TSD Pre-Arrival FAQs

⚠ Cancellation & Refund Policy

Please read this carefully before booking. We are more flexible if cancellation is pandemic-induced.

Packages are non-transferable and non-refundable for dives and rooms.

Groups: Deposits are per person; the above policy applies to each. If one member cancels, their deposit is non-refundable unless someone fills their space. Full group cancellations within 30 days: 100% of total invoice.

Resorts: Each resort has its own policy. Expect full payment if cancelled within one month. Blanco: Dec 1–Mar 1 no refunds/changes; otherwise full payment if 1 month+ notice, 30% otherwise.

Transaction charges on any refunds given will not be paid by TSD.

Jump to a section:

🛡 Insurance
✈ Arrival & Transfers
💰 Money & Payment
🤿 Diving
🏝 Island Info
📞 Contact Numbers

🛡 Insurance — Get It Before You Come

Please ensure you are adequately covered for diving, health, cancellation, delays, accidents, and any unforeseen reason that may lead to trip cancellation, missed dives, or unwanted trip extension. Cancellations, losses and disruptions caused by reasons outside of TSD’s responsibility will be shouldered by you unless you are insured. We will assist with all paperwork necessary for any insurance claim.

For dive insurance, we recommend DAN and Dive Assure — both have short-term policies. More info and how to book.

✈ Arrival & Transfers

Before Departure

You are required to fill out etravel.gov.ph in advance and have the QR code ready. You can do this at the airport if you forget, but your airline may ask at check-in.

Reconfirm Your Pickup

If you have booked a pickup, please reconfirm at least 72 hours in advance by email, text or WhatsApp — and make sure you get a reply. Include your arrival time, flight number, and a contact phone number (preferably WhatsApp). We may not receive confirmations sent after that. Do not assume we have received it unless you get a reply back.

Our office will try to send you the driver’s cell number a day in advance, but we don’t always receive it from the transfer company. Drivers sometimes change at the last minute — as long as you go with the person holding a sign with your name, that’s fine.

Finding Your Driver at the Airport

Your driver will meet you outside the terminal with a “Thresher Shark Divers” sign. It’s a small airport and he will usually find you quickly. There may be other touts trying to get your business — make sure you go with your booked driver, otherwise you’ll pay for the transfer twice.

If you don’t see your driver, call the driver (if you have the number), the chauffeur company on +63 917 676 5021, or us on +63 917 795 9433. You can also email dive@thresherdivers.com and admin@thresherdivers.com.

Last-Minute Changes

Call or SMS/WhatsApp our office number +63 917 795 9433 (not the booking number). Phone lines can be unreliable, so please follow up with an email/SMS. For quick responses during business hours: admin@thresherdivers.com.

There may be an additional fee if the driver has a long wait (e.g. delayed flight).

At Maya Port

Check in at the passenger terminal and register for the boat manifest (name + nationality). Pay ₱140 Environmental Tax. Porter fee is ₱20–50 per bag. These fees are included if you booked your transfer through us.

Maya port is basic — you may need to climb slippery stairs or walk on a plank to board. Sensible shoes advised!

Transfer Details

Transfer time: 3–3.5 hours by car + 30 minutes by boat. Expect 5–6 hours total from landing. Transfers are direct — if you stop for anything beyond quick toilet breaks (shopping, Cebu City), there’s an additional ₱1,000/hour charge. You’ll be on a private boat (may have other TSD staff/customers).

Late Arrivals / Night Crossings

If You Stay in Cebu the First Night

Book a hotel near the airport. Cebu City or Mactan coastline hotels can add up to an hour each way — Google Maps is not always accurate for local traffic. Most airport hotels arrange free pickup, or take an airport yellow taxi (metered or fixed price). Traffic is usually better in the evening. If you want a transfer the next day, we can pick up from the hotel up to 12pm.

Bad Weather

Crossings in bad weather may cost extra or be cancelled by the Coast Guard. Alternate arrangements will be at your cost — we advise travel insurance. Your resort booking usually won’t be refunded for the missed night, but you can check in the next morning and get breakfast if included.

Options: stay near Cebu airport, or drive to Maya and stay at a guesthouse (₱1,000–2,000 at the port; ₱2,000–10,000+ further away, plus ~₱1,000 transport next day). Our driver will call you to make arrangements.

Making Your Own Way to Malapascua

Beware of “commissioners” (touts) who meet the public boats. For directions: from the pier, head right past Maldito to the next beach. You’ll see Blue Coral on the right. Turn left along the beach — we’re the first two-floor building, about 100m down.

Early Arrivals

The dive shop opens at 8am. If arriving earlier, the boat crew will usually take you straight to your resort.

💰 Money & Payment

Package Payment

Package balance is due on arrival. If you haven’t booked a fixed number of dives, we’ll estimate and ask for payment on arrival (Philippine banks don’t allow credit card holds the way hotels do). We’ll adjust your bill at the end. If your bill builds up, we may ask for additional payments during your stay.

Full package payment: minimum 15 days in advance (30 days for groups of 4+). If not done, final payment is due on arrival before any in-water activities.

Cash

Notes must not be torn (Filipino banks won’t accept them). We don’t accept USD before year 2000, EUR 500 notes, damaged notes, notes with writing, or foreign coins.

Learn more about thresher shark divers pre arrival and discover why this is a top choice for divers visiting the Philippines.

