Thresher Sharks are probably my favourite shark. Unique in appearance they are sharks which any diver will feel privileged to see. Tail included, Threshers can grow to six metres. Half of their body is the huge slender scythe-like tail which they can use to corral or to stun herring and mackerel. They are nocturnal and normally reside in deep water so scuba encounters are rare but Monad Shoal near Malapascua in the Philippines offers the chance of close encounters with this remarkable shark. Monad Shoal lies about 15 metres below the surface surrounded by water as deep as 230 metres. Thresher Sharks hunt and live in this deeper water rising at the very first hint of daylight to Monad Shoal’s cleaning stations before soon returning back down to the depths.

Malapascua Island is about 7 kilometres off the northernmost tip of Cebu Island. In September 2016 I spent ten days there, diving with the ever helpful Garry Montano of Thresher Shark Divers. Garry and I dived Monad Shoal nine times, usually from the comfortable Amy but in a total of thirty-four dives, we also visited Bakhaw, Bakhaw South, Bantigue, Bugtong Bato, Chocolate Island, Deep Rock, Gato Island, Laplight, Lapus Lapus, Lighthouse and North Point also diving from Esther and Rosie. Although I primarily wanted to photograph Threshers I’m pleased I packed my macro lens as Garry patiently pointed out one small creature after another.

Thank you Garry and Thresher Shark Divers for ten fabulous days.