Island paradise of Malapascua Trip
On 24 July 2024, we are staying on the island paradise of Malapascua, in the Philippines.
We will be staying for 6 nights and diving with the best recreational and technical diving centre on the island, Evolution Diving http://evolution.com.ph/ All the rooms at Evolution are just a stone’s throw from the beach and surrounded by palm trees and white sand. In one of the quietest areas of Malapascua, Evolution offers you a great location to rest, relax and unwind before, between, and after diving. All rooms have complimentary drinking water and personal terraces, just metres from the beach, restaurant, and the dive shop.
We have booked the entire resort to ensure we can dive when and where we choose.
Malapascua is beginning to get a worldwide reputation for incredible diving which means now is a great time to come before it gets too famous. It is the only place in the world you can reliably see thresher sharks and is possibly the best place in the Philippines for big fish encounters. It is still a quiet island, and the resorts, restaurants, and dive shops are nestled amongst the palm trees along the main beach. There are not so many dive shops, so it does not feel crowded. You board your dive boat from the resort beach each day.
The diving here is truly world class. Asian Diver Magazine rates Monad Shoal as number 11 in the top 101 dive sites in the world. It has become even better recently with daily manta sightings. Malapascua is renowned for its daily thresher shark sightings. Thresher sharks are a deep-water shark and are very rarely seen by divers. Malapascua is the only place in the world they can reliably be seen every day. They are very distinctive with their long tail, which is about half of their body length.
Malapascua is also very well known for its incredible macro life at its dive sites. You can see many types of shrimps and crabs, including harlequin shrimp, ghost shrimp, and xeno crabs. Pipefish are ever present, including several types of ghost pipefish. Night diving is spectacular, with the opportunity to watch the beautiful mandarin fish mating. Seahorses, bobtail squid, sea hares, and huge crabs and sea stars can be seen together with pigmy seahorses. Mimic and blue ring octopus can also be found, as well as the occasional stargazer and hairy frogfish.
There are several wrecks at various depths for all levels of divers from beginners to technical divers, including a couple from WWII. The depths range from 10m to 70m. One of these is the Dona Marilyn Wreck located one hour away from the dive resort. It is a former 100m long passenger ferry which sank in 1988 during a Typhoon.
A day trip to nearby Gato Island has been arranged to observe nurse sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the rare bamboo sharks. Kalanggaman Island is also a great day trip for amazing reef life. Early morning dives have also been arranged to try to spot the schooling hammerhead sharks around Kimud Shoal.
Evolution Standard Rooms
These new rooms have high end furniture, quality construction, and come with air conditioning. The rooms have hot and cold water, a fan, 2 single beds and a personal terrace.
Evolution Deluxe Rooms
These rooms are built to exacting western standards. They are located approximately 75m from the water and there’s white sand all the way there. The beds are made from handcrafted mahogany, with high end mattresses; the bathroom is split with a spacious, open sink area with granite countertop; the air conditioning is the silent split type and environmentally friendly, and there’s a large wardrobe for the storage and hanging of clothes. These rooms give you all the comforts of home. The rooms have hot and cold water. Each room has air conditioning, a television with a video library, minibar, desk, room safe, 2 beds and a personal terrace.
The Craic House is Evolution Diving’s bar, and the best bar on Malapascua. It’s an Irish bar on a Filipino beach, or a Filipino pub with warm Irish hospitality and a Celtic commitment to fun and frivolity. You choose.
The Craic House’s goal is simple but almost unique in The Philippines – it aims to provide a contemporary feel by ensuring progressive music, progressive food, and cold drinks are always available and affordable. Just because those thresher dives can be a bit on the early side it doesn’t mean you should turn your back on one or two nights of food, music, conversation, and fun at The Craic House. There are also plenty of options to explore other restaurants and bars nearby.
The Evolution dive team are always ready to help you have the best dive experience possible. There are thresher sharks dives available every morning, with night dives available at a small extra cost.
We will be visiting local dive sites including Bogtong Bato, Lapus Lapus, and Chocolate Island. We have also arranged incredible day trips to Gato Island, the Dona Marylin Wreck or Kalanggaman Island. The famous Evolution House Reef is available to dive every day.
Diving at Gato Island (Included on this trip, subject to site conditions). Gato Island is a sanctuary and protected breeding location for the beautiful sea krait (sea snake), and you are almost guaranteed to see the resident white tip reef sharks. This island is alive with nudibranchs, harlequin ghost pipefish, pygmy sea horses, and an endless amount of other macro surprises. Gato is always tough for photographers – macro or wide angle? We recommend diving Gato at least twice – one with each set up!
Diving Evolution’s House Reef
The house reef is one of the best dives in the country. Just 3 minutes from the beach front are an incredible array of macro delights. Here you repeatedly see pairs of crinoid squat lobsters and imperial shrimps. At dusk, dozens of bobtail squid appear. Coconut vein octopi are regulars, and you can find seahorses on every dive. Snake eels poke their head from the sand and stargazers make occasional appearances too. Robust ghost pipefish and an array of mantis shrimp species are also part of the Evolution House Reef experience.
