Evolution Beach and Dive Resort

Definitely one of the best dive spots on Malapascua! I did my advanced and nitrox course here as well as a fun dive. All with Ullyan and all amazing. He explains everything carefully so you can understand it and feel safe during the dives at all times. He gives great tips to improve your buoyancy and overall experience too! Don’t hesitate to choose him as your instructor/divemaster. From what I saw, Evolution cares a lot about the environment. They didn’t do anything harmful underwater and made sure we were careful with the reef as well. It really is a great choice 😀

Mar 2026

I am sorry to write this review, but I am going to write it, because in this case, I was drawn to this dive center because of it's good reputation online, which turned out to not fulfill my expectations. Some of the critics: - There was no proper boat briefing on any of my three days of diving there (oxygen, life jackets, medical equipment, toilet, water, freshwater tank, ...) - The dive briefing before our sunset/night dive was lacking seriousness and full of "If you lose your buddy, you need to buy them beer"-jokes, without covering the actual procedures. During the dive, the guide himself did not have a torch bright enough to be found easily in low visibility, but still kept going very far in the front without waiting for the group. We almost lost each other a couple of times, if I hadn't actively positioned myself between him and the rest of the group. - The quality of the dive guides varied alot. I had one guide that I would say did a quite good job, but also two who did not check my air at all during the dives. I know they know I am a dive master, but it should still be standard procedure to check with the group, in my opinion. - I came two days before my scheduled first day of diving. When I looked at their dive schedule, I saw that I was assigned to dive one day earlier already. Which was fine for me, but I did not get the info for that and had to check myself. - I asked for nitrox twice before my first day of diving, but they forgot it on the actual dive day. If I hadn't reminded them, I wouldn't have been able to dive nitrox that day. They also forgot to let me sign the nitrox log once I analyzed it. - I don't really think that the boats are really made for diving purposes. The tanks with gear, depending on which boat, are uncomfortably high or low or laying flat on a "table". On one boat, one of the tanks without equipment was laying diagonally in a wooden structure, got loose and almost fell on some diver's foot. - During the surface interval and back on shore, there is almost no interaction with the dive guides. No debriefing, no logging, no "what's that name of what we saw?" etc. It feels very cold compared to what I am used to from many other dive centers around Southeast Asia. - There is water, coffee and tea on boat, but no catering (which is fine, but it would be a nice thing to do, or at least inform customers about the self-service) - The dive guide asked me in the beginning, if I want to set up and wash my gear by myself. I said yes, but the boat crew kept setting it up for me. - The crates with your equipment are brought to the boat before you arrive. There is no time to check your equipment before arriving at the boat, often brought to by a smaller boat. So if you forgot something, it takes quite a bit of time to get it from shore. - I forgot my leggings on the rental dive boat and asked if they can check for me to get it back. On my last day, I just found it hanging with the wetsuits without getting informed about it being found. - When one of my dive buddies had an issue with her dive computer, the dive guide did not help her to understand what happened and how to prevent it (it got into deco, even though she was clearly in no situation to get into deco). - There are no lockers to store your belongings at the dive center. I gave my bag to the receptionist and it was stored in a big box mixed with other people's bags and jackets etc. Not very efficient and prone to loose stuff. I know some of what I mentioned is not a "must" for a dive center. Their main function is to bring you underwater, but for a dive center with that reputation, I think you need more than that. To end on good notes: They did get my leggings from the boat (just didn't tell me), they do set up your gear and wash it for you (even though asked not to), they help you with getting on and off the boat. There is tea, coffee, water, freshwater tank and baby shampoo on the boat (you just need to get it yourself). There is also oxygen, life jackets etc. on the boat. They were also very flexible with me joining dives.

Mar 2026

I stayed at the resort for 3 nights and dived with them for 5 days. Everything was simply wonderful and I’d totally come back! The accommodation is really beautiful. Everything from the room to the common area and the sun beds have great estetic but without it seeming forced or dated. It’s laid back and taken care of in the best of way. The food was also yummy and the place has a variety of Filipino and western food. I recommend the soups and also the fish and chips - delicious! Third, everyone - from the restaurant staff, to the people at the reception desk and the dive masters and instructors - were super considerate, happy to talk and very helpful. Communication was smooth throughout. The diving guys, including Kleng, RC and Josh were super calm and professional and always did their best to make dives relaxing and interesting. They were really amazing. The equipment was also excellent and in great condition and everything was always set up perfectly. Finally, I loved the fact that they do the thresher shark dives very early in the morning - earlier than most based on what I discussed with other people I met on the island. Even if you’re not a morning person, you’re going to become one for this! Just keep in mind the place fills up fast both in terms of accommodation and dives and so I really recommend booking in advance, just to make sure you get a spot! Highly recommended and look forward to coming back one day!

Feb 2026