Malapascua Island Travel Guide: Diving, Beaches, Lighthouse & More

Malapascua

Hello, Malapascua!

For years, Malapascua Island has become a haven for scuba divers aiming to have an encounter with the Thresher Sharks. The island has been synonymous to this species of shark since it is the only known place in the world that guarantees daily sightings for shark of this kind.

Malapascua is an island barangay of the town of Daanbantayan, approximately five hours away from Cebu City. It boasts of world class diving spots and white sand beaches, making it a popular travel destination for both local and foreign tourists, divers and non-divers alike.

Malapascua
Sunrise in Malapascua

The island’s name is derived from two Spanish words “mal” and “pascua“, translated in English as “bad” and “easter” or “bad Christmas”. According to local folklore, Spaniards named the island Malapascua when they arrived there on a stormy Christmas.

Malapascua Island is a promise of a great dive and beach experience… worth the quite long and strenuous trip. Next time you visit Cebu, head north and experience the sea, the sand and the sun of Malapascua Island!

Malapascua
Malapascua Island Lighthouse

How to Get to Malapascua

From Cebu City

Cebu City is where tourists usually touch down before going to Malapascua. From Cebu City, catch a bus in Cebu North Terminal going to the old and new Maya Ports for a four-hour ride. Buses depart almost every hour, fare ranges from P160 to P210 for the trip.

Both old and new Maya Ports have public boats going to Malapascua. The boat ride is approximately 30 minutes and fare is P100. Departure is every 30 minutes from 6AM to 4PM. Beyond this hour, you may charter a boat for P1,500 good for 15 passengers.

If you reach Malapascua at low tide, you may need to transfer to a small paddle boat called tunda to reach the shore, fare is P20 per person.

From Leyte

If you are coming from Leyte, catch a bus to Bogo City, Cebu which crosses Camotes Sea via RoRo barges in Palompon, Leyte. From Bogo City, Maya is about an hour ride.

Malapascua
Los Bambos Beach

Where to Stay in Malapascua

Accommodations in Malapascua ranges from P300 for single fan room during lean season to a fancy air-conditioned room that goes by the thousands.

But on my visit to Malapascua, I stayed at Mike and Diose’s Beach Cottages. They have P500 per night beachfront fan room (shared bathroom) with free breakfast. They also have bigger air-conditioned rooms. The place has a great beachfront, a fantastic view of sunrise and very friendly staff. Contact No: Phone: +63-32-254 2510 (Cebuano) or +63905-263 2914 (c/o Mike: English and German) and 63926-8473640 (c/o Charito: Cebuano/Filipino).

Another good choice is Blue Coral Beach Resort. For as low as P1500, a big fan room with two double bed can be yours. It is on the other end of the beach from Mike and Diose’s / Aabana. One good thing about this hotel is that they have a fantastic view of sunrise and sunset. At night,  try bumming around in their open air bar 🙂 Contact details: Sonia de Dios (Philippines) Mobile: +639263050827/+639155086134/+639205506208; Telephone/Fax: +63(32)4371021

Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Malapascua Island

Romantic Place Guesthouse

Romantic Place Guesthouse
Malapascua Island
Starts at 375 PHP

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Malapascua Thresher Cove Dive Resort

Malapascua Thresher Cove Resort
Malapascua Island
Starts at 400 PHP

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Malapascua Budget Inn

Malapascua Budget Inn
Malapascua Island
Starts at 425 PHP

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Aabana

Aabana Beach Resort
Malapascua Island
Starts at 650 PHP

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Top-Rated Hotels in Malapascua Island

Blanco Beach Resort

Blanco Beach Resort
Malapascua Island
Starts at 3,000 PHP

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Buena Vida Resort & Spa

Buena Vida Resort & Spa
Malapascua Island
Starts at 3,000 PHP

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Malapascua
Sunset in Malapascua

What to do in Malapascua

  • Diving/snorkeling: The dive sites of Malapascua and surrounding waters include North Point, Monad Shoal, Gato Island, Lighthouse, Lapus Lapus, Chocolate Island, North Wall, Ka Osting, Sunken Island, Nunez Shoal, Kalanggaman Island, The East Side, The Sand Patch, Twins, House Reef, Maria’s Point, Buhoc Point, Maripipi, Chicken Curry Island, Shore Diving, Doña Marilyn Wreck, Don Macario Wreck, Tapilo Japanese Wreck and Pioneer Japanese Wreck.
  • Beach hopping: Lapus-Lapus Beach, Los Bambos, Langub Beach, Bounty Beach
  • Climb the Malapascua Lighthouse and have a 360-degree view of the island
  • Beach sports: volleyball, frisbee
  • Cliff jumping
  • Arrange a trip  to Kalanggaman Island, the organizers usually packaged it with a lunch
  • Visit Bantayan Island
Malapascua
Tundas at bay

Sample Malapascua Weekend Itinerary

Day 1
0600H: Assembly in Cebu Nort Bus Terminal / Breakfast
0700H: Bus: Cebu City to Maya Port
1100H: Arrive in Maya Port
1130H: Boat: Maya Port to Malapascua
1200H: Arrive Malapascua / Proceed to Hotel / Check-in
1230H: Lunch
1300H: Back in Hotel / Rest
1330H: Island Tour: Lapus-Lapus Beach, Los Bambos, Lighthouse and Langub Beach
1800H: Back in Hotel / Wash-up / Fix-up / Rest
1900H: Dinner
2100H: Socials /Lights out

