Zhang Resort and Dragon J1 dive center
Dive Center
🌏 Philippines
🌊 Activities: Shark dives, Fun dives / Leisure diving, discover Scuba, Recreational courses, entry level Technical diving courses, Divemaster training...
🤿 Instructor languages: French, English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Bisaya.
🟢 Nitrox available: Yes
👌 Certification: SSI (PADI, TDI and SDI on demand)
✅ Type: Dive Center and Resort
Zhang Resort & Dragon J1 Dive Center is located on Malapascua Island, at the very northern tip of Cebu, one of the very few places on Earth where thresher sharks are seen daily at Kimud and Monad Shoal. The dive center sits right on site at Zhang Resort, walk out of your room and onto the boat.
Beyond the signature thresher shark dives, the center runs regular trips to Gato Island (underwater tunnel, macro life), Kalanggaman and Capitancillo (full-day excursions), plus local reefs, night dives, and a sunset “Mandarin Dive” to see mandarinfish courtship.
Courses run the full range from Open Water through technical diving (SSI, PADI equivalent available), taught by an instructor team fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish. Unlike most listings, guests don't need a separate hotel: Zhang Resort itself has 30 rooms across several categories, a freshwater pool, restaurant, and its own private beach for boarding the dive boats.
Group packages combining accommodation, diving, and meals are available for groups of 5 or more, with dedicated pricing and a free spot for the group leader.
Phone
📞 +34 693027023Website
🌐 dragonj1.imweb.me/indexAccommodation
Stay on-site:
Yes, guests stay directly at Zhang Resort, no separate hotel needed. 30 rooms across several categories (VIP, AB, DC, Forest Room cottages, and a dormitory), all with private bathrooms, set on a 5.8-hectare beachfront plot with a private beach for boarding the dive boats. Freshwater pool, restaurant/bar with KTV on site. Breakfast included on direct bookings.
Agreements or discounts with partner accommodations:
No formal partner agreements. Guests are welcome to stay elsewhere on the island if they prefer, but that's arranged on their own, we don't have a discount arrangement with any outside accommodation to offer.
We can handle your accommodation bookings:
Yes. Room and diving are booked together directly with us, one simple process for the whole stay.
Direct bookings get a lower rate than third-party sites, since we don't pay commission on those. Group packages (5+ guests) combine accommodation, diving, and meals at one per-person price, with dedicated group pricing and a free spot for the group leader.
Good to Know
Safety information:
A local check dive is required before diving Kimud Shoal (the thresher shark site), to confirm buoyancy and comfort with the conditions there. Open Water-level divers must be accompanied by an instructor on that dive; Advanced or higher can go with a guide. Every dive goes out with a divemaster or guide, small groups for real supervision. Buoyancy-first approach, no reef contact, no reef hooks. Kimud Shoal also has newly implemented rules to help protect the site. Equipment is serviced in an air-conditioned, contamination-free compressor room.
Other activities offered by the center:
A shallow-water snorkeling site near the resort is home to a nursery of baby blacktip reef sharks, a good option for non-divers or guests wanting a lighter activity between dives. You can go walking, or ask us for a boat tour around the island for snorkeling!
Opening days and annual closure:
Open every day of the year, no annual closure.
We work with groups of all sizes, from couples to large dive clubs, and can build a custom itinerary (dive sites, number of dives, room category) around what a group actually wants, not just fixed packages.