Coral Garden - Malapascua

Coral Garden is a straightforward dive, perfect for getting your fins wet in Malapascua. At a comfortable 15 meters, it’s a good spot for new divers or those looking for a relaxed afternoon. You’ll find patches of hard coral here, home to plenty of smaller reef fish like parrotfish grazing away and the occasional clownfish peeking from its anemone. We often see nudibranchs moving slowly across the bommies if you take your time to look. It’s not a dramatic dive, but it’s easy, calm, and a gentle introduction to Malapascua’s shallower reefs.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.337100, 124.121900
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
15m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Mabini, Higatangan Marine 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 Coral Garden

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 Coral Garden

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