Narayana Liveaboard Overview

Tubbataha reef diving in the Philippines is liveaboard diving at its best, and Narayana’s other destinations don’t disappoint either. The Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage site only has a short season, but it makes up for it by giving you opportunities to dive with countless pelagic species.

Reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, giant trevally, barracuda, and tuna will keep pelagic species lovers entertained. Macro fans will enjoy diving the wrecks in this area, which are home to nudibranchs, crustaceans, and pygmy seahorses.

Tubbataha reef is only accessible from March to June, and exclusively via liveaboard. Narayana is one of the more affordable options, allowing up to 14 divers at a time to enjoy magical encounters across Tubbataha’s three main areas.

North Atoll, South Atoll, and the Jessy Beazley reef each promise outstanding diving, so you can’t go wrong with any of the seven-day itineraries. Outside of Tubbataha season, the Narayana covers El Nido, Coron, and Apo reefs between October and December.

Read on for more details in our overview of Narayana.

Where to book

Narayana liveaboard dive boat anchored at sunset with crew on deck

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Diving on the Narayana liveaboard

pink and yellow nudibranch crawling among red algae

reef shark cruising over coral with fish in the background

dense school of jackfish schooling near the surface

whale shark swimming alongside a small fish near the surface

Designed by divers for divers, the Narayana experience is all about enjoying as much time underwater or snorkeling as possible. Tubbataha trips offer between three and four dives a day, allowing divers to complete between 18 and 19 dives on each trip.

Tubbataha reef is fast building a reputation for offering some of the Philippines’ best diving, and it can only be reached by liveaboard. That means it’s almost impossible to have lots of boats crowding a dive site. Instead, divers can enjoy time with hundreds of species of fish, 11 species of shark, and more than a dozen whale and dolphin species. The Tubbataha National Park welcomes divers from March to June.

Outside of those months, the Narayana travels to another national park at Apo Reef, which is the largest reef system in the country. Apo Reef is perfect for photographers who can’t choose between macro and wide angle. Be sure to check with your dive guides to set up your camera optimally for the next dive.

The shipwrecks of Coron and the reefs of El Nido are another highlight of Narayana itineraries. El Nido is renowned for turtles, schooling pelagic fish and, with a little bit of luck, whale sharks and manta rays.

The dive deck is at the back of the main deck, and all dives start from here. The area is spacious enough for 14 divers to get ready and prepare their gear. From the dive deck, you will board your dive tender, which brings you and your buddies to the best possible drop point for each dive.

The Narayana’s owners also own Cooper’s Beach Resort in the Palawan area of the Philippines. Combining a stay there with a liveaboard trip is ideal for a shakedown dive or to extend your holiday just a little longer.

Highlights:

Up to four dives per day or 19 dives per week-long journey
Snorkeler-friendly
Top destinations to choose from depending on the season

Onboard the Narayana

bunk bed cabin with an air conditioning unit mounted on the wall

aerial view of divers relaxing on the shaded top deck of a liveaboard

cabin bed with blue curtain and a small flower vase on the pillow

The Narayana liveaboard has been designed specifically to dive the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage site. This 85-foot (26 m) boat was created by passionate divers who love Tubbataha for their guests, who will hopefully fall in love with these remote reefs, too. Built in 2014 from Thai ironwood, Narayana went into drydock in 2018 to make the liveaboard more comfortable without losing any of the original character.

The Narayana can accommodate up to 14 guests in eight comfortable and cozy cabins, each of which has its own ensuite bathroom with a private shower and complimentary toiletries. Each cabin also has individual AC.

Six of the cabins are set up as doubles with queen-size double beds. These cabins are on the main deck, and they have private balconies, too, perfect for enjoying the views between dives. Aside from the double cabins, the Narayana also has two twin cabins furnished with bunk beds.

If you don’t want to spend the time between dives in your cabin, try the sundeck for its views. There is also a spacious lounge area that’s ideal for making new friends. There’s a library of books as well as audio and video equipment to keep divers entertained.

Highlights:

Double cabins have private balconies
Spacious lounge and shared areas

Dining on the Narayana

crew member carving a roasted pig for guests at the dining table

grilled skewers, chicken, and sausages cooking on an open barbecue at sea

long dining table spread with rice, salads, and cooked dishes

Diving three or four times a day would leave anyone hungry, and the Narayana crew is working almost around the clock to make sure that divers never feel a hunger pang. The kitchen team is headed up by a hotel-trained chef, making sure each meal is delicious.

The crew serves three buffet-style main meals in the outdoor dining area on the top deck. Each meal is cooked onboard, combining local flavors and Western dishes. There is also a BBQ.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and the team is happy to cater for specific dietary requirements. As usual, when booking liveaboards in remote regions, it’s a good idea to let the team know about those requirements well before your trip.

Guests are welcome to celebrate their marine life encounters with a local beer or wine at the end of the day. Both are available at an additional cost. Soft drinks are also readily available but charged extra.