Site-level depth, travel time, and macro-life description.
Boat-access macro dive at Gato Island's Nudibranch City.
Boat-access macro dive at Gato Island's Nudibranch City.
Gato is a reserve and boat access is the norm, so dive it with a local guide.
Nudibranch City is one of Gato Island's macro sites off Malapascua, built around a rock-and-wall profile that is famous for nudibranchs, hermit crabs, and scorpionfish. It is more of a slow-search dive than a big-animal run, so the payoff comes from looking carefully along the rocks and overhangs. Plan a guided boat trip from Malapascua and give yourself the best chance in the dry season before the rainy months knock visibility down. The island reserve context and current-sensitive water make it a site that rewards patience.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
22m
Depth Note
The site is described at about 22m and is usually dived as a guided boat stop.
Best Season
March to May
Typical Conditions
Warm-water Gato conditions with current and seasonal visibility swings.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Visibility may be reduced during the rainy season (October to January).
Access Restrictions
Boat access from Malapascua; use a guide inside the Gato reserve.
Legal Notes
Gato Island is a marine reserve and sea snake sanctuary, so local rules and guide guidance matter.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Guided boat dive with strong macro appeal; move slowly along the rocks and overhangs to pick out nudibranchs and other small life.
Freediving
Not a freedive-first target; the site is best as a shallow boat dive with time to look for macro life.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is not the main use; the interest is on the wall and around the rock structure underwater.
Chill / Non-diver
Not a chill site; it is a deliberate macro dive that rewards patience.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Site-level depth, travel time, and macro-life description.
Malapascua-area current conditions.
Protected island and macro-dive context.
Gato Island macro profile and liveaboard context.
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