Jan
27 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 3
- Diving score
- 68
DIVE-SEEK field image · destination photo unavailableCentral Visayas · Cebu · Philippines
ai researched· confidence 65%
Malapascua
Malapascua is a small island off the northern tip of Cebu and one of the world's best-known destinations for pelagic thresher shark encounters.
27–30°C5–30 mYear-roundBoat
DIVE-SEEK field image · destination photo unavailable · awaiting a licensed image
Beneath the surface
Why dive here?
Malapascua is a small island off the northern tip of Cebu and one of the world's best-known destinations for pelagic thresher shark encounters. Its diving combines shark encounters with reef, wall, wreck, macro and night diving. Gato Island, Kimud Shoal, Monad Shoal, Lighthouse and the Dona Marilyn wreck are among the key dive experiences. Sightings are never guaranteed.
22Published dive sites
15Documented marine-life links
24Local operators & liveaboards
Quick facts
Malapascua (Philippines) is a dive destination known for Reef manta ray, Scalloped hammerhead and Mobula rays. Best recorded months: March, April and May. Water temperature: 27–30 °C across the year. Typical dive depth: 5–30 m. DIVE-SEEK lists 22 dive sites and 24 dive operators here.
Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.
Ask about Malapascua
Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.
Diving characteristics
Conditions at a glance
Water temperature
27–30 °C
Typical depth
5–30 m
Maximum depth
40 m
Visibility
Research in progress
Current
3 /5
Accessibility
49 /100
Infrastructure
62 /100
Photography
82 /100
Certification range
2–4 /5
Destination research
Research in progress
Not enough verified data yet.
ai researched· confidence 65%
Trust
Checking trust information…
boat divingdrift divingnight divingwreck divingtechnical divingnitrox available
Dive sites
Find your next descent
Explore the dive sites of Malapascua.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableChocolate Island
3–16 mLevel 1/5
Shallow reef and macro-oriented dive site with coral, nudibranchs and other small marine life, suitable for a wide range of experience levels.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableDakit-Dakit
5 mDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableDeep Rock
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableDeep Slope
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableDona Marilyn Wreck
25–33 mLevel 4/5
Historic inter-island ferry that sank in a typhoon in October 1988 and now lies on her starboard side. One of the major wreck-diving attractions around Malapascua.
Wreck
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableEvo House Reef
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
Diving here is the most amazing at night.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableExotic House Reef
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableGato Island
5–30 mLevel 3/5
Marine reserve area with reef, walls, overhangs and a well-known underwater tunnel/swim-through. Known for whitetip reef sharks, sea snakes and macro life.
ReefWallSwim-through
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableJapanese Ship Wreck
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableKa-Osting / Bantigue
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableKimod Shoel
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableKimud Shoal
12–22 mLevel 4/5
The current primary thresher shark encounter site around Malapascua. Thresher sharks moved from their former Monad Shoal cleaning station to shallower Kimud Shoal around 2022 according to current operator and DAN reporting. Encounters are never guaranteed.
Dawn / early morningWall
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableLapus-Lapus
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableLapus-Lapus 2
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableLighthouse
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableLighthouse
5–10 mLevel 1/5
Shallow reef famous for dusk mandarinfish encounters and night diving, and well suited to macro photography.
Dusk and nightReef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableLos Bamboos
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableMonad Shoal
16–32 mLevel 4/5
Historic signature thresher shark site and an important offshore seamount that remains a significant dive site for tiger sharks, rays and other pelagic encounters. Nitrox is commonly recommended for the pre-dawn profile.
Early morningWall
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableMonad Shoal
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableMonad Shoel
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableNorth Point
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableSecret Wall
Depth in researchDifficulty in research
Site description is being verified.
Marine life
What you can encounter
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablerare
Reef manta ray
Mobula alfredi
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableseasonal
Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Jan–Mar
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Mobula rays
Mobula spp.
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Ghost pipefish
Solenostomus spp.
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Green turtle
Chelonia mydas
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablecommon
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Taeniura lymma
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablecommon
Frogfish
Antennarius spp.
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Tiger shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablecommon
Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablecommon
Mandarinfish
Synchiropus splendidus
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablevery common
Nudibranchs
Nudibranchia
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablevery common
Pelagic thresher
Alopias pelagicus
Year-round
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Blacktip reef shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Great barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Bargibant's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
Seasonality research in progress
Seasonality
Month by month
Water temperature, visibility, current and rainfall recorded per month rather than reduced to a single 'best time'.
Feb
27 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 2
- Diving score
- 72
Mar
27 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 1
- Diving score
- 86
Apr
28 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 1
- Diving score
- 90
May
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 2
- Diving score
- 88
Jun
30 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 74
Jul
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 66
Aug
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 62
Sep
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 64
Oct
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 70
Nov
29 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 4
- Diving score
- 72
Dec
28 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- 3
- Diving score
- 70
| Month | Water °C | Visibility m | Current | Rainfall | Diving score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | — | — | 3 | 68 |
| Feb | 27 | — | — | 2 | 72 |
| Mar | 27 | — | — | 1 | 86 |
| Apr | 28 | — | — | 1 | 90 |
| May | 29 | — | — | 2 | 88 |
| Jun | 30 | — | — | 4 | 74 |
| Jul | 29 | — | — | 4 | 66 |
| Aug | 29 | — | — | 4 | 62 |
| Sep | 29 | — | — | 4 | 64 |
| Oct | 29 | — | — | 4 | 70 |
| Nov | 29 | — | — | 4 | 72 |
| Dec | 28 | — | — | 3 | 70 |
— Not enough verified data yet. Water temperatures are recorded ranges, not a forecast.
