TRAVELSPECIAL
Spotted eagle ray hunting at Monad Shoal
The next day ’ s diving started early ; even the cockerels were still snoozing as we lugged our cameras down to the dive centre . A golden sun rose as we left the beach and chugged off on TSD ’ s huge outrigger to this new ( to me ) dive site .
It turned out that Kimud was even better than Monad . The water had a slightly milky quality , but the reef was nicer and the sharks approached much closer . What ’ s more , we didn ’ t have to go deep , as the cleaner wrasse were operating at depths of around 15m , sometimes shallower . It was a gift for the photographers in my group , who had the
Kimud Shoal has loads of octopus freedom to move around the reef as long as they held their buoyancy .
We had just four days of diving at Malapascua , but there was time to visit some of the signature dives . The groups ’ s favourite was Gato Island , with its beautiful swim-through and giant boulders covered in bright red soft coral . In addition to its wide angle beauty , Gato remains a prime location for small stuff – we found pygmy seahorses , frogfish , octopus and a geekpleasing supply of nudibranchs .
I ’ ll say it again . Malapascua is a world class diving destination , and the thresher shark experience just got better ! �
Essentials
Getting there : Fly to Cebu International Airport via Singapore or Manila ; prices vary across the calendar from £ 800 to £ 1,200 . We ’ d recommend Singapore Airlines or Philippine Airlines , but you need to shop around for a deal and route that suits your needs .
Resort : Magic Resorts via reservations @ magicresorts . online or phone : + 63 9695329439 ( WhatsApp available ) or check out the website : www . magicresorts . online for more information . For Malapascua , begin by booking with Thresher Shark Divers malapascua-diving . com and ask for their guidance on accommodation deals .
Tour operator : Dive Worldwide [ diveworldwide . com 01962 302087 ] can arrange tailored packages with flights from the UK , with transfers , land tours and hotel layovers if necessary .
When to go : Cebu has a tropical rainforest climate : warm , humid and rainy . High season is December to April , but you can dive year-round .
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