🏨 Island accommodation on Malapascua
Enjoy comfortable beach-front accommodation on the island, perfectly positioned for early-morning dive departures (not even 100m from the water!). Wake up to ocean air, island life and the anticipation of pelagic encounters just moments away.

🍽️ Daily breakfast included
Each morning begins with a packed hot breakfast (you also have the option to have an in-restaurant breakfast upon our return at midday) to fuel up for sunrise thresher dives and exploring Malapascua’s underwater world.

🤿 Double thresher shark dives daily
Malapascua is world-famous for its early-morning thresher shark encounters. You’ll complete two dedicated thresher dives per day, maximising your chances of coming face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most elusive pelagic sharks. We will be the first boat to leave the island for the dive site to ensure we get as much alone time with the sharks as possible.

🏖️ Private beach BBQ night
One evening, we will unwind with a private beach BBQ under the stars. Enjoy good food, the ocean breeze and shared stories with our fellow divers after an unforgettable day beneath the surface.

🌊 Gato Island diving day trip (lunch included)
Advanced Open Water Divers (AOWD) only. Venture to nearby Gato Island for a full-day diving excursion. Known for its vibrant reefs, swim-throughs and marine biodiversity, this day trip adds variety and exploration to your itinerary expedition.

Don’t stress if you are not AOWD! On this day, Open Water Divers (OWD) will have the choice between a free day or another double thresher shark dive.

🧑‍✈️ Expert dive guides with Evolution Diving
Dive alongside experienced local professionals from Evolution Diving, who bring deep knowledge of Malapascua’s sites, thresher shark behaviour and safe, respectful diving practices.

🪸 Designated reef clean dive
We will be giving back to the ocean with a dedicated reef clean-up dive, contributing directly to the health and preservation of Malapascua’s marine ecosystems.

📸 Underwater photography workshop
Whether you’re shooting wide-angle threshers or macro life, you’ll have the opportunity to refine your underwater photography skills with guidance throughout the trip.

⚓ Scuba Gear Included
All scuba gear is included, allowing you to focus entirely on diving and enjoying the experience. If you would like to bring your own scuba gear, please reach out to us.

🚤 Transfers & logistics handled
All local transfers and logistics will be organised for you, creating a seamless, stress-free expedition from start to finish.

This includes a van transfer from Cebu Airport to Maya Port and Maya Port to Cebu Airport (approx. 2.5-4 hours each way, depending on traffic). Upon arrival to Maya Port, there is a public ferry to Malapascua Island which we will assist you in booking.

📖 Thresher shark educational talk
Learn more about thresher sharks, their behaviour, ecology and conservation through an informative educational session with a local marine biologist designed to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these remarkable animals.

👥 Small group expedition experience
We keep group sizes intentionally small to create a more personal, relaxed and meaningful experience. Arrive as strangers and leave as friends, often feeling like family.

🌱 Support for local community & conservation
Your participation supports local dive operators, guides and conservation initiatives, ensuring this extraordinary destination can be enjoyed responsibly for years to come.

Itinerary Overview

Malapascua is a world-renowned destination for thresher shark diving, with dive schedules carefully coordinated around early-morning conditions and shark activity. While we follow a well-structured weekly plan, diving times and specific sites may vary slightly based on weather, sea conditions and operational logistics to ensure the best possible encounters and safest experience.

Across the expedition, you can expect multiple dedicated thresher shark dives, relaxed reef dives, island time and curated group experiences both above and below the water.

Arrival & Transfers

Guests will arrive into Cebu International Airport, with some choosing to stay overnight in Cebu before the group transfer on the 18th.

On arrival day (18th), we’ll travel together by van from Cebu to Maya Port, followed by a boat transfer to Malapascua Island, where you’ll check in, settle into island life and enjoy our first evening together.

Diving Days

Most diving days begin early in the morning, timed to coincide with peak thresher shark activity and avoid other dive operators.
Throughout the week, you can expect:

• Double thresher shark dives on at least 4 days

• Time to rest, relax, and explore the island after our dives and we return to the island

• A mix of pelagic-focused dives and vibrant reef diving

One day during the week will include a Gato Island day trip.
Widely regarded as one of the best dive sites in the region, Gato Island offers dramatic underwater topography, colourful reefs, fascinating swim-throughs and an incredible diversity of marine life, making for an outstanding first day of diving. This day trip will include two dives, including a check dive. In accordance with new local regulations, all divers are required to complete a check dive before participating in the thresher shark dives on the following days. This ensures everyone is appropriately weighted, comfortable with their equipment, and able to demonstrate safe diving practices before visiting the shark cleaning stations.
If you would rather have a free / rest day, you may do so on this day instead.

