Dive Malapascua, Cebu

Exploring Depths and Discovering Treasures: Technical Diving Adventures in Malapascua

Dive Malapascua DiverGems Dive Subculture Technical

Dive Subculture Technical proudly collaborates with DiverGems Malapascua to deliver a complete range of recreational and technical dive training. Our joint offerings include courses from Scuba Schools International (SSI), Scuba Diving International (SDI), and Technical Diving International (TDI), ensuring that divers of all levels can find the right path to elevate their skills. As a Divers Alert Network (DAN) Business Member, we provide free diver insurance for all entry-level courses, prioritizing safety and peace of mind.

With our combined expertise, we offer world-class instruction, from beginner certifications to advanced technical disciplines like sidemount, deep, wreck, and cave diving. This partnership ensures access to Malapascua’s famous dive sites, including the iconic Kimud Shoal and Gato Island, with a balance of recreational and technical training. Whether you’re new to diving or advancing into technical realms, we are committed to delivering safe, professional, and unforgettable underwater experiences. Dive deeper with us—where passion and precision come together.

Our Recreational Courses

Unlock new skills and experience the beauty of the underwater world with our recreational dive courses, designed for divers of all levels.

The SSI Open Water Diver Course provides the fundamental skills and knowledge to become a certified diver, allowing you to explore the underwater world confidently and safely.

Total Price: PHP 18,000

The SSI Advanced Adventure Diver Course introduces you to various diving specialties, enhancing your skills and experience across different underwater environments.

Total Price: PHP 16,000

The SSI React Right Course provides essential first aid, CPR, AED, and oxygen administration skills, equipping divers to handle dive-related emergencies with confidence.

Total Price: PHP 10,000

SSI Diver Stress & Rescue DIve Subculture Technical DiverGems

The SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Course trains you to recognise, prevent, and manage dive-related stress and emergencies, improving your safety and ability to assist others underwater.

Total Price: PHP 20,000

SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Diving

The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Course trains you to safely dive with enriched air mixtures, allowing for extended bottom times, shorter surface intervals, and more enjoyable, efficient dives.

Total Price: PHP 12,000

SSI Deep Diver Course Dive Subculture Technical DiverGems

The SSI Deep Diver Course teaches you the skills to explore deeper dive sites, extending your depth limit to 40 meters with greater confidence, control, and safety in managing gas and depth challenges.

Total Price: PHP 12,000

SSI Night & Limited Visibility DiverGems Dive Subculture Technical Malapascua

The SSI Night & Limited Visibility Diver Course teaches you the skills to navigate and explore low-light environments, control, and safety during night dives and challenging visibility conditions.

Total Price: PHP 12,000

The SSI Navigation Diver Course teaches you the skills to confidently navigate underwater, enhancing your ability to use natural landmarks and compasses with precision, control, and safety.

Total Price: PHP 12,000

SSI Search & Recovery Divergems Dive Subculture Technical

The SSI Search and Recovery Course teaches you the skills to effectively locate and retrieve lost items, enhancing your abilities with precision, control, and safety in various underwater conditions.

Total Price: PHP 12,000

Additionals...

– Full Equipment Rental
– Sanctuary Fees
– Online Course Materails
– Professional Fees

Recreational Fun Diving Packages

Explore the Ocean, One Adventure at a Time

1 – 3 Boat Dives 

Included:

Drinking Water
Tanks & Weights

PHP 1700/Dive

4 – 6 Boat Dives 

Included:

Drinking Water
Tanks & Weights

PHP 1600/Dive

7 – 10 Boat Dives 

Included:

Drinking Water
Tanks & Weights

PHP 1500/Dive

11 – 14 Boat Dives 

Included:

Drinking Water
Tanks & Weights

PHP 1400/Dive

Additionals

– Sanctuary Fees – Php 450/ Day (Compulsory for all divers)
– Nitrox [12L Tanks] – PHP 450
– Nitrox [15L Tanks] – PHP 500
– BBQ Lunch on Boat – PHP 600 (Light Breakfast, Coffee, Tea, BBQ Lunch on Boat
– Night Dive Surcharge – PHP 500
– Gear Rental

Recreational Equipment Rental (Per Day)

Special Trips

Kalanggaman

Kalanggaman Island is famous for its long sandbar and turquoise waters, perfect for diving and beach getaways. Drift dives along its coral walls reveal vibrant marine life and excellent visibility. This scenic destination is a favorite among divers and snorkelers alike.

Price: PHP 21,000

Capitancillo

Capitancillo Island is a coral islet off the coast of Bogo, featuring stunning reefs and steep walls. It offers crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, great for all levels of divers. Capitancillo’s serene environment also makes it ideal for snorkeling.

Price: PHP 23,000

Carnaza Island

Carnaza Island is a secluded island north of Cebu, offering pristine beaches and rich marine life. Its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs make it perfect for snorkeling and diving. This peaceful retreat is ideal for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Price: PHP 18,000

Dona Marilyn

Dona Marilyn Wreck is a sunken ferry lying at 30 meters, now a thriving artificial reef ecosystem. Divers can explore its eerie corridors filled with corals, fish, and diverse marine life. It’s a popular site for both wreck and deep diving enthusiasts seeking adventure and discovery.

Price: PHP 18,000

*  Cost to be divided amongst Passengers on the Boat

Malapacua Dive Sites

Discover Malapascua’s incredible dive sites, from the thrilling thresher shark encounters at Monad Shoal to the mysterious Dona Marilyn Wreck.

Whether you’re drifting through vibrant coral gardens, exploring underwater tunnels at Gato Island, or spotting mandarin fish on a night dive at Lighthouse Reef, Malapascua offers something for every diver.

For recreational divers, the clear waters and shallow reefs of Kalanggaman Island provide the perfect setting for relaxed drift dives and marine life encounters. Meanwhile, technical divers can push their limits with deep dives or wreck penetrations, taking full advantage of Malapascua’s challenging sites.

The island’s tropical charm extends beyond diving, with friendly locals, stunning beaches, and lively dive communities creating a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It’s an ideal destination not just for divers but also for those looking to unwind between dives.

At our Dive Center, we cater to all levels of divers with courses and guided trips tailored to your skills and interests. Use our dive site map to create your perfect itinerary and experience why Malapascua is a must-visit destination for both recreational and technical diving adventures.

Kimud Shoal – A Deep Blue Adventure Beyond the Reef

Kimud Shoal, located just a short boat ride from Malapascua, offers an exhilarating dive for adventurers seeking the thrill of big pelagic encounters. This submerged pinnacle rises from the depths of the open ocean, with the reef plateau sitting between 18 to 30 meters (59 to 98 feet)—a depth ideal for advanced and technical divers. Known for its dynamic conditions and deeper profile, Kimud Shoal is a beacon for large marine life, offering a front-row seat to the wonders of the deep.

Diving Highlights

  • Thresher Shark Encounters: Kimud Shoal is one of the few places where these elusive, long-tailed predators can be spotted during the day. Divers can often see threshers gliding gracefully along the reef’s edge, particularly in the early morning hours.

  • Manta Rays and Mobula Rays: In the right season, manta and mobula rays join the show, sweeping over the reef in search of cleaning stations or drifting effortlessly through the blue.

