Rating
4.8 vs 4.9
Visibility
35m vs 30m
Water Temp
28°C vs 28°C
Daily Cost
$220 vs $250
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Side-by-side comparison of visibility, marine life, difficulty, budget, and best season.
Rating
4.8 vs 4.9
Visibility
35m vs 30m
Water Temp
28°C vs 28°C
Daily Cost
$220 vs $250
| Dimension | Tubbataha Reefs | Raja Ampat | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean | pacific | pacific | — |
| Visibility | 35m | 30m | Tubbataha Reefs |
| Water Temp | 26-30C | 27-29C | — |
| Current | Moderate to Strong | Moderate to Strong | — |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate | Tie (easier) |
| Best Season | Mar, Apr, May, Jun | Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | — |
| Certification | advanced open water | advanced open water | — |
| Daily Cost | $220 (Premium) | $250 (Luxury) | Tubbataha Reefs (cheaper) |
| Shore Diving | none | limited | — |
| Liveaboard | Yes | Yes | — |
Sharks
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Manta Rays
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Whale Sharks
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Turtles
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Coral Reefs
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Macro Life
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Pelagics
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Dolphins
Tubbataha Reefs
Raja Ampat
Tubbataha Reefs: ★★★★★ coral | Raja Ampat: ★★★★★ coral
Tubbataha Reefs: ★★★★★ | Raja Ampat: ★★★★★
Tubbataha Reefs: ★★★★☆ | Raja Ampat: ★★★★★
Tubbataha Reefs: ★★★☆☆ | Raja Ampat: ★★★★☆
Tubbataha Reefs: 2/5 | Raja Ampat: 2/5
$220/day vs $250/day
Tubbataha Reefs: 5/5 | Raja Ampat: 5/5
35m vs 30m
Philippines — Intermediate — 4.8/5
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of the Sulu Sea, accessible only by liveaboard during a short season from March to June. Its isolation has protected it from fishing and development, resulting in some of the healthiest coral reefs on the planet, with walls plunging into the abyss, abundant sharks, and an overwhelming density of marine life.
View full guide →Indonesia — Intermediate — 4.9/5
Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to over 1,500 fish species and 75% of the world's known coral species. With pristine reefs, massive schools of fish, and encounters with manta rays, walking sharks, and pygmy seahorses, it is widely considered the best diving destination on Earth for biodiversity.
View full guide →For biodiversity: Tie. Beginners: Tie. Budget: Tubbataha Reefs. Sharks: Tie.
No — $220/day vs $250/day.
Tubbataha Reefs: Intermediate+. Raja Ampat: Intermediate+.
If you are chasing sharks and big pelagics, both destinations deliver - but the decision should be driven by your experience and travel style. Tubbataha Reefs offers 35m visibility in 28°C water at $220/day, while Raja Ampat counters with 30m visibility in 28°C water at $250/day.
Seasonality matters more than any single stat: Tubbataha Reefs dives best from Mar, Apr, May, Jun, while Raja Ampat peaks from Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. If your travel dates fall inside one of those windows, that destination should win your shortlist automatically. If both fit, Tubbataha Reefs offers better value and both suit your experience level.
For most divers, the honest answer is: visit both if you can. They are in the same ocean and can be combined into one trip. Start with the destination whose peak season matches your calendar, then read the full guide to plan the details.
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