Malapascua Island, nestled in the Philippines, is a diver’s paradise renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and stunning underwater landscapes. For PADI students, the island offers a wealth of dive sites, each with unique features and experiences that make it an ideal location for both learning and adventure. Thresher Shark Divers, a premier dive company on the island, provides exceptional training and access to these world-class dive sites. Here’s a guide to the top dive sites around Malapascua Island, detailing what makes each site unique and what you can expect to see and experience.

Monad Shoal: The Home of Thresher Sharks

Overview: Monad Shoal is Malapascua’s most famous dive site and the primary reason many divers flock to the island. This underwater plateau, located about 30 meters deep, is one of the few places in the world where you can reliably see thresher sharks year-round.

What Makes It Unique: The thresher sharks are the star attraction at Monad Shoal. These elusive sharks, known for their long, whip-like tails, come to the shoal early in the morning for their daily cleaning by smaller fish. The opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat is a rare and unforgettable experience.

What to Expect:

• Thresher Sharks: Typically seen during dawn dives, you’ll witness these sharks gracefully swimming around the cleaning stations.
• Manta Rays and Devil Rays: Occasionally spotted gliding through the waters.
• Deep Dive Training: An excellent site for PADI Deep Diver courses, offering real-world experience in deeper waters.

Gato Island: A Marine Reserve and Sea Snake Sanctuary

Overview: Gato Island is a marine reserve located about an hour’s boat ride from Malapascua. It is renowned for its diverse marine life, underwater tunnels, and intriguing rock formations.

What Makes It Unique: Gato Island offers a mix of adventure and biodiversity. The island itself is a striking rock formation rising out of the sea, and below the surface, it features fascinating caves and tunnels, making it a haven for adventurous divers.

What to Expect:

• Sea Snakes: The island is a sanctuary for the banded sea krait, a species of sea snake often seen coiled in crevices or swimming gracefully through the water.
• Underwater Tunnels: Explore the famous Gato Island Tunnel, which runs through the island and provides a thrilling dive experience.
• Diverse Marine Life: Encounter a variety of creatures, including whitetip reef sharks, cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses, and colorful nudibranchs.

Kimud Shoal: Hammerhead Shark Encounters

Overview: Kimud Shoal, located northeast of Malapascua, is a submerged plateau known for its potential hammerhead shark sightings. This dive site is ideal for experienced divers looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

What Makes It Unique: The chance to see hammerhead sharks is what sets Kimud Shoal apart. These sharks are known for their distinctive head shape and are typically seen at greater depths, making this site a thrilling dive for advanced divers.

What to Expect:

• Hammerhead Sharks: Best seen early in the morning, these sharks are a spectacular sight as they patrol the depths.
• Pelagic Species: In addition to hammerheads, you might encounter other pelagic species such as tuna and barracuda.
• Challenging Conditions: Strong currents and deeper waters make this site suitable for advanced divers and an excellent choice for PADI Advanced Open Water courses.

Bugtong Bato: Macro Paradise

Overview: Bugtong Bato is a dive site renowned for its incredible macro life. Located near the northern tip of Malapascua, it is a treasure trove for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts.

What Makes It Unique: The diversity and abundance of small marine creatures make Bugtong Bato a favorite among divers who enjoy the challenge of spotting and photographing tiny, often camouflaged, critters.

What to Expect:

• Pygmy Seahorses: These tiny, elusive creatures are a highlight for divers with a keen eye.
• Frogfish and Scorpionfish: Masters of disguise, these fish blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
• Nudibranchs: A variety of colorful nudibranchs can be found crawling over the coral and rocky surfaces.
• Photography Opportunities: Perfect for honing your underwater photography skills, especially for PADI Digital Underwater Photographer courses.

Lapus Lapus: Coral Gardens and Sloping Reefs

Overview: Lapus Lapus is a beautiful dive site featuring sloping reefs and vibrant coral gardens. It is located just a short boat ride from Malapascua, making it easily accessible for divers of all levels.

