Tubbataha comes from a combination of two Samal words, "taba" and "taha", meaning a long, or expansive, reef exposed by the low tide. Stretching over 10,000 hectares, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is located 150 kms. southeast of Puerto Princesa, approximately 120° 0' latitude x 8° 45' longitude, right in the middle of the Sulu Sea.

Prudente, S. (1997, August 2). Submerged woeful tales of Tubbataha. The Manila Times, p. B17.