Thresher Shark Diving in Malapascua: A Must-Do Dive Experience in Cebu, Philippines

Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by Roxanne Tamayo

Do you want to experience thresher shark diving in Malapascua? If you’re planning to explore the underwater world of the Philippines, Malapascua Island in northern Cebu should definitely be on your bucket list. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can dive with thresher sharks almost every day — and yes, I finally did it!

Here’s everything you need to know based on my experience: where to stay, where to dive, and what to expect.

Where is Malapascua Island?

Malapascua is a small island off the northern tip of Cebu. From Cebu City, I took a bus from the North Bus Terminal to Maya Port (around 4-5 hours), then a short boat ride to Malapascua. It’s tiny, walkable, and full of good island vibes.

Related Article: How to get to Malapascua Island from Cebu City?

Why Everyone Comes to Malapascua: The Thresher Sharks

Malapascua is world-famous for its daily sightings of thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. These majestic, long-tailed sharks usually live deep in the ocean, but here, they rise to shallower depths early in the morning to visit cleaning stations.

I woke up at 4:30 AM for the dive, and by 6 AM, we were underwater — and boom, there they were. Graceful, mysterious, and absolutely worth the trip.

Best Dive Sites Around Malapascua

Besides Monad Shoal, Malapascua offers so much more:

Monad Shoal

• For thresher shark sightings
• Depth: 25-30 meters
• Usually a deep dive early in the morning

Gato Island

• Caves, tunnels, white tip sharks, nudibranchs — a marine sanctuary that’s a must-visit for macro and adventure lovers.

Kimud Shoal

• Known for hammerhead sharks during certain seasons.
• Also a great spot for barracuda and large pelagics.

Lighthouse Reef (night dive)

• Mandarin fish mating dance and seahorses — an easy but magical night dive!

Best Dive Resorts on Malapascua Island

Here are my top recommended dive resorts based on reviews, value, and location:

Evolution Diving Resort

• Eco-friendly, professional, and focused on safety.
• Great for beginners and experienced divers.
• Restaurant onsite (The Craic House – highly recommend!)

Thresher Shark Divers

• One of the first and most reputable dive shops on the island.
• Offers a full range of PADI courses and fun dives.

Check their website here.

Sea Explorers Malapascua

• Great service and multilingual instructors.
• They also offer island hopping and snorkeling tours.

Check more info here.

Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort

• Beautiful beachfront, midrange pricing, and attached to Sea Explorers dive shop.
• Perfect for couples or solo travelers who want comfort and diving.

Find out more: Malapascua Island Hotels and Accommodations

Prices and Packages

• Fun dives start at around ₱1,600–₱1,800 per dive.
• Gear rental is usually extra.
• Most dive shops offer package discounts for 5+ dives.
• Open Water and Advanced courses are available if you want to level up!

Best Time to Visit

Thresher sharks are seen year-round, but the best visibility is usually from March to May. Avoid typhoon season (August to October) if you want calm seas and consistent dives.

What to Bring

• Your dive log and certification card
• A reef-safe sunscreen
• GoPro or underwater camera if you want to capture the magic
• Light cash — most places are cash-only, and there’s no ATM on the island

Malapascua Thresher Shark Diving – My Personal Experience

Here’s my scuba diving experience with Thresher Shark Divers Malapascua. As I mentioned in my previous post, I asked my Facebook friends about the best diving shop to learn my PADI Open Water Dive Course, and one friend mentioned TSD Malapascua. I searched for the diving shop and told my generous reader about the company.

Arrival on the island on the first day

I arrived on the island, we went straight to the shop and talked to the staff there. Got excited filling up the forms, answering health-related questions if I am capable to dive and my information. I received my Open Water Diver Manual and the next day I could start my class. The diving course usually last 4-5 days but you can take the 3-day option if you’re on a limited time. You can even study the theory class at home before getting into action through an online portal which you can have access with the video. I chose the 4-5 days diving on the island since I don’t want to stress myself on reading the materials and watching the video. Thank goodness, my time was flexible.

First Dive on the second day

At 7 AM, I woke up and had my breakfast as I need to meet with my instructor at 8:30 AM every day. I was just watching videos and reviewing answers in my manual. I had a hard time since I was worried about my work. Received a call from the client for the end of the project which was a good thing for me since I needed to concentrate on my diving. In my mind, I could find another project after the diving course. In the afternoon, I had a one-on-one session with my dive instructor, Max, and answered some quizzes. After answering the quizzes, it was the start of my diving session.

I had no photos during the entire session of the diving as I needed to familiarize myself with all the theories and assembling gear before diving. So many things to remember, to practice, to apply and to demonstrate on what I learned from the Knowledge Development and Confined Water Dives. For the first dive, we went to the Lighthouse Wreck at 7.4-meter depth.

