Where to book
Diving on the Narayana liveaboard
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
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
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.
Highlights:
- A hotel-trained chef heads up the kitchen team
- Buffet-style BBQ dinners
Things we like:
- Recently refurbished, cozy liveaboard
- Up to four dives per day
- Outstanding opportunities for pelagic encounters
Things we don't like:
- No WiFi
- No nitrox
Key Facts
| Year Built | 2014 |
| Max Divers | 14 |
| Price Range | Mid-range |
| Trip Length | 5-7 Nights |
| Internet | No |
| Nitrox | No |
| Equipment Rental | Yes ($) |
| Camera Station | No |
| Air Conditioning | Yes |
| Min. Logged Dives | No minimum |
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