Cebu's million-strong sardine run, paired with the one site that delivers thresher sharks at dawn. Running 7 days (11–17 Sep 2027), it’s built for intermediate-level divers. You’ll need your Advanced Open Water and around 25 logged dives. We hold 20 slots for the iDive group, and the trip is confirmed the moment 15 divers reserve.
Your dive trip host
Amitabh Gautam
Founder · SSI Advanced Adventurer · 200+ dives
Amitabh leads iDive's curated expeditions. A former television journalist of 25+ years, he traded the newsroom for the Arabian Sea in 2016 and founded iDive on small classes, certified instructors and real safety standards. He'll be your point of contact before, during and after the trip.
SSI & PADI affiliated Small groups Based in Goa, India
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 1Arrive Cebu → MoalboalRoad transfer, resort check-in and an afternoon check dive.
Day 2Sardine runDive into the swirling sardine bait ball on Panagsama house reef.
Day 3Pescador IslandWalls, turtles and the cathedral swim-through.
Day 4Transfer to MalapascuaTravel north; afternoon reef dive and thresher briefing.
Day 5Thresher dawn divePre-dawn descent to Monad Shoal for the threshers; macro dives after.
Day 6Gato IslandWhite-tip sharks, sea snakes and a tunnel swim-through; de-gas.
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.
Getting there & staying
Your diving, meals and in-trip transfers are sorted by iDive. Here’s how to handle flights and any pre/post-trip nights around Moalboal & Malapascua, Philippines.
Getting there
Fly into Cebu (CEB) · 7-8 hours from India.
Where to stay
Hotels and stays near the dive sites, compare rates and book direct.
Boats leave around 4:30–5:00 am to reach Monad Shoal at first light, the window when thresher sharks come up to the cleaning stations. It is an early alarm for one of the best dives of the trip.
Is 25 dives enough?
Yes. With around 25 dives and an AOW card, the dawn descent and the deeper drop-offs are well within reach.
What is the sardine run?
A resident school of millions of sardines off Moalboal that folds and reshapes around you. It sits shallow on the house reef, so any certified diver can dive it.
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Questions before you commit?
Not sure if you're ready for Philippines Sardine Run & Threshers, or want to bring a group? Talk to a iDive dive pro, we'll be straight with you about whether this trip is the right fit.
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From ₹1,15,000 · 20% to reserve
Reserve your slot
Philippines Sardine Run & Threshers · Sep 2027
20% reservation hold
₹23,000
Trip total / person
₹1,15,000
Slot reserved!
You're on the list for Philippines Sardine Run & Threshers. We'll message you on WhatsApp within 24 hours to verify your certification and confirm next steps. No payment has been taken.
This expedition needs Advanced Open Water and around 25 logged dives. Not there yet? Book a course or a few fun dives with iDive in Goa to qualify, then come back and grab your slot.
