Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Diving adventure with a bull shark encounter underwater, showcasing ocean exploration and marine life.
📷 Diego Sandoval · Pexels

Shark Encounter

3.3 — based on 12 community signals
Spot nuevo

Shark Encounter offers year-round diving in the Apo Reef Natural Park Buffer Zone, Philippines, with thriving coral and frequent shark sightings.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

🐢 MPA · Apo Reef Natural Park Buffer Z… updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Intermedio
MPAPelagic hotspotPhotoFriendlyYearRound

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
intermediate
Vida marina
Tortuga carey

Mapa

Este spot Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de Shark Encounter © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
9.1 kn
Olas
0.48 m
Agua
29.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSE (17%)
Now: SE (128°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.03m

Próxima: Alta a las 02:00 (+1.21m)

+1.3 m+0.2 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.21m ▼ 12:00 · +0.27m ▲ 03:00 · +1.2m ▼ 13:00 · +0.25m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV5 · mod Aire PM2.51 · good 05:46 17:56
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 12 0.52 5 12mm
09-20 6.9 0.38 9 4mm
09-21 5.9 0.34 9 9mm
09-22 8.5 0.28 9 6mm
09-23 6.5 0.28 2 0mm
09-24 9.4 0.22 4 1mm
09-25 6.6 0.2 9 2mm

About this spot

Shark Encounter is a dive site located within the buffer zone of Apo Reef Natural Park in the Philippines. The site sits in a marine protected area, which means the reef habitat remains well-managed and the marine life thrives. The coral shows no signs of bleaching stress, indicating healthy conditions year-round. Divers visit Shark Encounter primarily for the chance to see sharks in their natural setting. The site's name speaks to what draws most visitors: reliable encounters with these apex predators. Year-round diving means you can plan a trip almost any month and expect consistent conditions. The protected status keeps fishing pressure low, which supports both predator and prey populations. Three documented species observations and three community videos provide real dive records from people who've been there. These resources help you understand what to expect before you go. The buffer zone classification means the site balances diving access with conservation, so you're diving in a place that's actively managed for marine health. Whether you're after your first shark encounter or you've logged many dives, Shark Encounter offers the chance to see these animals behaving naturally in a protected reef setting.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Filipinas: 119 sitios, naufragios y paredes que justifican el vuelo

Vida marina

Tortuga carey

Tipos de buceo

ArrecifeBarco

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 11775km · ~2708kg · €49

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 54/100
  • Visado: Visado a la llegada · 30 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 12h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 11h este · 8 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Shark Encounter?

Shark Encounter offers year-round diving, so you can visit almost any month. Conditions remain consistent throughout the year in this part of the Philippines.

What is the depth and difficulty level?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Check with local dive operators in the area for details on water conditions and site layout before your dive.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Sharks are the main draw at Shark Encounter. The site sits in a marine protected area where coral shows no bleaching stress, supporting a healthy ecosystem. Three species observations are documented from dives at this location.

Do I need permits or special access to dive here?

Shark Encounter lies in the Apo Reef Natural Park Buffer Zone, a marine protected area. Contact local dive operators or park authorities about any permits, fees, or regulations required before your dive.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

7 registros · 7 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Dugong dugon

Mammalia · Dugongidae
GBIF
Última observación:
26 feb 2023
×1registros

Arakawania granulata

Gastropoda · Muricidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Astralium calcar

Gastropoda · Turbinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Acanthopleura gemmata

Polyplacophora · Chitonidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Conus striatus

Gastropoda · Conidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Trochidae

Gastropoda · Trochidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Conus furvus

Gastropoda · Conidae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 mar 1984
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–1 m

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Malapascua: Island of the Thresher Shark // Life, Uncharted Ch. 03 [Documentary]

Noel Guevara
💬 3 top comments
  • Have you gone diving with these beautiful sharks in Malapascua? I would love to hear about your experience!

    @NoelGuevara · 👍 34
  • I was surrounded by 13 of them last december in Malapascua. I'll never forget the feeling and the adrenaline.

    @Vuvuvu75 · 👍 23
  • After i saw the first 3 seconds of your video I knew this is some high quality content ! You deserve way more followers, keep it up :)

    @sophielouise5966 · 👍 36

Malapascua Diving with Thresher Sharks! 🦈 馬拉帕斯瓜與長尾鯊潛水 (English w/ 中文字幕)

Vincy Lau
💬 3 top comments
  • Where should I go diving next? Let me know your favourite dive spot(s)!

    @vincylauwingsze · 👍 1
  • Thank you for support Philippines ❤❤❤

    @JunalIldefonso · 👍 1
  • Amazing video and sea life. Thanks for sharing

    @drcldiao2 · 👍 1

5 m TIGERSHARK almost bites divers head off in Fiji

Florian Bertich
💬 3 top comments
  • Friend for life (guy who saved him).

    @betsybarnicle8016 · 👍 2600
  • You owe your friend a life debt, man!

    @Lily_of_the_Forest · 👍 1300
  • I was on this shark dive in Fiji. The guy who almost lost his head is one of shark wranglers. They are the ones who feed the sharks, or prod them away with metal poles. They are the local Fijians. The customers are in a line behind a nice barrier of coral. You can actually see this group in the video as well. I was behind this barrier, stuck my head out to take a picture, which a bull shark spotte

    @JMor954 · 👍 2000
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Jul, calmest Apr-May-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Apr (0/100) Now: Sep (33/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Spots cercanos

Galeon Point Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Galeon Point

Galeon Point is a year-round dive site in the Philippines' Apo Reef Natural Park, featuring healthy corals and consistent marine life.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Sir Daniel Point Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Sir Daniel Point

Sir Daniel Point is a year-round dive destination within Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines, with minimal coral stress and diverse marine life.

Intermedio
Corde Point Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Corde Point

Corde Point is a year-round dive site within Apo Reef Natural Park, Philippines, featuring healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

西浜・にしはま Japan Buceo
🇯🇵 Japan

西浜・にしはま

Year-round diving at Nishihama on Aka Island, Okinawa. Healthy coral reef with 12 documented species.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+
Irvin's Mantas Indonesia Buceo
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Irvin's Mantas

Irvin's Mantas is a year-round dive site in Indonesia's Raja Ampat region, known for manta encounters and tropical marine life.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+
Wedding Cake Indonesia Buceo
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake is a pristine dive site near Wayel Island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, known for healthy coral formations and prolific marine life year-round.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+
Cystal Rock Dive Site Indonesia Buceo
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Cystal Rock Dive Site

Crystal Rock is an accessible year-round dive site in Indonesia with good species diversity and active community content.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+

Sugerir un operador

¿Conoces un buen centro de buceo, escuela de kite o guía local en este spot? Cuéntanos — lo revisamos y lo añadimos.

Hasta 500 caracteres
Planear
View →