Malapascua Thresher Shark Expedition
March 7 - 15, 2026
Expedition Overview
Join us in Malapascua and come face-to-face with thresher sharks by the dozen!
Wake before sunrise, sip coffee under a blanket of stars, and board a private dive boat to Kimud Shoal - one of the few places on Earth where thresher sharks can be seen year-round. As the sun rises, we’ll drop beneath the surface and watch as these silvery-blue sharks, with their long tails and wide eyes, glide past us in one of the world’s most unforgettable dives.
Over nine days at Evolution Dive Resort, we’ll complete 24 dives, including 8 to 10 with the thresher sharks. We’ll also explore Malapascua’s best sites. At Gato Island, we’ll swim through a shark-filled tunnel and hunt for macro life; at Kalanggaman, dive dramatic walls before lunching on a pristine sandbar; and at Monad Shoal, we’ll look out for tiger sharks cruising the plateaus. Closer to the resort, we’ll explore vibrant muck sites full of nudibranchs, shrimps, and frogfish and one evening, we’ll slip under the surface at dusk for a chance to see the spectacular mandarin fish mating dance.
Back on land, ocean filmmaker Matthew David Kaplan will lead hands-on workshops in underwater filming, editing, and storytelling, perfect for both beginners and seasoned shooters. Dania Rodríguez will guide yoga and meditation sessions to help you reset, stretch, and stay dive-ready.
This is more than a dive trip: it’s nine days of thresher sharks, reefs, creativity, and connection. From early mornings with threshers to evenings sharing stories under the stars, you’ll leave with new skills, new friends, and memories that last far beyond the island.
Ready for Malapascua?
Highlights include
8 to 10 unforgettable thresher shark dives at Kimud Shoal
Dive into Gato Island’s vibrant marine sanctuary, home to stunning biodiversity
Soak in the crystal-clear waters of Kalanggaman Island with spectacular visibility
Chances to spot tiger sharks at Monad Shoal
Exclusive filmmaking & storytelling masterclasses with Matthew David Kaplan
Restorative yoga & meditation sessions with Dania Rodriguez
Mandarin fish dusk dive and macro critter encounters
Night dives revealing the reef’s hidden nocturnal life
-
Price in EUR per person €2,175
-
Prices are displayed per person sharing a twin/double room
8 nights accommodation; 7 days of diving
Total of 24 dives (including 2 night dives)
Dive guide, 11.5 liter air tanks, weights
Return airport transfer at specified times
Government marine fees
Breakfast: included everyday
Lunch: Included on day trips like Gato Island and Kalanggaman Island (lunch on board)
-
Flights
Rental diving equipment, 15-liter tanks or other non-standard sizes
Dinners and non–day trip lunches
Crew gratuities (15% recommended)
-
Certified as Advanced Open Water Diver or above
Comprehensive dive and travel insurance
Trip Program
Day 1 – Arrival – March 7, 2026
There are two arranged transfers from Cebu airport to the resort at approximately 10:00am and 12:00pm.
Once at Evolution Dive Resort, you will link up with the expedition team and get settled into your room. We’ll enjoy dinner and have an expedition briefing by Matthew & Dania and you can then explore the island, set up camera gear, or rest up for the action-packed week ahead!
Days 2 to 8 – Exploring the best of Malapascua
On each of our 7 diving days, we will make 3 or 4 dives and explore the best sites Malapascua has to offer. The highlight will, of course, be diving face-to-face with dozens of thresher sharks, but there is so much more to see:
Kimud Shoal
Known as the crown jewel of Malapascua diving, it is the best place in the world to dive with thresher sharks. Each morning at dawn, threshers rise from the depths by the dozen to visit this cleaning station at a depth of just 10 meters. Kimud offers the once in a lifetime chance to come face-to-face with one of the ocean's most spectacular sharks.
And we will be doing 8 to 10 dives here to get the most chances to spend time with these amazing sharks.
Gato Island
It’s a marine sanctuary that combines dramatic topography with rich marine life. We'll explore a tunnel that cuts right through the island, home to resting white-tip reef sharks, sea snakes, and schooling fish. Around the island’s walls and slopes, we'll also see soft corals, nudibranchs, and other macro highlights. Gato is considered one of Malapascua’s most diverse dive sites.
Kalanggaman Island
Famous for its dazzling white sandbar stretching into crystal-clear water, it’s one of the most beautiful island scenes in the Philippines. Diving here offers sheer walls draped in corals and sponges, with the chance to see turtles, barracuda, and schools of reef fish in excellent visibility.
Monad Shoal
It was once the primary site for thresher shark sightings, but today it offers something even more elusive: the possibility of seeing tiger sharks. The shoal’s wide plateaus and drop-offs are full of anticipation. Although we are certainly not guaranteed to see tiger sharks here, we visit Monad because it offers us the chance!
Throughout the trip, you'll have the opportunity to take part in:
Filmmaking workshops with Matthew - focused on filming, editing, and storytelling.
