The Philippines sits in the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine region on Earth, and it is home to some of the best shark diving anywhere in the world. From the only place on the planet where you can see thresher sharks daily, to whale shark encounters that cost a fraction of what you’d pay in Australia or the Maldives, the Philippines delivers world-class shark experiences at prices that are hard to beat.
We’ve been running shark diving trips in the Philippines for over 20 years. Below are the 5 best shark dives we offer, ranked by how unique and reliable the experience is. Every one of these can be booked as a package through us.
1. Thresher Sharks at Malapascua Island
Why is Malapascua the only place to dive with thresher sharks?
Malapascua Island in the Visayas is the only place in the world where you can reliably dive with pelagic thresher sharks every single day. Thresher sharks are normally a deep-water species, but at Kimud Shoal (and formerly Monad Shoal), they rise to diveable depths each morning to visit cleaning stations where small wrasse remove parasites from their skin. This behaviour has been observed consistently for over two decades.
Thresher sharks are instantly recognisable by their enormous scythe-shaped tail, which can be as long as their entire body. They use it to stun prey. Adults reach up to 5 metres in length. They are shy and non-aggressive, making them safe to observe at close range.
What are the chances of seeing a thresher shark?
Thresher Shark Divers, the premier PADI 5 Star CDC Centre on Malapascua, reports a sighting rate of approximately 99%. On good days, divers see 10 or more thresher sharks on a single dive. Sightings are consistent year-round, with no significant seasonal variation. They even offer a “Thresher Shark Guarantee.”
How deep is the thresher shark dive?
The cleaning stations at Kimud Shoal are at around 12 metres depth, making this dive accessible to all divers, though Open Water certified divers, will need to go with an instructor for safety as the site can be a little challenging. Early morning dives (typically departing around 5:00-8:00am) offer the best chances, as the sharks are most active in the morning.
How much does thresher shark diving cost?
A Malapascua dive package with 3 nights accommodation, 6 dives including thresher shark dives, and round-trip airport transfers from Cebu starts from around PHP 25,000 (approximately US$450) per person. This makes it one of the most affordable bucket-list shark dives in the world. Price varies depending on resort.
Best for: Certified divers who want a guaranteed, once-in-a-lifetime shark encounter. No other location on Earth offers this.
Season: Year-round
Operator: Thresher Shark Divers | Book a Malapascua package
2. Tiger Sharks at Monad Shoal, Malapascua
Can you dive with tiger sharks in the Philippines?
Yes. Monad Shoal off Malapascua has become one of the few places in the world where tiger sharks are seen with increasing regularity. Tiger sharks are apex predators that grow up to 5 metres long and are among the most impressive sharks any diver can encounter. Sightings at Monad Shoal have been increasing in recent years, making Malapascua a rare two-species shark destination.
How often are tiger sharks seen at Malapascua?
Tiger shark sightings are not daily like the thresher sharks, but they have become frequent enough that many divers now plan trips specifically for the chance to see both species. Encounters typically happen during deeper dives on Monad Shoal, often in the early morning alongside the thresher shark dives.
Best for: Experienced divers looking for an adrenaline-level shark encounter combined with thresher shark diving
Season: Year-round, with sightings increasing
Operator: Thresher Shark Divers
3. Whale Shark Snorkelling in Donsol Bay
Where is the best place to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?
Donsol Bay in the Bicol region is widely considered the best ethical whale shark encounter in the Philippines. Unlike Oslob (where whale sharks are fed to attract them), Donsol’s whale sharks are completely wild and arrive naturally each year to feed on dense concentrations of plankton and krill. The town has won international recognition for its responsible wildlife tourism practices.
How many whale sharks will I see in Donsol?
During peak season (March to April), most visitors see between 5 and 10 whale sharks in a single day. Sightings of 15-20 in one outing are not unusual, and on exceptional days, up to 45 whale sharks have been recorded. Whale sharks in Donsol range from 4 to 12 metres in length. Sightings can vary year to though and are never guaranteed.
Do I need to be a diver to swim with whale sharks?
No. Donsol Bay is snorkelling only (diving is not permitted in the bay itself to protect the sharks). You go out on a small boat with a trained guide and spotter. When they locate a whale shark, you slip into the water with mask, snorkel and fins and swim alongside it. No diving certification required. This makes Donsol accessible to families, non-divers, and anyone who wants a shark encounter without scuba gear.
How much does whale shark snorkelling in Donsol cost?
A 2-night package including accommodation, 2 days of whale shark interactions, firefly river tour, airport transfers and all fees starts from around PHP 14,000 (approximately US$250) per person based on 2 sharing. Compare that to Ningaloo Reef in Australia, where a single morning’s whale shark tour costs more than this entire package.
Best for: Non-divers, families, and anyone who wants an ethical, wild whale shark encounter at an unbeatable price
Season: Mid-November to mid-May (peak: February to April)
Book: See Donsol packages
4. Whale Sharks and Manta Rays at Manta Bowl, Ticao Island
Where can I scuba dive with whale sharks in the Philippines?
