When is the best time to see thresher sharks in Malapascua?

Thresher sharks can be seen year-round at Kimud Shoal, Malapascua. Sightings happen on early morning dives (around 5-6am) when sharks visit cleaning stations. Success rates are typically above 90% throughout the year, though visibility is best from March to June.

What dive certification do I need for Philippines diving?

Most dive sites require PADI Open Water or equivalent certification. The thresher shark dive at Malapascua is at around 20-25 metres so Advanced Open Water is recommended. Non-divers can take PADI courses starting from Discover Scuba Diving (1 day) up to full Open Water certification (3-4 days).

Can I swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Yes. In Oslob, Cebu, whale shark encounters run daily year-round. In Donsol, Sorsogon, wild whale shark season runs from November to June, with peak sightings from February to April. No diving certification is needed as encounters are snorkelling-based.

What is included in a Philippines dive package?

PDT packages typically include airport transfers, accommodation, daily guided dives, meals, and inter-destination transport for multi-stop trips. Equipment rental and dive courses can be added. Packages cover destinations like Malapascua, Moalboal, Oslob, Dauin, Donsol, and more.

What is the best time of year to dive in the Philippines?

The Philippines offers year-round diving. The dry season (November to May) generally has the best visibility and calmest seas. Thresher sharks at Malapascua are year-round. Whale sharks in Donsol peak from February to April. The sardine run in Moalboal is a permanent resident population visible any day of the year.

When is the best time to see thresher sharks in Malapascua?

Thresher sharks are present year-round at Kimud Shoal. Dawn dives (5-6am) give the highest sighting rates, typically above 90%. Visibility is best from March to June, but sharks are there every day of the year.

What certification do I need to dive with thresher sharks?

The cleaning station at Kimud Shoal is at 20-25 metres depth. PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) is recommended. If you only have Open Water, we can upgrade you with an Advanced course on-site in two days.

How do I get to Malapascua Island?

Fly to Cebu, then take a 3-4 hour drive north to Maya port, followed by a 30-minute boat crossing. PDT arranges all transfers as part of your package.

What other marine life can I see at Malapascua?

Beyond thresher sharks, Malapascua offers mandarin fish at sunset, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and beautiful coral gardens. The Lighthouse dive site is one of the best muck dives in the Visayas.

Is the sardine run in Moalboal seasonal?

No. The sardine school at Panagsama Beach is resident year-round. You can snorkel or dive with millions of sardines any day of the year, right from the shore.

Can I snorkel in Moalboal without a dive certification?

Yes. The sardine run, sea turtles, and house reef are all accessible by snorkelling. No certification needed. Pescador Island boat trips also include snorkelling options.

What is the Cathedral Cave at Pescador Island?

The Cathedral is an underwater cave formation inside Pescador Island with a chimney that lets light filter down from above. It is one of the most photographed dive sites in the Visayas and accessible to Advanced Open Water divers.

Do I need to know how to dive to swim with whale sharks in Oslob?

No. The whale shark interaction in Oslob is done by snorkelling in shallow water. No diving certification is required. Non-swimmers can also watch from the boat.

How long does the whale shark encounter last?

Each session is approximately 30 minutes in the water. The whole visit including briefing and boat transfer takes about 1-2 hours. Early morning visits (6-7am) are recommended for fewer crowds.

Are whale sharks in Oslob available year-round?

Yes. Unlike Donsol where whale sharks are seasonal, the Oslob whale sharks are present every day of the year. The interaction site operates daily from around 6am to midday.

What makes Dauin muck diving special?

Dauin's volcanic black sand creates a unique habitat for rare critters found nowhere else in the region. Expect blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, painted frogfish, and dozens of nudibranch species. It is considered one of the top muck diving destinations in the world.

Can I see turtles at Apo Island?

Yes. Apo Island's marine sanctuary is home to a large population of green sea turtles. Sightings are virtually guaranteed on every dive, and snorkellers can also see them in the shallow reef areas.

What is the difference between Donsol and Oslob for whale sharks?

Donsol offers wild, free-swimming whale shark encounters with no feeding involved. Oslob whale sharks are fed to keep them in one place. Donsol is seasonal (November to June) while Oslob operates year-round. Donsol is snorkel-only with stricter environmental guidelines.

When is manta ray season at Ticao Island near Donsol?

Manta rays are typically present at Ticao Island cleaning stations from November through May, with peak sightings from January to April. Ticao is a short boat ride from Donsol and can be combined with whale shark snorkelling.

How many days should I spend in Donsol?

We recommend 3-4 days minimum. This gives you two mornings for whale shark encounters, a day trip to Ticao Island for manta rays, and an evening firefly river tour. Longer stays allow for repeat encounters and relaxation.

What is included in a Philippines dive package?

Our packages typically include airport transfers, accommodation, daily diving (boat and shore dives), equipment rental, and meals. Specific inclusions vary by package level. We offer budget, standard, and premium options for each destination.

When is the best time to dive in the Philippines?

The Philippines offers year-round diving. The dry season (November to May) generally has the best visibility and calmest seas. Whale sharks in Donsol peak from February to April. Thresher sharks at Malapascua are year-round. Each destination has its own peak season.

Do I need to be an experienced diver?

Not at all. We cater to all levels from complete beginners to technical divers. Non-divers can learn to dive with PADI courses at any of our destinations. Many of our best experiences, including whale sharks and sardine runs, are accessible by snorkelling.

Can I visit multiple dive destinations in one trip?

Yes. Our multi-destination packages are our most popular option. Common combinations include Malapascua plus Moalboal, or Malapascua plus Donsol. We handle all inter-island transfers so you just enjoy the diving.

Welcome to Philippines Dive & Travel

Let us build your dream scuba diving trip!

Philippines Dive and Travel is brought to you by the team at Thresher Shark Divers, a PADI 5 Star CDC Center and one of the top dive centers in the Philippines. Join us on Malapascua Island, or at any of our other magnificent destinations!

All About Philippines Dive and Travel

At the heart of everything that we do is our love of diving. We are a business made by divers

Philippines Dive and Travel (PDT) is a specialist dive travel operator based in the Philippines. We build custom diving packages across the country's best underwater destinations, from the thresher sharks of Malapascua to the sardine run in Moalboal, whale shark encounters in Oslob and Donsol, and the macro paradise of Dauin.

Every trip includes accommodation, daily guided dives, meals, and all transfers between destinations. Whether you're a newly certified Open Water diver or a seasoned underwater photographer chasing rare critters, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the diving.

We also run PADI courses from Discover Scuba through to Divemaster, all taught at our partner dive centres across the Philippines. Multi-destination packages are our specialty: see thresher sharks in the morning, swim with whale sharks in the afternoon, and watch the sardine run the next day.

Learn More