Dive site · access from Malapascua
Gato Island
Gato Island: A swim-through tunnel (the tunnel suits Advanced divers).
- Depth
- 5–30m
- Current
- Moderate
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- A swim-through tunnel (the tunnel suits Advanced divers)
- Resting whitetip reef sharks ("Whitetip Alley")
- Banded sea snakes, cuttlefish, seahorses and nudibranchs; a marine reserve
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Moderate current can affect whether the site is suitable on the day.
Access and timing
Plan this through Malapascua
Best overall months: Mar, Apr, May. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Malapascua
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Gato Island.
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Pelagic thresher shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Tiger shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Blue-ringed octopus
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Flamboyant cuttlefish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- Malapascua Dive Sites, Thresher Shark Divers
Note on the data: Coordinates other than the island itself are approximate.