A 5-dayexpedition in the heart of the Sulu Sea.
May 20-26, 2026 aboard the M/Y Resolute.
Dates
May 20-26, 2026 (Full Moon trip)
Duration
7 Days (4 and ½ Diving days + 2 Travel)
Port of Embarkation
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Group Size
16 including expedition leader
Accommodation
Liveaboard vessel, M/Y Resolute
Rooms
Twin sharing, AC
Diving Difficulty
Advanced
Water Temperature
29 to 30 degrees Celsius
Required Dive Certification:
Open Water (Advanced Open Water Recommended)
Minimum Required Number of Dives
40 (or comparable experience)
Recommended Training:
Drift dives, wall dives, deep dives, familiarity with deco dives
Recommended Gear:
Long/freediving fins, wide angle lenses and domes, two strobes
TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the heart of the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Spanning 97,000 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage site is located 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, right in the center of the Coral Triangle--the global center of marine biodiversity.
Widely-regarded as the pinnacle of diving in the Philippines, Tubbataha is made up of two coral atolls (North and South) and Jessie Beazley reef. Its surrounding waters are a haven for pelagic life such as sharks, mantas, and schools of fish, while its islets serve as a rookery and nesting site for seabirds.
THE SHIP
The M/Y Resolute is a Philippine-registered Dive and Pleasure yacht currently cruising in the Philippines. Operating since 1998, she is currently one of the longest-running liveaboard vessels in the country with a highly-experienced crew. The Resolute accommodates sixteen (16) divers plus dive masters and crew, and features an outdoor and indoor lounge and a mess hall on the deck. A smaller number of divers allows for a less-crowded experience underwater and a smaller footprint on the reef.
TRIP DETAILS
A calm day in Tubbataha Reefs.
The 7-day expedition (4 and ½ Diving Days, 2 days travel) is scheduled on the last week of April for more comfortable water temp and clearer water visibility.
Photography and UW filmmaking coaching by Conservation and Wildlife Photographer, and National Geographic Explorer Noel Guevara, is included as well as one-on-one instruction and critique of photos.
INCLUSIONS
Full board accommodation in a twin sharing cabin
4 and ½ diving days (4 dives/day with tanks, weights & belt, chase boat and dive master. (NOTE: 2 dives only on last diving day)
Hotel / Airport transfer to the boat
$100 Tubbataha Park Fee
$200 Fuel Surcharge
EXCLUSIONS
Domestic airfare (Manila/Puerto Princesa/Manila)
Dive, travel and medical insurance (REQUIRED)
Drinks (soft drinks, juices, alcoholic)
Tips, laundry
Gear rental
Nitrox fees
EXCLUSIVE ON THIS TRIP:
Pre-Trip Photography Fundamentals Virtual Session (1 half day, scheduled before the trip) (upon request)
Sharks / Ray Identification
Photo / Video Coaching/Critique
Vlogger & Content Creator Finn Snow’s video of Tubbataha when he joined my workshop charter in 2022.
PRICE
Regular Room: USD3,250.00/person* in twin sharing (7 days/6 nights)
Small Room: USD3,050.00/person* in twin sharing (7 days/6 nights)
*Includes $100 Park Fee and $200 Fuel Surcharge
Payment Schedule
Non-Refundable 50% Downpayment upon confirmation
December 31, 2025: Remaining 50% Balance
Sample Payment Schedule for Regular Room ($3,250.00)
Upon confirmation: $3,250 x 50% = $1,625.00
December 31, 2025: $3,250 x 50% = $1,625.00
NOTES
The boat has 8 cabins with ensuite bath and toilet. Maximum number of divers is 16 pax. Each room can only accommodate 2 divers.
Nitrox (32% standard) is $150/person/whole trip (4 tanks maximum/day). Unused tanks are non-refundable.
Dive and Travel insurance is required.
Some dives may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made 120 days or less prior to departure date, all payment is not refunded. However, substitution of passengers is permitted
Dive and Travel Insurances:
M/Y Resolute requires that agents/guests have their dive and travel insurance (including weather conditions). M/Y Resolute is not liable for cancellation of trips due to force majeure /weather or other unforeseen circumstances including medical emergencies/diving accidents. No refund and compensation to be given.
In case of mechanical problems or boat breakdown, M/Y Resolute will make best efforts to provide alternate accommodation. In this case, there will be no refund available.
M/Y Resolute will not be responsible for transportation expenses beyond what is included in the dive package. (i.e. PPS airport to Ship transfers).
Trip Cancellation due to weather and mechanical failure
M/Y Resolute is not liable for cancellation of trips due to force majeure /weather or other unforeseen circumstances including medical emergencies/diving accidents. In case of mechanical problems or boat breakdown, M/Y Resolute will try its best to provide alternate accommodation and diving services. M/Y Resolute will not refund for any unused portion of the trip.
M/Y Resolute will not be responsible for accommodation, transportation or other expenses beyond what is included in the dive package. (i.e. airline tickets, hotel accommodation, food & beverages)
Decisions on weather conditions and other matters involving the safety of the boat and everyone on it, regardless of the coast guard’s clearance to sail, are at the sole and final discretion of the captain and cruise director.
If a storm was declared during a trip, and the trip needs to be aborted for safety reasons, no refund will be provided.
Guests are not allowed to request for the cancellation and rescheduling of the trip.
REVIEWS
2022 Tubbataha Workshop Participants at the Ranger Station.
“The lecture was well-designed，the example photos were carefully selected. During the workshop, Noel gave us exclusive, personalized instuctions. And his creative way with camera settings really gave us a quick solution for underwater photography.”
— Sita Wang, Freediving Instructor (CN)
“I have a very basic underwater camera set up that I've been using for years now. Overtime, I feel like my photography skills have not improved and blamed it on my set up (yet, i am not confident on what to buy for upgrade). But after Noel's course, I can say that I definitely improved! Noel is a great instructor - sharing with us the concepts in easy to understand way and very generous with practical tips he learned from his own experience! I am now more confident on what I can do to improve further on my underwater photography skills and more knowledgeable on what I need to buy next for my camera set up.”
— Gelain Ramos (PH)
This trip was worth the wait. Noel managed each of our concerns and considered individual preferences as much as he could throughout (arguably for 2 yrs!!!). The trip itself was also a surprise. The crew was fun and pleasant - made it feel like a home away from home. Since it was my 2nd time, the workshop provided a new take to Tubba - seeing the animals (post the species ID class) to taking photos of them in different angles and actions. No trip is perfect but this one was close. :)
— Jan Jizelle Ang (PH)
The course allowed me to improve both technical and artistic sensibilities to underwater photography. Furthermore, this has the right balance of detail (iso, aperture, taking care if backscatter) and context (subject, angles, framing) as needed.
— Vlad Sy (PH)
GUEST PHOTOS
CONTACT DETAILS
Noel Guevara
+639989706429
noel@noelguevara.com