Thresher Shark Expedition

Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

SG
Shark Guardian
  • Email address verified
May 12 - 18, 2025
Group size: 1 - 16
Thresher Shark Expedition
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Shark Guardian
  • Email address verified

May 12 - 18, 2025
Group size: 1 - 16

About this trip

Thresher Shark Diving from Malapascua Island, Philippines


The Phillipines is one of the top diving destinations in the world with a huge diversity of marine life as well as sunken wrecks. Although the Phillipines is home to hundreds of shark species, most divers visit Malapascua to see the famous thresher sharks.


Malapascua is a small tropical island just off the northernmost tip of Cebu right in the heart of the Phillippines. A plane ride to Mactan-Cebu International airport and then transfer by car and boat to the island, you will be welcomed by white sand beaches and clear blue waters.


Malapascua offers the chance to see exciting creatures such as white tip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, tuna, barracuda, sea snakes and amazing macro from mandarinfish to mantis shrimps. However, as mentioned, most divers come with thresher sharks in mind!


Malapascua Island is one of the most consistent destinations around the world where recreational divers can encounter Thresher sharks.

Thresher shark Expedition

Liz, one of the directors of Shark Guardian, has a profound passion for sharks and conservation. She loves leading Shark Guardian events and presentations and is the primary contact for arranging events at schools and public venues. Liz will be your trip leader for the Malapascua Thresher shark expeditions in the Philippines.


Thresher sharks are more active in the early morning. With an early start and a short 30-40 minute boat ride from Malapascua’s beach, you can find these magnificent sharks at the cleaning stations around Kimud. Since most of the dive is at a maximum depth of 18 meters, it’s suitable for divers of various skill levels.


To preserve this unique ecosystem, home to the stunning thresher sharks, Shark Guardian has partnered with an operator known for excellent dive briefings and the best codes of conduct underwater.

Dive sites

KIMUD SHOAL

Kimud Shoal quickly became a very popular spot as the majority of Thresher Sharks changed from cleaning at Monad Shoal, to choosing Kimud for their daily ritual. As Kimud is shallower than Monad, and smaller, there are amazing encounters here on a daily basis. Lots of sharks in a small area and generally good visibility, especially when the sun is shining.


As the dives are so good we tend to do 2 dives here every day, and it’s well worth it!

For our Tech customers we also do dives between 30m and 100m where we have personalised encounters with Thresher Sharks. And schooling Hammerheads. Yes Hammerheads – and we can complete almost all deco in the shallow water of the reef, with sharks to entertain us – so no boring deco stops here.


MONAD SHOAL

Famous as the home of the Thresher Sharks for more than 20years, Monad Shoal is now famous for sightings of Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, and several other species that are rarely sighted elsewhere.


The site is large, and an excellent nitrox dive, to allow you to enjoy the slightly deeper reef areas for the maximum time. We also do day dives here to see the Manta Rays who swoop in for a good clean from time to time.

For our tech customers Monad is full of amazing areas to explore here between 30m and 130m where we encounter the sharks by ourselves over the side of the plateau.


GATO ISLAND

A sanctuary and protected breeding location for the beautiful Sea Krait (sea snake). We’re almost guaranteed to see the resident White Tip Reef Sharks. This island is alive with nudibranchs, Harlequin Ghost Pipefish, Pygmy Sea horses and an endless amount of other macro surprises. Gato is always tough for photographers – macro or wide angle.

More about Thresher Sharks

READ THE FULL THRESHER SHARK ARTICLE HERE


Known for their unique tail and interesting hunting habits, Threshers are frequent visitors to Malapascua Island. Also known as Fox sharks there are three living species: pelagic, Big Eye and Common Thresher.


Pelagic Thresher sharks (Alopias Pelagicus) inhabit the waters of Malapascua. The smallest of the three species (3 meters / 10 foot long and about 70 kg / 153 lb) they are characterized by their distinguished elongated upper lobe of its caudal fin, which is used like a whip to strike prey (especially small fish).

Shark Education

Beyond the thrill, shark scuba diving expeditions offer invaluable educational experiences. With knowledgeable guides and marine biologists, you'll learn about various shark species, their behaviors, and their critical role in the marine ecosystem. You'll gain insights into the evolutionary history of these creatures and understand the differences between species such as White tip reef sharks and Galapagos sharks, as well as Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, and Whale sharks.


These expeditions emphasize shark conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of protecting these apex predators and their habitats. By immersing yourself in their world, you'll develop a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of marine life and the urgent need to preserve our oceans for future generations.