Beyond the dive
The journey there
- Nearest airport
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)
- Transfer time
- 270 min
- Remoteness
- 55/100
- Infrastructure
- 62/100
- Price level
- 2
Dive centers
Dive with local knowledge
Dive operator
Avila's Horizon Dive Resort
Dive operator
Blue Heaven Malapascua
dive_center
Blue Water Divers
The dive centre of Malapascua Beach & Dive Resort, offering daily boat diving, equipment rental and enriched air fills (surcharge applies).
NitroxEquipment rental
Dive operator
Devocean Divers Malapascua
Dive operator
Dive Society
Dive operator
Dive Society Dive Center
Dive operator
Divelink Cebu
Dive operator
Emerald Green Diving Center
Dive operator
Evolution
Dive operator
Fish Buddies
Dive operator
French Kiss Divers
Dive operator
Fun & Sun
Dive operator
Johan Dive
dive_resort
Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort
Owner-run PADI Dive Resort on Bounty Beach combining a dive centre, accommodation and restaurant. Runs the dawn thresher boats and outer-island day trips, offers enriched air and PADI Freediving.
NitroxFreediving
dive_resort
Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Resort
Established island dive resort with an on-site dive centre, house reef access, equipment rental, enriched air and daily boat diving to the shark shoals and Gato Island.
NitroxEquipment rental
Dive operator
MBI Dive Center
dive_resort
Ocean Passion
PADI 5-Star Instructor Development dive resort on Malapascua, offering the full PADI TecRec technical range, enriched air, equipment rental and daily boat diving.
NitroxTechnicalEquipment rental
Dive operator
Sea Explorers
dive_center
Sea Explorers Malapascua
Long-established regional dive operator with a Malapascua base, offering daily boat diving, equipment rental and enriched air, with an active involvement in local marine conservation.
NitroxEquipment rental
Dive operator
Sea Slug Divers - Dive Stop
Dive operator
Seaquest
Dive operator
Sol-Divers
Dive operator
The Sharks Tail Dive Resort
dive_center
Thresher Shark Divers
Malapascua's PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre, diving the island since 2004. Runs the dawn thresher shark boats and a full PADI TecRec technical programme including trimix and rebreather support, plus PADI Enriched Air (nitrox).
NitroxTechnicalPhotographyEquipment rental
Seasonality
Verified seasons
Peak and shoulder periods recorded per aspect, only where a verified season record exists.
PeakRecorded seasonNo recorded window
conditions
Relative weather pattern: drier March to May, wetter from the southwest monsoon onward, northeast monsoon wind December to February.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
diving
Diving operates year-round; the calm inter-monsoon window from March to May is the most reliable.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
encounter
Hammerhead sharks are occasionally reported at Kimud Shoal in this period. Possibility only, never guaranteed.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
marine life
Pelagic thresher shark encounters: year-round cleaning-station activity, no closed season. Sightings are not guaranteed.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
photography
Mandarinfish photography at Lighthouse is possible year-round, with the best activity at dusk and on night dives.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Provenance
Data & sources
DIVE-SEEK combines destination research, operator information and verified sources.
Sources
10
Supported claims
13
Average confidence
72%
accessHow to get to Malapascua
Road transfer from Cebu to Maya plus a 30-35 minute boat crossing; central estimate 270 minutes, honest range 240-330.
ai researched· confidence 50%View sourceconservationMonad Shoal elasmobranch tourism factsheet
Marine protected area status, diver conduct rules and fees at Monad Shoal.
ai researched· confidence 80%View sourceinfrastructureMalapascua dive centre
locationMonad Shoal elasmobranch tourism factsheet
Administrative and geographic placement of Malapascua and Monad Shoal off northern Cebu.
ai researched· confidence 70%View sourcemarine life presenceMonad Shoal elasmobranch tourism factsheet
Thresher shark cleaning-station behaviour and the wider elasmobranch assemblage.
ai researched· confidence 85%View sourceoperator detailsTechnical diving training, Malapascua
Second independent technical-diving training facility on the island.
ai researched· confidence 75%View sourceoperator detailsTechnical diving courses, Malapascua
Technical diving availability: PADI TecRec, trimix and rebreather support.
ai researched· confidence 80%View sourceoperator detailsPADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) course
pricingMalapascua diving prices
Basis for price level 2 of 5: fun-dive, course and park-fee pricing.
ai researched· confidence 65%View sourcesafetyRHU Daanbantayan is a PhilHealth-accredited primary care facility
No hospital on the island; nearest formal facility is the Daanbantayan Rural Health Unit, primary care only.
ai researched· confidence 75%View sourceseasonMonad Shoal elasmobranch tourism factsheet
Daily, year-round cleaning-station use; no closed thresher season.
ai researched· confidence 70%View sourceseasonClimatological Normals 1991-2020, Mactan station
Relative monthly wet/dry pattern derived from the Mactan station normals; Mactan is the nearest official station, roughly 100 km south, so only the relative pattern is used.
ai researched· confidence 60%View sourceseasonClimate of the Philippines
Monsoon framing: amihan Nov-Feb, habagat Jun-Sep, cyclone season Jun-Nov.
ai researched· confidence 85%View sourceAlpha — the DIVE-SEEK catalogue is being researched and verified destination by destination.