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All About Philippines Dive and Travel

Philippines Dive and Travel was the brainchild of Andrea Agarwal, the founder of Thresher Shark Divers on Malapascua. Since first coming to the Philippines in 2003 and opening TSD, she has personally booked and organised dive trips to the Philippines for well over ten thousand people. Endless divers have mentioned that the reason they came to TSD was the fast, responsive, friendly, knowledgable and helpful replies they got back from Andrea. 

 

She originally started booking other destinations by arranging add-on trips to customers coming to Malapascua, often accompanying groups herself to assist with arrangements. And it has grown from there. 

As the owner of one of the most long-standing and well-known dive shops in the Philippines, she now has a wide network and works only with the best dive operators in each region. She will hook you up with an excellent resort to suit your needs and budget and arrange your transportation between destinations as needed. 

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Andrea's knowledge of the Philippines is unrivalled, so do consider using Andrea and her team to arrange part, of all, of your trip to the Philippines. You won't be in better hands!

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Philippines Dive and Travel was founded to make the Philippines' incredible underwater world accessible to divers of all levels. From first-time Open Water students to experienced technical divers, we build trips around what you actually want to see and do, not a one-size-fits-all package.

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Based in the Philippines, we have firsthand knowledge of every destination we offer. We dive these sites regularly, know the seasons, the conditions, and which operators deliver consistently. That local expertise means fewer surprises and better diving for you.

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We work with trusted dive centres and resorts at each location, handpicked for quality, safety, and value. Every accommodation, transfer, and dive operation in our packages has been personally vetted. We handle all logistics including airport transfers, inter-island transport, and accommodation so you can focus on the diving.

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Whether you want a focused single-destination trip or an ambitious multi-stop adventure covering Malapascua, Moalboal, Oslob, Dauin, and Donsol, we will put together an itinerary that makes the most of your time and budget. Get in touch and let us start planning your Philippines dive trip.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Malapascua Island

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Moalboal & Pescador

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Whale Sharks Oslob

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dauin & Apo Island

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Donsol

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: General Packages

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.