One of the must-visit places in the world, not just in the Philippines, for scuba divers is Malapascua Island. There’s only one place in the world where you can get close to the elusive thresher sharks—that’s Malapascua Island.
Malapascua Island in North Cebu boasts a bunch of incredible dive sites in the Philippines, including the Monad Shoal where you can see thresher sharks. If you are heading to the island for thresher shark diving, there are a bunch of good dive resorts you can look into.
Choosing the Best Dive Resorts in Malapascua Island
Malapascua Island is actually pretty small. You can find dive resorts right next to each other.
Our Malapascua dive resort recommendations are based on our personal experience. We also take into account factors such as:
- Location. Is it accessible to basic services?
- Price. Is it competitive and reasonable?
- Cleanliness. Is it clean, orderly, and well-maintained?
- Staff. Is the staff courteous, polite, and accommodating?
We also want to emphasize that real guest experiences were a huge factor when we came up with our recommendations. Here are our top picks for the best dive resorts in Malapascua Island, Cebu:
| BOOKING.COM RATING | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort | 9.4/10 | Find deals! |
| 2. Evolution Dive and Beach Resort | 8.9/10 | Find deals! |
| 3. Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Resort | 8.8/10 | Find deals! |
| 4. Hippocampus Beach Resort | 8.2/10 | Find deals! |
| 5. SLAM’s Garden Dive Resort | 8.4/10 | Find deals! |
| 6. Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort | 8.2/10 | Find deals! |
| 7. Little Mermaid Dive Resort | 8.2/10 | Find deals! |
| 8. The Shark’s Tail Dive Center | 7.1/10 | Find deals! |
| 9. Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort | 7.0/10 | Find deals! |
1. Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort
Located in the middle of Bounty Beach, the island’s main beach, Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort partners with Sea Explorers, a leading PADI 5-Star dive center in the Philippines. This dive center has more than 15 years of experience with dives in Malapascua and other places in the country, which means you’ll be in good hands if you avail of their services.
The resort features cozy rooms with a view of either the sea or the resort garden. There’s also a restaurant and a spa for when you want to get a relaxing massage after a tiring dive. Stays at Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort start at 4,500 PHP (~$80.74 USD) per night, but guests are required to stay at least two nights.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 9.4/10
Google Rating: 4.5/5
2. Evolution Dive and Beach Resort
Situated on the eastern side of Bounty Beach, Evolution Dive and Beach Resort offers five PADI scuba diving courses covering all skill levels from beginner to dive master. The resort also offers training for diving instructors. Evolution Dive Resort is the only TDI 5-Star dive resort in the southern part of the Philippines that offers technical diving instruction, making it the top destination for learning enhanced diving and specialized diving skills.
As a resort, Evolution Dive and Beach Resort also offers cozy accommodations. They only have two kinds of rooms, but these are comfortable and fitted with everything you need for a long stay. Rates at Evolution Dive and Beach Resort vary from time to time, but expect to pay around 10,900 PHP (~$193.73 USD) for two nights in a Deluxe AC room or 6,900 PHP (~$122.63 USD) for two nights in a Standard AC room.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 8.9/10
Google Rating: 4.6/5
3. Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Resort
Also located along the shores of Bounty Beach right beside Evolution Dive and Beach Resort, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Resort is all about letting you enjoy the beauty under the sea in the surrounding areas. It offers a variety of PADI-accredited diving courses, catering from beginners to advanced divers. The rates are reasonable and are competitive with nearby dive resorts.
Aside from its diving courses and trips, the resort also serves as a relaxing place to stay before and after enjoying exhilarating dives around Malapascua’s diving spots. There are a variety of rooms to choose from and stays here start at around 5,400 PHP (~$96.15 USD) per night, plus taxes.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 8.8/10
Google Rating: 4.5/5
4. Hippocampus Beach Resort
Hippocampus Beach Resort is another great option for those who want to go diving on a budget but without compromising comfort and enjoyment. It’s located along Bounty Beach, too, where most shops, resorts, and restaurants are. Hippocampus has its own dive center, Devocean Divers, that offers diving courses for beginners and experienced divers and organizes diving trips to the different spots nearby. Devocean is a 5-star PADI-accredited center known for its friendliness and is one of the top favorites among divers.
