Lighthouse - Malapascua

Lighthouse in Malapascua is a consistent twilight and night dive, and for good reason. Just as the sun dips below the horizon, the mandarinfish emerge from the rubble, putting on their intricate mating display. It’s a slow-paced show, demanding patience and a careful eye, often shared with other divers. Beyond the mandarins, we’ve found robust ghost pipefish tucked into crinoids and spotted juvenile barracuda darting through the shallows. It’s a pretty easy dive, mostly sandy slopes and a few coral patches, making it perfect for photographers or anyone wanting to tick off those elusive mandarinfish.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.342190, 124.109764
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-25m

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 Lighthouse

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 Lighthouse

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