ATMs & Getting Cash

There are several ATMs on the island, but all run by the same company — if one is empty, they all may be. Other options: Palawan payment shop (app required), Western Union at M L’Huiller, and a money changer. There’s an ATM and money changer at the airport exit. Your driver can stop at one on the way if needed.

ATMs have withdrawal limits and sometimes don’t work — bring a backup method.

Credit Cards

Accepted in some places, usually with a 5% fee. Cards are occasionally declined by banks if the Philippine payment is flagged as unusual — inform your bank in advance and bring a backup. We prefer not to accept resort payment by credit card; please pay in advance or in cash.

Bank Transfers & Wise

You can transfer money in advance or on-site. Wise.com is excellent for international transfers — low fees, great rates. Send PHP to our Wise account using dive@thresherdivers.com.

We have bank accounts in the USA, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines, so you can transfer in your own currency and avoid costly conversion fees. We also accept payments via Wise, Revolut and PayPal. Credit cards may have an additional fee depending on the method used. Prices are in Philippine Pesos, but if you pay in another currency we use the current bank rate.

Deposits & Prepayments

The deposit credited is based on the final amount received. You are responsible for all transfer fees and exchange rate losses. Some banks use intermediary banks that deduct charges without notice — ask your bank to cover all wiring fees including intermediary banks. Also ensure your bank sends payment in the currency of the receiving account, or it may be returned or converted with additional fees. Find out more about our payment methods.

Other Money Notes

You can bring up to ₱10,000 (~$250 USD) in local currency in/out of the country. Foreign currency limit is $10,000 USD equivalent. There is no departure tax at the airport.

🤿 Diving

Certification

Bring proof of certification. You’ll be allowed to dive within the limits of your cert and/or proven experience. You may be required to do a checkout dive as your first dive — this is at the discretion of the dive shop manager and for your safety.

Thresher Shark Dives

Thresher shark behaviour changed in 2022, and they now appear at the further away but shallower Kimud Shoal. Both Kimud and Monad Shoal are more challenging dive sites. If you are an Open Water Diver (certified to 18m), you can still dive these sites but will need to go with an instructor. Contact us before booking confirmation if this applies to you.

Courses

If doing a course, you’ll need to complete a medical form. Please check it before you come — you may need to see a doctor in advance.

Equipment & Tanks

Most tanks are INT yoke but DIN convertible — no adapter needed for DIN regulators. We have limited 15L and 10L tanks (extra fee, request in advance), plus limited 5.5L and 3L tanks.

Pricing

Dive price includes: tank (air, 12L), weights, boat, Divemaster.

Not included: equipment rental, park fees, nitrox, 15L tanks, night dive surcharge, fuel surcharges, lunch. Full current pricing here.

Technical Diving

We offer technical diving, courses and equipment including twins, sidemount and trimix. Please inform us in advance.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is very damaging to the reef. We stock Magwai Reef Safe sunscreen (Philippine brand) in the dive shop. Please refrain from using regular sunscreen before diving and/or use clothing for sun protection.

To help us with better service, please provide customer info before arrival: equipment rental needs, cert level, number of dives, and rooming list (especially for groups).

🏝 Island Life & Practical Info

About Malapascua

Malapascua is a basic island with no mainland electricity, water or telephone lines. Most resorts are small family-run businesses with both the charm and the challenges this entails. No 5-star accommodation yet — but electricity is reliable, and Wi-Fi is available at most resorts and our dive center.

Water

Water ranges from slightly brackish (rainy season) to quite salty (March–June). The Philippines often has water shortages, so we conserve carefully. Camera rinses: seawater rinse on the boat, island water rinse in the dive shop. Drinking water available on request for rinsing. Please help conserve — quick showers etc.

Food & Drink

You can keep a tab at our bar (at the dive shop) and pay at the end of your stay along with your diving bill.

Electric

US-style 2-pin flat plugs, 220V. We sell plug adapters in the dive shop (not voltage converters). Bring a surge protector.

Internet & Phone

Wi-Fi: Free Starlink satellite internet at the dive shop — great speeds! Most resorts have wifi of some kind, fairly reliable, but not home speeds. Globe and Smart phone service available at the dive shop as backup.

SIM cards: Two providers — Globe (best) and Smart. SIM cards are ~$2 on the island, but your phone must be unlocked. Airport stands sell them before you exit. You’ll need to register your SIM with the government (passport images, proof of address in Philippines, return ticket).

Noise

The island can be noisy at night with cockerels and karaoke. Bring earplugs! Regular fiestas include two big ones (November and May 11–12) with potentially loud music all night. Check with us if this concerns you. Also bring a small torch/flashlight for nighttime — the island is not well-lit.

Resorts

We are an independent dive shop using outside resorts. Your room price is the standard resort rate, paid through us. While we aim for accurate quotes, unexpected changes may occur. Check-in: 3–4pm. Check-out: 10–11am (early/late may be possible depending on availability). Most resorts provide one towel per person — not to be used on the beach or boats.

Visas

Most countries get a 30-day visa on arrival. Check with your embassy for current requirements. Passport must have 6 months validity and you need an onward ticket. immigration.gov.ph. Visas are usually easy to renew in major cities.

All prices are subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond our control, though we will do our best to inform you in advance.

📞 Contact Numbers

Feel free to reach out to Andrea, the owner, by WhatsApp at any time during your trip if you have an issue that is not being solved by our team on the ground.

🌏 Other Destinations in the Philippines

Andrea has 20 years experience arranging dive trips around the country. Feel free to reach out for help booking the rest of your trip. See our offerings on the Philippines Dive and Travel website.