Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to enrol the course?

Year round we have nice weather on this paradise island so any time is a good time to visit Malapascua!
There are three distinct seasons here in Malapascua.

• Spring from February to May,
• Summer from June – September and
• Winter “Rainy” Season starts from October – January.

During spring the sea is at its calmest. The air temperature can reach in excess of 30°C, and the sea temperature is in the 28°C to 29°C range, although there can be a thermocline at the deeper sites. You can expect to see thresher sharks, and devil rays and, less frequently, giant manta rays during this time. Also blue ringed octopus, flamboyant cuttle fish, nudibranches, sea snakes, mating squid, cuttle fish and an array of other tropical fishes and creatures are common through these months. This is one of the busiest times of year for Malapascua so be sure to book well in advance.

The summer season brings the hot weather and is also the official start of rainy season, when we tend to get rain in the late afternoons and through the night. The waters are warm and the sea life is bountiful. It is still possible to see manta rays at this time of year and it is always possible to see the thresher shark. The visibility during this time tends to be the best of the year. The island is relatively quiet as this is the official low season. The typhoon season also begins during this time of year, although Malapascua is lucky because where we are situated, the larger islands of Cebu and Leyte protect us. Therefore most typhoons pass us by.

Wintertime brings a slight drop of air temperature, although it can still reach into the late 20°Cs. The island can get some heavy rain and occasionally rough seas called locally as ‘ocho ocho’. The diving however is very good, as the sea temperatures have dropped a little. Average winter temperate is between 26°C and 28°C. The cooler waters attract the bigger sharks such as hammerheads and white tips, requiem sharks and of course the giant mantas and thresher sharks.

The Christmas and Easter periods are busy times on Malapascua, so once again be sure to reserve your Divemaster programme well in advance. The only holiday seasons that really affect traveling are Christmas day and the Easter weekend as most public transport stops, including airplanes. And do not forget we are also busy with Chinese New Year. 

July and August are officially low season but we tend to be busy with courses so for a DM would be a good time because there is plenty of opportunity to assist courses as well as guide/dive. 
 

What other expenses might I have?

We can include breakfast for you, this will be 7 euro's a day. Meals on the island are between 4 to 10 euro's in the little restaurants. You can get a sandwich for about 2 euro's and there are many little kiosk for chocolate snacks and drinks. There are very cheap. If you go out to a bar, part of a resort expect to pay about 2 euro's for a beer.

What else is there to do but diving?

Chilling with your friends and hanging on the beach. Doing fun dives and drink a beer. Not a lot more.

How do I get to the bigger island Cebu?

By boat, and it takes about 30 minutes. Cebu is quite big and to get to the airport you can take a bus, or arrange a taxi.

What kind of food is there in the Philippines?

The weirdest food like dog, cat and snake. But on the island there is 'normal' western food served, as many tourists come here to dive. There is lots of fresh sea food and noodles, chicken and pork. Even pizza and pasta. there is a very good Italian restaurant.

Are the Philippine people friendly?

Yes!! They are the most amazing loving people you can imagine! The resort is run by a Dutch man, but all staff is from the (nearby) island. The dive school, which is attached to the resort, is run by an English woman and Spanish man who are both very experienced shop managers and dive instructors