What Makes It Unique: The site’s healthy coral formations and gentle slopes create an ideal environment for both novice and experienced divers. The diversity of coral and marine life provides a colorful and engaging underwater landscape.

What to Expect:

• Healthy Coral Reefs: A variety of hard and soft corals, including large table corals and gorgonian sea fans.
• Reef Fish: Schools of damselfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and more darting among the corals.
• Turtle Sightings: Green sea turtles are often spotted grazing on the reef.
• Relaxed Diving: Calm conditions make it an excellent site for PADI Open Water Diver courses and leisurely dives.

Chocolate Island: Critter Haven

Overview: Chocolate Island is a small, rocky outcrop situated to the south of Malapascua. It is known for its critter-rich environment and is a popular site for night dives.

What Makes It Unique: The site’s name comes from the chocolate-brown color of the rocks and sand. It is an excellent location for muck diving, where divers can find an array of unusual and fascinating small creatures.

What to Expect:

• Night Dives: The site comes alive at night, with nocturnal creatures emerging from their daytime hiding spots.
• Exotic Critters: Frogfish, pipefish, octopuses, and various types of shrimp and crabs.
• Muck Diving: A unique diving experience that involves exploring the sandy and muddy areas for hidden treasures.

Calanggaman Island: Pristine Waters and Stunning Drop-offs

Overview: Calanggaman Island, located a few hours’ boat ride from Malapascua, is a stunning island known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and dramatic underwater drop-offs.

What Makes It Unique: Calanggaman Island offers some of the best visibility in the region, along with breathtaking underwater topography. The drop-offs and wall dives provide an exhilarating experience for divers.

What to Expect:

• Clear Waters: Exceptional visibility makes for beautiful diving and photography conditions.
• Wall Dives: Steep drop-offs adorned with colorful corals and sponges.
• Marine Life: Reef sharks, barracuda, jacks, and a variety of reef fish.
• Day Trips: Often done as a day trip from Malapascua, combining diving with a relaxing beach outing.

Lighthouse Reef: Mandarin Fish Magic

Overview: Lighthouse Reef, located near the northern tip of Malapascua, is famous for its evening mandarin fish dives. This shallow site offers a unique opportunity to observe the mating rituals of these colorful fish.

What Makes It Unique: The mandarin fish’s vibrant colors and intricate mating dance are a rare sight that few divers get to witness. This dive is usually done at dusk, adding a magical ambiance to the experience.

What to Expect:

• Mandarin Fish: Watch as these beautifully colored fish perform their nightly mating dance among the corals.
• Evening Dives: The dive typically starts at sunset, allowing you to see the reef transition from day to night.
• Calm Waters: Shallow depths and calm conditions make it an ideal site for all diver levels.

Conclusion: Dive into Adventure with Thresher Shark Divers

Malapascua Island offers an unparalleled diving experience with its diverse range of dive sites. From encounters with rare thresher sharks at Monad Shoal to the critter-rich environments of Bugtong Bato and Chocolate Island, there’s something for every diver. Whether you’re a beginner starting your PADI Open Water Diver course or an experienced diver seeking advanced certifications, Thresher Shark Divers provides exceptional training and access to these incredible sites.

Why Choose Thresher Shark Divers?

• Expert Training: With experienced instructors and comprehensive courses, you’ll receive top-notch dive training tailored to your skill level and goals.
• Prime Location: Conveniently located on Malapascua Island, you’ll have easy access to the best dive sites in the region.
• Passion for Diving: Thresher Shark Divers is dedicated to sharing their love for the ocean and ensuring every diver has a memorable and safe experience.

Embark on your diving journey with Thresher Shark Divers and explore the wonders of Malapascua Island’s underwater world. Whether you’re here for the thrill of seeing thresher sharks or the beauty of vibrant coral gardens, Malapascua offers an unforgettable diving adventure. Dive in and discover the magic that awaits beneath the waves.