Kimud Shoal is a submerged pinnacle dive site located southeast of Malapascua Island in the Visayan Sea. Often touted as the new “Thresher Shark” hotspot, its summit lies at 12–16 meters, with vertical drop-offs exceeding 200 meters into the depths. This dramatic underwater structure draws pelagics like thresher sharks, devil rays, tuna, and occasionally hammerheads. A vibrant reef ecosystem crowns the summit, teeming with coral, soft fans, nudibranchs, frogfish, and schooling pelagics.
You can organize your own tour with the information below, or we can organize for you a luxury live-aboard cruise which can take you through the Visayas region to many such beautiful sites as this.
Location & How to Get There
- Get to Malapascua Island: From Cebu City, take a 4–5 hour bus or van ride to Maya Port and then hop on a short banca ride to Malapascua.
- Dive Day Trips: Local dive shops organize morning departures targeting hammerheads—expected to ascend at dawn—which makes early bookings essential.
- Pro Tip: Stay on Malapascua the night prior, as many dive centers coordinate Kimud Shoal dives at first light.
What Makes Kimud Special
- Thresher Shark Encounters: A primary draw—these elegant pelagics visit Kimud daily, with improved sightings over neighboring Monad Shoal in recent years. Sea Explorers Philippines
- Rich Coral & Pelagic Life: The top plateau boasts healthy reefs, while drop-offs may reveal hammerheads, devil rays, sharks, tunas, and vibrant reef critters targeting macro enthusiasts.
Dive Operators & Pricing
| Operator | Package & Details | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Thresher Shark Divers (Malapascua) | Early morning 2-dive trip—Monad + Kimud; includes guide, equipment, weights | Varies; check site |
| Sea Explorers | Regular Kimud Shoal dives (often two per day during thresher season); Nitrox recommended | Package rates—check current offers |
Kimud Shoal Dive Operators & Pricing
| Operator / Package | Inclusions | Price (approx.) | Notes / Booking Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malapascua Beach & Dive Resort | 2 dives at Kimud Shoal (group min. 6 divers) | ₱4,350 | Full details: [Dive Price List] |
| Malapascua Beach & Dive Resort | 3 dives at Monad + Kimud Shoal (group min. 5 divers) | ₱6,000 | Info same page as above Malapascua Beach Resort |
| Thresher Shark Divers | Early-Morning Thresher/ Kimud Shoal 2-dive trip (guide, gear, surface refreshments) | Pricing on list, approx package | Book via PADI Travel page PADI Travel |
| Ocean Passion Dive Center | Fun dive day including Kimud Shoal; includes dive + boat & fees | ₱1,800 per dive (with equipment), ₱1,400 with own gear | Plus Kimud Shoal fee ₱100 per dive Ocean Passion Malapascua |
| 10-Dive Package (Malapascua range) | Multi-dive bundle averaging | From Malapascua pricing guide Wait, Where is She? | |
| Liveaboard Option (e.g., Philippine Siren, Seadoors) | Multi-night dive cruise including Kimud Shoal | €250–€350 per night | Contact us below |
Notes & Context
- Kimud Shoal Marine Park Fee: ~₱100 per dive is applied in addition to diving rates.
- Equipment Rental: Expect an extra ₱300–₱400 per dive if gear is provided.
- Package Value: A 10‑dive bundle offers the best per‑dive rate (~₱1,600 / $27). Wait, Where is She?
- Liveaboards as we offer are the most immersive Kimud experience, ideal during hammerhead season.
Example Use Cases:
- Budget Fun Dives: Ocean Passion at ₱1,800/dive (with equipment), plus fees.
- Group Dive Deal: Malapascua Beach & Dive Resort — 2 dives for ₱4,350.
- Package Deal: 10-dive bundle for cost-effective diving (~₱1,600 per dive).
- Luxury Option: Stay on a liveaboard organized by us for multiple nights in prime Kimud access.
Best Time to Dive
- Hammerhead Season: December through April; sightings peak in March–April.
- Thresher Shark Sightings: Frequent throughout the year at Kimud, especially during morning dives.
Where to Stay
Malapascua Island lodging provides convenient access to operators departing for Kimud Shoal. Options include:
- Quo Vadis Dive Resort
- Cebu Seaview Dive Resort
- Emoha Dive Resort
These resorts cater well to divers and include dive shop facilitation.
Summary Snapshot and Booking
Kimud Shoal is an underwater pinnacle shining bright in Visayan dive tourism. With its dramatic topography, rich marine life, notable pelagic visitors, and improved accessibility for divers of advanced certification, it’s quickly becoming a bucket-list favorite. Its proximity to Malapascua allows visitors to blend a relaxed island stay with a rare chance to swim alongside thresher sharks—truly a thrill worth experiencing.
With the info above you can organize your own, local tour, or we can organize for you a luxury live-aboard cruise through the Visayas region to enjoy such beautiful sites as this.
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