TRAVELSPECIAL
Kalanggaman Island , a day excursion from Malapascua
It doesn ’ t have that cut-off feeling of some of the upmarket resorts now springing up elsewhere in the Philippines , but it ’ s a step up from the typical backpacker haunts . Many of the hotels are comfortable threestar affairs , and the dive centres use large outriggers , which make very comfortable diving platforms .
The diving is varied , with a ‘ base layer ’ of nearby muck sites , then the high energy environments of the Monad Shoal and the incredible coral variety at Gato Island , which is truly world class . There are even a few wrecks , but they play second fiddle to Malapascua ’ s array of wildlife , from the tiniest nudibranch to the ghostly form of the thresher shark rising from the abyss .
Why winter ?
Our winter is their dry season , although the Philippines is really a year-round destination . I ’ d advocate a visit in a crossover month such as June , because the unrelenting sun of the hot season can be a bit much . That being said , Malapascua in December is glorious – a lot of fruit is in season and the mangoes are the most delicious you ’ ll ever taste .
Costs
Flight prices have gone up post- Pandemic ; you could be looking at a lead-in of around £ 1,000 from UK airports during the winter months . Diving , subsistence and accommodation over the course of 10 days will add a similar amount . Dive with the superb Thresher Shark Divers malapascua-diving . com and wherever you stay , don ’ t go halfboard , as there are many competitively priced restaurants to choose from .
Thresher sharks are virtually guaranteed at Monad Shoal
Porcelain crabs shelter under an anemone
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