Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines — Malapascua is an island in the northern part of mainland Cebu. It is a few kilometers from Bantayan Island, another popular tropical destination in the province. It is known for its long stretch of white sand beach and excellent dive spots which showcase Malapascua’s underwater marine biodiversity.
From above, it looks like any normal open sea. But wait until you jump into the water, it is teeming with marine life.
Malapascua Overview
Whenever I visit our Cebu office for work, there are two places I’d consider for a quick weekend getaway; it’s either Bantayan Island or Malapascua Island. Both offer a chill, laidback vibe, amazing white beaches, and good food. We will talk about Malapascua Island for this particular entry, which also serves as an entry point to another popular destination – Kalanggaman Island. Even if you are a non-diver, Malapascua Island is a place you shouldn’t miss.
- Geography: Malapascua is a small island in the province of Cebu, approximately 2.5 x 1 kilometer in land area, a tiny island when compared to Bantayan. It is 6.8 kilometers away from the northernmost tip of mainland Cebu.
- Culture: Locals are dependent on fishing and tourism for their livelihood. There is a strong presence of mostly European expatriates.
- Language: Majority of Filipinos speak and understand basic English.
- Flights: Cebu has direct flights from majority of local airports in the country and some international airports, just check with the airlines. If direct flight to Cebu is not available, then take a plane first to Manila (the country’s capital) and then Manila to Cebu. Flights from Manila to Cebu are available throughout the day on airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia. Flight takes around an hour.
- Transportation: To reach Malapascua Island, you need to ride a bus or van from Cebu City going to Maya Port. It takes four to five hours from Cebu City going to Maya Port (depending on the traffic), which serves as terminal for all the boats going to Malapascua Island. It takes roughly 30 minutes from Maya Port to Malapascua Island. Motorcycles are the main mode of transporation within the island.
- Activities & Attractions: Malapascua is one of the country’s popular diving destinations because of Monad Shoal, an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can be regularly sighted. Snorkeling in protected coral gardens is a common activity for tourists, especially if you are a non-diver. It is also known for an expansive white sand coast known as Bounty Beach.
- Food: The quality of food offered within the island are above par, although a bit pricey. Aside from local seafood dishes, Italian cuisine is prevalent in the area.
- Hotel & Accommodation: There’s an abundance of hotel and accommodation establishments in the area, however, they tend to be fully booked during peak season. It helps to use booking sites such as Agoda or Airbnb.
- Tourists: Expect a lot of foreigners in the area.
- Cellular Network: Both Smart and Globe have strong cellular signal in the island. For international visitors, you can buy at stalls located at airport arrival exit.
Best Time To Visit Malapascua
- Peak Season: December to May, dry season, these are the best months to visit the island. Expect a huge influx of tourists especially during December. Accommodation rates are also higher and are usually fully booked.
- Off-Peak Season: June to November, average rainfall doubles during these months. Best accommodation deals and lesser crowd but rain could get torrential. These are the months where you have to check the weather forecast before planning a trip.
Malapascua Map & Location
Where To Eat & Drink In Malapascua
Despite its small size, Malapascua Island has a high concentration of places to eat. Whether it’s local seafood dishes or international cuisine, you’re sure to find high-quality offerings within the island.
★★★★★ Amihan Restaurant
An Italian restaurant owned by Tepanee Beach Resort. It’s a little bit on the expensive side but the food is excellent. Aside from their Italian cuisine, they have a nice breakfast buffet. This is my favorite place to eat on the island.
★★★★★ Angelina Beach Pizzeria Ristorante Italiano
Another great Italian place just a couple of minutes away from Amihan. It’s one of the popular restaurants in the area.
★★★★★ Malapascua Exotic Bar & Restaurant
They have a great selection of local and international cuisine. The food tastes good too. I love their wide breakfast selection and their orange juice.
★★★☆☆ Hippocampus Bar And Restaurant
The charm of this place isn’t exactly the food but their acoustic night shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It’s amazing, you shouldn’t miss it.
★★★★☆ Mr. Kwiiz Resort And Restaurant
If you are looking for a budget-friendly meal but still tastes good, Mr. Kwiiz is your place with mostly local dishes.
