Diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua is a bucket-list experience. These elusive sharks are spotted almost daily on the island of Malapascua, making it one of the best places in the world to see them up close. Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen and have the best experience!
What You Need to Know About Thresher Sharks
Thresher sharks, often called Fox Sharks, make for one of the ocean’s most intriguing sights. There are three species in this group—the Pelagic Thresher, the Bigeye Thresher, and the Common Thresher—all of which are currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In the waters off Malapascua, you’ll only encounter the Pelagic Thresher (Alopias pelagicus).
This shark may be the smallest of its kind, but it can still grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) long and weigh around 70 kg (153 lb). Its most unique feature is its long upper tail fin, which it uses like a whip to stun small fish—this is why it’s called a “thresher” shark!
Pelagic threshers sharks are solitary and naturally timid, often retreating when disturbed by bubbles or abrupt movements. Their strong swimming abilities mean you might even catch them breaching out of the water, a truly spectacular sight.
What makes Malapascua so special is that it’s one of the very few places in the world where you can consistently see these elusive sharks. While sightings elsewhere are hit-or-miss, the clear, nutrient-rich waters of Malapascua offer regular encounters, making it a must-visit destination for divers!
Best Dive Spots for Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
When it comes to diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua, most sources, including older maps found in dive shops, highlight Monad Shoal as the prime dive site.
However, in recent years, things have changed due to the presence of tiger sharks in the area. These larger predators have pushed the smaller, long-tailed threshers away, and sightings now primarily occur at Kimud Shoal.
This shift has both pros and cons for divers. On the plus side, Kimud Shoal is smaller, slightly shallower, and offers better visibility and overall conditions than Monad Shoal. As a result, the density of thresher sharks is even higher, making it common to encounter multiple individuals—sometimes five or six—on a single dive.
The downside? The smaller area now results in more boats and divers, leading to a more crowded experience underwater.
Kimud Shoal
Kimud Shoal is an underwater seamount located off the coast of Malapascua, Philippines. The top of the shoal lies at a depth of 12–16 meters (40–50 feet), and its steep sides descend rapidly, reaching depths of over 200 meters (660 feet). This dramatic drop creates an exciting environment, perfect for divers.
The site offers excellent visibility, often ranging from 20 to 30 meters (65–100 feet), depending on conditions. The steep slopes and surrounding deep waters also attract a variety of other species, such as tuna, barracudas, and occasionally manta rays and hammerhead shark.
Diving here requires special care as stepping on the bottom is not allowed. As a diver, you must hover during the dive to avoid damaging the delicate environment and keep visibility good. Depending on the dive shop, there are typically mooring lines provided to help with your descent and avoiding strong currentss.
Monad Shoal
Monad Shoal used to be the go-to dive site for thresher sharks in Malapascua, but over the years, its marine life composition has shifted significantly. While the site is still a popular destination for divers, sightings of thresher sharks have become much rarer. This change is mainly due to the increasing presence of tiger sharks in the area, which have pushed the smaller, long-tailed threshers out.
The shoal itself is quite expansive, with a flat area that stretches about 1.5 km long and wide, roughly the size of Malapascua Island. The depth here ranges from 15 to 25 meters, depending on where you are.
While the area is home to occasional whitetip sharks and tiger sharks, sightings are relatively rare due to the vastness of the shoal and the small number of tiger sharks that inhabit the region.
One advantage of diving at Monad Shoal is its relative solitude. Compared to other dive sites, it’s less crowded, and you’ll likely share the experience only with people from your boat and group.
Diving with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua – Our Experience
Diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua requires some planning and an early start. Boats typically depart around 5:00 AM, with a meetup scheduled for 4:30 AM, depending on the tide. You must plan and book your dive in advance, as last-minute arrangements won’t be possible.
We decided to dive with thresher sharks twice during our stay in Malapascua, once with Thresher Shark Divers and once with The Shark’s Tail. On the firsrt day, we joined a 2-dive trip to Kumud Shoal.
