Cebu.travel
A pelagic thresher shark off Malapascua
Malapascua, Gato Island & the thresher shoals

Kimud Shoal: where Malapascua’s thresher sharks are now

Kimud Shoal is a sunken island about an hour by boat from Malapascua, and since 2022 it is where the pelagic thresher sharks come to be cleaned each morning. The plateau sits at about 12 m and the cleaning stations run from about 12 to 22 m, so the sharks are seen shallower and later in the morning than they were at Monad Shoal. Kimud lies in Leyte waters: Tabango, Leyte declared it a marine protected area on 6 February 2026.

Quote a transfer to Maya port Last checked: Oct 2026
Depth
12-29 m
Level
Intermediate
Access
Boat
Area
Malapascua
Waters
In Leyte waters
  • Thresher sharks at the cleaning stations most mornings since about 2022, when they moved here from Monad Shoal
  • Schooling hammerheads, most likely December to April
  • Other pelagics

The dive

Dive centres run Kimud as a day out of two or three dives, rather than the single dawn dive Monad used to be. Threshers are seen there all year; hammerheads are also reported, best from December to April.

The dive
From MalapascuaAbout 1 hour by boat
DepthPlateau ~12 m, cleaning stations ~12-22 m
LevelOpen Water with a guide; a buoyancy workshop is reported as required
PhotographyNo flash or strobes
VisibilityOften 20-30 m in March to May

Why the sharks moved, and what it means for Monad Shoal

The move happened in 2022. Threshers are now only rarely seen at Monad, which is still dived for its cleaning station, rays and occasional tiger sharks. Monad and Gato Island remain a shark and ray sanctuary under a 2015 Daanbantayan order.

Dive bangkas at sea off Malapascua
Dive boats off Malapascua
FAQ

Kimud Shoal: questions

Is Kimud Shoal in Cebu?

No. It is dived from Malapascua in Cebu but sits in the waters of Tabango, Leyte, which declared it a marine protected area on 6 February 2026.

Do you need Advanced Open Water for Kimud?

Sources say Open Water divers can go with a guide and are asked to do a buoyancy workshop first. Ask your dive centre what it requires before booking.

Sources for this site (10)