Every day, when most vacationers are still asleep, a small group of divers from around the world don their wetsuits and masks. When the misty pink haze of dawn’s first light signals them that it is time to go, they push their boats off Malapascua island’s southeastern shore. As the sun rises over the horizon, the divers descend into the deep.
Nearly 25m below the surface, on the Monad Shoal, the waters are quiet. But after a few minutes of waiting, dark shadows begin drifting into sight. These are thresher sharks. Each morning they rise from deeper waters to the top of this underwater mountain, where cleaner fish nibble off the sharks’ parasites and dead skin, akin to an upscale exfoliating spa treatment. It is one of the only places in the world where these majestic and muscular sharks can be seen nearly every day.
Eager divers watch in wonder as these five to six metre creatures swim stealthily around the shoal in search of breakfast, their distinctive tails cutting silently through the water. Manta rays and hammerhead sharks also occasionally roam the shoal’s sandy bottom.
Despite conventional wisdom about the danger of shark attacks, diving with threshers is relatively safe. Simply follow the dive guide’s instructions, such as keeping a safe distance from the sharks and not deliberately provoking them.
Monad Shoal is classified as an intermediate dive, and most shops require divers to have advanced open water or deep dive certifications since the depth surpasses the normal 18m limit for open water divers. Divers without a certification can earn one at Thresher Shark Divers, Sea Explorers and other reasonably priced local shops on the island that offer safe and quality dives and courses.
The sea around Malapascua has far more for divers than just the Monad Shoal and thresher sharks. A myriad of dive sights teem with exotic and colourful sea creatures. Gato Island, a 40-minute boat ride from Malapascua, is home to delicate seahorses, kaleidoscopic fish and multi-hued corals, as well as a labyrinth-like cave where whitetip sharks are often spotted sleeping during the day. Lapus Lapus Island, an easy dive for beginners, has variegated soft corals, spiny lionfish and rainbow-coloured nudibranches (molluscs). The Dona Marilyn wreck, a passenger ferry that sank in 1988, is another interesting dive site. For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, Calanggaman Island offers an exquisite coral wall visible to both divers and snorkelers. Most dive shops rent snorkelling equipment and bangkas (small motor boats) to individuals who want to explore the surrounding sea on their own.
Back on shore, fine white sand beaches fade into the calm azure water while soaring palm trees line the beachside path. It forms a perfect medley of sand, sun and sea and is an ideal spot to slip away from reality.
While the nearby tourist hot spot Boracay is renowned for its “perfect sand”, Malapascua has the same quality beaches, minus the crowds. Those in the know have touted Malapascua as “the new Boracay”, the way it was before the island was overrun with tourists searching for the perfect beach holiday.
You can also walk the length of Malapascua in a couple of leisurely hours. Exotic flowers line small trails throughout Malapascua, perfect for nature photographers.
Magenta pinks, brilliant oranges and muted purples streak the sky as the sun sinks to the west. After sunset, you can wander into any of the quaint restaurants and bars that line the beachfront, grab a mango shake and join the locals as they sing old melodies with their guitar Malapascua can be visited year-round, but you are most likely to see clear skies during the dry season of March through May. There is no airport on the island itself, but flights to Cebu City on the nearby island of Cebu run from most major cities in the Philippines, as well as regional hubs like Hong Kong
From Cebu City, you can pre-book transportation with a hotel in Malapascua, take a bus (three to five hours, 150 to 200 Philippine pesos) or hire a private taxi (two to four hours, 3,000 to 5,000 Philippine pesos) to Maya, on the north tip of the island of Cebu. Busses leave from Cebu’s north bus terminal every 20 to 30 minutes.
From Maya port, passengers can take a public boat for about 80 Philippine pesos to Malapascua. Boats leave when full, and the last boat leaves Maya port around 4 or 5 pm, though private boats can also be hired at any hour. The ride lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on sea conditions.
Many dive shops and hotels accept credit cards, but taxis, restaurants and souvenir shops only accept cash. Since there is no ATM on the island, it is wise to bring enough local currency for your entire stay.
1.What is this text about? 2.When do drivers usually begin to do their work? 3.Diving with threshers is relatively safe, is not it? 4.How much time does a person uasually go to Gato Island from Malapascua? 5. Whitetip sharks are often spotted sleeping during the day or during the night? 6. Where do you may wander after sunset? 7. There is no airport on the island itself, is not it? 8.How cost to hire a private taxi? 9. Do you like texts about animals?
In my opinion, it is very interesting text. The text is about dangerous animal. It is a shark. This text helps to learn about these animals more. Read,lease this text!
I like this text besause I knew lot's of interesting information about sharks.Also, I learn about nature of Malapascua, diving and many other.In my opinion, only bold person can swimming with sharks.
In my opinion it is an interesting article. I am fond of diving and other kinds of extreme entertainment. So it is important for me learn some facts about swimming with the sharks. By the way, you must be a really mad person to do this
Wow) I like to read articles about extrem sports but it's the first time when I read about diving with sharks. I don't understend people who agree to do it every day! To tell the truth, I want to do an extreme sport and this article makes me sure once again that an extreme sport is interesting, useful and cool.
This article is very entertaining for me because i enjoy the fauna.I think diving is cool.But i believe swimming with sharks is dangerous,people who do this are very brave.
I think that this text is interesting.I like to hear or read information about animals.It is very enthralling and keen.I advise you to read this text...
I like this text. I would never have thought that people can swim with sharks! Cool) Also I learn some facts about Malapascua , diving, etc. Now I definitely want to go there)
I like texts about animals especially about animals such as sharks.In my opinion,they are very interesting animals with their peculiarities=)I think these animals deserve our respect.I know a lot of intersting things about sharks from this text:)
