Capitancillo Island - Malapascua

Capitancillo Island, a protected marine sanctuary, is an easy day trip from Malapascua, usually bundled with other sites. The main dive is a gentle slope that bottoms out around 23 meters, making it a comfortable spot for newer divers looking to get their fins wet in a pretty environment. We often find schools of fusiliers here, sometimes so thick they can dim the sunlight, and the corals are in decent shape, attracting plenty of smaller reef fish. It's a relaxed dive, good for a second or third dip of the day, with minimal currents and reliable visibility.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
10.990000, 124.103900
Maximum Depth
23m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Sakay Point - Sitio Calipata-an Fish Sanctuary

Best Time to Dive in Malapascua

The warmest water temperatures in Malapascua occur in June, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.6°C
  • April: 28.3°C
  • May: 29.6°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.6°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Malapascua

Nearest Dive Centres to Capitancillo Island

Marine Life in Malapascua

Home to 88 recorded species including 72 reef fish, 5 crabs & lobsters, 5 sharks & rays, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Capitancillo Island

Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C, currents 15 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories