🏨 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.

🏝️ Marine park fees (approximately P3,200 / $75AUD per person)

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 PLAN & CANCELLATION TERMS

Please read these terms carefully before securing your place. By submitting a Trip Deposit, Instalment or Pay in Full option, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Payment Plan & Cancellation Terms.

1. Expedition Price

The total price for your expedition place is $3,000 AUD per person ("Expedition Price").

Your booking is for a specific place on a limited-capacity expedition. By securing that place, you are entering into a commitment to pay the full Expedition Price, subject to the cancellation provisions below.

The payment of the initial deposit does not create a right to cancel the booking for the cost of the deposit alone.

2. Deposit

A $500 AUD deposit is required to secure your place.

The deposit is applied toward the total Expedition Price.

Your place is not secured until the required deposit has been received and your booking has been accepted by Odysea Ecounters.

The deposit is non-refundable except where a refund is required by applicable law or expressly provided for under these Terms.

3. Payment Options

After payment of the $500 deposit, the remaining balance is $2,500 AUD.

You may choose either:

Option A - Full Payment

Pay the remaining $2,500 AUD in one payment by the stated final-payment date.

Option B - Two Instalments

Pay the remaining $2,500 AUD in two instalments of:

$1,250 AUD - due on or before 18th April 2026

$1,250 AUD - due on or before 18th July 2026

The applicable payment dates will be displayed at the time of booking and confirmed in your booking confirmation.

4. Payment Obligation

Your booking is a contract for the Expedition Price of $3,000 AUD.

Once Odysea Ecounters has accepted your booking and your deposit has been received, you remain responsible for the applicable payments under these Terms.

Failure to make an instalment by its due date does not automatically cancel or release you from your booking or from amounts properly payable under these Terms.

Odysea Ecounters may issue a written payment reminder and provide a reasonable period for the overdue amount to be paid.

5. Customer Cancellation

If you choose to cancel your expedition place, you must notify Odysea Ecounters in writing.

Cancellation takes effect when Odysea Ecounters receives your written cancellation notice.

Because expedition places are limited and Odysea commits resources, supplier arrangements and capacity based on confirmed bookings, cancellation charges apply according to the following schedule:

More than 180 days before departure

The $500 deposit is retained. Any amount paid above the deposit will be refunded, subject to any non-refundable third-party costs specifically incurred for your booking.

180 days or fewer before departure

The cancellation charge is 100% of the Expedition Price, less amounts already paid.

These cancellation charges are intended to reflect Odysea Encounters' legitimate interests and the financial consequences of reserving a limited expedition place, including committed supplier costs, operational planning, administration and the loss of the opportunity to sell the place to another participant.

6. Cancellation Within 180 Days

If you cancel within 180 days of the expedition departure date, you acknowledge that Odysea Encounters may already have committed significant funds and resources in reliance on your booking and may have limited or no reasonable opportunity to resell your place.

Accordingly, the applicable cancellation charge under clause 5 becomes payable notwithstanding that some or all of the remaining scheduled instalments have not yet fallen due.

7. Resale of a Cancelled Place

Where reasonably possible, Odysea Encounters may attempt to resell a cancelled expedition place.

Odysea Encounters is not required to find a replacement participant before applying the applicable cancellation charge.

However, if Odysea Ecounters successfully resells the cancelled place, Odysea Ecounters may, at its discretion and having regard to amounts actually recovered and costs saved, reduce the amount otherwise payable by the cancelling participant.

Any such reduction is calculated by Odysea Ecounters after allowing for reasonable costs associated with the cancellation and resale.

A participant is not entitled to a reduction merely because another person expresses an interest in taking their place.

8. Transfer of a Booking

With Odysea Ecounters' prior written approval, you may request to transfer your expedition place to another person.

A transfer is not effective until Odysea confirms it in writing.

The replacement participant must satisfy all booking requirements and agree to Odysea Ecounterss then-current Terms and Conditions.

Odysea Ecounters may charge reasonable administrative or third-party costs associated with an approved transfer.

A transfer does not automatically release the original participant from their payment obligations until Odysea Ecounters confirms in writing that the transfer has been accepted and the replacement participant has completed all required payments.

9. Failure to Pay

If you fail to make a payment by its due date, Odysea Ecounters may provide written notice requiring payment within a specified period.

If the overdue amount remains unpaid, Odysea Ecounters may treat the booking as cancelled by the participant and apply the cancellation provisions in these Terms.

Where an amount is properly payable under these Terms and remains unpaid, Odysea Ecounters reserves the right to seek recovery of that amount through lawful debt-recovery or other legal processes.

Odysea Ecounters may also recover reasonable external costs incurred in recovering an overdue amount to the extent permitted by law.

10. No Automatic Right to Cancel by Forfeiting the Deposit

Payment of the $500AUD deposit does not give the participant an option to cancel the expedition at any time by forfeiting only the $500AUD deposit.

The deposit is part-payment toward the Expedition Price.

If you cancel after the applicable cancellation period has commenced, the cancellation charge in clause 5 applies.

11. Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any right, guarantee, remedy or protection that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be read down or severed to the extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to operate to the extent permitted by law.

12. Acceptance of These Terms

By submitting your payment (Trip Deposit, Instalments or Pay in Full), you acknowledge that:

• you have read these Payment Plan & Cancellation Terms;

• you understand that the total Expedition Price is $3,000 AUD;

• you understand that the $500 deposit is part-payment toward that price;

• you understand that booking an expedition place creates an obligation to make the applicable payments under these Terms;

• you understand the cancellation charges that may apply;

• you understand that cancelling within the applicable cancellation period does not automatically release you from amounts properly payable under these Terms; and

• you agree to be bound by these Terms.

IMPORTANT: Please do not make a booking unless you understand and accept the payment and cancellation obligations set out above.

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 travelinsurance 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!