The Diving Package
There is a five-day diving package (normal air tanks & weights only) included in the trip cost for diving guests. This consists of:
- 3 days of local site boat diving – 2 dives per day,a total 6 dives
- 2 days of boat diving further afield (e.g. Kimud Shoal, Gato Island, Dona Marilyn wreck, Kalanggaman Island) – 2 dives per day – total 4 dives
- Services of a professional diving guide
- That is a total of 10 included dives during your stay.
- You are welcome to arrange extra dives (up to an extra 2-day dives per day and a night dive at your own cost)
The packages are based on divers bringing their own full equipment. Full hire equipment for the duration of the trip will cost approximately $25 per day. Nitrox is available for those qualified to use it and costs approximately $10 per tank. The resort is technical diving and re breather friendly. Technical diving service prices are available on request.
Pricing
There are two options for this trip which have different pricing levels:
- Standard room (twin share) with the above diving package and breakfast each day = $1667.
For non-divers, sharing a standard room with a diver will be $675, with breakfast included each day. This includes all boat and island trips. To have a standard room to yourself is an extra $175 for the duration of the stay. - Deluxe room (twin share) with the above diving package and breakfast included each day = $1995.
For non-divers, sharing a deluxe room with a diver will be $775 with breakfast included each day. This includes all boat and island trips. To have a deluxe room to yourself is an extra $175 for the duration of the stay.
About Malapascua Island
At first glance, Malapascua Island is the quintessential paradise island – a never ending white sandy beach, thousands of coconut trees drooping over the foreshore where the lapping azure ocean counts out the passing of time. For visitors to Malapascua Island, this is the reality. However, Malapascua Island is also a very real, very vibrant part of the Philippines. It is home to an estimated 5000 people, Malapascua Island is a living, breathing community where life has remained pretty much unchanged for generations. Malapascua Island has no banks, no health centre, no doctors, no cars, no pharmacy, and no Starbucks! If you want to come and share a little piece of paradise, then this is the trip for you.
Getting there
To easiest way to get to Malapascau is to fly to Cebu Airport (Mactan Cebu International Airport) then travel to Cebu City (about 20 minutes by taxi). From there, head for Maya by road then catch a boat to Malapascua. Don’t worry about the logistics of getting to Malapascua from Cebu as we have arranged private air-conditioned vans to get us to our private boat transfer, which will drop us directly at the resort beach! This return transfer service is included in the trip price. You just need to get to Cebu City. There are flights from Perth with Singapore Airlines – Perth to Cebu via their hub at Singapore. You can also go through Manila with a myriad of operators or through Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, or via Kula Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, and connect with a domestic flight between Manila and Cebu.
Optional Stopovers
If you want to kick back and relax after a few days of adrenaline-fueled diving. We will be stopping over at the Quest Hotel in Cebu City for 1 night on the way out and on the return journey. This cost is not included in the trip. https://www.questhotelsandresorts.com/cebu/
This hotel costs about $100 per night and has a great pool with a bar. It is convenient for the malls in Cebu should you wish to carry out some retail therapy. Some guests have opted to stay here on 23 July 2024, before departing for Malapascua early on the morning of 24 October 2024, and on the return journey to Cebu on 30 July 2024. Our private transfers are collecting us from outside the front of this hotel at 9.30am on 24 July 2024. There is no time difference between Kuala Lumpur, Cebu, Malapascua, or Perth.
We are also staying for two nights in Manila either side at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati. This hotel cost approximately $110 per night. The hotel has a fantastic rooftop pool and a bar/restaurant. https://www.citygardengrandhotel.com/ It is up to you if you want to join us on this optional extension.
You may find it easier to mirror our itinerary which is detailed in full below.
Deposit/Terms and Conditions
A deposit of $500 is required now to book, with the balance due by 24 May 2024. This is non-refundable and non-transferable so please make sure you are 100% committed. If you back out, we need to sort out name changes, itinerary details etc.
As soon as we book your package, we pay your accommodation in full, we can’t get that back. It is up to you to cover the trip with insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances. We understand you may have an issue which means you cannot come on the trip after booking and paying your deposit. It is down to you to insure yourself against a potential cancellation or any other factors which may impact financially on you before, during, or after the trip.
It takes a lot of time and effort to arrange these trips. We are providing professional diving staff to look after you during the trip. They are often required to curtail their own diving enjoyment to help you sort issues out above and below the surface. They invest a good deal of time answering enquiries, helping with equipment issues, researching logistics, and ensuring you have a good time.
You are not confirmed on the trip until we receive a deposit from you. If your deposit comes in after the trip is full, we will refund it in full. You can by pay cash, bank transfer or with Visa or Mastercard.
