Malapascua

TL;DR: Malapascua is a tiny, rugged island off northern Cebu that’s world-famous for thresher shark diving but offers so much more. Expect powdery beaches, laid-back vibes, amazing sunsets, and a raw, authentic Filipino island experience. Perfect for divers, beach lovers, and anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

What Makes Malapascua Special

Picture this: you’re standing on a beach so small you can walk its entire perimeter in under three hours, yet you’re in the only place on Earth where you can reliably swim with thresher sharks. Welcome to Malapascua Island – a 2.5km by 1km slice of paradise that’s somehow managed to stay refreshingly real in a world of over-developed tropical destinations.

Malapascua is famous for thresher sharks, but there’s more to it than just diving. It’s a small island off the northern part of Cebu Island, and honestly, that’s exactly what makes it so special. This isn’t your typical Instagram-perfect tropical getaway – it’s grittier, more authentic, and way more memorable.

Getting There: The Adventure Begins

Coordinates: 11°20′05″N 124°06′58″E

Flight to Cebu

The easiest and fastest way to get to Malapascua Island is to fly to Cebu directly through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. From there, the real journey begins.

The Epic Journey to Maya Port

Taking the bus from Cebu City to Malapascua (well, to Maya Port, to be exact) is honestly super easy. No need to book anything in advance. Head to Cebu North Bus Terminal and catch an air-conditioned bus to Maya Port. Time: ~5 hours Price: ₱220 per person

Pro tip: The bus ride is actually pretty scenic – you’ll wind along the coast with gorgeous ocean views, so grab a window seat!

Final Stretch: The Boat to Paradise

From there, you can hop on a boat going to Malapascua Island. The boat ride is between 30 minutes and 1 hour long. The earliest boat leaves at 6:30 AM while the last boat leaves at 4:30 PM.

Don’t expect luxury here – The ferry is actually a traditional Filipino wooden called a bangka, which literally quaked and crackled in the waves. It’s all part of the adventure!

When to Visit: Timing Your Tropical Escape

The best time to visit is between the months of December to April. It’s always best to schedule your trip to Malapascua Island during this dry season, where there are fewer chances of rainfall and typhoon.

Peak Season: March-April (expect crowds and higher prices) Sweet Spot: December-February (cooler temperatures, fewer crowds) Budget Season: May-November (rainy season, but great deals)

Where to Stay: Your Island Home Base

The island essentially has two main areas, and your choice will shape your entire experience:

South Side (Recommended)

The south side is where most of the action is. This is where you’ll find the popular Bounty Beach, the majority of dive resorts, plenty of restaurants, and the main ferry drop-off point.

Top Picks:

• Tepanee Beach Resort – Luxury beachfront option with private beach area
• Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort – Mid-range with great diving packages
• Evolution Diving Resort – Perfect for serious divers
• Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Resort – Historic choice (first dive shop on the island)

North Side (For Peace Seekers)

The north side is much quieter and more remote. It’s peaceful, less developed, and a bit off the grid. Great for budget travelers who don’t mind being away from restaurants and dive shops.

Diving: Swimming with Giants

Let’s be real – you’re probably here for one reason: thresher sharks. Malapascua Island is relatively limited in terms of non-diving activities, but underwater? It’s absolutely magical.

Thresher Shark Diving

Malapascua Island is the only spot in the world where you can dive with these beautiful, elegant sharks on an almost daily basis. The famous Monad Shoal is where these prehistoric beauties come to get cleaned by smaller fish at dawn.

What to Expect:

• Single dive: ~$30 (includes dives, tanks, weights, tea, coffee and drinking water)
• Early morning starts (5:30 AM departures)
• Advanced Open Water certification required
• 95%+ success rate for shark sightings

Other Incredible Dive Sites

• Gato Island – Amazing macro diving and underwater caves
• Chocolate Island – Colorful reefs and diverse marine life
• Wreck diving – Several accessible shipwrecks
• Night diving – Mandarin fish sightings and incredible macro life

Top Dive Centers

• Thresher Shark Divers – British-owned, excellent safety record
• Evolution Diving – Tech diving specialists
• Devocean Divers – Professional PADI center
• Sea Slug Divers – Budget-friendly option

Beyond Diving: Island Adventures

Beaches That’ll Blow Your Mind

Bounty Beach The main beach where most action happens. Perfect white sand, crystal-clear water, and lined with dive shops and restaurants.

North Beach The sand is powdery soft and stretches on and on, almost as far as the eye can see. Less crowded and absolutely stunning for sunset walks.

Langub Beach My favorite beach in Malapascua. It has powdery white sand and azure water. Not crowded and not developed yet.

Must-Do Experiences

Kalanggaman Island Day Trip Kalanggaman is a postage-sized island with the most gorgeous white sandy beaches and bathtub-clear water. The highlight of the island, though is the long sandbar that seems to never end. This is Instagram gold, people!