  • Pelagic Wonderland: Keep an eye on the blue as barracudas, trevallies, and tunas patrol the waters around the shoal, making for unforgettable sightings.

What Makes it Unique?

Kimud Shoal offers a more challenging experience than the usual dive sites around Malapascua. Currents can be strong, and the pinnacle’s isolated location makes it a magnet for pelagic visitors. With visibility averaging 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet), the vast, open blue feels infinite, heightening the excitement as you descend into the depths. It’s a place where every dive promises something different—whether it’s an encounter with sharks, rays, or schools of hunting predators.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water or Technical Diver certification is recommended due to depth and current conditions.

  • Depth Range: 18 to 40+ meters (59 to 130+ feet), ideal for deep and technical dives.

  • Best Time to Dive: Early morning for higher chances of encountering thresher sharks and pelagic life.

A Thrill for the Bold

For divers who crave an adrenaline rush, Kimud Shoal delivers. Whether you’re hoping to spot a shark on the hunt, glide with majestic mantas, or simply soak in the awe of the open ocean, this dive site is as unpredictable as it is rewarding. Perfect for technical divers looking to push their limits and experience the raw beauty of the underwater world beyond the reef.

Monad Shoal – The New Domain of the Tiger Sharks

Once renowned as the go-to site for encounters with thresher sharks, Monad Shoal has seen a surprising shift in recent years. The iconic threshers have migrated to Kimud Shoal, leaving Monad Shoal to be claimed by tiger sharks, making it an equally thrilling and more unpredictable dive site. Located about 30 minutes by boat from Malapascua, this underwater plateau remains a favorite for advanced and technical divers seeking heart-pounding pelagic encounters.

Diving Highlights

  • Tiger Shark Sightings: Monad Shoal’s transformation has made it a prime site to encounter tiger sharks. These apex predators patrol the reef and open waters, offering a rare and exhilarating experience.

  • Manta Rays and Devil Rays: While sharks are the stars of the show, mantas and mobula rays occasionally visit the site, adding to the excitement.

  • Macro Life: Explore the reef plateau, home to frogfish, scorpionfish, and colorful nudibranchs. Divers with sharp eyes can spot camouflaged creatures hiding within the corals.

The Tiger Shark Thrill

With depths ranging from 12 to 30 meters (40 to 98 feet), Monad Shoal offers a mix of reef diving and pelagic action. Tiger sharks’ arrival has brought new energy to the site, and diving here has become a favorite among thrill-seekers. Currents are moderate to strong, and dives often require patience as these apex predators glide into view.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver or higher is recommended due to the depths and currents. Technical divers using trimix or nitrox can enjoy longer bottom times.

  • Depth Range: 12 to 30 meters (40 to 98 feet), with deeper exploration possible along the drop-offs.

  • Best Time to Dive: Early morning offers the best visibility and higher chances of shark encounters.

A New Challenge for Adventurous Divers

Monad Shoal’s evolution from a thresher shark haven to a tiger shark domain has created a fresh challenge for divers. With tiger sharks commanding the reef and mantas sweeping through the blue, this dive site now offers a unique combination of excitement and unpredictability.

If you’re ready to embrace the wild, Monad Shoal promises an unforgettable dive, where every moment holds the possibility of encountering one of the ocean’s most powerful predators.

Gato Island – A Marine Sanctuary Full of Mysteries

Located just an hour’s boat ride from Malapascua, Gato Island offers one of the most exciting and varied diving experiences in the region. Known for its underwater caves, swim-throughs, and abundance of marine life, Gato is not just a dive site—it’s an adventure into the unknown. This protected marine sanctuary is a haven for macro enthusiasts, shark lovers, and technical divers alike, providing a unique blend of exploration, biodiversity, and the thrill of cave diving.

Diving Highlights

  • Swim-Through Tunnel: One of Gato’s key features is the 150-meter tunnel that runs through the island. This thrilling swim-through offers divers the experience of emerging from total darkness into a vibrant underwater landscape, making it perfect for sidemount divers or those practicing cave diving skills.

  • White-tip Reef Sharks: Gato Island is home to resting white-tip reef sharks, often found sleeping in crevices or cruising along the reef’s edge. Spotting these sleek predators adds an exhilarating touch to the dive.

  • Macro Life Extravaganza: Gato is a playground for macro lovers, featuring frogfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, pipefish, and other rare critters. Bring your camera—every corner reveals a hidden gem.

  • Colorful Coral Gardens: Surrounding the island are lush soft corals, sponges, and anemones, swarming with schools of batfish, trevally, and snapper.

The Adventure Awaits

Diving at Gato Island offers a sense of exploration and discovery. With visibility ranging between 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 feet) and depths extending to 30 meters (98 feet) or more, the site caters to divers of various levels. For technical divers, the deeper sections beyond the reef walls present intriguing opportunities to explore the less-visited areas of the site.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water certification is recommended, and technical diving skills are beneficial for deeper exploration or cave penetrations.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 30 meters (16 to 98 feet), with opportunities for deeper technical dives.

  • Best Time to Dive: Year-round diving is possible, but currents and visibility vary, so planning around the tides is ideal.

More Than Just a Dive—A Journey Into the Wild

Gato Island offers an experience that blends adventure, exploration, and biodiversity. Whether you’re swimming through dark caverns, photographing tiny nudibranchs, or encountering white-tip sharks face-to-face, every dive here is unique and unforgettable. This marine sanctuary promises to keep you on the edge of your fins—perfect for divers with a passion for exploration and a love for both the big and small wonders of the ocean.

Ready to take the plunge? Gato Island’s mysteries await you.

Chocolate Island – A Sweet Surprise for the Underwater Explorer

Chocolate Island might sound like a treat for your taste buds, but it’s actually a hidden gem for divers exploring the waters around Malapascua. Located just 20 minutes by boat, this small, unassuming island delivers an exciting dive filled with vivid coral gardens, macro treasures, and swirling fish schools. With depths ranging from 5 to 18 meters (16 to 59 feet), Chocolate Island is a macro wonderland perfect for both recreational divers and technical divers looking to master buoyancy and fine-tune their skills.

Diving Highlights

  • Macro Marvels: Chocolate Island offers some of the best macro photography opportunities in Malapascua. Expect to encounter seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, scorpionfish, pipefish, and mantis shrimp hidden among soft corals and rocky crevices. It’s a dream site for those with a sharp eye and a steady camera.

  • Coral Wonderland: The vibrant coral gardens surrounding the island teem with sponges, sea whips, and anemones, providing shelter for juvenile angelfish, clownfish, and schools of glassfish. The shallow depths make it ideal for long, relaxed dives.

  • Night Diving Magic: Chocolate Island truly comes alive at night. The site transforms into a nocturnal paradise, with octopuses, cuttlefish, and decorator crabs emerging from their daytime hiding spots. Night divers are often treated to sightings of bio-luminescent plankton, creating a surreal underwater experience.

Why Dive Here?

