French Kiss Divers Malapascua, French Kiss Divers Philippines

Located in Daanbantayan on the island of Malapascua, French Kiss Divers sits directly on the beach, offering immediate access to the sea. The centre is part of an international network with a presence in Thailand and Indonesia, bringing a structured, professional approach to the local diving scene.

This is a hub for divers seeking specific encounters, particularly the famous thresher sharks. Whether you are looking for a simple fun dive or a multi-day excursion to more remote reefs, the centre's proximity to the water and its focus on small groups define the experience here.

The instructional team is entirely French-speaking, providing a familiar environment for francophone divers. They are affiliated with SSI, FFESSM, and CMAS, making them the first centre in Malapascua to offer CMAS certifications through their PAUA affiliation.

Safety and attention to detail are central to their operation, with a strict limit of four divers per guide for both training and exploration dives. This small ratio ensures that instructors can closely monitor buoyancy and navigation, which is essential when diving in the currents often found around the local reefs.

Beyond standard recreational diving, the team is deeply committed to marine protection. They maintain active partnerships with Sea Shepherd Dive and Ocean Quest Global, focusing on coral rehabilitation and propagation efforts.

Training at French Kiss Divers covers the full spectrum of scuba diving, from the initial Open Water Diver course through to professional levels. They offer SSI and FFESSM pathways, including Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster training.

Specialised courses are also available to refine your skills, such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, and React Right. For those looking to move into the professional ranks, they provide Assistant Instructor and Instructor programmes, as well as the SSI Instructor pathway.

The centre operates a fleet of four boats, including traditional bangkas, fibre-glass wooden boats, and aluminium vessels. These boats are equipped with various motorisations, including Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki engines, to handle the different distances required for local sites and further excursions.

For longer trips, such as the day excursions to Kallangaman or Capitancillo, the boats are set up for full-day comfort. These trips often include a barbecue on board or at the destination, allowing you to relax between dives. Nitrox is available for use on these excursions.

The centre provides full equipment hire, using quality brands such as Aqualung and Mares. For students undertaking training courses, a dive computer is included to ensure precise monitoring of depth and nitrogen loading.

Shore-based facilities include a kitchen, tea, coffee, and snacks for divers to use between sessions. There are also toilet and changing facilities available on-site for rinsing kit and preparing for the day.

The marine life around Malapascua is headlined by pelagic species. You can expect to encounter thresher sharks and tiger sharks, particularly at the famous shoals. Large schools of fish, including giant trevally, jackfish, and barracuda, frequently move through the area.

On the reef walls and around the islands of Kallangaman and Capitancillo, you will find a high diversity of reef fish. This includes trumpetfish, cornetfish, razorfish, and various species of octopus. Turtles are also a regular sight during dives.

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers plenty to explore. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs and various species of octopus amongst the coral structures.

Diving in the area involves navigating various environments, from reef flats to steep walls and caves. While specific seasonal conditions are not listed, the centre's fleet is chosen to handle the local sea states effectively.

Some trips, such as those to Capitancillo, involve longer boat journeys of up to two hours, so be prepared for the transit time. The centre operates year-round, with slight variations in daily schedules between the high and low seasons.