Dive sites
Malapascua
Malapascua Island, Philippines is one of the world’s best-known destinations for seeing thresher sharks. Located in the Visayan region, it offers a mix of shark encounters, colorful coral reefs, walls and excellent macro diving.
Where it is
Malapascua is a small island north of Cebu. It is best known as a diving destination and is easily combined with a trip around Cebu and the surrounding islands.
Marine life to see
Malapascua is famous for its thresher sharks, making it a bucket-list destination for many divers.
You may encounter:
- Thresher sharks
- Tiger Sharks
- Reef sharks
- Barracuda
- Tuna
- Giant trevally
- Turtles
- Mandarin fish
- Pygmy seahorses
- Nudibranchs
- Ghost pipefish
- Frogfish
- Shrimps and crabs
- Large schools of reef fish
Monad Shoal is the iconic dive site for thresher shark encounters, with early-morning dives offering the best opportunity to see them.
Macro or landscape?
Good for:
- Thresher sharks
- Tiger sharks
- Reef sharks
- Coral reefs
- Schools of fish
- Underwater walls
Macro
One of Malapascua’s biggest strengths.
Look for:
- Mandarin fish
- Pygmy seahorses
- Frogfish
- Ghost pipefish
- Nudibranchs
- Blue-ringed octopus
- Harlequin shrimp
- Various crabs and shrimp
Recommendation: Bring a macro setup if you want to explore Malapascua’s smaller and unusual marine life. A wide-angle setup is essential if thresher sharks are your main goal.
How many dives you need
Malapascua has dive sites suitable for different experience levels, but the famous thresher shark dives can involve early starts, deeper profiles and specific diving procedures.
Beginner — 10–20 logged dives
Suitable for general reef diving if you are comfortable with buoyancy and boat diving.
Intermediate — 20–30+ dives
Recommended if you want to explore a wider range of sites and become more comfortable with deeper dives.
Experienced — 50+ dives
Ideal for divers who want to focus on thresher sharks, deeper sites, currents and underwater photography.
Tip: If you have not dived for a long time, complete a refresher or Reactivate dive before your trip.
On land
Bounty Beach
Relax on the island’s main beach and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere after diving.
Island Walks
Explore the small island on foot, passing local villages, beaches and traditional island life.
Local Food & Village Life
Try Filipino food and seafood at local restaurants while experiencing the relaxed atmosphere of a small island community.
Why Dive Malapascua?
Malapascua is a must-visit destination for divers who want to see thresher sharks in their natural environment. Combined with excellent macro diving, colorful reefs and a relaxed island atmosphere, it offers a unique diving experience in the Philippines.
Best for: Thresher sharks, macro photography, pygmy seahorses, mandarin fish, shark encounters, underwater photography and island diving.
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