Shark Conservation and Research

Our Shark scuba diving expeditions prioritize responsible and sustainable diving practices across a range of shark diving locations. They serve as platforms to raise awareness about the pressing need for shark conservation. Through these expeditions, you actively support the preservation of shark populations and marine ecosystems.


By witnessing the beauty and vulnerability of sharks firsthand, you become an advocate for their protection, spreading the message of conservation within your own communities. Joining a shark scuba diving expedition with Shark Guardian allows you to contribute to the global efforts aimed at safeguarding these incredible creatures and ensuring the health of our oceans.


Heavily integrated into our scuba diving with sharks expeditions is citizen science - basic data collection via the e-Oceans platform. We will teach you what data we need and how to collect it, contributing to a global database of vital information.


Joining us on one of our scuba diving with sharks expeditions also helps support Shark Guardian, and includes a donation so that we can continue the research, campaigning and educational work we do.

What’s included

  • Ground Transfers
    Return transfers Cebu City - Malapascua Island - Cebu City
  • Accommodation
    6 Nights Accommodation in either standard or Deluxe room options
  • Meals
    Breakfast
  • Check Dive
    All guests are required to take a check dive to refresh skills and/ or adjust equipment configurations. Very valuable before diving with Thresher sharks
  • Thresher Shark Dives
    10 x Thresher shark dives!
  • Gato Day Trip
    Day trip to Gato Island - 2 Dives included
  • Boat Refreshments
    Water and snack
  • Dive Gear
    Included: Tank and weights
  • Shark Presentation
    Online shark presentation to learn more about sharks and conservation. This is scheduled before the expedition to Malapascua
  • Shark Research Workshop
    Participate in an online shark research and citizen science workshop. This is scheduled before the expedition to Malapascua
  • Fun shark Quiz night
    Shark quiz night during the expedition
  • Park Fees
    6 Days diving included

What’s not included

  • Flights, taxes and Visa
    Destination: Cebu International Airport. Check your visa requirements for the Philippines
  • Additional Accommodation
    Accommodation in Cebu City upon arriving or departing
  • Meals
    Lunch and dinner. Meals can be ordered at the resort restaurant or other serving businesses on the island. We encourage you to explore options!
  • Refreshments
    Drinks or items of personal nature
  • Insurance
    Travel AND Dive Insurance
  • Enriched Air Nitrox
    Optional Add-on
  • Personal Dive Gear
    BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Fins, Mask and Dive Computer
  • Staff Gratitudes
    At your own discretion

Available Packages

Standard Room Sharing
Deposit:£250
Available until April 15, 20258 left

Transfers: Cebu-Malapascua-Cebu

6 x Nights accommodation Standard room (Sharing) incl. Breakfast

13 x Dives (1 check dive, 10 Thresher shark dives, 2 Dive trip to Gato)

Shark presentations & workshops

Park fees

£820
Deposit:£250
Standard Room SINGLE
Deposit:£300
Available until April 15, 20254 left

Transfers: Cebu-Malapascua-Cebu

6 x Nights accommodation Standard room (SINGLE) incl. Breakfast

13 x Dives (1 check dive, 10 Thresher shark dives, 2 Dive trip to Gato)

Shark presentations & workshops

Park fees

£960
Deposit:£300
Deluxe Room Sharing
Deposit:£250
Available until April 15, 20258 left

Transfers: Cebu-Malapascua-Cebu

6 x Nights accommodation Deluxe room (Sharing) incl. Breakfast

13 x Dives (1 check dive, 10 Thresher shark dives, 2 Dive trip to Gato)

Shark presentations & workshops

Park fees

£915
Deposit:£250
Deluxe Room SINGLE
Deposit:£300
Available until April 15, 20254 left

Transfers: Cebu-Malapascua-Cebu

6 x Nights accommodation Deluxe room (SINGLE) incl. Breakfast

13 x Dives (1 check dive, 10 Thresher shark dives, 2 Dive trip to Gato)

Shark presentations & workshops

Park fees

£1,145
Deposit:£300

Available options

Dive with Enriched Air Nitrox
£55

13 Dives with Enriched Air Nitrox (Certification required)



Itinerary

Day 1
Transfer to Malapascua. Check Dive.
  • 8am: Meet/ arrive in Cebu City
  • Transfer to Malapascua Island
  • 2pm: Check-in at Evolution Dive Resort
  • 4pm: 1 x Check out dive on house reef
  • 7pm: Shark Guardian Introduction (30min)

Your Organizer


SG
Shark Guardian
Shark Guardian is a UK Charity for shark and marine conservation worldwide. Teamed with professional divers, shark researchers and marine biologists, Shark Guardian has four main departments of operation: Conservation, Education, Research and expeditions