Marine Protected Area - Malapascua

You’ll likely hear the Marine Protected Area called something else by the local dive shops; it’s one of those spots that’s often just lumped in with the general diving around Malapascua. We find it’s a good choice for an afternoon dive, especially if you’ve spent the morning at Monad Shoal. The visibility here can vary, but generally, it’s a comfortable dive, not too deep, maybe 15-20 meters. You’ll spot a decent range of species, we’ve logged amberfish, and it’s a good spot for brittle stars, particularly Savigny’s. Keep an eye out for the different seagrass beds, too – halodule and thalassia are pretty common. It’s a gentle dive, good for stretching out your bottom time and appreciating the smaller things.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.347289, 124.105620

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 Marine Protected Area

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 Marine Protected Area

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