Tubbataha Reef vs Raja Ampat — Dive Destination Comparison
Raja Ampat (Indonesia) scores 81.4/100 vs Tubbataha Reef's 76.0/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Tubbataha Reef for wall diving with 24–46m visibility. Choose Raja Ampat for reef diving at ~$180/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Tubbataha Reef | Raja Ampat |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 76.0/100 | 81.4/100 |
| Country | Philippines | Indonesia |
| Visibility | 24--46m | 15--30m |
| Water temp | 26--29 C | 26--30 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | moderate | variable |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $200 | $180 |
| Budget tier | luxury | luxury |
| Best months | March, April, May | October, November, December |
| Dive types | wall, reef, drift, pelagic | reef, wall, drift, muck, mangrove |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | hammerhead shark, whale shark, manta ray | manta ray, wobbegong shark, pygmy seahorse |
| Google rating | 4.9 (1890 reviews) | 4.9 (2850 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Tubbataha Reef when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking hammerhead shark encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $200/dive
- - You get seasick or prefer shore-based diving
Choose Raja Ampat when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $180/dive
- - You get seasick or prefer shore-based diving
Bottom line
Raja Ampat wins on overall score (81.4 vs 76.0), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Raja Ampat is more affordable ($180 vs $200/dive). Tubbataha Reef has better peak visibility (46m vs 30m).