Dive sites in Malapascua Island

Top Dive Sites

Monad Shoal

Description: Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau known worldwide as one of the few places where divers can consistently encounter thresher sharks. These elusive creatures ascend from the depths for their early morning cleaning rituals at this site.

Marine Species: Along with thresher sharks, you can see manta rays, devil rays, and occasional hammerhead sharks. Reef fish like batfish, lionfish, and nudibranchs are also common.

Unique Encounters: The star attraction is unquestionably the thresher sharks. Their long, scythe-like tails create mesmerizing silhouettes against the rising sun. Additionally, October to December may bring sightings of hammerhead sharks.

Photography: Early morning light and the presence of large pelagics make Monad Shoal a photographer’s dream. Wide-angle lenses are essential to capture the grandeur of thresher sharks gliding above the plateau.

Suitability: Monad Shoal is suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth (20-30 meters) and the requirement to be adept at early morning dives. Clear buoyancy control is critical when observing the thresher sharks.

Gato Island

Description: Gato Island is a picturesque island and marine reserve. This site offers an intriguing mix of caves, tunnels, and vibrant coral gardens. It is also renowned for its sea snake population.

Marine Species: The island brims with life, including white-tip reef sharks, banded sea snakes, cuttlefish, seahorses, and a plethora of macro life like nudibranchs and frogfish.

Unique Encounters: The highlight of diving at Gato Island is the thrilling shark cave dive, which lets you swim alongside resting white-tip reef sharks. The coral-covered tunnels teem with countless varieties of macro life as well.

Photography: Macro photographers will be delighted with the abundance of critters. The shadows and lights playing in the caverns and tunnels offer excellent opportunities for creative compositions, making strobe lights essential.

Suitability: Gato Island suits all levels of divers, but advanced divers who can navigate tunnels and manage various light conditions will appreciate it most. The average depth is about 15-30 meters.

Kimud Shoal

Description: A submerged seamount located just a few kilometers from Monad Shoal, Kimud Shoal offers stunning drift dives where you can often encounter large pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks and manta rays.

Marine Species: This site hosts schooling jacks, tuna, and barracuda, along with various species of sharks, including hammerheads and sometimes thresher sharks.

Unique Encounters: Seasonal hammerhead shark sightings make this an exceptional site. The shoal serves as a hunting ground for these majestic creatures, leading to thrilling and memorable encounters.

Photography: The shoal’s active marine life and frequent pelagic visitors provide ample wide-angle photography opportunities. Ensure you have a sturdy camera rig to handle the occasional strong currents.

Suitability: This site is best for advanced and tech divers familiar with deeper dives and drift conditions, as depths range from 20 to over 40 meters with expected currents.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

Water Temperature: Malapascua Island enjoys tropical waters all year round, usually ranging between 27-30°C (80-86°F). This makes it comfortable for divers without needing thick wetsuits. However, a 3mm wetsuit is generally recommended for most dives.

Visibility: The visibility around Malapascua Island can vary greatly depending on the season and dive site. Typically, divers can expect visibility between 10-30 meters (33-100 feet). The best visibility is often found during the dry season, from November to May.

Currents and Tides: Currents around Malapascua Island can also vary, offering both calm and challenging dives. Sites like Monad Shoal may experience stronger currents which bring in pelagic species like the thresher shark. Beginners should consult with local dive guides for the best times and sites suitable for their experience level.

Safety Tips:

• Always dive with a local guide who is knowledgeable about the specific sites and potential hazards.
• Keep an eye on your air consumption, especially when engaging in deep dives such as those at Monad Shoal where thresher sharks are frequently spotted.
• Be aware of potential boat traffic in certain areas, using a dive flag can increase safety.
• For night dives or early morning dives, ensure your dive lights are fully charged and have a backup light.
• If photographing marine life, maintain buoyancy control to protect the delicate coral ecosystems.

Regulations: Divers should adhere to local regulations and guidelines, which often include:

• Respecting marine life by not touching or disturbing them.
• Avoiding taking any marine life or artifacts from the dive sites.
• Using reef-safe sunscreen to minimize environmental impact.
• Following buoyancy control best practices to avoid damaging coral reefs.
• Paying entrance and dive fees at certain sites, used for marine conservation efforts.

Wrap Up

Diving in Malapascua Island offers an unrivaled array of underwater experiences, from the adrenaline-pumping dives with thresher sharks at Monad Shoal to the vibrant coral gardens and rare macro critters at Gato Island. Each dive site presents its own unique set of attractions and challenges, making Malapascua a highly versatile destination for all levels of divers. The crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and captivating underwater topography ensure that you’ll leave with unforgettable memories and a yearning to return. Whether you’re an underwater photographer searching for that perfect shot or an adventurer eager to encounter some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures, Malapascua Island promises to meet, and exceed, all your diving expectations.