We like to keep things small so that your dive experience is as personalized as possible. You won't be packed into a huge dive shop, just one insignificant diver among many. We keep groups as small as we can, usually no more than 4 per group. In addition, we try to be flexible and will do our best to accommodate the dive sites YOU want to go to. We will go diving even if it is just you on the boat.
We are the first and only PADI 5 Star Dive Center on Malapascua, so you know that we adhere to the high standards of PADI.
Why Us?
Fun!
You as the customer are the most important thing to us and we treat you as such. We try to ensure that you will have the best time of your life on your vacation in Malapascua! We think the diving here is amazing and we want to show you the best of what we have. We think you will have the most fun with us quite simply because everyone here - from the owners to the boat staff - love diving and we all dive on a regular basis. The staff are always laughing and joking with each other and with the customers, which makes the boat a fun place to be.
And the fun doesn't end with diving. The dive shop is right on the beach, and is a relaxing place to hang out if you are not diving. There is almost always someone around for for a chat, or just relax and do nothing. Our bar is a great place for an après-dive beer and is usually filled with customers for Happy Hour.
Our boats
Our main boat, "Amy", is a Philippine style banka. We built it with divers in mind, and are proud to say, it is one of the fastest and most comfortable dive boats on the island. We will get you to the dive sites as quickly as possible, so you can spend more time in the water! Maximum capacity is 20 divers.
"Esther" is our brand new banka, built in April 2008, slightly smaller than Amy with max capacity of 15 divers.
Our smallest banka, "Rosie," takes up to 8 divers. Rosie may also be your first contact with Thresher Shark Divers as it is often the boat that will do your pickup on arrival.
We also have two flat-bottomed boats, Big Jim and Little Jim, for small groups, classes and close dive sites.
Resorts on Malapascua
Because we do not own our own resort, we will not bind you into a resort with rooms and food that that you do not like. We have several resorts that we use regularly, but if you prefer something different we are more than happy to help you find accommodation you like. We will also show you the best the island has to offer in terms of food, as there is some great evening dining.
Breaking news: New Dive Shop
We have recently moved into our new premises, a large, spacious facility, with plenty of space in the equipment room, a large rinse area, an air conditioned classroom and a retail area. We also have a rooftop bar, the Pub Upstairs.
Our Staff
Andrea and Trevor: Thresher Shark Divers was started and is run by Andrea and Trevor. Both from the UK, they share an infectious passion for diving. They have a wide range of diving experience and spent considerable time teaching and working in Thailand and Honduras. They previous owned a Andrea's Aquatics, a scuba diving school in San Francisco but got tired of teaching in cold water, so they left for the tropics in search of somewhere to open their next dive shop. Originally they came to Malapascua for two weeks to see the thresher sharks, but they liked it so much they stayed. They were managers at another dive shop for a while before finally deciding that they loved the diving so much, they wanted to make it their permanent home. They have finally found their perfect island paradise!
As the only dive shop owners on Malapascua Island that dive regularly in Malapascua, they feel they can offer something special and unique to their customers. Because they are often in the water and see things through customers' eyes, they get a different perspective on the way the shop is run: Thresher Shark Divers caters more for you, the customer's benefit, because we can see firsthand what it is you need. They have a love for the underwater world that is obvious to see. What better qualification to be your hosts and your tour guides of what they believe is truly some of the best diving in the world!
Instructors
Our PADI diving instructors have been though a rigorous training program and have many years of teaching experience with hundreds of students. We take great pride in teaching students of any level and you can be assured of a professional, safe and fun diving course. Diving lessons are almost always taught one-on-one, so you will get individual attention and diving instruction will go at your own pace. Our instructors have a wide range of diving and teaching experience, so you will be in good hands.
Mike, Gen, Sophia and Will are our main instructors. They will be your guides through your courses, be it beginner Open Water, or professional level Divemaster. If you are not taking a class, you will probably meet them anyway when you arrive at the shop and during your stay with us.