Though Chocolate Island may lack the drama of deep wrecks or pelagic encounters, it offers something equally valuable: serenity, discovery, and detail. For divers who love slowing down to appreciate the intricacies of marine life, Chocolate Island provides a captivating and rewarding experience. The site’s calm waters and mild currents make it an ideal location for training dives, buoyancy practice, or simply enjoying a leisurely dive surrounded by rich biodiversity.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, though advanced divers and photographers will especially enjoy the macro life.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 18 meters (16 to 59 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Chocolate Island can be dived year-round, with excellent conditions during the dry season (November to May). Night diving here is highly recommended for those seeking something truly magical.

The Sweet Escape Beneath the Waves

Chocolate Island offers a peaceful yet exciting dive experience filled with tiny treasures and hidden surprises. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect nudibranch shot, enjoying the vibrant coral life, or exploring the nocturnal wonders of the reef, this dive site promises a unique and unforgettable adventure. It’s proof that sometimes the sweetest discoveries lie beneath the surface.

Dive in and experience the magic of Chocolate Island—a delightful underwater escape.

Dakit-Dakit – A Shallow Paradise of Rock Pinnacles and Marine Life

Dakit-Dakit may be small, but this dive site near Malapascua is packed with thrilling underwater landscapes and marine diversity. The name, meaning “small rocks” in Cebuano, perfectly describes this site—a cluster of rocky outcroppings and pinnacles rising from the sea floor. With depths ranging from 3 to 18 meters (10 to 59 feet), Dakit-Dakit is ideal for both easy-going recreational dives and skills-focused technical dives. This site is popular for training, buoyancy practice, and photography, making it a favorite among divers seeking a relaxed yet rewarding underwater experience.

Diving Highlights

  • Rock Formations and Swim-Throughs: The rugged landscape of Dakit-Dakit provides fun swim-throughs and small caves to explore, creating an exciting underwater playground. The scattered rock formations are home to juvenile fish, moray eels, and hidden critters that keep divers engaged throughout the dive.

  • Abundant Marine Life: While the site is shallow, it teems with life. Expect to encounter anemonefish, lionfish, groupers, and schools of bannerfish. For the macro enthusiast, nudibranchs, shrimp, and pipefish are common finds.

  • Turtle Encounters: Dakit-Dakit is known for its resident green sea turtles, which can often be spotted resting on the sandy bottom or grazing on algae-covered rocks—a delightful highlight for any dive.

The Perfect Site for Skill Development

With calm waters and minimal currents, Dakit-Dakit is an excellent site for training dives, including buoyancy control, navigation, and sidemount practice. Its combination of depth variations and complex rock structures makes it a fun location for both beginner and advanced divers honing their skills.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, but the site is also perfect for divers taking Advanced or Specialty Courses.

  • Depth Range: 3 to 18 meters (10 to 59 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Dakit-Dakit can be dived year-round, with clear, calm conditions from November to May offering the best visibility.

Small Site, Big Surprises

Dakit-Dakit may be small in size, but it’s big on charm and diversity. Whether you’re diving here to explore the swim-throughs, capture macro life, or practice technical skills, it delivers a laid-back yet exciting experience. It’s the perfect site to relax, refine, and rediscover the joy of diving.

Add Dakit-Dakit to your dive plan for a fun, easy dive filled with turtles, critters, and underwater adventure—proof that the best things sometimes come in small packages!

Lighthouse – The Dazzling Dance of the Mandarinfish

The Lighthouse dive site near Malapascua is more than just a scenic reef—it’s the stage for one of the most enchanting underwater spectacles: the mating dance of mandarinfish. Nestled in the calm, shallow waters near the island, this site offers a magical night dive experience, captivating divers with a unique blend of vibrant marine life and twilight wonders. Known for its mandarinfish courtship rituals, this site is ideal for night diving enthusiasts and macro photographers looking for an unforgettable encounter.

Diving Highlights

  • Mandarinfish Courtship Ritual: The star attraction at Lighthouse is the rare and mesmerizing mating display of mandarinfish. Just after sunset, these brilliantly colored fish emerge from their coral hideouts and perform an intricate dance of courtship—an experience that feels like witnessing a private, underwater ballet.

  • Macro Life Extravaganza: Beyond the mandarinfish, the site is teeming with tiny critters such as nudibranchs, shrimp, and juvenile pipefish hiding within the coral rubble, making it a photographer’s dream.

  • Night Diving Magic: The Lighthouse dive site truly comes alive after sunset. The reef transforms into a nocturnal playground filled with sleeping parrotfish, hunting octopuses, and cuttlefish, along with other creatures rarely seen during the day. For divers who love exploring the ocean under the cover of darkness, this site is a must.

Why It’s Special

Lighthouse offers an intimate and immersive night dive, where divers hover quietly, watching the tiny mandarinfish emerge from coral cracks for their nightly ritual. The shallow depth allows for extended bottom time, so you can soak in every detail of the action. It’s a dive that feels as much about patience and observation as it does about adventure—perfect for those who enjoy the finer details of marine life.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water Diver is sufficient, but night diving experience is recommended.

  • Depth Range: 2 to 12 meters (6 to 40 feet), allowing for long, relaxed dives.

  • Best Time to Dive: Just after sunset for the mandarinfish dance; the site is perfect for night dives year-round.

A Dive for the Curious and Patient

Lighthouse offers a unique dive unlike any other—less about depth or dramatic landscapes, and more about moments of magic hidden in the shallows. Watching mandarinfish glide gracefully through the twilight reef feels like being part of an underwater fairytale. Pair this with the diverse nocturnal life, and you have a dive that will leave you with lasting memories and incredible photos.

Prepare your dive lights and bring your camera—Lighthouse is waiting to enchant you!

Los Bamboos – A Hidden Oasis of Serenity and Marine Diversity

Tucked away from the busier dive routes around Malapascua, Los Bamboos offers a tranquil escape with vibrant marine life and lush coral gardens. This dive site gets its name from the bamboo-like formations found along the nearby shore, setting the tone for a peaceful and picturesque dive. Known for its rich biodiversity, gentle slopes, and playful currents, Los Bamboos is perfect for divers who love to explore the reef at a relaxed pace—ideal for macro enthusiasts, beginners, and those looking to hone their buoyancy and navigation skills.

Diving Highlights

  • Colorful Coral Gardens: The reef at Los Bamboos is carpeted with soft corals, sponges, and sea fans, swarming with clownfish, butterflyfish, and damselfish. The gentle slope makes it easy to explore the different layers of the reef, each teeming with life.

  • Macro Paradise: This site is a goldmine for underwater photographers, offering sightings of nudibranchs, pipefish, seahorses, and frogfish hiding among the corals. With calm currents, it’s an ideal location to perfect your macro photography techniques.

  • Playful Currents: Mild currents sweep through the reef, creating a drift-like diving experience at times, adding an extra layer of fun without being too challenging. This gentle drift encourages you to explore the reef at a leisurely pace while enjoying the abundant marine life.

A Dive for Relaxation and Exploration

Los Bamboos is a stress-free dive site—perfect for those days when you just want to relax and let the ocean reveal its wonders. The shallow depths and good visibility create the perfect conditions for long, easy dives, making it a great choice for training, photography, or simply enjoying the beauty of the underwater world without rushing.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, but the site is also great for advanced divers focusing on skills refinement or macro photography.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 18 meters (16 to 59 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Los Bamboos can be dived year-round, with the best conditions found between November and May during the dry season.