★★☆☆☆ Maldito Grill And Restobar
Much is left to be improved in terms of quality.
| Meal Type | Average Spend Per Person |
| Café, Snack | USD 2 to 5 |
| Fast Food, Casual Dining | USD 2 to 6 |
| Premium Casual, Fine Dining, Buffet | USD 7 to 16 |
| Beer Per Bottle | USD 2 to 3 |
| Cocktail Per Serving | USD 4 to 7 |
| Wine Per Glass | USD 3 to 7 |
| Spirit Per Bottle | USD 16 to 30 |
Flight To Cebu
Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB) is the main port for flights in and out of Cebu Province. Regular flights from Manila to Cebu would cost around PHP 1,500 to PHP 4,000 one-way on major airlines such as Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines. Flight from Manila takes around an hour and they are available almost every couple of hours daily. I usually get my round-trip ticket to Cebu for only PHP 3,000. Check Google Flights for your preferred schedule and airline.
| Point Of Origin | Estimated Flight Hours |
| Manila, Philippines | 1 Hour, Direct / Nonstop |
| Singapore, Singapore | 4 Hours, Direct / Nonstop |
| Dubai, UAE | 9 Hours, Direct / Nonstop |
| London, UK | 20 Hours, Connecting / With Layover |
| New York, USA | 24 Hours, Connecting / With Layover |
| Los Angeles, USA | 20 Hours, Connecting / With Layover |
| Sydney, Australia | 15 Hours, Connecting / With Layover |
Transportation To Malapascua
From Mactan International Airport, you can ride a taxi or Grab to North Bus Terminal. It costs around PHP 150.00 to PHP 200.00. At the bus terminal, you can ride a bus or van going to Maya Port which normally costs around PHP 200.00. The travel time would take around 4 to 5 hours.
At Maya Port, the first boat leaves at 7:00 AM. Boat transfer costs PHP 100.00 and travel time takes around 30 minutes. Shady small boats are used to transfer passengers to the bigger boat during low tide – prepare around PHP 20.00 for it.
Where To Stay In Malapascua
There is an abundance of places to stay on Malapascua Island, from budget inns to fancy hotels. I usually book my accommodation through Agoda. It is helpful to use Agoda during peak season as they tend to have more available properties than other platforms. If not, try directly booking through the hotel’s official website.
Hotels cost around PHP 3,000 to PHP 6,000 per night which is good for two people. If you are arriving early, ask your hotel if you can check-in early. In most of my stay at Malapascua, I’ve been granted early check-in. If not, you can always leave your things at the reception area while you explore around. Check out some recommended accommodations below.
★★★★★ Tepanee Beach Resort (Check Rates)
Tepanee is one of the most beautiful accommodations on the island with top-notch amenities. It’s on a rocky hill which has a nice view of the sea and the sunset. The partner restaurant, Amihan, is my favorite place to eat on the island. They have a cool bar by their exclusive beachfront. But unlike the other hotels, it is not located on the white sand coast of Bounty Beach.
★★★★★ Malapascua Exotic Island Dive & Beach Resort (Check Rates)
Malapascua Exotic Island Dive & Beach Resort has one of the best white sand beachfront at Bounty Beach. They have a wide selection of food and cocktail in their restaurant. The only downside is it’s one of the farthest hotels from the port. You’d have to walk around 15 to 20 minutes.
★★★☆☆ Hippocampus Beach Resort (Check Rates)
Hippocampus Beach Resort’s selling point is value for money. It doesn’t have the best amenity or food but they have great acoustic night shows. It’s located along Bounty Beach.
★★★★☆ Blanco Beach Resort (Check Rates)
Located beside Tepanee Beach Resort, Blanco Beach Resort also has an exclusive beachfront.
★★★★☆ Ocean Vida Resort (Check Rates)
Ocean Vida Resort has a convenient location along Bounty Beach. It’s near the port and it has a beachfront with a clear view of the sea.
| Classification | Price Range Per Night |
| Budget Accommodation | USD 10 to 40 |
| Mid Range Accommodation | USD 50 to 80 |
| Luxury Accommodation | USD 90 to 160 |
Things To Do & Places To Visit
Malapascua is a small island that can be easily explored. It serves as an entry point to Kalanggaman Island and various diving spots in the area. Check the list below of things to do and places to visit on Malapascua Island.
Kalanggaman Island Day Tour
For a dedicated post on Kalanggaman Island, please visit this link. When staying at Malapascua, you can avail yourself of the day tour to Kalanggaman. It is famous for its stunning sandbar, arguably the most beautiful in the country.
Ask your hotel receptionist or anyone along the beach, they can point you to the boat that’s scheduled to go to Kalanggaman. The day tour starts at around 9:00 AM (boat departure from Malapascua) and ends at around 4:00 PM (boat departure from Kalanggaman). The trip lasts more or less an hour so choose a comfortable spot where you can lie down and prepare your playlist for the long trip. The PHP 800 tour cost (foreign tourists are charged higher) is inclusive of the lunch and entrance fee.
