Shark Airport

Shark Airport is one of the signature dive sites of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Sulu Sea, 180 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, that is universally regarded as the finest reef-diving destination in the Philippines and one of the top ten in the world. Named for the whitetip reef sharks that rest on the sandy bottom at 15-20 meters like aircraft parked on a runway, the site combines an exceptional shark density with pristine coral and a dramatic reef wall. The dive is typically performed as a drift along the North Atoll's eastern edge, beginning on the reef top at 5 meters and descending to 25-30 meters on a wall covered in gorgonian fans, soft corals, and hard coral gardens. The sandy shelf at 15-20 meters is where the whitetip sharks gather — often a dozen or more resting within a 30-meter area, completely habituated to divers who maintain respectful distance. Blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallows, and grey reef sharks appear along the deeper wall. Beyond the sharks, Shark Airport hosts the full Tubbataha cast — hawksbill and green turtles cruise the reef, eagle ray formations pass through, and schools of bigeye trevally, barracuda, and fusiliers swirl along the wall. Manta rays appear during the monsoon transitions, and the reef top's coral cover is some of the most pristine in the Philippines, with massive table corals, staghorn fields, and colorful anemone gardens. Tubbataha is accessible only by liveaboard during a narrow season (March through June) when the monsoon seas are calm enough for the 12-hour overnight crossing from Puerto Princesa. Advanced Open Water is strongly recommended for drift and depth exposure, though the site is accessible to Open Water divers with good buoyancy control in calm conditions. Visibility 25-40 meters, water temperatures 27-30°C. Strict marine park rules apply — no gloves, no touching, no fishing, anchoring prohibited.