Yoga/meditation sessions with Dania - energize, wind down, and recharge.
Day 9 – Departure – March 15, 2026
Transfer to the airport from the resort at approximately 8:00am. Arrive at the airport before 12:00pm
Expedition Leader
Matthew David Kaplan
Matthew David Kaplan is an ocean filmmaker and dive expedition leader, dedicated to sharing the magical underwater world with a global audience. His mission is to conserve, restore, and protect our oceans and planet through storytelling, education, and action.
As a contributor for Discovery, Scubapro Global Dive Team member, SurfEars Ambassador, Matthew’s ocean adventures take him around the world.
Expedition Leader
Dania Rodríguez
Dania is a PADI Master Instructor and expedition leader with more than a decade of professional dive experience across Indonesia, Maldives, Costa Rica, Thailand, Egypt, and beyond.
She has led dive operations at every level, from remote liveaboards and 5-star resorts to top-tier dive centers, holding key roles such as Operations Manager, Lead Instructor, and Cruise Director.
Beyond diving, Dania brings a creative and holistic dimension to every expedition. As a passionate educator, certified life coach, performing artist and storyteller, she blends technical diving expertise and wellness practices including yoga and meditation to create unforgettable experiences above and below the surface.
IG: @daniaunderwater
Evolution Diving Resort
Our expedition will be hosted at a boutique dive resort located on the laid-back island of Malapascua, Philippines. Known worldwide as one of the few places where thresher sharks can be seen year-round, Malapascua combines incredible diving with the charm of a small island paradise.
The resort sits directly on the white sandy beach of Bounty Bay, just steps away from the water. With its eco-conscious design, friendly atmosphere, and professional team, Evolution is dedicated to creating a relaxed environment where divers and ocean lovers can feel at home.
You can enjoy freshly prepared meals at The Craic House, Evolution’s beachfront restaurant and bar, famous for its international menu and welcoming vibe. Whether you’re relaxing in a hammock or swapping dive stories, Evolution offers the perfect balance of comfort and community.
FAQs
-
It is a requirement that you purchase comprehensive dive and travel insurance covering the specific time of your trip to deal with airline delays, weather issues and/or medical disruptions to diving.
-
Advanced Open Water
You are required to be an advanced open water diver to join. If you are not currently and advanced diver it may be possible to achieve your certification on the trip. -
You can fly into Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB) in Cebu, Philippines.
There are daily flights from many international airports, and countless connecting flights through Manila and other locations.
You will need to complete an e-travel pass prior to travel.
You may wish to spend a night in Cebu or in a city that offers a morning flight to Cebu.
Once at Cebu airport, you will meet the team.
You’ll first take a van transfer to Maya Port of approximately 3.5 hours and then a 25-minute boat ride to the island.
The local government will collect an environmental fee of P75/140 from all local/international tourists in Maya Port, payable in cash.
-
Arranged transfers to the resort from Cebu airport will be at approximately 10:00am and 12:00pm on March 7, 2026.
You should plan to arrive in Cebu airport by 11:00am or earlier on March 7, 2026. You may also consider arriving the day before and staying in a hotel in Cebu. If you arrive later, it is still possible to meet us in Malapascua; however, there will be a charge for transportation.
If you’re arriving the night before, there are plenty of hotels near the airport for an easy overnight stay. You’ll just need to make sure you’re back at the airport in time for either transfer.
-
Yes, if you don’t have your own gear, it’s possible to rent everything you need at the resort.
Ahead of your trip, we’ll collect your details and equipment sizes to make sure it’s all prepared and ready for you when you arrive. Rental gear has an additional charge.
-
Yes, the resort has WiFi which is sufficient for typical needs.
-
We recommend booking a flight at or after 2:00pm on March 15, 2026.
-
The expedition package includes breakfast daily + lunches on Gato and Kalanggaman trips.
Dinners, other lunches, and drinks can be purchased at the resort’s restaurant.
It is also possible to explore some of the local food options on the island, which are within walking distance.
-
Yes, we encourage you to listen to your body and rest when you need to. We have scheduled an action packed week and it is completely normal to skip a few dives or even a whole day to recharge.
-
Yes, it is possible. Our expedition includes air tanks for every dive. Diving with nitrox is not necessary, but if you wish to get nitrox tanks, the resort will accommodate this at an extra cost.
-
You will be staying at one of the Deluxe AC rooms at Evolution.
The entire resort rests on the soft, white sands of Bounty Beach, a perfect location!
-
Malapascua is tropical, so pack light - swimsuits, flip-flops, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a refillable water bottle.
It’s possible to get occasional tropical rain, so a light jacket and sneakers are a good idea. Because the island is remote, bring any medications you might need, along with extra batteries or chargers.
Basic first aid is available, but there’s no medical clinic on the island.
Packing a few dive spares is also smart, though most essentials are available at the resort.