Where Peace Meets Biodiversity

Los Bamboos offers a perfect blend of serenity and excitement. Whether you’re marveling at tiny critters camouflaged within the coral or enjoying a gentle drift along the reef, this dive is all about taking your time and savoring the details. It’s a place where every diver—whether beginner or expert—can find something to love.

If you’re ready to slow down and reconnect with the underwater world, Los Bamboos promises an unforgettable experience beneath the waves.

North Point – A Deep Blue Playground at Malapascua’s Edge

Perched on the northern tip of Malapascua, North Point is a dive site that caters to those seeking thrills, depth, and discovery. Known for its rich biodiversity, swirling pelagics, and exciting underwater topography, North Point is an adventure waiting to unfold. With depths ranging from 12 to 35 meters (40 to 115 feet) and occasional currents sweeping through, this dive offers an excellent opportunity for advanced and technical divers to experience the dynamic beauty of Malapascua’s waters.

Diving Highlights

  • Schooling Pelagics: Large schools of barracuda, trevally, and batfish patrol the waters around North Point, often gliding past in synchronized formations. Keep an eye on the blue for hunting tunas or passing eagle rays—a thrilling sight for any diver.

  • Vibrant Reef Slopes: North Point’s reef is a kaleidoscope of sponges, sea fans, and soft corals, teeming with reef fish, scorpionfish, and lionfish. Macro enthusiasts can also find nudibranchs and shrimps nestled within the coral heads.

  • Shark Encounters: While sightings are less predictable, white-tip reef sharks and occasional tiger sharks have been spotted patrolling the deeper parts of North Point, adding an element of excitement to every dive.

  • Drop-offs and Ledges: The site’s steep slopes and walls offer fun exploration opportunities, with ledges that hide moray eels, lobsters, and the occasional octopus.

A Dive for the Adventurous Spirit

North Point offers a dynamic underwater experience, with moderate to strong currents that make every dive unique. The changing conditions add an extra layer of excitement, perfect for divers who thrive on the unexpected. With deeper depths available, it’s also a great site for technical divers practicing extended range diving or deeper profiles.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water or Technical Diver certification is recommended due to depths and current conditions.

  • Depth Range: 12 to 35 meters (40 to 115 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Mornings generally offer better visibility and calmer conditions, though the site can be explored year-round.

Unpredictable and Rewarding

North Point is a site for adventurers, offering everything from reef exploration to pelagic encounters. Its deeper waters, exciting topography, and potential shark sightings ensure that no two dives here are the same. Whether you’re on the hunt for big fish action, enjoying the beauty of reef life, or testing your skills in the current, North Point will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Dive into Malapascua’s wild north—where every descent promises the thrill of the unknown and every dive leaves you craving more.

Lapus-Lapus – A Hidden Gem of Malapascua’s Underwater Garden

Lapus-Lapus, named after the Cebuano word for “narrow passage,” is a charming and vibrant dive site that promises an exciting mix of reef exploration, swim-throughs, and macro delights. Tucked along the western coastline of Malapascua, this site offers an easy-going yet intriguing dive experience with depths ranging from 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet). It’s a perfect blend of colorful coral landscapes, curious critters, and playful marine life, making it a must-visit for divers of all levels.

Diving Highlights

  • Swim-Throughs and Canyons: Lapus-Lapus is famous for its narrow passages and rock formations, offering fun swim-throughs and channels that wind between coral-covered outcrops. These natural features make every dive an adventure, especially for divers looking to test their buoyancy and navigation skills.

  • Bursting with Marine Life: The reef teems with parrotfish, angelfish, wrasses, and butterflyfish. Schools of juvenile barracuda and snapper often patrol the site, adding a touch of excitement. For eagle-eyed divers, frogfish, pipefish, and nudibranchs await discovery among the crevices.

  • Turtle Encounters: Lapus-Lapus is known for its frequent turtle sightings, with green and hawksbill turtlesgrazing on the reef or resting on sandy patches—a highlight for every diver!

A Dive for Relaxation and Fun

Lapus-Lapus is easy to dive yet full of surprises, offering a bit of everything—macro life for photographers, swim-throughs for adventure lovers, and peaceful reef gardens for those who simply want to drift and relax. With minimal currents and good visibility, it’s ideal for training dives or refreshing skills.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water Diver certification is sufficient, but more experienced divers will appreciate the site’s swim-throughs and rock passages.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Morning or afternoon dives provide good light for photography, and conditions are calm year-round.

Where Beauty Meets Adventure

Lapus-Lapus offers an enchanting underwater journey where curiosity leads the way. It’s a place where every passage holds the promise of something new—be it a hidden critter, a playful turtle, or a fun swim-through to conquer. Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore or a seasoned diver seeking a laid-back adventure, Lapus-Lapus delivers a relaxed, beautiful, and rewarding dive experience.

Explore the narrow paths and colorful wonders of Lapus-Lapus—you might just discover your new favorite dive site in Malapascua!

Lapus II – A Sequel of Adventure Beneath the Waves

Just when you think the wonders of Lapus-Lapus couldn’t get any better, Lapus II emerges as an exciting continuation of underwater exploration. Located nearby, this sister site offers a similar landscape of swim-throughs, coral gardens, and narrow canyons, but with deeper sections and a more challenging terrain. With depths extending from 8 to 24 meters (26 to 79 feet), Lapus II adds a bit more adventure and complexity, making it a favorite among divers who enjoy intricate topography and hidden surprises.

Diving Highlights

  • Canyons and Swim-Throughs: Lapus II features a network of twisting canyons and tight swim-throughs, perfect for divers looking to test their navigation and buoyancy skills. These rock corridors are blanketed in corals, making every passage a scenic journey.

  • Macro and Meso Life: Among the coral and rubble, you’ll find camouflaged critters like frogfish, scorpionfish, and leaf fish, while juvenile sweetlips, lionfish, and nudibranchs make frequent appearances. Macro photographers will love the abundance of shrimp, crabs, and pipefish hiding in crevices.

  • Pelagic Visitors: While Lapus II is mostly known for its intricate reef and macro life, occasional pelagic species—such as trevally and mackerel—cruise through the deeper parts of the site, adding a touch of excitement.

  • Sea Fans and Hard Corals: The deeper sections showcase beautiful sea fans, whips, and sponges, swaying in the gentle currents, home to tiny critters and pygmy seahorses if you’re lucky enough to spot them.

An Adventure with Layers

Lapus II offers a dive experience where the landscape evolves with depth—from shallow coral gardens to deeper canyons. The varied topography keeps the dive interesting, as divers encounter a mix of tight passages, open reef slopes, and sudden drop-offs. The mild currents make for enjoyable drift-like sections, adding flow to the dive without making it too challenging. It’s an excellent playground for intermediate and advanced divers looking for a bit more excitement.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water Diver is sufficient, though Advanced Open Water or specialties in buoyancy and navigation are recommended for those wanting to tackle the swim-throughs and deeper passages.

