About this expedition
Cebu's million-strong sardine run plus the only place to reliably dive thresher sharks at dawn.
Why this expedition
The Moalboal sardine run — a living wall of fish
Dawn thresher sharks at Malapascua's Monad Shoal
Turtles and macro on Pescador Island
Two iconic Philippine sites in one trip
Warm water and gentle reefs between the headliners
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive Cebu → MoalboalRoad transfer, resort check-in and an afternoon check dive.
- Day 2
Sardine runDive into the swirling sardine bait ball on Panagsama house reef.
- Day 3
Pescador IslandWalls, turtles and the cathedral swim-through.
- Day 4
Transfer to MalapascuaTravel north; afternoon reef dive and thresher briefing.
- Day 5
Thresher dawn divePre-dawn descent to Monad Shoal for the threshers; macro dives after.
- Day 6
Gato IslandWhite-tip sharks, sea snakes and a tunnel swim-through; de-gas.
Who this trip is for
CertificationAdvanced Open Water
ExperienceMinimum 25 logged dives
Come preparedAround 25 logged dives · Early pre-dawn descents for the thresher sharks · Comfortable on deeper drop-off dives
We verify every diver’s certification before confirming a slot — it keeps the group safe and the diving relaxed. Not quite there yet?
Level up with a course and join a future expedition.
What's included
Included
- ✓ 6 nights coastal resorts (Moalboal + Malapascua)
- ✓ Up to 3 guided dives/day
- ✓ Sardine-run & thresher dives
- ✓ Tanks, weights & guide
- ✓ All inter-resort transfers
- ✓ iDive trip host
Payable / not included
- + International flights
- + Philippines entry requirements
- + Equipment rental
- + Marine-park & early-boat fees
- + Gratuities
- + Travel & dive insurance
Good to know
How early is the thresher dive?
Boats leave around 4:30–5:00 am to reach Monad Shoal at first light, when the thresher sharks visit the cleaning stations. It's an early start — and worth every minute.
Is 25 dives enough?
Yes — with around 25 dives and an AOW card you'll handle the dawn descent and the deeper drop-offs comfortably.
What is the sardine run?
A permanent resident school of millions of sardines off Moalboal that shape-shifts around you — one of diving's most surreal, accessible spectacles.
