Malapascua Travel Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. How to Get to Malapascua
• 2. Malapascua Island Activities
  • Diving
  • Island Tour
  • Beach Bumming
• 3. Where to Stay in Malapascua
• 4. Where to Eat or Chill

When you hear about Cebu the first thing that comes to your mind are the nice beaches. Apart from that, when you head to the northern tip of Cebu there you gonna find this small island of Malapascua, administratively part of the peninsular barangay Logon, Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines. This island is well known for wide white sand Bounty beach and as well as for its beautiful coral gardens, coral walls and excellent local dive spots where thresher shark can be sighted.

HOW TO GET TO MALAPASCUA

The easiest way to get to Malapascua Island is book a flight to Cebu. There are cheap flights you can get if you book earlier.

Once you are in any part of Cebu take a taxi or Grab going to Cebu North bus Terminal, from where you can either take a van or bus. I decided to take CERES LINER bus going to Daanbantayan (Maya Port), which cost me P220.00 for air -conditioned (May 2018). You don’t need to worry if you are travelling for the first time – it is the last drop off to Maya Port. The trip takes roughly 4 to 5 hours. The bus stops after two hours of driving for a 15 minutes snack-buying or toilet break. Leaving in the morning would be a better idea so you can get to maya port before the last trip.

Once you have reached Maya port all you need to do is register your name, and pay  P100 for the boat ticket. Trip takes only 30 minutes. Boats usually depart every 30 minutes.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND ACTIVITIES

Malapascua has many things to offer, not only for diving, but also for exploring or looking for an adventure on this small pristine island. Another good reason to visit Malapascua, not only as a great place to relax, but because people here are friendly and hospitable. You will definitely keep coming back to this paradise.

Diving Spots

This island is known all around the world as a sighting spot for Thresher Sharks. The famous dive sites are Gato Island, Monad Shoal and Kemod Shoal.

Gato island or locally known as Isla de Gato is a Spanish word for Cat Island. It was so-named,  when looking from the mainland of Cebu, like a curled sleeping cat. Monad shoal is an underwater plateau where the thresher shark and manta rays can regularly be spotted. Kemod shoal is very similar to its much more famous bigger brother monad shoal. It has more in a way of coral growth and small fish life than Monad, with anemones and clownfish as well as some good hard coral growth.

Island tour (Kalanggaman Island)

Kalanggaman one of the Philippines “natural riches”- an island located in municipality of Palompon, Leyte. Although geologically positioned in Leyte,  this island is just 2 hours boat ride from Malapascua. This pristine dream beach destination famous for its long white powdery sandbar and crystal clear blue waters. For me this is the best beach I have ever seen. The island has a length of 753m and is still uninhabited. On Malapascua there are few guys that arrange tours to Kalanggaman, costing 800 pesos. Buffet lunch included! You can also rent snorkeling gear for 150 pesos. And an additional 150 pesos for the island entrance fee. You can also book this tour at some hotels on Malapascua for the same price. Island tour starts around 9 am,  then left the kalanggaman island around 2.30 pm and arriving back on Malapascua just after 4 pm. Be sure to bring your camera with u so you won’t miss this kind of experience in your life. They also offer overnight stay on the island.

 

 

Touring around Malapascua Island

It was my last day in Malapascua so I didn’t waste the 3 hours left I had to see and explore the island. I talked to kuya Ian (09057710340) who arranged the tour for me. I was the only guest for that day tour, I paid P1000 including snorkeling gear. Normally its cheaper if you join a group, but in my case as a solo traveler I paid the whole boat quite pricey, but hey! I was there already, so why not give it a try…. and it happens only once in a lifetime… right? So I woke up early packed my things then go….. Two Kuya’s were waiting there for me at the beach for a 6:00 am start. First stop was the Dakit Dakit islet – not so amazing, just few birds around the cliff and few minutes snorkeling. But still it’s a good experience. The next was the coral garden and the Japanese shipwreck. When you think of the history yes it’s interesting, but kind of creepy for me as well, being my first time. Seeing it with your own eyes is a great and unforgettable experience! Kuya was helpful and he guided me to see the whole wreck. After the snorkeling we headed around Lapus cliff,  then went further to the other side of the island. Still so amazing… and quiet,with only few people, with kids playing and laughing in the water. The sort of place you really dream to live in to get away from the noise of the city.

Beach Bumming

Sitting on the shore watching the waves and feel the breeze on your skin – a perfect place to relax,  and it’s for free!

WHERE TO STAY IN MALAPASCUA

There are plenty of accommodation on the island, depending on your budget. From a single fan room to an air conditioned room.

During my visit I booked my hotel room via agoda.com at Blue Corals beach resort. For as low as P1500 you can sleep in a fan room that has a queen size comfortable bed with breakfast included. You can still use the aircon in the room but that’s an additional P500 a night. Wifi only available at the restaurant and lobby. The good thing about this resort is it’s easy to find, and only few steps to the beautiful white sand beach. It has a nice garden and perfect view for sunrise. You can also sit and relax in their hammock in front of the hotel.

WHERE TO EAT OR CHILL

There are few restaurants in the island that suit to your budget. Just few steps from the hotel where I stayed there is the Mabuhay Restaurants, and walk further you can see Ging-Ging’s Restaurant. You can also try La Isla Bonita, or Ocean Vida and more…