Malapascua is an island located in North Cebu, Philippines which has attracted foreign tourists especially divers because of its rich marine sanctuary. It is best known for Monad Shoal where thresher sharks can be seen regularly before sunrise. But diving is not only activity you can do in this serene island, it is also an idyllic destination for a laid back holiday.
Malapascua Island Transport :
How to Get to Malapascua from Cebu City
You can either take a van for Php 150 or Ceres bus bound to Maya for Php 190 air-con and non-aircon Php 150 from North Bus Terminal in Cebu City. The trip takes roughly 4 hours. I suggest leaving in the morning to make sure you arrive at Maya port before 3 pm.
If you need to hire an entire car/van from Cebu city to Maya port, you may contact kuya Jack Romulus Rebano at +639228359788 ( Php 250 per head, Php 3,000 one way good for 12 pax).
Malapascua Island Transfer:
Ferry/ Boat From Maya to Malapascua
At Maya port take a local boat for Php 80 to take you to Malapascua Island. The first trip is at 6:30 a.m. and last trip is at 3:00 PM. It will only take 30 minutes to reach the island. If you miss the last trip you can also hire an entire boat but may cost around Php800-Php2,000. Or you could also stay at Maya, there is a homestay 100 meters from Maya port. Room starts at Php400.
Malapascua Island Activities:
Beach Bumming – Malapascua although filled with hotels, restaurants and bars has still retained its serenity. Lounge on the beach shores like most foreigners do. But there are some secluded coves also that are good for swimming since it is not crowded by tourists.
Snorkeling and Island Hopping – Boat rental starts at Php 500 but some may charge Php 400 per person.
You may contact : Ronnie Liuzara : cell#09491810903
Malapascua Island Diving – Diving shops are scattered around the island. You may check out :
Divelink Cebu : www.divelinkcebu.com owned by a Filipino. cell#+639272470723
Ocean Vida Dive Resort : www.ocean-vida.com
Sea Explorers : www.sea-explorers.com
Sun Splash Dive Resort: www.sunsplashingdiving.com
Habal-Habal (Motorcycle) Ride : There are motorcycles that can take you to the lighthouse and Los Bamboos Island. Don’t miss the latter, the view is very scenic!
Biking – There are bikes for rent around the island. Ask your hostel if they have one.
Cliff Jumping – During your island hopping tour, ask the boatman to take you to the 50 foot cliff usually used by adrenaline junkies for cliff diving.
Sunset and Sunrise Watching
Happy Hour – Before sunset, some bars and restaurants usually offer Happy Hour
Ocean Vida : Happy Hour from 4PM – 6PM.
Where to Stay in Malapascua:
Malapascua accommodations range from budget to mid-rage to high-end.
BB’s Guesthouse – one of the cheapest rooms in the island starting at Php 400-Php600 good for 2 persons. This is where we stayed at.
Mike & Dioses Beach cottage- rooms cost Php 500-600 cell +63905 263 2914(Mike) or 0917 523 4105(Nino)
Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort – starts at Php 4,500www.ocean-vida.com
Sunset Beach Resort – +63-907 396 3094,+63 909 678 3033 Rooms starts at Php1,500
For more choices on accommodation, visit this site.
Malapascua Restaurants:
Food in Malapascua is a quite expensive as it caters to foreign tourists, but you can still ask the locals for the nearest carinderia.
Ging Ging’s Restaurant– the cheapest restaurant in the island. this is where we usually eat but there’s nothing special about their food. Main Dishes starts at Php60.
Ocean Vida Restaurant – opens at 7:30 am – 10 pm offers Asian and European food. home made bread and ice cream, sashimi and kinilaw and pizza. Happy Hour at 4Pm-6PM.
La Isla Bonita Restaurant – 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM , 6:00 PM -11:30PM
Magellan’s Bar and Restaurant – offers daily barbecue and seafood. Main dishes starts at Php 295.
Malapascua Island Travel Tips:
Stock up on cash before you leave the island because there are no ATMs and banks in the island. I had traveled about 1 hour (one way) from Maya town to the nearest ATM at Bogo town to withdraw.
If you miss the last boat to Malapascua there is a homestay 100 meters from Maya port. Room starts at Php400.
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Special thanks to : Upper Viceo, Paelo Pedrajas, Jessica Joy Juaño and Lawrence Manga for tagging me along in this trip.
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Related Posts on Cebu:
Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Oslob : Travel Guide
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About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life. Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com.
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this is by far the most comprehensive presentation of Malapascua. Never been here but this post Gael will surely be my guide.
Didn’t I told u you had a great photo here? they are inspiring and the narratives, best!
What a comprehensive guide! I’ve never been to Malapascua and this will surely a big help when we plan on it.
Thanks!
dahil sa happy hour isa to sa magiging paborito ko. hehehe… thanks for the guide Gael.
Thanks sa guide. Mas malayo to compare sa Bantayan tama ba?
you’re lucky to experienced this, gael!
malapascua’s the recent cover of lonely planet asia.
binili ko nga agad sa magazine stand sa jetty sa george town, akala ko pinoy (travel blogger-photographer) ang photos at text, sayang di pala. nonetheless, that island at the tip of cebu is a must-visit based on this post and on that article. sana makarating din dyan someday!
postcard perfect nga pala ang first pic for me.
pinagpipilian pa kung alin ang uunahin… eto o ung sa moalboal..
Thanks for this very informative post Gael!
I’ll be going to Malapascua Island and this is just what I need.
hi gael! this is so informative. sakto kasi i’m planning to go solo to malapascua this june. =)
may contact kb sa bb’s guesthouse? thanks! =))
What are the way to get off the island if i want to reach cebu? I cant find it anywhere. What is the latest time you can leave the island to Cebu with public transport?
hi po. pwd po bang malaman BB’s guesthouse?