  • Depth Range: 8 to 24 meters (26 to 79 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Lapus II is diveable year-round, with morning dives offering great light for photography and calmer conditions.

A Dive Site That Keeps You Curious

Lapus II isn’t just a continuation—it’s an adventure in its own right, filled with hidden creatures, stunning corals, and a terrain that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s a site that rewards curiosity and patience, with something new around every corner. Whether you’re threading through narrow canyons, gliding over coral gardens, or uncovering elusive critters in the depths, Lapus II offers a memorable dive with just the right amount of challenge and fun.

Take the plunge into Lapus II—because every sequel deserves a little more adventure.

Bogtong Bato – Malapascua’s Pinnacle of Adventure

Bogtong Bato, which translates to “Rock Pile” in Cebuano, is one of Malapascua’s hidden gems for thrill-seeking divers. This dive site features a dramatic pinnacle rising from the depths, adorned with vibrant corals, sponges, and teeming marine life. With steep walls, hidden crevices, and swirling currents, Bogtong Bato promises an exhilarating underwater adventure for those ready to explore its secrets. Whether you’re looking for pelagic encounters or hunting for macro treasures, this site offers something for every diver.

Diving Highlights

  • The Pinnacle: The heart of Bogtong Bato is a rocky pinnacle rising from the seabed to just beneath the surface. Its steep walls are covered with sea fans, soft corals, and whip corals, creating a visual feast for divers descending along its slopes.

  • Pelagic Action: This site sits exposed in the open ocean, attracting schools of trevally, barracuda, and jacks. With a bit of luck, divers may encounter eagle rays or even the occasional hammerhead shark passing by the pinnacle.

  • Macro Treasures: Look closely among the coral-encrusted walls to spot tiny nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and ornate ghost pipefish. Photographers will love the site’s abundance of small critters tucked within the nooks and crannies.

  • Current-Driven Excitement: Bogtong Bato’s location makes it susceptible to strong currents, adding an element of adventure. Drift along the walls and ledges, keeping your eyes on the blue for unexpected encounters with larger marine life.

The Ultimate Adventure Dive

This dive site offers a dynamic and multi-faceted experience, perfect for divers who enjoy exploring deeper waters and navigating strong currents. The pinnacle’s walls and ledges allow for plenty of vertical exploration, making it ideal for deep and technical diving. For adventurous divers, Bogtong Bato offers a chance to push their limits and experience a truly unique dive.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver or Technical Diver certification is recommended due to the depth and current conditions.

  • Depth Range: 10 to 30 meters (33 to 98 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: The site can be dived year-round, but morning dives are best for calmer conditions and optimal light. Plan dives around slack tide for easier exploration.

Explore the Edge of the Blue

Bogtong Bato is not just another dive—it’s an adventure for the bold. The thrill of drifting alongside the pinnacle, the joy of discovering hidden macro treasures, and the possibility of encountering large pelagics make every dive here unique and unforgettable.

If you’re looking to challenge yourself and dive deeper into Malapascua’s wild side, Bogtong Bato is waiting to take you on an exhilarating underwater journey.

The Dona Marilyn Wreck is one of the popular dive sites near Malapascua, Philippines, offering an intriguing experience for wreck divers. Here’s an overview:

History of the Wreck

The Dona Marilyn was a passenger ferry that tragically sank during a typhoon on October 24, 1988. It lies at a depth of approximately 30 meters (98 feet), making it accessible to recreational divers with advanced certifications and a fascinating site for technical divers. The vessel, originally built to transport passengers between Cebu and Manila, met its demise due to the fierce storm that claimed many lives.

Diving Conditions

  • Depth: 18–33 meters (59–108 feet)

  • Visibility: Typically ranges from 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet), though it can vary due to currents and weather conditions.

  • Water Temperature: Averages between 26°C to 30°C (78°F to 86°F).

  • Currents: Moderate to strong at times, making it more suitable for experienced divers. It’s recommended to dive during slack tide for easier conditions.

What to Expect

The wreck, now covered in colorful corals, sponges, and soft marine growth, has become a thriving artificial reef teeming with marine life. Divers can explore both the exterior and parts of the interior, though penetration should be done cautiously due to potential entanglement hazards. The ship is lying on its side, adding an extra layer of challenge and intrigue for exploration.

  • Marine Life: Expect to see an array of marine life, including:

    • Schooling snappers, groupers, and jacks

    • Barracuda and trevally circling the wreck

    • Frogfish, lionfish, and scorpionfish hiding among the corals

    • Nudibranchs and other macro critters for photographers

    • Occasional sightings of turtles and rays

Diving Highlights

  • Coral-encrusted structure: A surreal blend of marine life and human-made wreckage.

  • Swim-throughs: Adventurous divers can explore some compartments, but a guide is highly recommended for safety.

  • Photographic opportunities: With vibrant coral growth and diverse marine life, the wreck offers excellent photography potential, especially for wide-angle shots.

Recommended Skill Level

  • Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW) or equivalent

  • Specialty Recommendation: Wreck Diver certification is highly encouraged, especially for those wanting to penetrate the wreck.

The Dona Marilyn wreck is a compelling site, offering a mix of history, adventure, and marine biodiversity. For those diving from Malapascua, it’s an exciting departure from the thresher shark dives, showcasing the diversity of the region’s underwater offerings.

Galapagos – A Pelagic Wonderland Beneath the Waves of Malapascua

Galapagos in Malapascua lives up to its name, offering divers a thrilling encounter with the ocean’s giants. Known for its big pelagic visitors, sweeping currents, and expansive underwater scenery, this dive site promises an exhilarating experience that rivals its namesake archipelago. Located just off the coast of Malapascua, Galapagos is a deep, current-driven dive, attracting everything from thresher sharks and manta rays to barracuda and hammerhead sharks. It’s a dive that immerses you in the vast, blue wilderness of the ocean—perfect for experienced adventurers looking to explore the deeper side of Malapascua.

Diving Highlights

  • Big Fish Encounters: Galapagos is known for thresher shark sightings, as well as manta rays gliding gracefully through the blue. For the lucky few, hammerhead sharks have also been spotted cruising these waters, making each dive an unpredictable thrill.

  • Pelagic Action in Full Force: Schools of trevally, barracuda, and tunas frequently pass through, adding to the excitement. Divers are advised to keep an eye on the open ocean, as eagle rays and mobula rays may surprise you at any moment.

  • Current-Driven Drift Dive: The site’s strong, sweeping currents make for an exciting drift dive, allowing divers to glide along the walls and ridges, watching the marine life unfold in a natural, wild setting. The currents are also what attract the larger pelagics, turning Galapagos into an underwater arena where the ocean’s giants gather.

The Ultimate Dive Challenge

With depths ranging from 15 to 40 meters (50 to 130 feet), Galapagos is perfect for advanced and technical diverslooking to explore deeper waters and extend their bottom time. The currents can be strong and unpredictable, requiring good drift diving skills and experience in managing dynamic conditions. For those up for the challenge, the rewards are unmatched—every dive here is filled with excitement, mystery, and discovery.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water or Technical Diver certification is highly recommended due to depth and strong currents.

  • Depth Range: 15 to 40 meters (50 to 130 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Early mornings provide the best conditions for pelagic sightings. Dive during slack tide to avoid the strongest currents.

