Sand Island Resort · Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

Dive Tubbataha
on Sand Island Cat

A brand-new 135ft catamaran launching November 2026. 32 guests. 16 guest cabins. 21 dives over 8 days / 7 nights. Two 20ft dive tenders. ~9 hour overnight crossing from Puerto Princesa. May–June 2027.

Reserve Your Cabin Explore the Vessel
135ft Catamaran
32 Guests Maximum
16 Guest Cabins
8 8 Days / 7 Nights
21 Included Dives

The Charter

An extraordinary reef
deserves an extraordinary boat

Tubbataha Reef National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse marine environments on earth — and one of the most difficult to reach. Only accessible by liveaboard during the brief March–June season, it rewards those who make the journey with pristine walls, pelagic encounters, and reefs that feel untouched by time.

Our brand-new 135ft catamaran is purpose-built for this crossing and this reef. Designed by Sand Island Resort — Coron's most acclaimed island resort — she combines the seakeeping ability needed for the 93 nautical mile crossing with the comfort and space that makes an 8-day charter genuinely luxurious.

New Build 2026
Purpose-built dive catamaran launching in November for her inaugural 2027 season.
Sand Island Pedigree
Built by the team behind Sand Island Resort, Coron's 4.9★ island resort.
16 Guest Cabins
2 Master Staterooms, 2 bridgedeck cabins, and 12 hull cabins — all with private en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.
Full Dive Operation
Dedicated dive deck, twin compressors, full tank racks, BCD storage, and rinse stations on each hull. Two 20ft dive tenders for site transfers.
Expert Local Team
Experienced dive guides who know Tubbataha intimately, supported by a full hospitality crew.
TRNP Compliant
Full sewage holding system, Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate, AIS transponder. Protecting the reef we love.

The Vessel

Built for the crossing.
Built for the reef.

A 135ft fiberglass catamaran with 22ft overall beam, designed around the speedboat hulls that have served Sand Island Resort for years. Slender, fast, and stable — powered by twin Yamaha F115 outboards, she crosses overnight to Tubbataha at 10 knots — quiet, fuel-efficient, and with enormous reserve. Guests sleep while the catamaran glides across the Sulu Sea, arriving at the reef at dawn.

Catamaran top plan — separated view showing stbd hull, bridgedeck, and port hull
Catamaran top plan — combined view showing bridgedeck overlapping hulls
Length Overall
135ft 41.1m
Overall Beam
22ft 6.7m
Hull Gap
10ft 3.0m
Hull Speed (theoretical)
14.7kt
Cruise Speed
10kt crossing
Draft (loaded)
2.3ft 0.69m
Propulsion
2 × Yamaha F115
Generators
3 × Isuzu 24kW + 10kW
Guest Capacity
32 guests
Crossing Time
~9.3hrs overnight
Air Conditioning
All cabins Carrier Aura

Accommodation

Sixteen guest cabins.
Every one en-suite.

All cabins have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and storage. The two Master Staterooms sit on the bridgedeck with queen beds, a private couch, WC, and closet. Bridgedeck Cabins 3 and 4 offer bunkbeds on the upper deck. The twelve hull cabins run the length of each hull, each with private bathroom.