Staying at Hippocampus is affordable and comfortable. Rates start at around 1,800 PHP (~$32.02 USD) for a room for two. The resort’s premises also make staying in very relaxing after a tiring day of diving.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: /10
Google Rating: 4.3/5
5. Slam’s Garden Dive Resort
Located near Logon Beach on the western side of the island, Slam’s Garden Dive Resort is the place to go if you’re looking for adventure as soon as you set foot on the island. This resort has a PADI-awarded dive school, Ocean Passion Dive Center, where you can learn mastery of scuba diving. The seasoned instructors will teach you from the basics to advanced skills, depending on the courses you take.
If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay while taking diving courses, Slam’s Garden Dive Resort is perfect. Two-person stays start at 1,700 PHP (~$30.25 USD) per night.
Location: Logon Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 8.4/10
Google Rating: 4.3/5
6. Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort
Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort is a haven for amateur and experienced divers looking for a break in Malapascua. Located along the stunning North Beach, this resort is a 10-minute scooter away from the port and is situated in a quieter and more relaxing area. That said, it has a PADI-accredited dive center that offers courses and trips for beginner-level to advanced-level divers.
This resort is also known for its affordability. Rates at Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort vary, but they start at 1,000 PHP (~$17.79 USD) for a bunk bed in a dorm room.
Location: North Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 8.2/10
Google Rating: 3.7/5
7. Little Mermaid Dive Resort
Just a few steps from Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort is Little Mermaid Dive Resort. This charming resort offers ISO-certified dive courses, from beginner-level to advanced diving courses, courtesy of its partnership with the SSI Dive Center. The resort also organizes diving trips to the many popular locations around Malapascua, including Gato Island.
Stays at Little Mermaid Dive Resort are a bit more expensive compared to some resorts on this list, but the accommodations are cozy and spacious. Rates start at 2,399 PHP (~$42.66 USD) per night for two people.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 8.2/10
Google Rating: 4.2/5
8. The Shark’s Tail Dive Center
The Shark’s Tail Dive Center is a good option for travelers looking to stay somewhere quiet but still near the crowds. This dive center is located about 200 meters away from Bounty Beach, meaning you’ll have to walk for a few minutes to and from the shores. That said, it has an outdoor swimming pool where you can take a dip to relax or if you take diving courses to prepare for your trips. The dive center is PADI-accredited, meaning you can expect to receive the best training.
Stays at The Shark’s Tail are affordable, with rates starting at 760 PHP (~$13.52 USD) per night plus taxes. The accommodations are simple, but you’ll love just how cozy they are.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 7.1/10
Google Rating: 3.7/5
9. Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort
Lastly, for guests who want to enjoy most of their Malapascua escapades by going on diving trips and feasting on food, Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort might be the perfect place for you. This resort has its own dive center, offering diving courses and organizing diving trips to the many spots in Malapascua. Like most resorts, you can also join tours to other locations, like Kalanggaman Island, from here.
What sets Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort apart from other resorts is its culinary offering. The resort serves delectable lechon (roast pork) by the kilo and also sets up all-you-can-eat buffet meals featuring a wide range of foods. If you’re worried about not having cash on hand, there’s an ATM on the premises as well. Stays here start at 1,000 PHP (~$17.79 USD) per night.
Location: Bounty Beach (see map)
Booking.com Rating: 7/10
Google Rating: 4.1/5
Your Ultimate Malapascua Travel Guide
Malapascua Island is a must-visit if you are into diving. Although it’s a more popular diving destination in Cebu, you can still enjoy the island if you like idyllic white sand beaches.
If you’re still gearing up for your Malapascua Island adventure, check out our range of travel guides:
- Malapascua Island Travel Guide
- Thresher Shark Diving in Malapascua Island
- Things to Do in Malapascua Island
- Best Beaches in Malapacua Island
- How to Get to Malapascua Island
- Malapascua Island 3D2N Itinerary
- Best Hotels in Malapascua Island
- Best Budget Hotels in Malapascua Island
- Ceres Bus Schedule from Cebu City to Maya Port
- Maya Port to Malapascua Island Ferry Schedule
Got questions? Drop them in the comments. We will reply ASAP!
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