An Adventure at the Edge of the Blue

Galapagos is a dive for those who crave the wild and unpredictable—where the ocean is vast, the currents powerful, and the rewards unforgettable. It’s a place where pelagic giants rule, and every descent feels like an exploration into the unknown. The dynamic conditions and opportunity for rare sightings make this dive site a true bucket-list experience.

For the adventurer seeking big fish encounters and open-ocean excitement, Galapagos offers an exhilarating dive that will keep you coming back for more. Take the plunge, drift with the currents, and discover why Galapagos in Malapascua is a diver’s dream.

Two Buttons – A Double Dose of Underwater Adventure

Two Buttons is one of Malapascua’s most unique dive sites, offering an exhilarating blend of intricate topography, vibrant marine life, and a playful challenge. The site is named after two rocky coral-covered pinnacles that rise from the seafloor, resembling two buttons side by side. Located in open water, Two Buttons provides a mix of macro treasures and pelagic surprises, making it a favorite among divers who enjoy exploration and discovery. With depths reaching up to 25 meters (82 feet), this site caters to both recreational divers and those working on technical skills.

Diving Highlights

  • The Twin Pinnacles: The two coral-encrusted pinnacles are teeming with marine life. Schools of snapper, anthias, and wrasse dance around the rock formations, while moray eels and scorpionfish hide in the crevices. These twin pillars offer a playground for buoyancy control practice as you weave around and between them.

  • Macro Heaven: For divers with an eye for detail, Two Buttons reveals hidden gems—nudibranchs, leaf scorpionfish, and tiny shrimps tucked within the soft corals. Bring your camera, as there’s always something special waiting to be discovered.

  • Pelagic Encounters: The open-water setting means you might catch sight of trevally, mackerel, and barracudacruising in the blue. On rare occasions, eagle rays glide gracefully by, adding a thrilling element to the dive.

  • Photographer’s Playground: The two pinnacles create ideal conditions for underwater photography with vibrant corals, curious critters, and the perfect natural structure for wide-angle or macro shots.

A Dive with a Challenge

Two Buttons offers more than just pretty scenery—it presents an exciting challenge for divers to navigate between the pinnacles while managing buoyancy and currents. It’s a great site to practice sidemount skills or advanced buoyancy control, making it popular with both recreational and technical divers. The currents are mild to moderate, providing a slight drift without overwhelming the dive, keeping things fun and engaging.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water is sufficient, but Advanced Open Water or specialty certifications enhance the experience for deeper sections and current handling.

  • Depth Range: 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Morning dives provide better visibility and calmer conditions, although the site is diveable year-round.

Twice the Fun, Twice the Adventure

Two Buttons is a hidden treasure for those who enjoy the unexpected. It offers a mix of macro life, coral beauty, and open-water action, ensuring every dive here is fun, challenging, and rewarding. Whether you’re practicing technical skills, refining your photography, or simply enjoying the serene underwater landscape, Two Buttons promises a memorable dive.

Explore the depths, master the currents, and discover the charm of Two Buttons—where every dive feels like pressing play on a new adventure.

Giliano – A Secret Reef Bursting with Life

Tucked away from the more famous dive sites around Malapascua, Giliano offers a hidden escape into pristine coral gardens and marine diversity. Known for its vibrant soft corals, intricate topography, and playful marine creatures, Giliano promises an immersive and peaceful dive where every corner hides a new surprise. It’s a favorite for divers seeking tranquility, photography opportunities, and the joy of exploring a less-traveled reef. With depths ranging from 5 to 22 meters (16 to 72 feet), Giliano is ideal for both recreational and technical divers, offering a refreshing dive with calm conditions and plenty to discover.

Diving Highlights

  • Colorful Coral Gardens: The reef is a patchwork of soft corals, sponges, and sea fans, creating a colorful underwater world that attracts schools of damselfish, anthias, and wrasse. The healthy corals and variety of marine life make it perfect for leisurely exploration and photography.

  • Macro Treasures: Giliano is a playground for macro photographers, with frogfish, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, and tiny crabs hiding among the corals. Divers with keen eyes might even spot a juvenile octopus or seahorse tucked away in the reef.

  • Gentle Drift: The mild currents make Giliano an easy and enjoyable drift dive, allowing divers to relax and glide along the reef while keeping an eye out for hidden critters and playful fish.

  • Occasional Pelagic Visitors: Although known for its reef life, Giliano’s proximity to deeper waters means the occasional trevally, tuna, or eagle ray might make an appearance, adding a touch of excitement to the dive.

A Dive for Relaxation and Discovery

Giliano offers a laid-back dive experience where divers can slow down and take in the beauty of the reef. It’s the perfect site for buoyancy practice, navigation training, or sidemount skills development. The easy conditions and shallow depth also allow for extended dive times, making it an ideal spot for recreational divers to hone their skills and for photographers to capture the perfect shot.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water is sufficient, though Advanced Open Water is recommended for those wanting to explore deeper sections.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 22 meters (16 to 72 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Giliano is diveable year-round, with morning dives providing the best visibility and opportunities for photography.

A Reef That Rewards the Curious

Giliano is a hidden gem that embodies the essence of what makes diving in Malapascua so special. It offers an intimate and immersive dive, free from crowds and full of surprises for those willing to take their time. Whether you’re hunting for macro life, drifting along coral slopes, or practicing your skills, Giliano provides a rewarding experience with every dive.

Dive deeper into the wonders of Giliano—where tranquility and discovery meet beneath the waves.

Secret Wall – An Underwater Wonderland Beyond the Edge

Tucked away beneath the surface, Secret Wall lives up to its name by offering divers a hidden realm of dramatic drop-offs, vibrant corals, and unexpected encounters. This steep reef wall, shrouded in mystery, plunges from 12 meters (40 feet) to beyond 30 meters (100 feet), making it a playground for advanced and technical divers. The combination of thrilling depth, swirling currents, and dynamic marine life guarantees that no two dives here are the same. Secret Wall is perfect for those who love adventure and exploration, offering a sense of discovery at every descent.

Diving Highlights

  • Sheer Wall Drop-Off: The wall at Secret Wall is vertical and covered in colorful sea fans, sponges, and soft corals. As you descend, it feels as if the reef disappears into the abyss, creating an exhilarating sense of immersion.

  • Macro Treasures and Camouflaged Creatures: While Secret Wall is known for its depth, it’s also home to some amazing critters. Spot frogfish, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and pipefish clinging to the corals. It’s a photographer’s dream for both wide-angle and macro shots.

  • Large Marine Life Encounters: Occasionally, eagle rays, tuna, and trevally cruise along the wall, with white-tip reef sharks and giant groupers lurking in deeper sections. The blue waters surrounding the wall always hold the promise of unexpected pelagic sightings.

  • Drift Dive Delight: With moderate currents sweeping along the wall, divers can enjoy a smooth drift dive, gliding effortlessly past the rich coral outcrops and peeking into small caves and overhangs along the way.

