Malapascua – Philippines
Malapascua is a small, car-free island off the northern tip of Cebu. It became famous for pelagic thresher sharks that rise to cleaning stations at dawn: for years at Monad Shoal, and since about 2022 mostly at the shallower Kimud (Kemod) Shoal, which lies under Leyte jurisdiction. Around the island there are macro sites such as the Lighthouse (mandarinfish at dusk) and Chocolate Island, while the Gato Island sanctuary is known for a swim-through tunnel, whitetip reef sharks and banded sea kraits. Shark dives leave before sunrise (roughly 04:30–06:00) and take 20–60 minutes by boat each way; Gato Island is a full-day trip. Check the current thresher location with your operator, because the sharks have moved between shoals before.