I felt weird about myself because I had my nervous attacks getting into the water same thing happened in Dauin. I wasn’t like this during my first Discover Scuba Diving on Mactan Island. What I realized is that on Mactan Island, it was pure fun and play dive which it wasn’t so technical at that time.

Exercises and Things to See – Thresher Shark Diving Malapascua Island Experience

We’ve done two exercises during the first dive and these are: (1) Partially flooded mask and clear, (2) Regulator Recovery. These exercises made me panic the $#!+ out of me as I don’t want my mask to be flooded with water. Of course, I was afraid I could not see underwater and my eyes for sure gets hurt. With the regulator recovery, I had to remove the regulator from my mouth so I needed to save my breath in case it was accidentally unattached from my mouth. But then these are the skills I needed to master and I made it.

We found clown fishes, lizard fish, striped eel catfish, juvenile sweet lips, wart slug, squids, trumpet fish (gray) and the shipwreck. I got stung by the jellyfish during the 10-minute floating test.

Diving practices continue on the third day

We made two dives on this day, in the morning and in the afternoon near the cemetery. It was for the preparation for dive #2. This time I got more comfortable already. Several exercises I’ve done in here. I did the 200-yard swimming lap while snorkeling.

Second dive on the fourth day

Morning

These were the exercises I did: (1) oral inflation of the surface, (2) full mask clear, (3) establishing neutral buoyancy, (4) out of air as donor and receiver, (5) out of air ascent, (6) at the surface cramp removal, (7) snorkel regulator exchange, (8) weight removal and replace, (9) BCD removal and replace and (10) SMB inflation. The dive site was at lap light at 10.6-meter depth. 

We found clown fishes, skunk anemone fish, lionfish, pipe fish, two spot snapper, striped eel catfish, butterfly fish, sergeant major moon wrasse and rock mover wrasse.

Third dive on the fourth day

Afternoon

Accomplished exercises were: (1) CESA, (2) mask removal and replacement, and (3) hover using oral inflator. Location of the dive site still at lap light at 17-meter depth.

We found nudibranchs Chromodoris, clingfishes, shrimp fishes, manila puffer, and clownfishes.

Fourth dive on the fifth day – Thresher Shark Diving Malapascua Island Experience

We went to Chocolate Island diving at 15-meter depth and was able to learn a new skill in using a compass. I got a warning about the illegal fishing happening near the island by throwing bombs which it was scary for me. I even heard a loud boom underwater.

The two exercises I learned were: (1) surface compass swim and (2) reciprocal compass swim underwater. We saw octopus, filefish, nudibranchs, dragonet, wrasse, squat shrimp, manila puffer, and porcupine fish.

And I’m done with the Open Water Dive Course, answered all the final quizzes in the afternoon.

Fifth dive on the sixth day – Malapascua Thresher Shark Diving Experience

Super excited for Dive #5 because I’ve been waiting for this, to see the Thresher Sharks. Will blog more of this on the next blog post about the experience. At Monad Shoal, I was able to dive at 22.8-meter depth, my first adventure dive.

Two exercises were: (1) color/effect of depth on colors and (2) compared depth gauges. Of course, the highlight of this dive was to see the thresher sharks.

The pricing of this course cost for PHP 19,500.

Check out: Pictures of Thresher Sharks Malapascua Island

Special thanks – Thresher Shark Diving Malapascua Island Experience

Max, for doing an awesome job, for answering my questions when I am in doubt.

Frankie, for the underwater photos, because I really requested to Max if I could have images for my blog.

Mark U., for this wonderful gift of experience and for encouraging me to take the course. ^__^

I really appreciate the one-on-one session with a dive instructor because it gives me the chance to ask a lot of questions since I have the instructor by myself. It made me forced to concentrate, I had a feeling that I could be a lazy student and maybe just copy some answers from a fellow student which is a bad idea.

Final Thoughts on Malapascua Thresher Shark Diving

Malapascua is one of my favorite diving destinations in the Philippines — laid-back island life, incredible marine biodiversity, and the surreal experience of seeing thresher sharks up close. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just curious about the underwater world, this little island is 100% worth it.

Have you dived with thresher sharks yet? Drop a comment below or ask me anything if you’re planning your trip — I’d be happy to help!

Places to Visit in Cebu and Other Things To Do

Related Articles:

• Malapascua Island Hotels and Accommodation – Where to Stay?
• Pictures of Thresher Sharks Malapascua Island
• Thresher Shark Diving in Malapascua: A Must-Do Dive Experience in Cebu, Philippines
• Malapascua Island Travel Guide: Cebu City to Malapascua Island (2025 Update)
• The Beauty of Kalanggaman Island Tours Photos
• Best Place to Do an Open Water Diver Course Cebu