Dive guides
Botchoy, Je-ann and Tata are our Philippine dive guides. They have been diving Malapascua's fantastic dive sites for a long time. They know all the dive sites very well and can show you many things you have probably never seen before. If there is something you want to see, just ask. They have all done many dives around Malapscua and with their laser eyes, they can spot things you would never have seen! Previous divers, including some professional photographers, have called them the best dive guides they have ever had! If you are looking for something special, just ask, and they will find!
Boat crew
Senen, Jerry and Melvin are our boat captains. The crew consist of Erwin, Ondo, Andy and Dodong as well as a regular crew of part time staff to help out wherever they are needed. Together they make a great team, they are very friendly and will help you however they can.
Shop staff
Jeramie is our shop secretary and Gen will often be in the shop with her. They will look after all you needs in the dive shop. Jun-Jun is our man on the compressor and general handyman. You will recognize him by the big smile on his face all the time.
Madeline and Roa are the girls at The Pub Upstairs to look after all your cocktail requirements.
Oscar
Last but definitely not least is Oscar, our dive shop mascot and most popular member of staff
... and our newest addition, Sally Monster, our tiny bundle of fluff...
Malapascua Diving Prices
We can arrange a dive packages to suit your needs. Tell us how long you will be staying, how often you want to dive, and the type of room you want - fan/AC/beach etc. We will personalize your package to include any of the following: accommodation, transportation, and even trips to other dive destinations in the Philippines.
Contact us to find out about regular dive prices.
We also offer transportation to Malapascua Island and room bookings.
PADI Diving Course Prices
If you want to take two or more courses we can arrange a special package price.
Please contact us for current prices.
Dive Courses | Number of Dives |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| 3 |
| 5 |
| 2 |
| 0 |
| 5+ |
| Unlimited |
| Varies |
| Varies |
Refresher (Full) | - |
Basic equipment rental is included for all courses except DM
Additional fees may apply for extra equipment e.g. light, camera
DM candidates will also need RDPs
Marine park fee: PHP100 per person per day
Dive Equipment Rental
Our rental equipment is all top quality, name-brand gear that has consistently rated highly in consumer tests. For further information see below. We know that when you rent diving equipment you are putting your trust in us completely, so all equipment is serviced and replaced regularly.
Equipment rental | Price per Dive (US$) |
Full equipment
(BC, reg, fins, mask, wetsuit)
| |
| Regulator | $3 |
| BCD | $3 |
| Fins and booties | $1 |
| Mask and snorkel | $1 |
| Wetsuit | $2 |
| Torch/Flashlight | $5 |
Computer
(Nitrox compatible) | $5 |
| Video Camera | $50 |
Full equipment includes reg, bcd, fins, booties, mask, and wetsuit.
BCD's: We use the hard wearing and strong Aqualung Wave BCD's.
Regulators: Scubapro MKII & R190s which meet breathing standards obtained by some of the best regs on the market.
Fins: Instead of tropical full foot fins we use open heel fins, together with high-backed booties in wide variety of sizes, so your ankles will not rub.
Tanks: Most of our tanks are yoke and we have a limited number of DIN tanks. For DIN regs, please bring an adapter.
Wetsuits: Full length 3mm. We have limited sizes of 3mm shorties.
Dive gear for sale
Our brand new shop, opened in August 2007 features a full range of equipment for sale. Brands include Aqualung, Scubapro, Apeks, Waterproof, Cressi and Suunto.
Ex-rental gear is available for purchase. It is very reasonably priced and in excellent condition. We will fully service it before purchase.
Payment - Thresher Shark Divers accepts:
Cash - Preferred currencies: Pesos or US$, but we accept all major currencies
Travelers checks - US$ American Express preferred (transaction charge applies)
Bank transfer - including internet transfer
Credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB (transaction charge applies)
Paypal - 5% transaction charge applies for credit card payments through Paypal