If you want to see whale sharks while scuba diving (not just snorkelling), Manta Bowl near Ticao Island is the place to go. This underwater atoll sits in open ocean near Donsol and serves as a cleaning station for large pelagics. Whale sharks, giant oceanic manta rays, hammerhead sharks and thresher sharks all pass through.
What makes Manta Bowl special?
Manta Bowl is one of the very few dive sites in the Philippines where you have a realistic chance of seeing both whale sharks and oceanic manta rays on the same dive. The site covers 7-8 hectares and the cleaning stations attract everything from tuna and barracuda to the big pelagic species.
How do I combine Donsol and Ticao?
We offer combination packages that include whale shark snorkelling in Donsol Bay plus scuba diving from Ticao Island. Our “Ultimate Adventure” package includes 4 nights, 6 dives from Ticao, a whale shark interaction in Donsol, and a Mount Mayon trek, starting from PHP 36,000 per person.
Best for: Certified divers who want to combine whale shark snorkelling with serious pelagic diving
Season: November to May
Book: See Donsol and Ticao packages
5. Whitetip Reef Sharks at Gato Island, Malapascua
What other sharks can you see at Malapascua besides threshers?
Gato Island, a marine sanctuary about 45 minutes by boat from Malapascua, is home to a large resident population of whitetip reef sharks. Sightings are almost guaranteed, especially on the deeper side of the island where dozens of whitetips rest on the sandy bottom between the boulders. The island also features a dramatic underwater cave and swim-through that connects one side of the island to the other.
What else is at Gato Island?
Beyond the whitetips, Gato Island is known for bamboo sharks, cat sharks, banded sea kraits (sea snakes), and an abundance of macro life. A resident population of blacktip reef sharks can also be seen in the shallows near Malapascua’s beaches. Combined with the thresher sharks and tiger sharks, Malapascua offers the chance to see 4-5 different shark species in a single trip.
Best for: Divers already on Malapascua who want to add more shark species to their trip
Season: Year-round
Operator: Thresher Shark Divers
How to Plan Your Philippines Shark Diving Trip
Can I combine multiple shark dives in one trip?
Absolutely. Our most popular combination is the “Big Fish Tour” which combines Malapascua (thresher sharks, tiger sharks, whitetip sharks) with Donsol and Ticao (whale sharks, manta rays). This 8-9 night trip covers all 5 experiences on this list and both destinations are connected by short domestic flights via Cebu.
Who operates these trips?
All trips are organised by Thresher Shark Divers, the award-winning PADI 5 Star CDC Centre on Malapascua Island, and their sister company Philippines Dive and Travel. With nearly 20 years of experience and thousands of shark dives under their belt, they are the shark diving specialists of the Philippines. In Donsol, the operator is Donsol Eco Tours.
How do I get to these destinations?
For Malapascua: Fly to Cebu-Mactan International Airport (direct flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai and more). Airport-to-island transfers take about 4 hours and are included in all packages.
For Donsol and Ticao: Fly to Bicol Airport (DRP), a short flight from Manila or Cebu. Transfers to resorts are included in all packages.
How do I book?
Browse and book packages instantly online at thresher-shark-divers.com, or contact us for a custom itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shark diving in the Philippines safe?
Yes. All the sharks featured in this guide are non-aggressive species. Thresher sharks are shy and retiring. Whale sharks are gentle filter feeders. Even tiger sharks, while commanding respect, have no history of incidents with divers at Malapascua. All dives are conducted by experienced guides with safety protocols in place.
What certification do I need?
The thresher shark, tiger shark and Gato Island dives require at least a PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent). Whale shark snorkelling in Donsol requires no certification at all. Manta Bowl diving is suitable for Advanced Open Water divers. If you’re not yet certified, Thresher Shark Divers offers all PADI courses on Malapascua, from beginner to professional.
When is the best time to visit?
Malapascua’s thresher sharks are available year-round with no significant seasonal variation. Donsol whale sharks are seasonal from mid-November to mid-May, with peak sightings from February to April. For the best chance of combining both, visit between January and April.
How much does a shark diving trip cost?
A 3-night Malapascua package with 6 dives starts from around US$450 per person. A 2-night Donsol whale shark package starts from around US$250. The 8-night combined “Big Fish Tour” covering both destinations is available on request. The Philippines is significantly cheaper than comparable shark diving destinations like the Galapagos, Maldives or Australia.
Is shark diving in the Philippines ethical?
The experiences we offer are all based on observing wild sharks in their natural habitat. We do not use feeding, baiting or chumming. Donsol has won international recognition for its responsible whale shark tourism. On Malapascua, the sharks visit cleaning stations of their own accord. We support and practice responsible shark tourism.
What other diving is there in the Philippines?
Beyond shark diving, the Philippines offers world-class reef diving, wreck diving, muck diving and macro photography. Our sister company Philippines Dive and Travel can arrange trips to destinations across the country including Bohol, Coron, El Nido, Puerto Galera, Dumaguete and more.
Last updated: March 2026