Monad Shoal
The shoal that put Malapascua on the map, and our dive for a chance at tiger sharks.
- Depth
- 20 - 35 m
- Level
- Advanced
- Specialty
- Tiger Sharks
Malapascua Island dive sites
Kimud Shoal Thresher Shark Dive
Malapascua's thresher shark site, with a cleaning station only 12 to 15 m down.
- Shark Encounters
- Depth
- 12 - 25 m
- Level
- Advanced
- Specialty
- Thresher Sharks
Overview
Kimud Shoal is where Malapascua's pelagic thresher sharks are found today. The sharks settled here around 2022 after leaving Monad Shoal, and the cleaning station sits at about 12 to 15 m, shallower than the old site. That means longer, brighter dives and closer encounters.
At first light the threshers rise from deeper water to be cleaned by small wrasse. We leave before sunrise (the 3 Shark Dives trip starts at 5:00 AM) so we are on the shoal before the day gets busy. Thresher sharks are seen here year-round, but they are wild animals and a sighting is never guaranteed.
The shoal is a marine protected area. You stay low, calm and at the distance your guide briefs, and let the sharks come to you. The dive is for certified Advanced Open Water divers and above.
Marine Life
Dive Site Details
- Depth
- 12 - 25 m
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Best time to dive
- Year-round at dawn. Boats leave before sunrise.
- Marine life
- Pelagic thresher sharks, cleaner wrasse and reef fish.
- Conditions
- Open-water shoal. Current and visibility change day to day, so the guide plans each dive at the briefing.
- Type
- Offshore shoal / cleaning station
Thresher sharks at first light, over a cleaning station only 12 to 15 m down.
Diver Notes & Tips
- Advanced Open Water or higher is required.
- If your last dive was more than 6 months ago, book the Refresher Course first.
- Be at the dive center on time: the boat leaves in the dark to reach the shoal first.
- Stay calm, keep your distance and never chase a shark. Calm divers get the closest passes.
- Follow the briefing on flash and lights. The shoal is a protected area.
Dive Kimud Shoal
Packages that visit this site.
Related Dive Sites
Gato Island
Sleeping white-tip sharks, pygmy seahorses and a marine reserve full of small critters.
- Depth
- 10 - 25 m
- Level
- Advanced
- Specialty
- Sharks & Macro
Lighthouse
A shallow muck and macro site, best known for mandarin fish at dusk.
- Depth
- 3 - 10 m
- Level
- All Levels
- Specialty
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