2. Basic Facts
Located off the northern tip of Cebu and off the west
coast of Leyte
Depth: avarage 30m
Viz: up to 40m
Currents: can be fierce
Best months: Nov-May.
5. Dive Spots in Malapascua
Monad Shoal
Monad Shoal is an underwater island on the edge of a 200m
drop off, and is famous as the only place in the world
where thresher sharks can be seen everyday. Manta rays have
become a common sight over the last year. The shoal also
attracts other pelagics such as devil rays and eagle rays. Manta
rays and hammerheads are seasonal.
Capitancillo Island
The island has a wall on its south side with gorgonians and
other coral formations. Manta rays, yellowfin and groupers
are regular visitors and you will also see a good selection of
smaller reef fish. Currents can be fierce and it is best to dive at
neap tides unless you are experienced.
6. Dive spots in Malapascua
Gato Island
Gato is a marine reserve and sea snake sanctuary. It has
at least five dive sites with a huge diversity of marine life.
At all sites you can see such things as banded sea snakes,
cuttlefish (often while mating), seahorses, nudibranchs,
frogfish, moray eels, scorpion fish, squid and big-
mouthed mackerel. There are many whitetip sharks in
residence at Gato, as well as bamboo and cat sharks. The
coral is in good condition and the rocky island has many
interesting underwater rock formations, overhangs, and
swim-throughs.
7. Dive spots in Malapascua
Dakit-Dakit
Specially recommended for night dive. Between 5 and 15
meters deep you will find plenty of shells, snails and
huge crabs.
Calangaman Island
Calangaman Island is a small beautiful remote island
with white sand beach. There are three dive sites mainly
wall dives, which ends into the blue, with gorgones, sea
fans, and black corals and offers a possible encounter
with different kind of sharks and rays.
8. Dive spots in Malapascua
Chocolate Island
A small island situated between Malapascua and Cebu, this site is a
gentle relaxing dive. The undulating island walls gently taper
towards a sandy bottom, elephant ears, barrel sponges, sea fans and
soft corals cover the sloping reef creating an ideal habitat for
nudibranch, sea horses, spanish dancers and hairy frogfish, a nice
gentle dive suitable for all levels of divers and excellent for the
budding photographer.
Lighthouse Reef
The perfect sunset dive, this site is almost a sure bet to see the
colorful Mandarin Fish perform their mating dance. The most
prolific time of the month is around the full moon, but the activity
can been seen virtually every night. Blue Ringed Octopus and sea
horses of every size can be found on the surrounding reef. Situated
directly across from the island’s lighthouse this sloping coral garden
is a perfect shallow dive to end the day.
9. Dive Spots in Malapascua
Tapilon Ship Wreck
This Japanese cargo wreck from the World War II was hit by
torpedoes and is lying down in 27 meters of water. It has been
cut into four pieces lying down near each other so you can
dive them all in one time. Black corals, lyon fishes, tall fin bat
fishes (Platax teira), sometimes squid and others species of
fishes are living in the wreck.
Pioneer Ship Wreck
Another Japanese wreck from World War II, just very near the
island of Malapascua. More than 100 meters long, this ship
lies down on 54 meters of water and its upper part being at 40
meters from the surface. The wreck is covered with soft and
hard corals, big fishes could be seen near and inside the
wreck.
10. Dive Spots in Malapascua
Doña Marilyn Ship Wreck
One of the highlights of diving in Malapascua Island is the
proximity of the Filipino passenger ferry wreck, quot;DOÑA
MARILYNquot; which sunk about 20 years ago, in an area not far
from the island of Manuc-Manuc and Masbate. This 100-
meter long wreck is lying down intact on its starboard side in
32 meters of water. The top, being only 20 meters away from
the surface is covered literally with amazing beautiful soft
corals. The wreck is home to a lot of corals and fishes. And on
the sandy bottom where the cargoes have been scattered, you
may occasionally see gray nurse sharks and black spotted
stingrays.
11. How to get there
Take a direct flight to Cebu International Airport or a
domestic flight from Manila
From Cebu City, take a bus (Ceres Tours) going to
Daanbantayan/Maya. Travel time is approximately 4 to
4.5 hours
Once in Maya wharf pantalan, continue the journey to
the island by boat. Malapascua Island is a 30-minute
boatride across a shallow 8-kilometer channel from
Maya.