Master Staterooms
Master Stateroom 1 & 2
Queen bed oriented across the bow, with a 3ft couch/shelf along the outboard wall where the bridgedeck meets the hull. Private WC, closet, and door opening forward into the cabin from the centreline corridor.
2 cabins · Queen bed · Bridgedeck, forward
Bridgedeck Cabins
Cabins 3 & 4
Bridgedeck cabins on either side of the central corridor. Bunkbeds, private WC and closet, with one entry door from the walkway.
2 cabins · Bunkbeds · Bridgedeck, midships
Hull Cabins — Queen
Cabins A4 & B4
Two cabins with queen beds spanning the full hull width. Private en-suite WC and closet on the inboard side. Fresh water tanks beneath the beds — mattress on top.
2 cabins · Queen bed · Hull, midships
Hull Cabins — Bunks
Cabins A1, A2, A3, A5, A6
B1, B2, B3, B5, B6
Ten bunkbed cabins with beds on the inboard half of the hull, leaving a full 3ft outboard walkway. Private en-suite WC and closet. Ideal for solo divers and groups travelling together.
10 cabins · Bunkbeds · Hull, various positions
Crew Cabin — Bow
Crew Quarters
Three crew cabins — two at the bow of each hull (with chain locker, WC, walkspace, and two bunks each) and one on the bridgedeck midships. Purpose-built for the 14-person crew supporting your charter.
3 cabins · Crew only · 14 crew
All Cabins Include
Standard Amenities
Carrier Aura inverter air conditioning · Private en-suite bathroom · Saltwater flush toilet · Fresh water shower with timed valve · Storage · 220V charging outlets
16 guest cabins total (2 MS · 2 bridgedeck · 2 queen hull · 10 bunk hull) · 32 guests maximum

Scuba Diving

The world's greatest
undisturbed reef.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park covers 97,000 hectares of pristine ocean and is widely considered the crown jewel of Philippine diving — and among the finest dive destinations on earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible only during the March–June season, it rewards every diver who makes the journey.

  • Amos Rock A legendary seamount rising from deep water, famous for schooling hammerheads, thresher sharks, and eagle rays.
  • Black Rock A dramatic pinnacle encrusted with sea fans and soft corals. Resident white-tip reef sharks circle constantly.
  • North Atoll Wall A sheer vertical wall plunging hundreds of metres, draped in enormous sea fans and barrel sponges.
  • South Atoll Manta ray cleaning stations, whale sharks on the blue, and pristine coral gardens in the shallows.
  • Jessie Beazley Reef An isolated submerged reef halfway between the two atolls. Exceptional fish life and frequent pelagic encounters.

Why Tubbataha

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993
  • One of only two dive seasons per year — March to June only
  • 97,030 hectares of protected marine park
  • Over 360 species of coral, 600 species of fish
  • Regular encounters with whale sharks, hammerheads, thresher sharks, manta rays, and dolphins
  • No permanent human habitation — ranger station only
  • 93 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa (7–8 hours) — liveaboard only access
  • Park entry fee required
Dive Facilities
  • — Twin dive compressors per hull (4 total)
  • — Full tank racks — 2 tanks per guest minimum
  • — BCD and wetsuit hanging racks
  • — Freshwater rinse tanks on each dive deck
  • — Dive briefing
  • — 21 dives included over the charter
  • — Night dives available
  • — Experienced Tubbataha dive guides

Dining

From our galley
to your table.

Delicious Western and Filipino dishes and a full bar. Our full-service galley feeds 32 guests three times a day — buffet style in the open living and dining area, with meals timed around your dives.

Breakfast
  • Fresh eggs any style
  • Filipino breakfast — tapsilog, longsilog
  • Bread, pastries, cereals
  • Fresh tropical fruit
  • Coffee, tea, fresh juice
Lunch & Dinner
  • Fresh fish — tuna, grouper, tanigue
  • Grilled prawns and seafood
  • Chicken and pork dishes
  • Filipino classics — sinigang, adobo, kare-kare
  • Rice, vegetables, salads
  • Vegetarian options daily
Bar
  • San Miguel beer
  • House wines
  • Rum, gin, vodka
  • Classic cocktails
  • Fresh coconuts and juices
  • Unlimited water, soft drinks

Charter Details

Eight days, seven nights.
A lifetime of memories.