Day 1 – First Dive
On our first dive, we left shortly after 5:00 AM and reached Kimud Shoal in about 40 minutes. After gearing up, we had a briefing. When diving with sharks, it’s crucial to follow proper diver etiquette. We’ll dive into more details later, but the main rules are to avoid sudden movements, stay low, and minimize bubbles.
Once we were ready, we jumped in. The current was very strong during our first dive, and we had to hold onto the anchor line to avoid being swept away. The current remained powerful throughout the dive, requiring us to either grip the anchor line, swim, or hold onto rocks for stability.
Despite the strong current, we were lucky to spot some sharks almost immediately, which was an unforgettable experience. Thresher sharks swim gracefully in circles, observing you but staying focused on their own movements. As divers, we had to be as still and unobtrusive as possible, blending in with the surroundings.
DIVE DATA: Depth 17.9m – Visibility 12m – Temperature 27°C – Bottom time: 42min [Certification OW]
Day 1 – Second Dive
The second dive took place after our surface rest time, at the same spot. The current was much calmer this time, and we were fortunate to see even more sharks than during the first dive.
This was the final dive of the day, and we were back on Malapascua by 11:00 AM, giving us almost the entire afternoon to explore the island.
DIVE DATA: Depth 16.0m – Visibility 12m – Temperature 27°C – Bottom time: 45min [Certification OW]
After a day filled with various activities, we decided to squeeze in one more dive trip to Kimud Shoal on our last day on the island. Swimming with thresher sharks had been such an unforgettable experience that we couldn’t resist going back for more! This time, we joined a 3-dive trip, which included 2 dives at Kimud Shoal and 1 at Monad Shoal.
Day 2 – First Dive
Our departure was later than before, setting off at 6:15 AM. By 7:00 AM, we arrived at Kimud Shoal, and after a quick briefing, we were ready to dive.
The dive itself was incredible. The conditions were great, and we were surrounded by sharks! Not just one or two—we had the chance to swim with 3, 4, 5, and even 6 thresher sharks at once! It was a truly magical experience.
Also, the spot was much less crowded, and we must thank our Dive Master Vic for taking us to the best spot.
DIVE DATA: Depth 16.0m – Visibility 15m – Temperature 26°C – Bottom time: 45min [Certification OW]
Day 2 – Second Dive
On our second dive at Kimud Shoal, we jumped into the same spot as before. The conditions were still fantastic, and although we saw a few more divers and a slightly fewer number of sharks, the experience remained magical. To top it off, we had an incredibly close encounter with one of the thresher sharks, which was truly amazing.
DIVE DATA: Depth 18.0m – Visibility 15m – Temperature 26°C – Bottom time: 48min [Certification OW]
Day 2 – Third Dive
For the last dive of the day, we headed to Monad Shoal, hoping to spot a tiger shark! These creatures are much rarer to see here, so we kept our expectations in check and embraced the experience regardless of the outcome.
The dive spot we chose was quite shallow, allowing us to stay in the water for longer. We spent a relaxing 55 minutes at the bottom, patiently kneeling on the seabed (which is allowed at Monad Shoal).
Unfortunately, no tiger sharks appeared, but we did get a treat in the form of a passing whitetip shark! Just a few days later, a dive master friend of ours spotted a massive tiger shark at the same location. Sometimes, luck just doesn’t align—but that’s the thrill of diving!
DIVE DATA: Depth 14.0m – Visibility 15m – Temperature 26°C – Bottom time: 55min [Certification OW]
On this 3-dive trip, we got back to Malapascua at around 1 PM.
Requirements and Certification for Diving with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
We had heard rumors that you needed to be an experienced diver or have an advanced open water certification to dive with thresher sharks, especially since they are at a certain depth. We can’t speak to whether that was the case in the past, but it’s definitely not true in 2025.
Personally, we’re not experienced divers, and having just an Open Water Certification was more than enough to dive with thresher sharks at Kimud Shoal.