It is up to you to book flights and get to the front entrance of the Quest Hotel in Cebu City, the Philippines for 9.30 am on 24 July 2024. There is no compensation or refund for part missed itineraries, accommodation, diving, or tour services. If you are delayed your personal travel insurance should cover this. If you are not well enough to dive, again your travel insurance should cover this. As soon as you pay your deposit or book your flights, you should arrange travel insurance. Please ensure this insurance covers scuba diving to the relevant depths and your qualifications.
It is up to you to dive to your qualification level and competency. You must abide by the safe diving practices outlined to you by Indi Dive and Evolution Diving. You are required to sign a liability release with Evolution and show evidence of your diving qualification prior to accessing any diving services. If you are an open water diver, you will not dive below your depth qualification, unless under the direct supervision of an instructor.
A lot of the diving here is deep, normally between 25 to 40 metres. It is highly recommended that you are at least qualified to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver level or an equivalent qualification before leaving for this trip. If in the opinion of an Indi Dive or an Evolution Diving staff member, you are not suitably qualified, or do not have sufficient experience to safely dive at any of the chosen sites, you will not be permitted to dive at those sites. The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course only takes 2 days to complete, and we can conduct this course for you prior to travel or on the trip, the same applies to the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Course. We are also happy to conduct the PADI Deep Diver Course. Malapascua is an ideal location to complete any of these courses.
Unless otherwise stated, accommodation in Malapascua is on a twin share basis. It is easier if you specify who you want to share with. If you do not specify a person, we will attempt to match roommates to the best of our ability. If there are no twin rooms left to share, you will be allocated a single room. If this is the case, you will need to pay a supplement of $175 for the duration of the stay at Evolution.
You are responsible for getting yourself to and from Perth Airport, or wherever you choose to fly from, and all associated costs. You are responsible for getting to and from Cebu Airport or wherever you fly to, and to fund any elective stopover accommodation, and all associated costs. Accommodation anywhere but Malapascua is not included, and you will need to arrange this and pay for it if choosing to extend your stay.
There is no refund for diving services included in the package which you do not use for whatever reason.
There is no refund for accommodation included in the package which you do not use for whatever reason. Indi Dive or Evolution Diving accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to your personal effects or diving equipment.
What is included:
Private van and boat transfers on 24 July 2024 at 9.30am leaving the Quest Hotel, Cebu City, the Philippines. If you elect to travel at a different time, or on a different date, or miss these transfers, the cost of transfers is your responsibility. Private van and boat transfers to the Quest Hotel in Cebu City or Cebu Airport, leaving Malapascua on the morning of 30 July 2024. If you elect to travel at a different time, or on a different date, or miss these transfers, the cost of transfers is your responsibility.
The service of tour leaders/diving professionals whilst using the scheduled transfers, and whilst in resort at Malapascua. Six nights’ twin share accommodation at Evolution Diving in Malapascua with breakfast included each morning.
Five days’ guided boat diving with Evolution Diving with two dives per day (air tanks and weights only) on local sites, and 2 dives per day on sites further afield. Dives at locations further afield are subject to weather conditions and at the diving operator’s discretion. Lunch will be provided on dive trips to sites further afield. All taxes and National Park fees are included.
Our Itinerary:
21 July 2024
Malaysia Airlines flight MH126 departs Perth at 02.10am, arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 07.50am. Transit in Kuala Lumpur, connecting to Malaysia Airlines flight MH704, departs Kuala Lumpur at 10.10am, arrives in Manila at 2.05pm. Transfer to the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati. Be careful when booking as there is a similarly named City Garden Hotel about 70 metres away from the City Garden Grand Hotel. Stay at the City Garden Grand Hotel for 2 nights.
23 July 2024
Cebu Pacific flight 5J581, departs Manila at 3.00pm, arrives in Cebu at 4.35pm. Transfer to the Quest Hotel and Conference Centre, Cebu City for one night.
24 July 2024
09.30am transfer from the Quest Hotel and Conference Centre to Malapascua Island to stay and dive for six nights with Evolution Diving.
30 July 2024
Transfer to the Quest Hotel and Conference Centre, Cebu City to stay for one night.
31 July 2024
Cebu Pacific flight 5J558, departs Cebu at 2.35pm, arrives in Manila at 4.05pm. Transfer to the City Garden Grand Hotel, Manila for two nights.
2 August 2024
Malaysia Airlines flight MH807, departs at 12.50pm, arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 4.50pm. Transit in Kuala Lumpur connecting to Malaysia Airlines flight MH127, departs at 7.40pm, arrives in Perth at 01.10am on 3 August 2024.
The flights with Malaysian Airlines are approximately $750 return. The flights with Cebu Pacific are approximately $150 return.
Most of the photographs in this post were taken by us on our last trip to Malapascua. Credit to Evolution Diving and to Marissa Eckert for the remaining photographs.
To book on, email us for a booking form at info@indidive.com or call us on 0457122314.
By paying a deposit and booking onto this trip you accept the above terms and conditions.