Workshops, Education & Conservation

During the expedition, you’ll also take part in:

• An underwater photography editing workshop, run by Kendall, offering guidance on editing your underwater images

• A thresher shark educational talk by local marine biologist, providing insight into their behaviour, ecology and conservation

• A designated reef clean-up dive, giving back directly to the marine environment we’re exploring

Island Life & Group Experiences

Some afternoons and evenings are intentionally unstructured, allowing time for:

• Relaxing after early dives

• Exploring Malapascua Island

• Sharing meals and stories with the group

• Relaxing by the beach

One evening will be reserved for a private beach BBQ, where we’ll come together for a relaxed night of good food, ocean air and reflection on the week’s experiences.

Departure

On the final morning (24th), we’ll depart Malapascua by boat back to Maya Port, followed by a van transfer to Cebu for onward flights home.

Important Notes

• Breakfast is included daily

• Lunches and dinners are flexible and enjoyed together as a group or individually, allowing freedom to explore local dining options

• The itinerary may be adjusted slightly to maximise dive quality and safety

More detailed information, including exact timings, packing recommendations and logistical notes, will be included in your Malapascua Expedition Information Pack, which will be emailed to you closer to the departure date.

Island accommodation on Malapascua (6 nights)
Enjoy comfortable accommodation on Malapascua Island, perfectly located for early-morning dive departures and relaxed surface intervals. The ideal base for both adventure and downtime between dives.

Daily breakfast included
Breakfast is included each morning, with a selection of local and international options to fuel up for sunrise thresher shark dives and full days on the island.

Double thresher shark dives daily
Two dedicated early-morning dives per day focused on thresher shark encounters, maximising your chances of observing these elusive pelagic sharks in their natural environment.

Gato Island diving day trip (lunch included)
On Day 1, we'll head to Gato Island for a full-day trip, including lunch. The day begins with a mandatory check dive, required under new regulations before participating in the thresher shark dives on the following days. Gato Island is an world-class dive site in its own right, with dramatic underwater landscapes, vibrant reefs and an incredible diversity of marine life.
In accordance with new local regulations, all divers are required to complete a check dive before participating in the thresher shark dives on the following days. This ensures everyone is appropriately weighted, comfortable with their equipment and able to demonstrate safe diving practices before visiting the shark cleaning stations.

Expert dive guides with @evolutiondiving
Dive alongside highly experienced local professionals from Evolution Diving, specialists in thresher shark encounters and Malapascua’s dive sites.

Reef clean-up dive
On one of our thresher shark dives, we may have the opportunity to take part in cleaning the reef or eliminating the crown-of-thorns starfish (pest, consuming the cleaning stations), giving back directly to the marine environment and supporting local conservation efforts.

Underwater photography workshop
An interactive workshop covering techniques for capturing both wide-angle pelagic encounters and detailed macro life.

Private beach BBQ night
One evening during the expedition will feature a private beach BBQ, where we’ll enjoy great food, ocean breezes, and a relaxed group atmosphere under the stars.

Scuba gear included
Scuba gear (including BCD, regulator, tanks, mask, fins, weights) is included for each of your dives during the expedition.

Underwater photography package

All sharks and marine life captured for you and sent to you in high resolution after the trip.

All local transfers & logistics handled
Transfers between Cebu, Maya Port, and Malapascua Island are fully organised, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey.

Thresher shark educational talk
Learn about thresher shark behaviour, ecology, and conservation through an engaging educational session.

Small group expedition experience
Group sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure personalised diving, relaxed pacing, and meaningful connections within the group.

Support for local community & conservation
Your participation directly supports local dive operators, guides, and community initiatives, promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

Exclusions

✈️ International flights to and from Cebu
We will provide recommended arrival times and flight guidance closer to the expedition date.

🍽️ Lunches & dinners (except where specified)
Lunch and dinner are not included on most days, allowing flexibility to explore Malapascua’s local dining options. Group dinners will be coordinated, but meals will be paid individually.

🛡️ Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all participants and must cover diving activities.

Other Important Information

🛏️ Room allocations
Rooms are allocated on a twin-share basis. Couples or friends will be roomed together. Single occupancy may be available at an additional cost (subject to availability).

📶 Wi-Fi availability
Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation, though island connectivity may vary.

📦 Information pack
A detailed Malapascua Expedition Information Pack — including packing lists, dive requirements, and logistical details — will be emailed to you closer to the departure date.

✔ Certified divers

This expedition is designed for certified divers who are comfortable in open-ocean environments.
An Open Water Diver (OWD) certification is the minimum requirement to participate in thresher shark dives.

However, Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) is strongly recommended for those who want to fully experience the expedition, access additional dive sites (such as the Gato Island day trip or additional night dives), and feel more confident during deeper or more varied dive profiles.

