DON ENRIQUE - Malapascua
The Don Enrique wreck isn't Malapascua’s biggest, but it's got character. We love how the story of its fiery end in 1964 just adds to the atmosphere as you descend. It’s a shallow dive, with the top of the wreck starting around 12 metres, making it perfect for longer bottom times and less demanding on air. You’ll find the wreck largely intact, though time and the ocean have certainly taken their toll. Penetration is possible in a few spots, but we’d suggest sticking to the exterior unless you’re wreck-trained and familiar with the layout. The bow is often the most interesting section, with schools of batfish circling overhead and the occasional reef shark gliding past in the blue. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs and flatworms, especially on the more sheltered parts of the hull. We've often found lionfish tucked into crevices, their spines fanned out. It’s a great second dive after a morning thresher shark encounter, offering a completely different feel and a chance to truly relax and explore.
- Location
- Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 11.250000, 123.700000
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 0m
Marine Protected Area: Sagay Marine Reserve
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
- ALASKA 1 - 28m (wreck)
- ANNA MARZ - 8m (wreck)
- ASIA MALAYSIA - 10m (wreck)
- ASIA SOUTH KOREA - 30m (wreck)
- BALANGIGA - 5m (wreck)
- Blue Coral Malapascua - 17m (reef)
- Bogtong Bato
- Calangaman - Nunez Shoal (pinnacle)
- Capitancillo Island - 23m
- Celsa 2 - 3m (wreck)
- Chocolate Island - 5-20m (reef)
- Chocolate Island Malapascua - 17m
- Coral Garden - 15m (reef)
- Coral Garden Marine Protected Area (reef)
- Cresta de Gallo
Nearest Dive Centres to DON ENRIQUE
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
- Common lionfish (Pterois volitans) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Six-banded Rock Cod (Epinephelus sexfasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Two-spot Locust Lobster (Remiarctus bertholdii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
- Striped catfish (Plotosus lineatus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma hardwicke) - Reef Fish
- Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
- Triangular Butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) - Reef Fish
- Earmuff wrasse (Halichoeres bicolor) - Reef Fish
- Hair Tailed Blenny (Xiphasia setifer) - Reef Fish
- Lattice monocle bream (Scolopsis taenioptera) - Reef Fish
- Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
- Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
- Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
- Barbeled leatherjacket (Anacanthus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- Ternate Chromis (Chromis ternatensis) - Reef Fish
- Desjardin's Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma velifer) - Reef Fish
- Yellowstripe scad (Selaroides leptolepis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for DON ENRIQUE
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