Kimod Shoel - Malapascua
Kimod Shoal offers a different vibe from Malapascua’s more famous thresher shark dives. Here, the focus shifts to the reef itself, a sprawling, healthy ecosystem where we’ve often spent entire dives exploring just a small section. Keep an eye out for the unusual residents, like the Hookcheek No-line Scorpionfish tucked into crevices or the subtle beauty of an Eroded Cowry moving along the coral. While you might spot a Pelagic thresher cruising by in the deeper blue, Kimod Shoal truly shines for its macro life and the chance to simply drift and observe a vibrant, working reef. It’s a great pick for divers who appreciate the finer details and a relaxed pace.
- Location
- Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 11.290381, 124.235275
- Type
- pinnacle
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
- 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 Kimod Shoel
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 Kimod Shoel
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