✔ Shark lovers

If you are fascinated by sharks and dream of seeing them in their natural environment, this expedition is for you. Malapascua offers one of the rare opportunities to encounter pelagic thresher sharks reliably and respectfully. This trip is ideal for those who value ethical wildlife encounters and want to observe these elusive sharks up close while prioritising safety and conservation.

✔ Adventure seekers

This expedition is best suited to travellers who embrace adventure. Expect early-morning starts, dynamic ocean conditions and days shaped by nature rather than rigid schedules. If you enjoy exploration, discovery and the thrill of diving in remote locations, you’ll feel right at home on this journey.

✔ Those seeking beyond the ordinary

This is not a typical resort dive holiday. It’s for those who want meaningful experiences, genuine connection and moments that leave a lasting impact. From small-group diving to shared meals and island life, this expedition attracts people who value depth (underwater and above).

✔ Community-minded travellers

You’ll resonate with this expedition if you believe travel should give back. We work closely with local dive operators, guides and conservation initiatives, and we welcome travellers who want to support sustainable tourism and respectful cultural exchange.

✔ Photographers & ocean storytellers (!!)

Whether you’re an experienced underwater photographer, own a GoPro or simply passionate about capturing memories, Malapascua offers incredible opportunities for wide-angle pelagic encounters, action cam moments and detailed macro photography.

Safety is paramount on this expedition. Throughout the trip, you will be guided by a highly experienced team of professional divemasters and instructors from Evolution Diving, specialists in thresher shark diving and Malapascua’s unique conditions.

All dives are carefully planned and conducted with a strong focus on diver safety, environmental awareness and responsible wildlife interactions. Pre-dive briefings are provided before every dive, covering site conditions, depth limits, dive profiles and best practices for interacting respectfully with marine life.

Our small group sizes allow for close supervision, calm dives and personalised support, ensuring every diver feels confident and comfortable throughout the expedition.

Emergency procedures, oxygen, and first-aid equipment are always on hand, and all diving operations follow established safety standards and local regulations.

From early-morning thresher dives to reef and island excursions, every aspect of this expedition is designed to deliver extraordinary encounters without compromising safety, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the experience.

Getting to Malapascua is straightforward and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Here’s how:

1. Fly into Cebu, Philippines

Fly into Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB). We recommend arriving on or before the designated arrival day (17th or early morning on the 18th) to allow time for group transfers and a smooth start to the expedition. Some guests may choose to arrive a day early and stay overnight in Cebu.

2. Cebu to Maya Port (van transfer)

From Cebu, you’ll travel by private van to Maya Port in northern Cebu. The drive takes approximately 4–5 hours, depending on traffic and conditions. This transfer is organised as part of the expedition.

3. Maya Port to Malapascua Island (ferry transfer)

From Maya Port, a short boat transfer will take you across to Malapascua Island, where island life begins. This crossing typically takes around 30–45 minutes, depending on sea conditions.

4. Arrival on Malapascua

Once on the island, our team with Evolution Diving will assist with your transfer to the accommodation. You’ll have time to settle in, relax and meet the group before diving begins.

Important Notes

• All local transfers and logistics (Cebu → Maya Port → Malapascua and return) are included

• Exact meeting times and transfer details will be shared in your Malapascua Expedition Information Pack, emailed closer to departure

• If you need assistance booking flights or planning your arrival, we’re happy to help!

The cost of this expedition is $3,000 AUD (or $2,015 USD for easy reference).

*Please note, prices are in Australian Dollars, AUD.

Payment

A non-refundable deposit of $500.00AUD will be required for your spot on this expedition to be secured. Your spot is not secured without this payment and all spots will be available to book until all deposits are submitted. 

You have the option of either paying the remaining $2,500 AUD upfront. (Please select the full payment option if so).

OR you can pay 2 instalments of $1,250 AUD.

The first instalment will be due on the 18 April 2026. This will be $1,250.00AUD.

The final balance is due on the 18 July 2026. This is 3 months prior to the expedition.

The entire balance will be non-refundable within 6 months of the expedition date. 18 April 2026.

Full payment will be required 3 months prior to the expedition date. Saturday 18th July 2026.

Cancellations

In the (extremely rare) event that the tours need to be cancelled due to unforeseen weather events, we will consult with our partner dive centre, Evolution Diving to ensure the best outcome for you.

You MUST purchase your own dive and travel insurance to cover Scuba Diving related accidents and other expenses such as your flights.

It is also important to remember that we are dealing with Mother Nature and unpredictable animal behaviour. Therefore opportunities will vary from day to day. Nothing in nature is guaranteed, however every effort will be made to ensure you have an amazing day out!