  • 1
    Day 1 — Departure Puerto Princesa
    Board at Puerto Princesa. Depart evening, crossing overnight to Tubbataha (93nm, 7–8 hours). Welcome dinner aboard.
  • 2–3
    North Atoll — Tubbataha
    4 dives daily at the North Atoll — walls, pinnacles, and shark encounters. Night dive available.
  • 4
    Jessie Beazley & Mid-Crossing
    3 dives — morning dives at Jessie Beazley Reef, then 14-mile offshore pump-out, then an afternoon dive at South Atoll.
  • 5–6
    South Atoll — Tubbataha
    4 dives daily at the South Atoll — mantas, whale sharks, pristine walls. Sunset on the reef.
  • 7
    Day 7 — Return Puerto Princesa
    Two morning dives, then depart for Puerto Princesa. Arrive evening.
  • 8
    Day 8 — Departure
    Checkout time is 8am. Transportation to airport provided after breakfast.

Charter Pricing · 2027

Full charter (32 guests) ₱5,760,000
Per person (shared cabin) ₱180,000
Master Stateroom (per person) ₱210,000
Non-diver discount 20% off
Single supplement (cabin to yourself) +60%
Charter dates May–June 2027 · Mar–Jun 2028

50% deposit secures your cabin.

Enquire Now

Book Your Place

Reserve your cabin.
Secure your spot.

Our first season runs May and June 2027. Send us an enquiry and we will respond within the hour. We will hold your spaces for 36 hours so you have time to arrange the deposit payment.

✓ Included in Price

VAT · Airport Transfer · Hotel Transfer · Drinking Water · Tea & Coffee · Full-Board Meal Plan (all meals) · Snacks · Diving Package · Nitrox · Beach Towels · Cabin Towels · Complimentary Toiletries · Deck Towels · WiFi Internet

Required Extras

Park & Port Fees: $270–370 USD per trip
Fuel Surcharge: $100 USD per trip

Optional Extras

Gratuities · Alcoholic Beverages · Soft Drinks · Nitrox Course ($450) · Private Dive Guide ($830) · Rental Gear · Scuba Diving Courses ($360–570) · Snorkel Gear · Snorkeling Guide · Laundry / Pressing Services

What to Bring / Requirements
  • — Valid Passport (and/or copy by email)
  • — Minimum Open Water certification or equivalent
  • — Dive log or dive computer history (30 minimum logged dives required)
  • — Proof of Dive Insurance
  • — Health certificate by doctor (only if you have a known medical condition)
Email: david@sandislandresort.com
WhatsApp: +63 970 221 0936
Also visit: Sand Island Resort, Coron
How to Pay
💳 Stripe — Any Currency
Pay Securely via Stripe →
📱 GCash — PHP
09702210936
David Vann
🌐 Wise — PHP
wise.com/pay/me/davidjamesv11
Scan QR or click link
🏦 BPI Bank Transfer — PHP
Account Name: David James Vann
Account Number: 9799-3458-78
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
💸 Zelle — USD
davidvann@gmail.com
💳 PayPal — USD only
davidjvann@yahoo.com
🏦 Chase Bank Wire Transfer — USD
Account Name: David Vann
Account Number: 393728818
Routing Number: 325070760
Swift Code (International): CHASUS33
Pricing will be confirmed on enquiry · Early booking discounts available for 2027 inaugural season

Enquiry Received!

Thank you! We'll get back to you soon and look forward to welcoming you to Tubbataha! You can pay your deposit to reserve your spot using any of the payment methods listed below.

How to Pay Your Deposit
💳 Stripe — Any Currency
Pay Securely via Stripe →
📱 GCash — PHP
09702210936 · David Vann
🌐 Wise — PHP
wise.com/pay/me/davidjamesv11
🏦 BPI Bank Transfer — PHP
Account Name: David James Vann
Account Number: 9799-3458-78
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
💸 Zelle — USD
davidvann@gmail.com
💳 PayPal — USD only
davidjvann@yahoo.com
🏦 Chase Bank Wire — USD
Account Name: David Vann
Account Number: 393728818
Routing: 325070760
Swift: CHASUS33