Day 2
0500H: Call Time / Sunrise at Bounty Beach
0600H: Breakfast
0700H: Free time / Bounty Beach
1030H: Rest / Wash-up / Fix-up
1130H: Check out / Proceed to Port
1200H: Boat: Malapascua to Maya POrt
1230H: Arrive in Maya Port / Lunch
1330H: Bus: Maya POrt to Cebu
1800H: Arrive in Cebu City

Tips

  • There are numerous dive shops in the area, but we chose Divelink Cebu (Contact No: 63-32-4370044/+639272470723/+639262586833), a dive shop owned by a Filipino. They charged us a reasonable P1,000 per dive, exclusive of gears and equipment rentals. I was satisfied with their worth recommending service, and I would definitely dive with them again. For a complete list of dive shops in the area, visit this site.
Malapascua
Reef sharks at Gato Island
  • Although they say that Monad Shoal guarantees daily sighting of Thresher Sharks, there are times that the sharks don’t show up specially when they are disturbed by large contingents of divers.
  • Food in the island is not a problem. There are lots of restaurants in the area offering various specialties – American, Italian, Filipino, etc. One of the favorites is the Ging-ging’s Flower Garden offering variety of cheap choices
  • Mobile signal is available in the island
  • Bring cash! No ATM and no establishment accepts credit card or traveler’s checque.
  • Best months are from November to June

*First Published: 10-Oct-2012 | Updates: 19-Aug-2015; 01-Nov-2017; 15-Jul-2019; 29-Jul-2019; 26-Apr-2020

Comments

  1. marie

    hello! around what time kaya dapat nasa cebu north terminal to go to maya port? 7:30am kasi dating namin sa cebu airport. alanganin na ba yun? thanks!

  2. Beach Bum

    Hey, Lakwatsero! Awesome blog. Read a lot of your blogs about other places, too. 🙂 Can you suggest a 3-day itinerary? Arriving noon time on the first day, and leaving noon time on the 3rd day. I’m more into chilling, visiting sites, and maybe do a few snorkelling minutes. I can skip diving because I’m not a good swimmer anyway. Would really appreciate your recommendation.

  3. […] islands of Bantayan and Malapascua in Northern Cebu are also reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Haiyan and they deserve our […]

  4. Maey

    Lakwatsero! May tanong ako. Possible ba marating ko ang bantayan at malapascua sa 4 days? Ano dapat ko unahin? Tulong naman. Plano ko magpunta april30-may3

  5. Christine dy

    hi!great blog!:) but isn’t pescador,basdiot and saavedra in moalboal or are there similar places in malapascua as well?:)

    1. Lakwatsero

      Oh! I didn’t notice that for quite a long time. Thanks for pointing that out Christine. Yes, those three are in Moalboal. 🙂

  6. Ping Gillesania

    Hello! just want to ask.. if ilang days ang ma-consume para enjoy these places? ok n bh ang 3 days? 🙂

  7. […] For more information on traveling to Malapascua, check out Lakwatsero’s Travel Guide:Malapascua. […]

  8. […] islands of Bantayan and Malapascua in Northern Cebu are also reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Haiyan and they deserve our […]

  9. […] For more information on Malapascua, check out Lakwatsero’s Malapascua Travel Guide. […]

  10. donna

    hi angel,
    ask ko lang which is better dano beach resort or sunset beach resort

    aabana/mike & diose is already fullt booked on our travel dates and these two have a room that fits our budget.

    thanks 🙂

  11. thanks for this post. It helped me a lot. been there first week of June. I actually printed your blog. hihihi!

    1. Wow! Thanks Kura 🙂

  12. Deanna

    Hi! how much is the fare from malapascua going to bantayan island? can we go there and then be back by night to malapascua?

  13. GL

    Nice informativ site. thanks;) Are going to Phillipines, Bantayan and Malapascua in two weeks, looking forward to it:) are now searching the net for as much info I can get.
    Greetings from Norway:)

    1. Thanks GL. Enjoy the Philippines 🙂

  14. i love the food at ging ging’s garden! they’re especially made for you! you have to order before you’re hungry though, because it surely takes a long time to cook delicious food. 🙂

    1. Yep! It takes some time before the order is served 🙂 Nonetheless, okey pa din 🙂 Thanks for the visit!

  15. toni protacio

    hi, angel! my officemates, my family & I really enjoyed our 5 day vacation in Malapascua, Kalanggaman ang Bantayan.. we had a grand time! Kalanggaman is the best! we were awed by its beauty.. we plan to come back again next year.. thanks for all the info you shared.

    1. Wow Toni! Good for you! Di na ako nakareply sa last message mo, sorry, busy busyhan 🙂

  16. […] Malapascua, the northernmost island of Cebu known for its long stretch of white sand beaches, is also a haven for scuba divers, thanks to its rich and colorful marine life and the resident Thresher Sharks. Unfortunately, not everyone get a chance to witness its underwater beauty since not everyone can dive. But frown no more, you can still enjoy its vivid marine life through snorkeling. Coral Garden […]

  17. mau

    Hi! where can I get 300 peso room in malapascua?

    1. Try Mike and Diose’s Beach Cottage, the P300 room is a cottage/fan room though, very basic facilities.

  18. this is a very cool place… nice photos by the way…

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