17m
    Beginner
    Malapascua, Philippines
    Mabini, Higatangan Marine Sanctuary

    Chocolate Island Malapascua

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Protected Area

    Mabini, Higatangan Marine Sanctuary

    Why dive here

    With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles, thresher sharks, lionfish and pufferfish - Chocolate Island Malapascua offers some of Malapascua's richest reef diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest May, June, July.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitNo wetsuit needed, or a rash guard
    Marine lifeSea Turtles, Thresher Sharks, Lionfish and Pufferfish · 87+ species recorded
    Water28-31°C · warmest May, June, July
    CharacterReef dive · max 17m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Chocolate Island is a handy little spot, particularly if you’re fresh out of open water training or just looking for a relaxed afternoon dive. It’s shallow, capping out at around 17 meters, which means plenty of bottom time to poke around. We've often seen cuttlefish here, sometimes in pairs, along with a decent variety of nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. It’s not going to blow your mind with massive pelagics, but for a gentle introduction to Malapascua's calmer side, it does the trick. Good for honing those buoyancy skills too.

    Typical Chocolate Island Malapascua Dive Profile

    10m20mSafety Stop0m17m max~50 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:3317:2911h 56m daylightGolden hour 17:01

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Chocolate Island Malapascua

    Chocolate Island Malapascua Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Chocolate Island Malapascua, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (11.45, 124.02) (6km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29.3–31.5°C

    Current Speed

    8.25 cm/s

    Direction: S (194°)

    Salinity

    33.75 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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