Dive into the depths of Malapascua Island for these 5 compelling reasons:

In the heart of the Philippines, nestled amidst the Coral Triangle, lies the idyllic Malapascua Island - a haven for divers and beach lovers alike. This picturesque island, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, is home to some of the best diving sites on the planet.

The island's traditional Bangka boats, with their slender wooden hulls and bamboo outriggers, are a sight to behold. These boats, a common means of transport and tourism, are designed for stability and ease of navigation in the island's coastal waters. Their outrigger configuration provides balance, making them suitable for both calm and rough seas, essential for the island's diving and fishing activities. The Bangkas are painted in bright, vibrant colours, adding to their iconic appearance, often visible silhouetted against beautiful sunsets around Malapascua.

Malapascua is famous for its thresher shark encounters. These majestic creatures visit the cleaning stations on one side of the shoal in the early morning hours. Remarkably, they are not afraid of divers and come in quite close, making for an unforgettable experience. The threshers of Monad Shoal are a famous inhabitant of Malapascua, attracting divers from around the world.

The Hippocampus Resort, a popular hotel on the island, caters to two types of guests: those who enjoy the island atmosphere and divers who come to see the thresher sharks. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the marine world, Jeff Milisen, a marine biologist and new content writer for the Underwater Photography Guide, specializes in black water and big animals, offering valuable insights into the island's marine life.

Malapascua is not just about diving. Seahorses, a common and memorable resident of the island, add a touch of magic to its shores. The island is also a popular destination for nudibranch hunting, offering a diverse array of these vibrant, colourful marine creatures.

Travel to Malapascua is via the traditional Filipino boat called a "bangka." The construction of these boats is ingenious, using fibrous lashings, unique drive shafts, and bamboo to seal the driveshaft in the hull.

Despite its popularity, Malapascua remains unspoiled, with friendly locals, an idyllic beach, and no cars, offering visitors a truly authentic Filipino experience. However, weather can sometimes pose a challenge, as our first two attempts to see threshers at Monad Shoal were canceled due to adverse conditions. But on the third attempt, two threshers showed up and put on a great show, making the wait worthwhile.

For those planning a scuba diving trip, Bluewater Travel offers expert advice and planning services. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a newcomer to the world of underwater exploration, Malapascua Island promises an unforgettable adventure.

The slender wooden hulls and bamboo outriggers of the traditional Bangka boats, common in Malapascua Island, are designed for stability and ease of navigation in the coastal waters, making them suitable for both calm and rough seas.
The Hippocampus Resort, a popular hotel on Malapascua Island, caters to two types of guests: beach lovers seeking the island atmosphere and divers who come to see the thresher sharks.
Malapascua Island is famous for its thresher shark encounters, with these majestic creatures visiting the cleaning stations on one side of the shoal in the early morning hours.
The Bangkas, widely used for both diving and fishing activities in Malapascua, are painted in bright, vibrant colours, adding to their iconic appearance.
Jeff Milisen, a marine biologist and new content writer for the Underwater Photography Guide, specializes in black water and big animals, offering valuable insights into the island's marine life.
Seahorses, a common and memorable resident of Malapascua, add a touch of magic to its shores.
Malapascua Island offers a diverse array of nudibranch, vibrant, colourful marine creatures that are popular among divers.
For those planning a scuba diving trip, Bluewater Travel offers expert advice and planning services.
In the heart of the Philippines, Malapascua Island is a home-and-garden for divers, beach lovers, and anyone seeking an authentic Filipino travel experience.
The construction of the Bangka boats, used for transport and tourism in Malapascua, is ingenious, using fibrous lashings, unique drive shafts, and bamboo to seal the driveshaft in the hull.