Tubbataha Reefs

reefs, Pacific Ocean

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July 23, 2026

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The Tubbataha Reefs are a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Sulu Sea, a part of the western North Pacific Ocean. This marine protected area was designated in 1993 and later expanded, recognizing its rich and diverse marine life. The reefs are situated within the Coral Triangle, a region known for its exceptional marine biodiversity, encompassing vast areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The Tubbataha Reefs are renowned among sport-diving enthusiasts for their vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine species.12

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Sulu Sea
…Mapun (Cagayan Sulu) island, the Tubbataha Reefs, and the volcanic Mapun island group itself. The Tubbataha Reefs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 in recognition of their abundance and diversity of marine life; in 2009 the boundaries of the site were extended to triple its original size.
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…Mapun (Cagayan Sulu) island, the Tubbataha Reefs, and the volcanic Mapun island group itself. The Tubbataha Reefs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 in recognition of their abundance and diversity of marine life; in 2009 the boundaries of the site were extended to triple its original size.
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