Malapascua

Malapascua, a tiny island north of Cebu, is a world-renowned diving destination primarily famous for one thing: the elusive thresher shark. The sunken island of Monad Shoal is a unique cleaning station where these graceful predators reliably appear at sunrise, offering divers a rare and breathtaking encounter. Beyond the threshers, Malapascua boasts a diverse underwater landscape with 16 distinct dive sites, featuring everything from vibrant coral gardens and dramatic walls to fascinating muck diving. This unique combination makes it a bucket-list location for photographers and pelagic lovers alike.

Diving conditions are generally excellent, with water temperatures ranging from 25-30°C and visibility often exceeding 20 meters. Currents can vary from mild to strong, especially at sites like Monad Shoal and Gato Island, suiting a range of experience levels from novice to advanced. Divers should visit Malapascua not just for the guaranteed thresher shark sightings but also for the incredible biodiversity. The chance to see majestic sharks in the morning and hunt for pygmy seahorses in the afternoon, all from a laid-back tropical island, is an unparalleled diving experience.

Top Sites

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most popular dive site in Malapascua, Philippines?
The most popular dive site is undoubtedly Monad Shoal. This submerged plateau is world-famous as the most reliable place to see pelagic thresher sharks. These sharks visit the shoal's cleaning stations at sunrise, offering divers a unique and predictable encounter. This rare opportunity is the primary reason divers travel to Malapascua, Philippines, making it an essential, bucket-list dive for advanced-certified divers.
What are the good and less popular dive sites in Malapascua, Philippines?
Gato Island is another highlight, a marine reserve known for its whitetip sharks, sea snakes, and a swim-through tunnel. For macro enthusiasts, sites like Lighthouse Reef are fantastic for sunset dives to see mandarinfish. Less-visited gems include Lapus Lapus for its stunning soft corals and potential frogfish sightings, and the Dona Marilyn Wreck for an advanced deep dive on a large, coral-encrusted ferry.
What water temperature is it like throughout the year diving in Malapascua, Philippines?
Water temperatures in Malapascua, Philippines are warm year-round. From March to September, expect temperatures of 28-30°C (82-86°F). During the cooler, windier months from December to February, temperatures may dip to 25-27°C (77-81°F). Be aware of thermoclines, especially on the deep, early morning dives at Monad Shoal, where the water can be a few degrees colder.
When is the best time to visit Malapascua, Philippines?
The optimal time to visit Malapascua, Philippines is during the dry season, from December to May. This period offers the sunniest weather, calmest seas, and best underwater visibility. While diving is available all year and thresher shark sightings are consistent, the wet season (June to November) can bring rain and the risk of typhoons, which may cause trip cancellations or rougher surface conditions.
What's the visibility like during the dive season in Malapascua, Philippines?
During the dry season (December-May), underwater visibility in Malapascua, Philippines is generally very good, often ranging from 15 to 30 meters (50-100 feet). Conditions can be affected by plankton blooms, which attract more marine life but can reduce clarity. At Monad Shoal, visibility is typically at its best during the early morning hours of the thresher shark dives.
Are there any seasonal migrations or special events (e.g., manta rays, whale sharks) in Malapascua, Philippines?
The main event in Malapascua, Philippines is the year-round, reliable presence of thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. Manta rays are also frequently seen at the cleaning stations, particularly from December to May. Between December and April, there is a chance to spot hammerhead sharks at Kimud Shoal on deeper, more technical dives. Whale shark sightings are rare and not a regular occurrence.
What marine life can I expect to see in Malapascua, Philippines?
Beyond thresher sharks, Malapascua, Philippines offers a rich mix of pelagic and macro life. Expect whitetip reef sharks, sea snakes, eagle rays, and turtles. The area is a macro heaven, with pygmy seahorses, frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, and countless species of nudibranchs. Mandarinfish can be seen during sunset dives at specific sites.
What thickness wetsuit should I wear in Malapascua, Philippines?
A 3mm full wetsuit is recommended for diving in Malapascua, Philippines. While the water is warm, this provides adequate thermal protection for multiple dives a day and guards against scrapes. For the cold-prone diver or for the chilly, pre-dawn boat rides and deeper thermoclines at Monad Shoal, a 5mm wetsuit or a 3mm with a hooded vest would be more comfortable.
How do I get to Malapascua, Philippines?
To get to Malapascua, Philippines, fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). From the airport, it's a 3-4 hour journey north by car, van, or bus to Maya Port. From Maya Port, you take a 30-45 minute public or private 'bangka' boat across to the island. Most dive resorts can arrange seamless private transfers from the airport directly to their property.
Should I book a liveaboard or stay on shore in Malapascua, Philippines?
Malapascua, Philippines is an ideal destination for shore-based diving. All local dive sites, including Monad Shoal and Gato Island, are easily reached by daily boat trips from the island's many dive resorts. Staying on the island allows you to enjoy the local culture and restaurants. Liveaboards that visit Malapascua typically do so as part of a larger Visayas itinerary, not as a dedicated trip.
All Dive Sites in Malapascua (15)
BantigiBantigue MalapascuaBugtong BatoChocolate IslandDakit DakitDeep RockDona Marilyn WreckExotic House ReefGato IslandKa OstingKimud ShoalLapus LapusLighthouseLighthouse WreckTwins