A Dive for the Adventurous Explorer

Secret Wall offers the perfect mix of depth and mystery. The deeper sections provide excellent opportunities for technical divers to practice skills, while the mid-level reef offers enough excitement for recreational divers. With currents adding a bit of challenge, it’s a dive that will keep you focused and engaged, rewarding your efforts with unforgettable encounters.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver or Technical Diver certification is recommended due to the depth and currents.

  • Depth Range: 12 to 30+ meters (40 to 100+ feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Early mornings and slack tide provide the best conditions, ensuring better visibility and gentler currents.

A Hidden Gem Waiting to Be Discovered

Diving Secret Wall is like peering into the unknown—the deeper you go, the more wonders it reveals. Whether you’re drifting along the edge of the abyss, hunting for macro treasures in the corals, or hoping for a pelagic encounter, this dive site promises excitement, beauty, and mystery in equal measure.

For divers seeking something beyond the ordinary, Secret Wall is an adventure you won’t want to miss. Explore the unseen, drift with the currents, and discover the magic hidden beneath Malapascua’s waves.

Deep Stop – A Dive into the Abyss of Malapascua

Deep Stop is more than just a dive site—it’s a gateway to the deep blue, where the underwater world shifts from vibrant reefs to mysterious depths. This site is designed for advanced and technical divers who crave deeper exploration, pushing the limits of depth, precision, and adventure. Situated off the coast of Malapascua, Deep Stop is known for its steep drop-offs, unpredictable encounters with large pelagics, and excellent opportunities to fine-tune deep diving skills. Whether you’re practicing decompression stops or simply taking in the beauty of the deep, this dive is as thrilling as it is rewarding.

Diving Highlights

  • Vertical Drop-Offs and Ledges: Deep Stop features steep walls that descend beyond 40 meters (130 feet), with ledges and overhangs teeming with life. These structures offer a mix of macro and meso treasures, from delicate sea fans to hidden moray eels and frogfish clinging to the walls.

  • Pelagic Encounters: The open ocean surrounding Deep Stop frequently draws schools of barracuda, trevally, and jacks. With luck, divers may even spot manta rays or hammerhead sharks cruising in from the blue—an unforgettable experience at depth.

  • A Technical Diver’s Playground: With depths easily exceeding 40 meters (130 feet), Deep Stop is ideal for divers practicing decompression techniques, gas management, and trimix dives. The drop-offs and ledges offer perfect places to conduct decompression stops while enjoying the stunning underwater scenery.

  • Macro Life on the Edge: While this site is famous for its depth, keen-eyed divers will find plenty of tiny critterssuch as pygmy seahorses, shrimps, and nudibranchs decorating the reef walls.

A Dive for Precision and Adventure

Deep Stop isn’t just about reaching depths—it’s about mastering control, focus, and situational awareness. With strong currents possible at deeper levels, this site offers both challenge and reward. It’s the perfect place for technical divers to push their limits while recreational divers can test their skills in advanced deep diving.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver or Technical Diver certification is required due to the depth and potential for decompression stops.

  • Depth Range: 25 to 45+ meters (82 to 150+ feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Early mornings and slack tide provide the best conditions for deeper exploration. Diving with nitrox or trimix is recommended for extended bottom times and safety.

Explore the Depths – Where the Ocean Keeps Its Secrets

At Deep Stop, the adventure lies in the unknown—every dive offers a new challenge and a chance for discovery. Whether you’re descending into the blue to search for pelagic visitors, honing your deep diving skills, or simply marveling at the wall’s beauty, Deep Stop is a site that keeps you engaged from start to finish. This is a dive that rewards precision, curiosity, and experience, with every decompression stop offering a moment to reflect on the thrill of exploring the deep.

Take the plunge into Deep Stop—where the ocean’s secrets await those bold enough to explore them.

Bantigue – A Diver’s Playground of Diversity and Delight

Located just a short boat ride from Malapascua, Bantigue offers an exciting dive for divers of all skill levels. Known for its gentle slopes, vibrant coral gardens, and playful marine life, Bantigue is a dive site where relaxation meets discovery. With depths ranging from 5 to 22 meters (16 to 72 feet) and mild currents, it’s a perfect site for training dives, macro photography, and drift dives. But don’t let its easy-going nature fool you—Bantigue is full of hidden surprises that make each dive memorable.

Diving Highlights

  • Colorful Coral Gardens: The shallow slopes of Bantigue are blanketed with soft and hard corals, creating a beautiful seascape. Schools of angelfish, parrotfish, and wrasse weave through the reef, while anemonefish peek playfully from their anemone homes.

  • Macro Marvels: Bantigue is a macro photographer’s dream, offering encounters with nudibranchs, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and mantis shrimp. Keep your camera ready—there’s always a chance to capture a rare critter among the corals.

  • Gentle Drift Diving: The site’s mild currents make it an ideal location for a gentle drift dive, allowing divers to relax and glide effortlessly over the reef while keeping an eye out for hidden treasures.

  • Occasional Turtle Encounters: Green and hawksbill turtles are known to visit Bantigue, adding a delightful surprise to your dive as they graze peacefully along the reef.

The Perfect Dive for Training and Fun

With its manageable depth range and calm conditions, Bantigue is perfect for Open Water training dives or for experienced divers wanting to hone their skills. It’s a great place to practice buoyancy, navigation, and photography, all while enjoying the rich marine life and beautiful scenery.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, but advanced divers will enjoy the opportunity for longer dives and skill practice.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 22 meters (16 to 72 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Bantigue is diveable year-round, with morning dives offering the best visibility and light for photography.

A Dive for the Curious and Relaxed

Bantigue offers a laid-back yet rewarding dive experience, where curiosity leads the way. Whether you’re perfecting your skills, capturing the perfect macro shot, or simply enjoying the serene beauty of the reef, Bantigue delivers an experience that is relaxing and exciting in equal measure. The combination of coral beauty, macro wonders, and friendly marine life ensures that every dive at Bantigue is a joyful exploration of Malapascua’s underwater world.

Come and dive Bantigue, where fun meets finesse, and every dive offers something new to discover beneath the waves.

Ka Osting – A Hidden Jewel of Tranquility and Marine Wonders

Ka Osting may be lesser-known compared to Malapascua’s headline dive sites, but it offers an intimate, awe-inspiring dive experience. Named after a local fisherman, Ka Osting provides pristine coral gardens, gentle currents, and an abundance of marine life, perfect for divers who appreciate the quiet beauty of the reef. With depths ranging from 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet), this site is ideal for macro enthusiasts, photographers, and new divers, but it also offers enough excitement to satisfy experienced divers with a sharp eye for hidden treasures.

Diving Highlights

  • Lush Coral Gardens: The seabed at Ka Osting is carpeted with vibrant soft corals, hard corals, and sea fans, creating a colorful haven for reef fish. Schools of snapper, bannerfish, and butterflyfish flit among the coral formations, making the site lively and picturesque.

  • Macro Magic: This site is perfect for macro lovers—spot nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, and the occasional frogfish tucked away in coral heads. Tiny crustaceans like cleaner shrimp and porcelain crabs are plentiful, waiting for divers with a sharp eye and steady camera.

  • Gentle Drift with Turtles: The mild currents make for a relaxing drift dive, with the added thrill of green and hawksbill turtles often spotted swimming along the reef or resting on soft coral beds.

