Tubbataha Reef
The Tubbataha Reef is undoubtedly the most popular diving site near Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Several experts claim that it is where you will experience the highlight of diving in all of Philippines; therefore, you simply cannot afford to miss it.
When diving the Tubbataha Reef, expect dramatic underwater terrain and rich marine biodiversity. There are a total of 600 fish species, 11 shark species, and 360 coral species in the area. Some of the highlights of your dive include spotting turtles, manta rays, and resident reef sharks.
Cuttlefish Shawl
In terms of diving depth, this is a relatively shallow site with the deepest part at 20 meters. This is a favorite among divers as it is home to a variety of species like barracudas, sea turtles, angelfishes, and of course, cuttlefish.
Aside from the marine species that you will encounter, the passing reef sharks and dugongs can occasionally be spotted here.
Mares Rock
This dive site is located at the mouth of Puerto Princesa Bay. It is a sloping reef site that goes to as deep as 34 meters. It is a favorite diving site for underwater photography enthusiasts.
You will be in awe by the level of biodiversity in this diving site that includes the following critters that you have the highest chance of encountering: crustaceans, octopus, nudibranch, barracuda, jack fish, turtles, and tuna.
Dilumacad Tunnel
This dive site is located a bit farther away from Puerto Princesa and closer to El Nido – another popular tourist destination in Palawan. It is a 35-meter long tunnel that was stumbled upon in 1990s.
The shallowest portion of this tunnel is at 12 meters, which is a memorial plate at the entrance. There are several ceiling holes and a sandy bottom in this tunnel. As you reach the exit, the tunnel gradually narrows. This is a great dive site best reserved for experienced divers.
Surrounding famous dive locations:
Since Puerto Princesa is the gateway to the ultra beautiful and popular Palawan, you are most likely to be stopping here at some point, and should spend some time exploring while there.
But from there, you can access by car or bus the likes of El Nido and Port Barton, as well as Coron and Tubbataha by boat. All of those areas have their own great diving.