Sulu Sea · Philippines

Tubbataha Reef PH fishing forecast

Name: Tubbataha Reef PH
Address: Sulu Sea, PH

57 Good of 100

Tubbataha Reef PH is a saltwater fishing spot in Sulu Sea, Philippines. Anglers here target Giant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo. The most productive months are typically March, April, May, June.

Quick answer

Best monthsMarch, April, May, June

Top speciesGiant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo

Score now57/100

Local rulesPhilippines

Today’s verdict

Ranks #365 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+25.0Current+18.0Chlorophyll+9.1

Pressure trend

Pressure data unavailable

Best window today

17:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas

Next solunar peak

minor 08:08

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	29.7 °C
Wind	22 km/h from SW, gusting 30 km/h
Wave height	0.5 m at 3 s
Current	0.16 m/s toward S
Pressure	1010 hPa
Depth	109 m
Cloud cover	100%
Chlorophyll	0.15 mg/m³
Salinity	33.5 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	22 m
UV index	9
Wind sea	0.4 m at 3 s
Ground swell	0.3 m at 3 s from W
Current shear (surface vs 50 m)	0.16 → 0.06 m/s

The water here is 1.8 °C warmer than the September average of 27.9 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 39.3 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Tubbataha Reef PH

Tubbataha Reef PH currently scores 57 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 29.7 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +25.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Current +18.0: moving water concentrates bait
Chlorophyll +9.1: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Waves +9.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +6.7: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Seamount effect +6.0: underwater structure forces nutrient flow up

What’s biting now

The model expects today: giant-trevally, dogtooth-tuna, wahoo, albacore, pacific-albacore, great-barracuda, bonefish, almaco-jack

Bite windows

Moon

Waning Crescent · 14% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Tubbataha Reef PH:

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-14, 76/100

2 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

About this spot

Water type

Sea

Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.

Approximate bottom depth: 109 m

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · offshore-only

What you can catch

Giant Trevally

Caranx ignobilis
Dogtooth Tuna

Gymnosarda unicolor
Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

Best months by species at Tubbataha Reef PH

Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
WahooAcanthocybium solandri

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agriculture

Philippines

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Fishing in the Philippines is regulated under the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654). Municipal waters (within 15 km of the coastline) are managed by the Local Government Unit (LGU), which registers municipal fisherfolk and issues fishing privileges/permits by ordinance; commercial fishing vessels (>3.1 gross tons) require a Commercial Fishing Vessel/Gear License from BFAR. Recreational and sport-fishing access (including catch-and-release, charters and live-aboard trips) is commonly arranged through the relevant LGU or resort/charter operator; requirements vary by municipality and by Marine Protected Area. Confirm with the local LGU and BFAR regional office before fishing., non-residents Visiting and foreign anglers are subject to the same Fisheries Code framework. Foreign nationals are generally restricted from commercial fishing in Philippine waters; recreational/sport access is normally through a licensed charter or resort that holds the necessary local permits. Marine Protected Areas, sanctuaries and many municipal waters have their own access rules and user fees set by the LGU. Always confirm requirements with the operator, the local LGU and the BFAR regional office before fishing.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only and are NOT a legal source. Philippine fishing is governed by the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654) and by local ordinances: municipal waters (within 15 km of shore) are managed by Local Government Units (LGUs), which set their own bag limits, gear rules, closed seasons, access fees and Marine Protected Area (MPA) restrictions. There is NO single national recreational bag/size table — rules differ by municipality, province and MPA and change frequently. Whale sharks, manta rays, sawfishes, sea turtles, giant clams, the humphead wrasse and all CITES Appendix I / nationally listed rare, threatened and endangered species are strictly PROTECTED and may not be taken under any circumstances. Always confirm current rules with the local LGU and the BFAR regional office before fishing.