  • Photographer’s Paradise: With excellent visibility and little current, Ka Osting is a dream for underwater photographers. Whether capturing the intricate patterns of nudibranchs or the vibrant scenery of the reef, divers will find endless photographic opportunities.

A Dive for Relaxation and Discovery

Ka Osting offers a calm, unhurried dive experience—perfect for those who enjoy exploring reefs at a leisurely pace. It’s also an ideal spot for training dives or buoyancy practice, thanks to its manageable depth range and gentle currents. Whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned diver searching for macro life, Ka Osting is a site that will surprise and delight.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, though advanced divers will enjoy longer bottom times and more intricate macro hunts.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Ka Osting is diveable year-round, with morning dives providing optimal light for photography and critter spotting.

An Oasis of Calm and Marine Life

Ka Osting’s charm lies in its tranquility and hidden beauty. It’s a site where the reef tells its own story through vivid corals, tiny creatures, and peaceful turtles gliding by. Perfect for macro hunters, skill refinement, and photography, Ka Osting offers an experience that is both relaxing and exhilarating—the kind of dive that lingers in your memory long after you surface.

Dive into Ka Osting, where the reef’s quiet wonders are waiting to be discovered, one critter at a time.

Bool Reef – A Kaleidoscope of Corals and Marine Marvels

Nestled just off the coast of Malapascua, Bool Reef offers a serene yet captivating dive experience. Known for its colorful coral gardens, rich marine biodiversity, and calm waters, this reef is ideal for divers who enjoy leisurely exploration and macro photography. With depths ranging from 5 to 18 meters (16 to 59 feet), Bool Reef is perfect for recreational dives, buoyancy practice, and photography sessions, but also offers surprises for seasoned divers with an eye for detail. Every dive at Bool feels like swimming through a living, breathing underwater canvas.

Diving Highlights

  • Vibrant Coral Gardens: Bool Reef is bursting with life, featuring soft and hard corals, sponges, sea whips, and anemones. These lush coral gardens are home to clownfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, and angelfish, creating a colorful spectacle that surrounds you as you glide along the reef.

  • Macro Photography Paradise: Keep your camera ready—Bool Reef offers a treasure trove of tiny critters, including nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimp, and juvenile pipefish. Macro lovers will enjoy the challenge of finding camouflaged seahorses or mimic octopuses hiding within the coral crevices.

  • Turtles and Rays: The peaceful waters of Bool are often visited by green and hawksbill turtles, as well as blue-spotted rays nestled in the sandy patches, adding a touch of excitement to this already rewarding dive.

  • Gentle Drift Dive: Mild currents allow for a relaxing drift dive, making it easy to cover large sections of the reefwhile observing the vibrant marine life in its natural rhythm.

Why Dive Bool Reef?

Bool Reef is a versatile dive site that appeals to both beginners and experienced divers. It offers calm, clear conditions, making it ideal for training dives, buoyancy refinement, and navigation practice. The reef’s compact size and abundance of life ensure that even multiple dives will reveal new critters and hidden wonders with every descent.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, but Advanced Open Water divers will enjoy longer bottom times and deeper exploration.

  • Depth Range: 5 to 18 meters (16 to 59 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Morning dives offer the best visibility and light for photography, though the site is enjoyable year-round.

A Dive for the Curious and Relaxed

Bool Reef is a gentle yet rewarding dive—the kind where you can take your time, perfect your skills, and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re photographing macro critters, drifting lazily along the coral slopes, or enjoying the presence of turtles grazing nearby, Bool Reef offers a memorable experience with every dive.

If you’re seeking a peaceful dive filled with vibrant life, Bool Reef is the perfect place to relax, explore, and be amazed.

Evolution Reef – A Journey Through Time Beneath the Waves

Evolution Reef is one of Malapascua’s most enchanting dive sites, offering a glimpse into the ever-changing story of the ocean. With layers of corals, rocky outcrops, and flourishing marine life, this site feels like a living, breathing reef in constant transformation. Known for its stunning biodiversity and varied topography, Evolution Reef offers depths from 8 to 25 meters (26 to 82 feet), making it suitable for both recreational and advanced divers. Whether you’re captivated by macro critters, schooling fish, or just the tranquility of the reef, Evolution Reef promises a dive where every moment feels connected to nature’s unfolding story.

Diving Highlights

  • A Tapestry of Corals: Evolution Reef boasts an impressive range of soft and hard corals, sponges, and sea whips, forming a vibrant and diverse underwater garden. As you drift along the reef, you’ll encounter flashes of color from angelfish, butterflyfish, and wrasse weaving between the corals.

  • Marine Life in Every Corner: This reef supports an abundance of life, from schooling snapper, trevally, and juvenile barracuda to camouflaged frogfish, scorpionfish, and leaf fish. Keen-eyed divers will be rewarded with nudibranchs, shrimp, and tiny pipefish hiding in the coral crevices.

  • Exploration for Every Diver: The topography of Evolution Reef includes gentle slopes, mini drop-offs, and coral-covered ridges. This variety offers something for everyone, whether you prefer shallow exploration or want to venture deeper into the reef’s secrets.

  • Occasional Big Visitors: While most of the magic lies in the reef itself, eagle rays, turtles, and passing tunaoccasionally cruise by, adding a burst of excitement to the dive.

The Perfect Dive for All Levels

Evolution Reef’s gentle currents and manageable depths make it a great dive for beginners, but its biodiversity and hidden treasures ensure advanced divers and photographers will also find it endlessly engaging. The site offers excellent opportunities for skill development, including buoyancy control, underwater navigation, and macro photography.

Dive Requirements

  • Certification: Open Water certification is sufficient, though Advanced Open Water divers will enjoy the deeper sections and longer bottom times.

  • Depth Range: 8 to 25 meters (26 to 82 feet).

  • Best Time to Dive: Evolution Reef can be explored year-round, with morning dives offering the best visibilityfor photography and critter spotting.

A Dive That Evolves with Every Descent

Diving Evolution Reef is like entering a microcosm of the ocean’s ongoing transformation—where each dive reveals new life, new landscapes, and new connections to the underwater world. Whether you’re a novice diver honing your skills or a seasoned explorer chasing elusive critters, Evolution Reef offers an experience that grows deeper with every visit.

Immerse yourself in Evolution Reef—a place where nature’s story unfolds with every dive, and each encounter leaves you with a sense of wonder and discovery.

Daanbantayan, PH
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Wind: 13km/h ESE
Humidity: 73%
Pressure: 1010.5mbar
UV index: 11
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Malapascua Weather – Plan Your Dive with Us!

We’ve got you covered with the latest weather updates so you can make the most of your dive adventures on Malapascua Island. Whether you’re prepping for a sunrise dive, a chill snorkeling session, or just relaxing by the beach, our weather feed will help you stay ahead.

What You’ll Find in Our Weather Tool:

Current Weather and Temperature: Know what’s happening right now.

Wind Speed and Direction: Perfect for timing those boat trips.

Sunrise and Sunset Times: Plan that night dive or catch an epic sunset.

7-Day Forecast: Stay one step ahead with the latest weather trends.

 

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