Malapascua diving guide: Everything you need to know about the Philippines’ most famous thresher shark dive site
At 35 meters in the blue darkness, she appears—five meters of pure shimmering grace. My first real technical dive, my first thresher shark. She owns this place. Welcome to Kimud Shoal, big boy.
Why Kimud Shoal is the Best Place for Thresher Shark Diving
Thresher sharks, frequently referred to on Reddit as “the derpiest of the sharks,” don’t usually spend much time shallower than 50 meters (165 feet). These sleek, beautiful creatures are known for having doe eyes that dominate their small faces, giving them a look of perpetual anxiety. If Disney were to reboot Bambi underwater, Bambi would be a thresher shark.
What this all means is that there are super-cute, totally-harmless, extremely-shy and endangered sharks most people will never see making regular, reliable, shallow appearances daily at one place in the entire world — Kimud Shoal, Malapascua.
I dove Kimud Shoal six times during my Philippines diving trip. Four times as technical dives with Evolution Diving Resort and twice from a liveaboard as recreational dives. Every single dive delivered thresher shark encounters.
The Best Time to Dive Kimud Shoal
Thresher sharks are most active in early morning. Evolution Diving was always the very first boat at the shoal, putting divers in the water at first light. This timing advantage is crucial for thresher shark sightings.
The boat leaves Malapascua at 4:45 AM, and you get to watch the sunrise over the open sea. In November, the sea was flat calm every morning with excellent visibility. We were splashing at first light when the sharks are most active and curious.
Kimud Shoal Diving Experience: What to Expect
The Descent into Thresher Shark Territory
The top of Kimud Shoal sits at 12 meters (40 feet) deep. There’s a giant concrete mooring in the middle where boats attach. Visibility was consistently around 15 meters (50 feet) during my November dives — enough to spot thresher sharks from a distance.
For recreational divers, the experience involves descending to the shoal’s edge around 18-24 meters (60-80 feet), then working back toward the center, stopping at cleaning stations where thresher sharks come to have parasites removed by smaller fish.
My First Thresher Shark Encounter
As a technical diver, I got to experience something special. We descended past the recreational diving depths, pointing our heads down and falling into the darkness beyond the shoal’s edge. It’s like a flying dream.
Then, like some sort of ordination, as we crossed 35 meters (115 feet), right in front of me, two meters distant, was the largest thresher shark I’d ever seen. She was at least five meters (16 feet) long and absolutely stunning.
She gave me a long, aloof look and quietly swam off. We continued to our bottom depth where more sharks appeared — sometimes alone, sometimes in pairs. It was clear they were curious about us. Two sharks swimming toward each other got so distracted looking at us that they nearly collided.
Recreational vs Technical Diving at Kimud Shoal
Recreational Diving Experience
Recreational dives at Kimud Shoal typically last 45-60 minutes, exploring the shoal top and edges between 8-24 meters depth. The experience involves moving between cleaning stations, watching thresher sharks being serviced by cleaner fish.
The sharks are more alert in shallow water but still incredibly rewarding to observe. Even recreational divers get multiple shark encounters per dive.
Technical Diving Advantages
Technical diving at Kimud Shoal is like getting two dives in one. First, you get an intimate deep dive where the sharks behave differently — more relaxed and curious. Then during your mandatory decompression stops, you get to explore the shallow areas where recreational divers operate.
My technical dives lasted 100+ minutes, with some exceeding two hours total bottom time. The extended time means more shark encounters and a completely different perspective on their behavior at depth.
Marine Life at Kimud Shoal
Guaranteed sightings: Thresher sharks, cleaner fish, colorful anemones, lionfish, various reef fish
Common encounters: White tip sharks (deeper), barracuda, tuna, eagle rays
The main attraction: Thresher sharks visit Kimud Shoal’s cleaning stations throughout the day, with peak activity in early morning hours.
Kimud Shoal vs Monad Shoal: Why the Change?
Historically, thresher sharks congregated at nearby Monad Shoal. During the COVID pandemic, they relocated to Kimud Shoal. Local dive guides suspect tiger sharks moved into Monad Shoal, displacing the threshers.
Today, Kimud Shoal offers the Philippines’ most reliable thresher shark encounters, while Monad Shoal primarily attracts divers interested in occasional tiger shark sightings.
Best Dive Operators for Kimud Shoal
Evolution Diving Resort Malapascua
Evolution dominates Malapascua diving for good reason. They’re consistently the first boat at Kimud Shoal, their guides know individual sharks by name, and their logistics are impeccable.
The dive center doesn’t need to advertise — their reputation speaks for itself. They prioritize hotel guests for the popular thresher shark dives, so booking accommodation with Evolution guarantees dive spots.
Liveaboard Options
The Philippines Aggressor offers Kimud Shoal dives as part of broader Visayas itineraries. While the shark encounters are excellent, you’re limited to fewer dives at the site compared to staying on Malapascua.
Planning Your Malapascua Thresher Shark Diving Trip
Getting to Malapascua
Malapascua requires a three-hour drive from Cebu City followed by a 30-minute boat ride. The journey is worth it for the world’s most reliable thresher shark encounters.
What to Expect on Malapascua Island
Malapascua is a slow-world paradise where diving and relaxation dominate. White powder-sand beaches, minimal nightlife beyond karaoke, and a diving-focused atmosphere make it perfect for underwater enthusiasts.
Diving Conditions at Kimud Shoal
Depth Range: 8-24 meters (recreational), 45+ meters (technical)
Water Temperature: 28°C (82°F) in November
Current: Minimal to none
Visibility: 15+ meters typically
Difficulty: Suitable for intermediate to advanced divers
Why Kimud Shoal Should Be on Every Diver’s Bucket List
When it comes to thresher shark diving, there simply isn’t anywhere else on the planet like Kimud Shoal. The combination of reliable daily encounters, manageable depths for recreational divers, and technical diving opportunities makes it unique.
The sharks’ behavior at cleaning stations provides incredible observation opportunities. Unlike many shark encounters that involve brief sightings, Kimud Shoal offers extended interactions with curious thresher sharks.
The Bottom Line on Malapascua Thresher Shark Diving
Kimud Shoal delivers on its reputation as the world’s premier thresher shark diving destination. Whether you’re a recreational diver seeking your first shark encounter or a technical diver wanting extended bottom time with these magnificent creatures, Malapascua provides an unmatched experience.
The 4:45 AM boat departure might seem brutal, but watching sunrise over the open sea before dropping into water filled with thresher sharks makes every early morning worthwhile.
If your diving bucket list includes reliable shark encounters in stunning conditions, Kimud Shoal, Malapascua should be your next destination.
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