Dive Site: Kimud Shoal

About Kimud Shoal

Kimud Shoal is a renowned offshore underwater plateau located near Malapascua Island in the northern Visayas, Philippines. This sunken island rises dramatically from depths exceeding 200 meters, featuring a shallower top section. It has gained international fame as a reliable location for observing thresher sharks at cleaning stations, particularly in the early morning, and is also known for seasonal sightings of large schools of hammerhead sharks. The shoal's topography includes a plateau starting at around 10 to 14 meters, sloping down to approximately 30 meters before dropping off into the deep. Divers can explore gardens of hard and soft corals, along with sponges that crown the plateau, contrasting with the dramatic overhangs on its eastern side. This unique structure attracts a diverse range of marine life, from pelagic predators to intricate macro organisms. While thresher sharks are a year-round presence, hammerhead schools are most frequently observed between December and April. The site is managed as a Marine Protected Area with specific regulations for divers, ensuring minimal disturbance to its delicate ecosystem. Due to its offshore location and the nature of pelagic encounters, dives typically involve early morning departures and require a certain level of diver experience. Access to Kimud Shoal is exclusively by boat, usually departing from Malapascua Island. Divers typically make two dives during a trip, with surface intervals spent on the boat. The site offers a compelling blend of thrilling large animal encounters and opportunities to appreciate rich reef life.

Dive site facts: Kimud Shoal

Depth

10–40 m

Typical dive

15–30 m, variable min

Current

Mild

Visibility

10–25 m

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat dive / negative entry

Level

Advanced recommended

Dive type

Pelagic, reef, wall, macro

Night dive

Not permitted

Region / port

Malapascua, Cebu, Visayas

Coordinates

11.1550° N, 124.2890° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Kimud Shoal are generally described as mild, but divers should always heed tide, captain, and guide briefings as conditions can change. The site is a boat dive, requiring careful coordination for entry and exit procedures. While surge is not prominently mentioned, the offshore nature means divers should be prepared for varying sea conditions during boat travel. Visibility is typically good, ranging from 10 to 25 meters, and water temperature remains warm, between 27-30°C, though it can drop to 26°C in winter months. Divers should plan conservatively, especially near the 36-40 meter reference depth, ensuring adherence to certification limits and allowing for blue water diving if observing hammerheads away from reference points.

Marine life & sighting chances

Thresher shark

Year-round, early morning · common

Hammerhead shark

Dec-Apr · occasional

Manta ray

occasional

Devil ray

occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Moray eel

common

Frogfish

occasional

Nudibranch

common

Octopus

occasional

Reef fish

common

Barracuda

occasional

Tuna

occasional

Turtle

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Kimud Shoal typically begin with an early morning boat journey, often departing around 5 AM, to arrive at first light. Following a briefing, divers execute a negative entry and descend to the plateau, which starts at approximately 10-14 meters. For thresher shark encounters, divers usually position themselves between 15-20 meters, remaining still and quiet to observe these shy pelagics at cleaning stations. The dive may extend to around 30 meters on the sloping parts of the shoal, with attention paid to the blue water for hammerhead sightings. Divers then explore the vibrant coral gardens and overhangs before ascending. A two-dive trip is standard due to the boat ride, with safety stops performed during a slow, controlled ascent, often drifting in mild currents.

Underwater photography

Kimud Shoal offers exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For thresher sharks, wide-angle lenses are essential, though artificial lights and strobes are generally restricted to avoid disturbing the sensitive sharks; photographers should plan for natural light and higher ISO settings. For macro subjects such as nudibranchs, frogfish, and moray eels found within the coral gardens and on the slopes, a macro lens and external strobes are ideal. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid damaging delicate corals and to maintain stable shots in potentially varied current conditions. Divers should maintain a respectful distance from marine life and avoid any actions that could interrupt natural behaviors.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Monad Shoal

  Historically known for thresher shark cleaning stations, similar to Kimud Shoal.

• Gato Island

  Offers both macro and larger marine life, including a tunnel swim-through with whitetip sharks.

• Kalanggaman

  Known for amazing reef life and picturesque scenery, often a day trip.

Getting there & logistics

Kimud Shoal is accessed from Malapascua Island, which is reached by a combination of road travel and ferry from Cebu City. Cebu City has an international airport (CEB) with direct flights from some Southeast Asian countries and connecting flights via Manila. From Cebu City, the journey to Malapascua involves a 3.5 to 5-hour car or bus ride to Maya Port, followed by a short ferry ride. Liveaboards often incorporate Kimud Shoal into longer itineraries, typically 6, 10, or 12 nights, often combining it with other Visayas dive areas like Cebu, Bohol, and Negros. An environmental fee of ₱300 (approximately $5 USD) per diver applies for visiting Kimud Shoal as a Marine Protected Area.

Safety & environment

The nearest recompression chamber is located in Cebu City. In case of an emergency, evacuation would involve boat transfer from Kimud Shoal to Malapascua Island, followed by land and potentially sea or air transfer to Cebu City, which can be time-consuming. Dive insurance covering medical emergencies and evacuation is strongly recommended for all divers. Site-specific hazards include variable currents, requiring divers to stay close to guides and buddies and to be mindful of blue water disorientation, especially during hammerhead sightings. Mandatory buoyancy workshops or accompanying instructors are required for Open Water divers with less than 50 dives, and no training dives, freediving, or snorkeling are permitted at Kimud Shoal.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Kimud Shoal FAQ

Liveaboards diving Kimud Shoal

These liveaboards may visit Kimud Shoal on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Infiniti

Philippines

25 guests39 m

$280/day

Seadoors

Philippines

16 guests25 m

$335/day

Resolute

Philippines

16 guests34.6 m

$314/day

Dolphin

Philippines

18 guests31 m

$326/day

Navis 1

Philippines

22 guests23 m

$250/day

Philippine Siren

Philippines

16 guests

$309/day

Palau Sport

Philippines

24 guests38.35 m

$215/day

Philippines Aggressor

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day

Stella Maris Explorer

Philippines

20 guests33 m

$398/day

Solitude One

Philippines

24 guests52 m

$460/day

Atlantis Adventurer

Philippines

16 guests32.5 m

$421/day

Philippines Aggressor II

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$247/day