Monad shoal
Monad shoal is an under water mount, raising from a depth of more than 250 meters and forming a plateau between 20 and 25 meters. It is the most famous dive site around Malapascua. Divers from all over the world are coming here to see the thresher sharks (Alopiidae) visiting the cleaning stations. The shark dives start early in the morning, as these pelagic sharks mainly show up around dawn.
Going to Monad in the afternoon, you have a good chance to see devil rays and big manta rays. Octopus, mantis shrimp and nudibranchs can be seen regularly.
In order to protect this pristine site, the Malapascua Dive Guide Association, in cooperation with the Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project, has established some no go zones and specific rules for this dive site. Please do not use tank bangers or other sonor signaling devices, please do not use the flash of your camera. As the shark and manta dives are mainly sit and wait dives, please make sure not to sit, kneel or stand on any life corals. While swimming stay close to the bottom and do not hover in mid water — this would scare away the sharks and the rays as well.
Check out our YouTube channel to see the sharks and rays at Monad shoal
Depth: 20 – 25 meters
Current: variable, can be strong close to the surface but normally will be less strong below 12 meters
Visibility: 10 – 30+ meters
Recommended level of training: Advanced open water or Open water diver with deep dive experience
Distance: 20 – 40 minutes from Malapascua