Malapascua Island Cebu

About Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island in the Philippines is a tiny tropical paradise famous for daily thresher shark encounters.

Malapascua Island Philippines

Thresher Shark Divers is located on the western end of Bounty Beach, the long beach on the south side of the island. We can usually see our dive boats arriving in the morning after their early trip to see the thresher sharks at Monad Shoal.

Find out:

Malapascua Island Philippines - Malapascua Island Beach

Malapascua Island is just off the north tip of Cebu in the Philippines. It is about 2km by 0.5km, and you can walk around it in 1-2 hours. Its population has grown to about 7,000 from about 4,000 when TSD first opened in 2004.

The name Malapascua means ‘Bad Christmas’ in Cebuano. Legend has it that it was so named because the Spanish found it during a heavy storm at Christmas time.

Modern-day Malapascua was first ‘discovered’ over 30 years ago, when Swiss expat Freddy arrived and built what is now Cocobana Resort. The incredible thresher sharks drew divers from around the world.

Today, Malapascua remains a beautiful, sleepy island. There are no cars and most buildings are only one floor high. The locals are friendly and will always return your wave!

Traditional Philippines dress on Malapascua Island

Local Events on Malapascua

Fiestas: There are many fiestas throughout the year with beauty pageants, discos, booths, food and drink. Western holidays are also celebrated, notably Christmas, New Year and Easter. The big island fiesta runs May 1-May 10, and you are welcome to join in! If you prefer an early night, then be sure to bring earplugs!

Basketball is the national obsession and games are played at courts all over the island.

Cockfighting comes second after basketball, and you will see the proud birds (and prouder owners) all over the island.

Malapascua is suitable for families, with swimming pools at several resorts as well as beautiful sandy beaches with calm, shallow waters.

As for sightseeing, the island is small and the main attractions are the beaches, the snorkeling and the diving. Walking to the lighthouse makes for a pleasant stroll, and there is cliff-jumping for the brave!

Malapascua Resorts

Because we do not own a resort, we will not bind you into a room that might not suit you. Tell us your needs and we will suggest the perfect resort.

We have several resorts we use regularly because of their high quality and service standards.

There are some great restaurants on Malapascua, so be sure to ask us for recommendations!

View Malapascua Resorts

Malapascua Dining

Malapascua has some excellent restaurants. Many are Western-owned and run with high standards and delicious food.

Malapascua’s Bars

The Wilde Bar is right on the beach at Thresher Shark Divers. Surrounded by palm trees, enjoy a beer while you watch the sunset and celebrate newly certified divers ring the bell.

Booze Cruise

This is a Thresher Shark Diver’s Special and is not to be missed! Enjoy a cruise around the island in one of our traditional Philippine dive boats, with a fully stocked bar on board.

We will stop for snorkeling, including at the Lighthouse wreck, catch a glorious sunset, and you can even take a turn at driving the boat!

Malapascua Weather

We are very fortunate with the weather on Malapascua. The Philippines has two seasons but in reality, it only really rains hard during typhoon season.

Online weather apps: Are not always very accurate! Contact us for latest info.

Diving and the weather: We lose very few days diving out of every year. There is almost always a protected area on the island to dive.

So When Should You Come?

Thresher shark sightings are similar year round, so it mostly depends on weather and if you prefer it busy or quiet.

High season (December to April) means less chance of rain, but also more people. Low season can be just as rewarding, often with fewer divers at the sites.

Water temperature varies from 27-30 degrees for most of the year. From December to February it is usually around 24-26 degrees.

Thresher Sharks are now seen consistently year round. Come midweek or outside of major holidays for the fewer divers!

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