Monad Shoal - Malapascua

Okay, let's talk about Monad Shoal. For years, this was the spot in Malapascua, the reliable thresher shark cleaning station. And look, you can still dive it, and it's a perfectly good pinnacle dive, but if you're coming specifically for threshers, our experience tells us you'll likely leave a bit disappointed these days. Hammerheads have moved in, particularly January to April, and the threshers seem to have mostly shifted to Kimud Shoal. We’ve seen savigny's brittle stars, the odd snow-flaked cone, and some good stands of ocean turf grass here. It's a decent dive, just manage expectations if thresher sharks are your primary goal.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.313392, 124.194725
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

Nearest Dive Centres to Monad 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 Monad 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