Question 1

What are the dive sites like?

Accepted Answer

Malapascua has a wide variety of dive sites: big stuff and small stuff, reefs and wrecks, coral dives and sandy muck dives, wall dives and night dives. Over 20 named sites including Kimud Shoal (threshers), Monad Shoal, Gato Island, and Lighthouse.

Question 2

Tell me about the thresher sharks.

Accepted Answer

Malapascua is the only place in the world where you can dive with pelagic thresher sharks every day. Dives take place at Kimud Shoal, where the sharks visit a cleaning station at 12-22 metres. Sightings are year-round.

Question 3

What type of dives do we do (boat/shore, schedule etc.)?

Accepted Answer

TSD runs single boat dives and two- or three-tank day trips to more distant sites. All dives are in small groups supervised by experienced PADI Divemasters who have logged thousands of dives around Malapascua.

Question 4

How do I start learning to dive?

Accepted Answer

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the entry-level certification. It takes 2.5 to 4 days depending on pace and prior eLearning. On completion you can rent equipment and dive anywhere in the world to 18 metres. Minimum age 10.

Question 5

What will I see underwater?

Accepted Answer

Thresher sharks, whitetip reef sharks, mandarin fish, seahorses, frogfish, octopus, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, rays and a variety of reef fish. Dive sites to the north, south, east and west of the island each offer a different environment.

Question 6

When is the best time to come to Malapascua?

Accepted Answer

Diving is year-round. Dry season (January to June) has the calmest seas and best visibility. Rainy season (July to December) still has many dry days because Malapascua sits away from mountain rainfall zones. Typhoons rarely hit the island - they typically track north over Luzon.

Question 7

What wrecks can we dive at Malapascua?

Accepted Answer

Malapascua has wrecks for every level. Lighthouse (shallow WWII landing craft, 5m - beginner-friendly), the Tapilon WWII cargo carrier (22-28m), the 100-metre Dona Marilyn passenger ferry (18-32m, day trip), and the Pioneer Wreck (42-54m, technical).

Question 8

What PADI courses do you offer?

Accepted Answer

As a PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre, Thresher Shark Divers offers the full range of PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water through Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster and Instructor (IDC). Specialty courses include Nitrox, Deep, Wreck, Search & Recovery, and the first PADI Thresher Shark Distinctive Specialty in the world. Technical diving courses also available.

Question 9

What are the prices for dives at Thresher Shark Divers?

Accepted Answer

Fun dives: PHP 2,300 per dive (1-9 dives), PHP 2,100 per dive (10 or more). Equipment rental: PHP 400 per dive. Park fees: PHP 300-600 per day. A PHP 500 fuel surcharge applies to shark dives and Gato Island trips.

Question 10

What are the prices for PADI courses at Thresher Shark Divers?

Accepted Answer

PADI Open Water: PHP 23,500 (with eLearning) / PHP 25,500. PADI Advanced Open Water: PHP 19,900. Prices for other courses are available on request. Multi-course and group packages are discounted.

Question 11

What dive-resort packages do you offer?

Accepted Answer

TSD arranges bespoke packages including diving, accommodation, meals, and all transport (flights excluded). Packages are tailored to the number of days, the dives per day, the type of room (AC, fan, beachfront, budget, premium), and whether full-board is required.

Question 12

What is the daily dive schedule at Thresher Shark Divers?

Accepted Answer

Typical day: 5:00-7:00am thresher shark dive at Kimud Shoal. 10:00am and 2:00pm day dives (single dives or 2-3 tank trips). 5:00pm mandarin fish mating dive at Lighthouse. 6:00pm night dives on local sites. Schedule is flexible and adapts to guest requests.

Question 13

Do you offer Nitrox?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enriched Air Nitrox is available and beneficial for thresher shark dives at Kimud Shoal (12-22m) and other deep dives. Nitrox extends bottom time. A Nitrox certification is required - TSD offers the specialty course on-site for divers who do not hold one.

Question 14

How big are dive groups and what safety equipment is carried?

Accepted Answer

Dive groups are small, typically 4 or fewer per Divemaster. TSD dive boats carry first aid kits, mobile phones, and oxygen. Private guiding is available for solo divers. The emphasis is on safety and personalised service.

Question 15

Can I explore undiscovered dive sites around Malapascua?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Malapascua is a relatively undived area and there are sites waiting to be found. TSD runs exploratory dives for experienced guests. New sites are named after the diver who finds them.

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ABOUT US

MALAPASCUA DIVING

MALAPASCUA ISLAND

PADI DIVE COURSES

Continue Exploring

ABOUT US

MALAPASCUA DIVING

MALAPASCUA ISLAND

PADI DIVE COURSES

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