Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort by Cocotel

Christine, the manager/secretary, was kind, attentive, and ready to help with anything. We loved seeing her every day. The whole staff were friendly and kind, and Vince and Riley, the two younger gentlemen handling boats, transfers, and porter duties, were funny and lovely to see around each day. We had a great time diving with Mabuhay. Vanessa was amazing for our refresher course, patient, kind, and an excellent diver. It was just the two of us with her as the master, and we had the best time. Reagan took us for the gato island and thresher dives. He was kind and patient, and brought us to great spots. The dives were safe and fun, with briefings, reminders, and checks. It was just us two, with at most two other divers joining at a time.

The thresher shark came very close, and the corals were absolutely beautiful. We had a wonderful time with Mabuhay Dive Resort, and the divemasters were great too. We were staying at blue corals and picked Mabuhay for our fun dives. The price was affordable: 4500 pesos for three dives per person, breakfast and lunch included. We ended up doing six dives in all, two at Kimud Shoal, one at Monad Shoal, two at Gato Island, and one night dive. If I return to Malapascau, I’d definitely dive with this company again.

Christin at reception was super nice and helped us with every question we had. The rooms were clean, spacious, and well equipped compared with other places we saw, and the price was great. We had an incredible time diving and staying here in malapascua. The crew were professional and fun to be around. Their price seemed the lowest I saw on the island, and it’s worth it if you book three dives.

The diving was beyond anything I expected. Our dive master was skilled, easygoing, friendly, and answered every question thoroughly. He matched the dives to our abilities and what we hoped to see. The gear was fairly new and well maintained, though I’d bring your own mask and fins if you have a pair that fits you perfectly. We were just two divers with the master, and the water was calm. The threshers seemed comfortable coming very close. You don’t approach them, they come to you, so that part of the experience is up to the sharks. The other sharks were incredible and plentiful, except for tiger sharks, and there were all sorts of fish and invertebrates too. As a fisheries biologist in the USA, I was struck by how healthy the reefs seemed and by the range and diversity of species. I strongly recommend the three dive trips to Gato island, kimud and monad shoal. We liked the shoals so much we went twice. On a rest day, snorkeling the shallow reefs is great, especially the coral gardens, which looked exceptionally healthy, with beautiful coral, fish, and invertebrates thriving. Keep your eyes open and you’ll see amazing things. The food was delicious, especially the Filipino dishes, though we didn’t try anything western. The bartenders, waitresses, and everyone else were lovely, friendly, and welcoming. Rooms are modest but clean and comfortable. If I return to the island, I’d choose them again. I’d give more stars if I could. We came for the diving, and it was exquisite. The threshers were incredible, and our boat and dive master brought us to perfect viewing spots. I strongly recommend three dive trips to Gato island and kimud and monad shoal. If you take a rest day, the shallow reefs around the island are excellent for snorkeling, especially the coral gardens.