Island Hopping
You can ask your receptionist to arrange an island-hopping activity for you. It usually costs around PHP 1,200.00 to PHP 1,500.00 for the entire boat while the rental of snorkeling gears costs PHP 150.00 per head. The destinations are Dakit-Dakit Island, Japanese Shipwreck, Langob Beach, and Coral Garden.
Dakit-Dakit Island
If you are lucky and the sea is calm, you’ll be able to snorkel beside Dakit-Dakit Island. Its underwater marine life is not as robust compared to Coral Garden but it’s still a feast for the eyes.
Japanese Shipwreck
The Japanese Shipwreck is right in front of the lighthouse. Divers are usually seen in the area. Aside from the wreckage, you’ll encounter lots of fish and some sea snakes.
Langob Beach
Langob Beach is a beautiful beach, no offense to Bounty Beach. It has a nice swimmable coastline and on the backdrop is the scenic lighthouse. Unfortunately, I don’t have a nice photo of the beach since it was raining hard when I visited the place.
Coral Garden
A local is usually seen patrolling the area who collects PHP 50.00 environmental fees from tourists. From above, it looks like any normal open sea. But wait until you jump into the water, it is teeming with marine life. You’ll encounter schools of fish and sometimes, pink jellyfish. For me, this is the highlight of the island-hopping activity.
Sunset Watching
The sunset at Malapascua is something that shouldn’t be missed. Just go to the side of the island where Amihan Restaurant is located and you’ll see the most stunning sunset. One memorable moment for me is that I’ve witnessed a split sunset (photos below) the day before my dad passed away. I was listening to Nina Simone’s “For All We Know” that time so now I get a bit emotional whenever I hear it.
I’d also recommend eating dinner at Amihan Restaurant. Sit in the veranda area where you have a nice view of the sea. If you’re checked in at Tepanee, their private beachfront is strategically positioned for a perfect sunset viewing. Angelina Restaurant is also on the same side.
Nightlife Along Bounty Beach
There’s no shortage of nightlife along Bounty Beach, especially during weekends. My favorite place to spend the night is at Hippocampus Bar. Their bar extends to the beach and they have amazing acoustic live shows.
Swim & Chill
Your Malapascua experience won’t be complete without a relaxing day just chilling by the beach and drinking your favorite drink, whether it’s along Bounty Beach or at your hotel’s exclusive beachfront.
Itinerary & Budget
This is just a sample itinerary and budget. Change things up based on your travel style.
Itinerary For Malapascua
Malapascua Island is a combination of a chill beach vacation and extreme water activities. A three-day to a full week vacation is enough to enjoy the island. If you’re into Scuba diving, then add it to your itinerary. Scuba diving gives you a chance to encounter Thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. You can also rent a motorcycle to explore inland.
| Day | Activities |
| Day 1: Arrival | Flight to Cebu City & Transfer to Malapascua Island |
| Afternoon Beach Bumming | |
| Dinner & Sunset Watching at Angelina Beach Pizzeria Ristorante Italiano | |
| Day 2: Kalanggaman Island | Kalanggaman Island Day Tour |
| Dinner at Malapascua Exotic Bar & Restaurant | |
| Drinks at Bounty Beach | |
| Day 3: Island Hopping | Dakit-Dakit Island |
| Japanese Shipwreck | |
| Langob Beach | |
| Coral Garden | |
| Dinner at Amihan Restaurant | |
| Drinks at Bounty Beach | |
| Day 4: Diving | Beach Bumming |
Budget For Malapascua
The estimates below are in American Dollars and Philippine Peso and the exchange rates are based on the closing rates at the time of posting. To convert to your home currency, visit this site. The airfare cost assumes that you are flying from Manila and booking mid-range accommodation. There is no ATM on the island so bring enough cash.
| 4-Day Budget | USD | PHP |
| Airfare | 80 | 4,000 |
| Accommodation | 180 | 9,000 |
| Food, Drinks, & Alcohol | 100 | 5,000 |
| Entrance & Activity Fees | 40 | 2,000 |
| Transportation | 20 | 1,000 |
| Tour Guide & Vehicle Rental | 0 | 0 |
| Random Costs & Souvenirs | 40 | 2,000 |
| Total | 460 | 23,000 |
Final Thoughts
Malapascua is the perfect beach getaway with an amazing crowd, hip vibe, good food, and laid-back nightlife.
★★★★★ Food
Great quality choices, from seafood to authentic Italian cuisine. If you happen to eat breakfast at Amihan or Angelina, do not miss the coffee.
☆☆☆☆☆ Culture
No cultural tourism.
★★★☆☆ Nature
Mostly beaches and underwater marine life.
★★★★★ Beach, