Thresher sharks are usually a deep water shark, but Monad Shoal is home to many cleaning stations and in the early morning, the sharks come up to shallow water for a scrub. Giant manta rays and devil rays are common visitors, and hammerheads, grey reef sharks and whitetip sharks can sometimes be seen. 

Why Malapascua in particular? No-one really knows, but we aren't complaining!

Thresher Sharks are shy, retiring sharks and searching for them on Monad Shoal is akin to going on safari. As you 'stalk' them over the reef, the sense of anticipation grows and grows, until finally, one of these magnificent creatures swims lazily out of the 'mists' in your direction, huge eyes coming towards you and tail extending forever behind it. You gasp, your heart skips a beat or two, and without realizing it your breathing stops as you gaze in awe at this magnificent creature.

Malapascua Island is located in the central area of the Philippines.

It is easily accessible if you fly to Cebu-Mactan International airport - many international airlines have direct flights from countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Japan, Korea. Another option is to fly into Manila and get one of the many daily internal flights to Cebu. You can contact us for more details.

Malapascua's thresher sharks can be seen year round and diving is possible throughout the year.

Sightings vary from year to year, but typically are best from March to December with peak sightings from July to October. Although we still see them often in January and February, there are generally not as many. 2008 and 2009 were an exception to this when sharks were plentiful all year. Also, although it is not a hard and fast rule, there are less sharks around full moon.

Generally you will get a good sighting, if not the first day, then within 3 days. But to make sure you do not miss them, particularly if you are after that ultimate shark photograph or video, you should plan 1-2 weeks.

If you want to dive on Malapascua Island, the award winning Thresher Shark Divers is the place to go. As their name suggests, their focus is THRESHER SHARKS! Finding your shark is the reason for their existence!

They can arrange a complete package including resort, airport pickup and of course SHARK DIVING!

Aside from the thresher sharks, there is a lot of good diving in Malapascua. Whitetip sharks are almost guaranteed at Gato Island. Hammerhead sightings are between December and May, peaking in March and April. And the diversity of marine life is incredible with reef, walls, wrecks, macro, muck dives and much more.

Thresher Shark Divers offers a unique PADI Thresher Shark DIver Specialty Course. This was written by TSD owners in conjunction with PADI an is the only place in the world where you can do this course.