
| Tubbataha and More | 13 | 39 (including up to 8 night dives) | Live dates: March and June 2027. |
| Visayas, Southern Leyte and Malapascua | 10 | 32 | See live dates. |
| Malapascua and Visayas | 10 | 33 | See live dates. |
| Southern Visayas | 6 or 7 | Up to 4 a day | See live dates. |
For current months on every route, see our Philippines departure dates. For other destinations by month, see compare dive destinations month by month.
Tubbataha
Tubbataha Reefs became a National Marine Park in 1988 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, and you can only reach it by liveaboard. The park consists mainly of the North and South Atolls and Jessie Beazley Reef. The reefs are vertical walls rising from great depth, where hammerheads, thresher sharks and whale sharks can be seen. At Shark Airport, whitetip reef sharks are often seen resting on the sand. At Gorgonian Wall, visibility is typically 15 to 30 metres with moderate to strong currents. Sightings are never guaranteed. Our guide to Tubbataha season, mid March to mid June covers the short season in more detail.
Malapascua and Cebu
Kimud Shoal near Malapascua is a sunken island with a top at 12 to 16 metres and sides that drop beyond 200 metres. The operator says the endangered pelagic thresher shark regularly visits to be cleaned by wrasse. Pescador Island is known for large sardine balls, and the area around Moalboal for the sardine run.
Southern Leyte
The operator says whale sharks frequent the area around Southern Leyte, but sightings are never guaranteed. This route also visits Limasawa Island and Sogod Bay.
Southern Visayas: Apo Island, Dauin, Balicasag
This region mixes steep walls with sea fans, gentle reefs and black sand muck diving at Dauin, where small plane wrecks and cars form artificial reefs. Turtles, barracuda and jacks are often seen, along with frogfish, ghost pipefish and pygmy seahorses. On the 7 night route, diving with whale sharks at Oslob is optional and costs extra. Some sites, such as Mainit, have strong currents and are dived as a one-way drift.
Responsible diving
Tubbataha has some of the strictest rules you will meet on a liveaboard. Rangers and the Tubbataha Management Office enforce them.
- No gloves, reef hooks, tank bangers or pointers. A medical exception for gloves needs a doctor’s certificate.
- No single-use plastics, including plastic bottles, cups, cutlery, straws and styrofoam containers. The ban has applied since 2019, with stricter checks since 2023.
- No drones without an advance permit from the Tubbataha Management Office.
- No night diving and no going ashore.
In the Visayas, reef hooks and gloves are not allowed at Apo Island, and night diving is not permitted there. Reef hooks are banned at Kimud Shoal and Monad Shoal. Your dive guide will brief you on local rules at every site.
Your pre-trip checklist
Four weeks or more before
- Check your passport is valid for 6 months after arrival.
- Book a GP or travel clinic appointment, ideally 8 weeks before.
- Confirm dive insurance covers depth, chamber treatment and evacuation.
- Send us your certification scan (Southern Visayas) or permit details (Tubbataha, at least two weeks before).
- Pre-book rental, nitrox and any courses.
- Send us your flight times.
One week before
- Service your regulator and check your computer battery.
- Pack a reusable bottle and remove reef hook and gloves for Tubbataha.
- Check the latest FCDO advice.
The day before
- Register on eTravel (within 72 hours of arrival) and save the QR code.
- Print or save proof of your onward flight.
- Pack your certification card and logbook in your hand luggage.
On board
- Join the welcome briefing (and the park briefing at Tubbataha).
- Settle park fees and extras before disembarkation.
- Leave 24 hours between your last dive and your flight.
Philippines liveaboard pre-trip questions
When is the Philippines diving season?
Tubbataha opens only from mid March to mid June. For the Visayas routes, check our live dates for the months you want. FCDO notes most typhoons hit between June and November.
Are Tubbataha park fees included?
No. Park and port fees are paid on board before disembarkation. The operator currently charges US$120 per person on Tubbataha National Park (checked 3 November 2026; confirm before travel). We confirm the Tubbataha and More amount before you travel.
Can I see thresher sharks at Malapascua?
Thresher sharks regularly visit Kimud Shoal to be cleaned, according to the operator, and are one of the main draws around Malapascua. Sightings are never guaranteed.
What wetsuit for the Philippines?
The operator gives 27 to 30°C at Tubbataha in season but no wetsuit advice. Ask us and we will share what fits your route and how you feel the cold.
What level do I need for Tubbataha?
PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, at least 50 logged dives, and you must be comfortable in currents.
Do I need a visa?
FCDO says British passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa. You also need eTravel registration and proof of onward travel.
Can non-divers come?
Not to Tubbataha, which does not suit non-divers who want to snorkel or swim. Ask us about the Visayas routes.
Book your Philippines liveaboard
Philippine Siren gives you two very different trips: the remote walls of Tubbataha in a short spring window, or the varied reefs and muck sites of the Visayas. Read more about our Philippines liveaboards and Philippine Siren, then pick your dates on the Philippines departures page. If something here is not clear, ask us. Real people will answer.
Planning more than one trip? Read the Palau pre-trip guide.
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