That being said, if the current is predicted to be strong, like it was on our first dive, you’ll want to feel confident underwater. Having a personal dive guide, as we did for our first trip, is highly recommended. In fact, some dive shops may even require one in those conditions for OW certification holders.
However, if the conditions are normal, you’ll be perfectly fine with your Open Water Certification in a small group.
Best Dive Shops in Malapascua
When it comes to diving in Malapascua, there are plenty of great dive shops to choose from. We obviously haven’t tried them all, but here’s a rundown of some of the top ones that come highly recommended or have earned a solid reputation over time.
You’ve got the big names like MBI, Dive Nation, and TSD – they’re well-established and have a great track record, though they can be a bit pricier. If you’re looking for something more affordable but still good, you might want to check out Devocean or The Shark’s Tail – they’ve got solid reviews and offer good value for money.
If you’re aiming for something a little more niche, places like French Kiss and Fun&Sun have their loyal followers too. There’s also Malapascua Exotic, Atlas Divers, and MTD that are known for offering quality service and a good vibe.
Bottom line: there’s a dive shop for every budget and style in Malapascua. You can’t go wrong with any of these spots!
Costs and Logistics of Diving with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
Diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua typically costs around $30 to $40 USD per dive. Each dive shop offers different packages, so we’d recommend doing your research to find the best option for you.
The price usually includes a light breakfast on board, along with tea, coffee, and water. Since you’re typically back before lunchtime, meals aren’t included.
If you stick with the same shop for multiple days, you’ll usually get a discounted rate on each dive. Also, be sure to check for any hidden fees, such as equipment rental, marine park fees, or other additional costs before booking. We didn’t personally run into any issues, but we did see some ads with extremely low prices, only to find out that extra fees were listed in the fine print.
Most of the time, if you book with a dive shop that doesn’t have enough people for a trip, you’ll join another shop’s boat. You’ll still dive with your assigned dive master and use the equipment from the shop you booked with—just on a different boat.
When it comes to booking, there’s no need to do it in advance. Malapascua has plenty of dive shops, so you can just walk in the day before and arrange your dive. This also gives you a chance to see how many people are joining and choose a shop that fits your vibe.
Tips for an Unforgettable Dive in Malapascua
When it comes to diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua, there are a few tips that can enhance your experience. Here’s our top recommendations:
Get a good night’s sleep. Dives are very early in the morning, with boat typically leaving at 5AM. This means you’ll need to set up your alarm around 4AM, and you don’t want to feel tired while in the water. Go to bed early, and avoid drinking.
Check your gear the day before: Diving at sunrise means limited time to try your suit or to fix issues. Most shops close at 7PM, so make sure to get your gear ready before closing time the day before if you’re renting.
Bring warm clothes. Especially for the early boat ride, or if the weather isn’t good. Bringing some warmer clothes is always a good idea if conditions shift.
Diver Etiquette for Diving with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
Knowing how to behave underwater is crucial when diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua. These sharks are shy and easily spooked, so following proper etiquette helps ensure a great experience for both divers and marine life.
Follow the Dive Guide’s Instructions – Dive guides know the site and the sharks’ behavior. Listen to their briefing and follow their lead.
Stay Low & Still – Avoid sudden movements and keep a low profile. Thresher sharks are more likely to come close if you remain calm and still. Also, do not swim towards the sharks!
Control Your Buoyancy – You are not allowed to touch the bottom at Kimud Shoal, so hovering is essential. Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid disturbing the environment.
Mind Your Bubbles – Excessive bubbles can scare the sharks away. Try to exhale slowly and avoid rapid breathing.
No Flash Photography or Bright Lights – Bright flashes can startle the sharks. Stick to natural light or red-filtered torches when diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua.
Use the Mooring Lines for Descent – Strong currents are common. Use the mooring lines to descend smoothly without drifting away.
Stay Within Your Group – Don’t chase the sharks or swim away from the designated dive zone. Keep a respectful distance and let the sharks come to you.
