Kimud Shoal - Malapascua

Kimud Shoal, about an hour from Malapascua, is one of those places you go hoping for a show. It’s a seamount, a big chunk of rock rising from the deep, with its top around 20 metres. We've often found ourselves drifting over the top, eyes scanning the blue for thresher sharks or hammerheads cruising by, especially early in the morning. Even if the big pelagics are shy, the reef itself holds plenty of schooling jacks, barracuda, and sometimes a passing eagle ray. It’s an intermediate dive, mainly due to potential currents, but worth the boat ride for the chance encounter.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.296400, 124.266200
Type
pinnacle
Maximum Depth
20m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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 Kimud Shoal

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 Kimud Shoal

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