Lighthouse Sunset Views The mini-hike is fun, and the thick silence of nature wraps around you like a fragrant green blanket. Then, a clearing opens up, and the lighthouse juts straight into the cloudless blue sky.

Shipwreck Beach Bar You can order drinks, watch the sunset, and sometimes, they even throw a bonfire party for guests.

Island Hopping Adventures Explore hidden coves, snorkel in pristine waters, and discover secluded beaches that feel like your own private paradise.

Food Scene: Unexpected Culinary Gems

Despite being a tiny island, Malapascua’s food scene will surprise you. Due to the influx of tourists from all around the world, when it comes to eating the options in Malapascua are very diverse.

Must-Try Restaurants

Amihan Restaurant It’s not a surprise that Amihan is number one on TripAdvisor. Stunning beach views, diverse menu, and consistently good food.

The Craic House (at Evolution Resort) Known as one of the best restaurants on the island – Irish-owned with incredible homemade food.

Oscar’s Pub and Restaurant Top quality dishes at a reasonable price. An eclectic mix of international dishes with a new menu every day.

Ristorante Angelina One of the best places where you will find Vegetarian and vegan options on the island is Ristorante Angelina, an Italian restaurant.

Local Food Markets For a more local experience explore the village were you will find many local eateries spread all around. It is specially recommended to visit the Market area. Try fresh seafood BBQ when the sun goes down!

Pricing Guide

• Beachfront restaurants: ₱500-600 per meal
• Local eateries: ₱150-250 per meal
• Fresh fruit shakes: ₱80-120
• Beer: ₱60-100

Getting Around: Island Mobility

The island is small and the roads narrow, making transportation delightfully simple:

Walking – You can walk from the port to Bounty Beach in 10 minutes. Or Bounty Beach to North Beach in half an hour

Motorbike Rental – This costs PHP300-350 per day, and you can drive the motorcycle wherever you like on the island

Habal-habal (Motorcycle Taxi) – This costs PHP50 per person

Essential Know-Before-You-Go Tips

Money Matters

ATMs are limited: There aren’t many working ATMs on the island. As of my visit, the only one I found to be consistently reliable was inside Mabuhay Thresher Dive Center at Bounty Beach. Bring cash!

What to Pack

• Water shoes – Rocky ocean floors make these essential
• Reef-safe sunscreen – Protect the coral
• Power bank – Power cuts happen: Not a huge deal, but don’t be surprised if the power cuts out now and then
• Snorkel gear – Snorkeling here is surprisingly good, even right off Bounty Beach

Setting Expectations

Malapascua is definitely more raw and local compared to other places in the Philippines like Siargao or El Nido. It’s not overly polished, and that’s part of its charm. Come with realistic expectations and an open mind.

Sample 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive, settle in, explore Bounty Beach, sunset at Shipwreck Bar Day 2: Early morning thresher shark dive, afternoon at North Beach, lighthouse visit Day 3: Kalanggaman Island day trip (overnight recommended!) Day 4: Island hopping, snorkeling, beach relaxation, try local food markets Day 5: Final dive or beach day, departure prep

Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

Budget Traveler: ₱2,000-3,000/day

• Accommodation: ₱800-1,200
• Food: ₱500-800
• Activities: ₱500-1,000
• Transport: ₱200-300

Mid-Range: ₱4,000-6,000/day

• Accommodation: ₱2,000-3,500
• Food: ₱800-1,200
• Activities: ₱1,000-1,500
• Transport: ₱200-300

Luxury: ₱8,000+/day

• Premium resort accommodation
• Fine dining experiences
• Private tours and transfers
• Multiple diving packages

Why Malapascua Will Steal Your Heart

When you get this community together, it’s like adult summer camp: boat picnics and late nights at some crappy beach bar, people of all ages and cultures swapping stories about their dives and lives, united by this one common love of the oceans.

This tiny island offers something increasingly rare in our hyper-connected world: the chance to truly disconnect, dive with prehistoric sharks, meet incredible people from around the globe, and experience the Philippines as it was meant to be – wild, beautiful, and completely unforgettable.

Sure, it’s not the most polished destination you’ll ever visit. The WiFi is spotty, the infrastructure is basic, and sometimes the power goes out. But that’s exactly what makes Malapascua so special. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s absolutely magical.

Ready to dive into your Malapascua adventure? Pack light, bring your sense of adventure, and prepare for an island experience that’ll have you planning your return trip before you even leave.

Planning a Philippines island-hopping adventure? Malapascua pairs perfectly with Siargao for surfing, Palawan for stunning landscapes, or Bohol for chocolate hills and tarsiers. The Philippines is calling – will you answer?