Malapascua, 2024

It’s with absolute joy that we announce our first Aquanaut Journeys trip for the year 2024. This time to the island of Malapascua in Cebu, Philippines.

The main aim of starting Aquanaut Journeys was to visit destinations that were truly unique and also witness some of the world’s most remarkable marine life. These locations are our own little bucket list so to say and we surely wanted to share these experiences with our closest dive buddies and friends.

Watching a Thresher shark in its natural habitat is something that we have always aspired to do. We were told that there is no better place to do so than the small island of Malapascua. Malapascua, located in the northern part of Cebu, is just one of the many islands you can explore in the Philippines. But what makes this small island a must-visit is that it's the only place in the whole world where you can dive with thresher sharks on a nearly daily basis. With a length of 2.5 kilometers and a width of 1 kilometre, you can explore the whole island in less than 2 hours, depending on how long it takes for you to marvel at its many tourist spots and activities.

Trip Duration: 7 nights & 8 days

Number of dives: 20

Spaces available: A maximum of 12 guests, with one group leader

Eligibility: Advanced Open Water with 20+ dives (Nitrox certification recommended)

Accommodation

Keeping your comfort in mind, we have carefully chosen our stay for the 7 nights. All rooms have a spacious bathroom with warm/cold showers. They are all equipped with air-conditioning, a fan, a mini-bar, safety box, and fresh towels. Tea, coffee and a bottle of water are complimentary. Also included are daily fresh beach towels for our sun chairs located directly in front of the resort. The resort has free WIFI, which is based on the connection to the provider’s tower on the island. Due to different weather conditions, the connection is not always 100% guaranteed though.

*Theory + Pool Training session in Bengaluru

Guests who are interested in courses such as PADI Open Water courses, Adv. Open Water courses etc, kindly get in touch with us directly for more details and pricing.

Pricing Includes

• 7 nights/ 8 days accommodation on double or twin sharing basis (Breakfast included)

• Boat charges + 20 guided dives which includes 2 night dives (Night dives for adv. divers only)

• Internal transfers via mini van / boat (Airport to Airport)

• All marine park fees and taxes

Exclusions:

• International flight tickets (India - Philippines return)

• Dive equipment rental – Wetsuit, mask, booties, fins, BCD & regulator is an additional 900 PESO per day (dive computer and underwater dive flashlight not included).

• Tips or any gratuities for guides or dive staff

• Charges for loss or damage of rental equipment

• Lunches and dinners on all days (Unless specified for certain dive days)

• Visa and Visa application charges

• India - GST@5%

Bank Transfer details:
Account holder name : Aquanaut India

Bank name: Indian Overseas Bank

IFSC code: IOBA0001568

Type: Current A/C
Account number: 156802000000621 

Payment schedule:
30% - To book your spot (By January 25th, 2023)
50% - By February 10th, 2023,
20% - By February 20th, 2023

Note: Once your spot on the trip is booked, we do not offer refunds except in extreme circumstances or Covid cases and this is limited to the amount reimbursed by our partners in the Philippines.

Note: Cost to hire equipment: (Payable directly to the dive centre)

Add-ons

• Underwater flashlight rental, per dive 250 PESO, per day 600 PESO.

• Dive Computer rental is per dive 250 PESO and per day 600 PESO.

• Compressed air 15-liter cylinder, per dive 100 PESO.

• Nitrox 12 liter/32% per dive 375 PESO / Nitrox 15 liter/32%, per dive 475 PESO. 

• Nitrox 12 liter/32% - 10 tanks package per dive at 350 PESO.

• Go Pro (with underwater housing) rental is 350 PESO per dive and 900 PESO per day. 

• A ‘private’ dive guide, per dive 750 PESO.

Terms and Conditions

• All guests (Divers / non divers) to make full payments, share Passport copies and travel tickets 15 days before departure (By February 25th, 2023)

• VISA’s are to be obtained by the guests. We can recommend travel agents to do so. Currently it takes 8-10 days to obtain a Visa post application. 

• Guests to be double vaccinated and to carry vaccination certificates

• Dive insurance is highly recommended

• The final call for a dive or a snorkel trip will be taken by the dive guide/leader at the partner dive centre at Malapascua. In case of bad weather or any other circumstance, dives could be cancelled without prior announcement

• As much we promise you all the marine life in the world on all our dives, it is after all nature and what we end up seeing and experiencing will be our luck too!

Day Wise Itinerary

Day 1 – 8 March 

Arrival day - Transfer from the airport to hotel (2 van’s)

Stay at Maayo hotel Cebu superior room 

Day 2 - 9 March 
Transfer to Malapascua (depart at 8 am) (2 van’s) (1 boat) Check into Ocean Vida resort’s - New garden room for 7 nights
Afternoon 1 x dive around Malapascua Island • Sunset 1(night) x dive around Malapascua Island 

Day 3 - 10 March 

Morning (early) 2 x dive at Monad shoal (Thresher sharks) 

Afternoon 2 x dive around Malapascua Island 

Day 4 - 11 March (3 dives) 

Day trip 3 x dive at Gato Island - including lunch 

Day 5 - 12 March (4 dives) 

Morning (early) 2 x dive at Kimud Shoal 

Afternoon 1 x dive around Malapascua Island • Night 1 x dive around Malapascua Island 

Day 6 - 13 March (4 dives) 

Morning 2 x dive at Chocolate Island. Afternoon 1 x dive around Malapascua Island 

Night 1 x dive around Malapascua Island 

Day 7 - 14 March (3 dives) 

Day trip 3 x dive at Capitain Cillo Island - including lunch

Day 8 – 15 March

Departure Day from resort to airport (2 van’s) (1 boat) 

We always insist on having a dive specific insurance policy for the duration for the trip. In these remote islands, the cost of treatment and evacuation in the unlikely time of an injury etc is very high. A sound insurance policy that covers this sport would ensure the most peace of mind. This will cover you on Covid cancellations, accidents or any other trip cancelations.

Click here to get insured

All guests (Divers / non divers) to make full payments, share Passport copies and travel tickets 15 days before departure.

VISA’s are to be obtained by the guests. We can recommend travel agents to do so.

Guests to be double vaccinated and to carry vaccination certificates

Dive insurance is highly recommended

The final call for a dive or a snorkel trip will be taken by the dive guide/leader at the partner dive centre at the location. In case of bad weather or any other circumstance, dives could be cancelled without prior announcement

As much we promise you all the marine life in the world on all our dives, it is after all nature and what we end up seeing and experiencing will be our luck too!