Malapascua Island

Overview

Malapascua Island is a tiny tropical island off northern Cebu, world-famous as one of the only places on Earth where divers can reliably see thresher sharks. The island combines world-class diving with white-sand beaches and a friendly, village-like atmosphere.

Highlights

• Thresher Shark Dives: Early morning dives at Monad Shoal offer near-daily encounters with pelagic thresher sharks — a globally unique experience.
• Bounty Beach: The island's main beach stretches along the southern coast with fine white sand and swaying palms.
• Diverse Dive Sites: Beyond threshers, sites like Gato Island offer mandarin fish, sea snakes, and white-tip reef sharks.

History

Malapascua was a quiet fishing village until the 1990s, when divers discovered the thresher shark cleaning station at Monad Shoal. Word spread through the global diving community, and small dive resorts began opening. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda devastated the island, but the diving community rallied to rebuild. Today, the island sustains a thriving eco-tourism economy.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Thresher shark dives depart around 5:00 AM — plan to stay overnight on the island for at least one morning dive.
• Tip 2: The island has no ATMs — bring enough cash (Philippine pesos) for your entire stay.
• Duration: Minimum 1–2 day stay recommended.