Pelagic thresher shark
11.3°N 124.1°E · Visayan Sea (north of Cebu)
Malapascua
Pelagic thresher shark workshop: become a citizen-science contributor
Dates & availability
- 6 to 15 June 2026 Sold out
Location Philippines
Duration 10 days / 7 nights
Level PADI Advanced Open Water / CMAS** or equivalent, min. 50 dives
From €2,150
Per diver, based on shared double room. Single room: €2,365 (+€215).
The expedition
North of Cebu, between turquoise waters and white sand, Malapascua is one of the few places on Earth where the pelagic thresher shark appears every morning, calm and approachable. Over one week, every dive becomes a scientific exploration and every sighting a data point for the protection of the species.
The headline encounter
The pelagic thresher shark, within a fin-kick
What you see
Underwater, in Malapascua.
Whitetip reef shark
Mandarin fish
Seahorse
Nudibranchs
Frogfish
What you do
What you’ll do — or can do.
- 15 dedicated shark dives
- 3 reef dives
- Photo-ID of individuals
- Laser photogrammetry
- Night / sunset dive
- Snorkelling with juvenile blacktip reef sharks
- Data-analysis sessions
- Talks on species & conservation
- Visit the local market
- Walk around the island in a few hours
The journey
Day by day.
Days 1 to 2
Flight to Cebu (CEB), transfers to Malapascua, check-in at the Ocean Vida Beach Resort, dinner in town.
Day 3
3 shark dives, talks on the thresher shark and citizen science.
Days 4 to 5
3 shark dives/day, workshop and ID sessions, exploring the island.
Day 6
Day at sea to Gato, Capitancillo or Kalanggaman: 3 reef dives, BBQ on board, night/sunset dive possible.
Days 7 to 8
3 shark dives/day, ID sessions, end-of-course knowledge test.
Days 9 to 10
Check-out, transfers to Cebu airport and return flights.
Good to know
Before you go.
-
Tropical, humid climate
Water: 27 to 29 °C Air: 28 to 32 °C
-
The boat
Bangka (traditional Filipino boat) chartered for the group, up to 10 divers
-
Wetsuit
Full 3 to 5 mm wetsuit, dark colours
-
For the workshop
Camera, video and laptop to take part in the workshop
Citizen science
Your contribution, here.
In this citizen-science workshop dedicated to the pelagic thresher shark, you are not mere spectators: you are actors. Underwater, you take your own photos and videos for photo-identification, and use a laser photogrammetry rig to measure the animals. Back on land, you take part in analysing the data during dedicated sessions. Also on the programme: talks on the species, responsible diving, conservation and the techniques used. All the data collected is recorded and passed directly to a research organisation in the Philippines.
The trip
What's included.
Included
- Welcome and round-trip transfers Cebu airport ↔ Malapascua
- Double-room accommodation + breakfasts (7 nights)
- 18 dives (15 shark + 3 reef), i.e. 3 per day
- 12 L aluminium tanks, weights and belts
- Day at Gato/Capitancillo/Kalanggaman (3 dives + BBQ)
- Local guides
- 2 naturalist guides
- Talks and photo-ID workshops
- Professional videographer to immortalise this unique experience
- 1 BBQ lunch on the dive day at Gato Island
- Tea, coffee, snacks on the boat
Not included
- International flights
- Cancellation insurance (recommended) and diving insurance (mandatory)
- Meals not mentioned and drinks
- Dive equipment rental
- Nitrox, extra dives, sunset/night dive
- Single room
- Tips and personal expenses
The detailed programme and full terms are sent on request, contact us.
Registration
Interested in this expedition?
No online booking: fill in this form and we will get back to you to plan everything together.
