This exciting itinerary includes encounters with whale sharks, manta rays and thresher sharks. If you like your marine life BIG, then this island hopping dive safari comes highly recommended with an XL WOW factor!
Covering three BIG marine life hotspots in the Philippines, underwater highlights include manta rays of Ticao, whale sharks of Donsol and thresher sharks of Malapascua.
This adventurous itinerary starts in the thresher shark capital of the Philippines, Malapascua. On Kimud and Monad shoals, not only thresher sharks but also tiger sharks and rays can be spotted. Nearby Gato island has excellent macro marine life and beautiful coral gardens. The relaxed island atmosphere of Malapascua allow you to sink into your island hopping adventure with ease.
The next stop provides an opportunity to swim with the biggest fish in the ocean. From December to early June, whale sharks converge in the coastal waters of Donsol. Snorkelling conditions are better towards the latter part of the season, peaking sightings are March to May. A short boat ride transports you off the beaten track to the untouched island of Ticao, where manta rays can be seen year round. An area off the coast of Ticao, aptly named “Manta Bowl”, houses multiple manta ray cleaning station, allowing for reliable interactions.
This itinerary is based on modest lodgings at each location, you can see the full range of accommodation options on the resort tab. This itinerary is designed to minimise travel time and overnights required, duration in any location can be adjusted. Contact our travel experts to discuss your perfect BIG Fish Tour.
With an early flight into Cebu you transfer on arrival by road and boat to the white sand island of Malapascua.
Check-in and begin your five-night stay, this itinerary is based on Blue Corals Beach Resort, which is a popular accommodation choice for divers with its clean and comfortable room options and nearby dive centre. There's plenty to choose from in Malapascua, check out the resorts for more options.
Enjoy four days diving (eight dives) with a chance of tiger shark and thresher shark sightings at Kimud and Monad Shoal, sometimes a hammerhead shark even makes an appearance.
Other highlights include the incredible diversity of Gato Island and mandarin fish at Lighthouse (dusk dive). There are even a few wrecks to visit.
This morning, you embark on the first of two whale shark snorkelling excursions. In our experience, snorkelling provides the best likelihood of interacting with whale sharks, as they're often cruising near the surface looking for plankton and small fish to eat. Whale sharks visit Donsol December to June, with March to May providing the calmest weather (best for snorkelling) and peak whale shark interactions.
Each snorkelling boat has a maximum of six passengers, plus a guide. Once a whale shark is spotted, snorkellers enter the water and swim alongside at a safe distance. If you’re lucky, it may be that there are multiple whale sharks in the water!
This morning, you head out for your second whale shark snorkelling excursion, for another chance to interact with the biggest fish in the ocean.
Once finished, you're transferred by private speed boat to Ticao Island Resort for a 5-night stay.
Enjoy four days exploring Ticao Island's dive sites (eight dives), with a chance of manta ray encounters at Manta Bowl year round. Ticao Pass is known for its plankton rich water and constant current, offering divers the chance to see whale sharks from December to June in these waters too!
The local reefs are teeming with colourful creatures and corals, a relaxing dive in such a full and rich ecosystem. Alternatively swap the whale sharks for thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks July to October for more shark-filled adventure.
Please note: Domestic flight schedules in the Philippines changes regularly, this may result in your itinerary being adjusted to fit the best routing depending on your time of travel. This may mean locations are in a different order or overnight(s) required in Manila and/or Cebu.
The small coastal town of Donsol in the northeast of the Philippines offers a rare opportunity to interact with whale sharks. Between the months of December and May, visitors head here to swim and snorkel with these harmless and gentle filter feeders. Find Out More about {acc:title}
This central region of islands is deservedly famous for beautiful beaches, relaxed lifestyle and stunning dive sites. Cebu City is the international gateway and provides links to the most exciting dive spots including Malapascua, Moalboal, Dumaguete and Bohol. Find Out More about {acc:title}
Surrounded by white sand beaches, the little island of Malapascua has gained a reputation as one of the best places in the world for thresher shark sightings, encountered each morning at Monad Shoal. Numerous other sharks are also seen, as well as mantas. Find Out More about {acc:title}
A haven of tranquillity, Ticao Island is blessed with crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches. The local reefs are full of colourful creatures, corals and sharks, but the area’s signature site is the Manta Bowl, a cleaning and feeding station of the oceanic manta. Find Out More about {acc:title}
This small resort, owned and operated by dive instructors, offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses and boat dives to local sites around Malapascua, encountering thresher sharks, wrecks, macro life and plenty of reefs. Find Out More about Evolution Resort
Located on the edge of Bounty Beach, this affordable and fun resort property provides easy access to one of Malapascua’s best dive centres, along with superb views of the beach and ocean. Find Out More about Blue Corals Beach Resort
Set in lush tropical gardens moments away from Bounty Beach, Buena Vida Resort & Spa is an oasis on Malapascua Island. With an onsite spa and daily yoga, this is more than your standard dive resort. Find Out More about Buena Vida Beach Resort & Spa
Located on the beach in Donsol, this comfortable resort offers one of the most reliable places in the world to observe the largest fish in the world, the gentle and mysterious whale shark. Find Out More about Elysia Beach Resort
Located on Malapascua Island, this small modern property on Bounty Beach is an ideal place to base yourself for a few days whilst you head out to Monad Shoal in search of thresher sharks. Find Out More about Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort
The friendly Ticao Island Resort offers nine beachfront cabanas on an island with crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, fantastic dive sites and the shade of hundreds of coconut trees. Find Out More about Ticao Island Resort
