Evolution is a dive resort on Malapascua Island north of Cebu. Malapascua is widely known for regular thresher shark sightings at Kimud Shoal and more recent tiger shark appearances at Monad Shoal. In addition to pelagic dives, the island offers macro sites, colourful reef systems, steep walls, and deeper technical profiles. This variety allows divers to combine early-morning shark dives with reef, wall, or decompression dives in the same week.
Malapascua lies off the northern tip of Cebu. Deep channels between the island and surrounding shoals create conditions that attract pelagic species, particularly thresher sharks. Kimud Shoal is reached by early departure and is timed to coincide with cleaning station activity. The underwater landscape includes plateaus around 12–30 metres, steep walls descending beyond recreational limits, submerged shoals, cavern features, and technical wreck sites. Conditions vary with season and tide. Visibility is commonly 15 metres or more and can be higher during calmer periods.
Resort Facilities & Meals
Evolution is a small, owner-operated property with 16 air-conditioned rooms located close to the beach and dive centre. The on-site restaurant, The Craic House, functions as the social hub of the resort. It operates as a beachside pub-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with vegetarian options available. The space is open-plan and designed for relaxed post-dive meals. Free WiFi is available in the restaurant and bar area.
Activities
Most guests structure their stay around diving, particularly early morning departures to Kimud Shoal. Surface intervals are usually spent at the restaurant, on the beach, or resting in the quieter area of the island where the resort is located.
Staying Connected
WiFi is available in the main restaurant and bar area.
We Think . .
Evolution is suited to divers who want more than casual holiday diving. It works well for those interested in shark encounters, improving technical skills, or accessing deeper sites with proper planning and surface support.
Getting Here
Travel begins in Cebu City. The most direct option is private transport arranged through the resort, with recommended arrival in Cebu by early afternoon for smooth connection. For public travel, guests can take a taxi, bus, or van from Cebu City to Maya Port in northern Cebu. Travel time ranges from approximately 3 to 6 hours depending on transport choice. From Maya, public boats cross to Malapascua in about 45 minutes. Crossings do not operate after dark. Upon arrival on Malapascua, motorbike taxis provide short transfers to the resort.
Evolution offers 16 air-conditioned rooms set within walking distance of the beach, dive centre, and restaurant. All rooms include complimentary drinking water, hot water showers, and private terraces, making them practical for divers returning from early morning departures. The layout of the resort places guests in one of the quieter areas of Malapascua, allowing for rest between dives.
Deluxe AC Rooms
The Deluxe AC Rooms are the newest category and are built to modern standards. Located approximately 75 metres from the shoreline, they are accessed by a sandy path leading toward the beach. The rooms feature handcrafted timber beds with quality mattresses, a spacious bathroom layout with a granite countertop sink area, and silent split-type air conditioning. Each room includes a minibar, television with personal video library, desk space, room safe, and complimentary coffee and tea. Storage is generous, with a full wardrobe suitable for longer stays.
Standard AC Rooms
The Standard AC Rooms use similar quality construction and furnishings but offer a more compact layout suited to twin-share or solo travellers. These rooms provide air conditioning, hot water showers, two single beds, and a private terrace. They are positioned close to the dive shop and restaurant, keeping access simple for guests who prioritise time in the water.
Diving Location Features
Malapascua is recognised for consistent thresher shark encounters at Kimud Shoal and the possibility of tiger shark sightings at Monad Shoal. Beyond the shark dives, the island supports strong macro diving, reef slopes, boulder fields, cavern features, and deep walls.
The range of depths allows recreational divers to remain within 20–40 metres while technical divers can explore sites extending beyond 50 metres and into full decompression territory. This range makes the destination suitable for mixed-experience groups.
Dive Services
Evolution operates under SDI and TDI standards and supports recreational, technical, and instructor-level training. Recreational courses focus on buoyancy control, trim, and structured progression. Technical programs include decompression procedures, trimix, sidemount, and closed-circuit rebreather training. The dive centre is a TDI 5-Star Instructor Training Facility.
All technical dives follow structured planning. Gas analysis and labelling are mandatory. Open circuit PO₂ limits are observed at 1.4 for bottom gas and 1.6 for decompression. CCR setpoints are discussed per dive plan. Standard decompression mixes such as 50% and 100% are encouraged. Turn pressures are agreed before entry, and contingency planning covers lost gas, bailout scenarios, and extended bottom times. The TDI START checklist is used before dives.
Technical dives are boat-based to simplify entries and exits. A spare cylinder of each decompression gas in use is kept onboard. Boat crew are trained in emergency deployment procedures. DATA checks are performed at regular intervals during decompression dives, and drills such as air sharing, valve management, gas switches, and SMB deployment are practiced routinely.
Oxygen is included in dive pricing. Helium is charged according to use and boosted to maintain fill efficiency. Trimix bailout gases are available and charged only if used.
Wreck Diving
Wreck diving forms part of Evolution’s technical offering. Options range from deeper intact wrecks to smaller, more broken structures. For divers seeking larger wreck systems elsewhere in the Philippines, expeditions may be arranged to destinations such as Ormoc Bay, Subic Bay, or Coron.
- Mogami Maru (often referred to as “Pioneer” by some operators) – The wreck commonly called “Pioneer” is identified by Evolution as likely the Mogami Maru rather than the passenger ferry Pioneer Cebu that sank in 1966. The wreck discovered and dived by Evolution in 2012 lies off Malapascua at approximately 50 metres on sand. Historical records suggest the Mogami Maru was a 50-metre fishing trawler completed in July 1941, later converted into a submarine chaser and reportedly sunk by bombing in the Malapascua area on 12 September 1944.
The wreck rests between roughly 45 and 52 metres depending on tide and requires technical certification due to mandatory decompression and blue-water ascent. Although relatively compact, it supports a full dive profile, particularly around the damaged stern and engine room. Coral growth now covers much of the structure, and marine life occupies the hull, including schooling fish and scorpionfish. The bow remains largely intact with anchor gear visible.
Rebreather Diving
Evolution supports closed-circuit rebreather diving with oxygen and helium fills available to 200+ bar and a steady supply of sofnolime. The aim is to make CCR diving practical in a remote island setting by ensuring gas availability and surface support.
The Pelagian DCCCR is noted as a preferred unit. It is a fully manual system designed for simplicity and control. Features include a needle valve for adjustable oxygen flow, sensor placement near the ADV for validation and moisture clearing, and wrap-around counterlungs that assist with trim and work of breathing. The unit is compact for travel, uses standard O-rings, and incorporates widely available components in the ADV and BOV, simplifying maintenance.
Dive Sites
Malapascua’s dive sites combine pelagic encounters with deep structural terrain. Site choice is based on conditions and diver qualification.
- Kimud Shoal – Known for thresher shark cleaning stations. The site includes a plateau at approximately 12–15 metres and slopes and walls descending to around 80 metres. Barracuda, tuna, and rays are also seen.
- Monad Shoal – Manta Point – Deep wall site with ledges around 45 metres and small cave features between roughly 58 and 80 metres. Reef sharks and occasional larger pelagics are present.
- Bannerfish Point – Boulder formations between approximately 30 and 80 metres. Known for bannerfish schools, whitetip reef sharks, and large schools of jacks.
- West Cavern – Large cavern entrance around 45 metres on the western side of Monad Shoal. Whitetip sharks and rays are occasionally seen.
- Macklin’s Mound – A pinnacle rising to around 45 metres and descending to about 65 metres. Functions as a cleaning area for sharks and rays.
Pricing for Evolution Diving Resort
| Valid from 31 December 2025 | AUD | PHP | |||
| 7 Nights Deluxe AC room double with 10 dives | 48637 | PHP | | | 48,637 | |
| 7 Nights Deluxe AC room single with 10 dives | 70862 | PHP | | | 70,862 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Twin AC double with 10 dives | 39537 | PHP | | | 39,537 | |
| 7 Nights Standard Twin AC single with 10 dives | 52662 | PHP | | | 52,662 | |
| This resort's prices are in PHP. The AUD prices shown are based on the current exchange rate. The price paid in AUD will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. | |||||
| Pricing includes accommodation as specified, return airport transfers, 10 local dives including rental equipment, and breakfast. | |||||
| The per-person pricing above is indicative only: we show 7 nights with 10 dive package at high-end and lower-end rooms (singles & doubles) for the purposes of comparison. We can give you a price (and availability) for any combination of nights/dives you wish to undertake, which will include any discounts due to you as part of that package, and any exclusions, or items payable at the resort. Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | |||||
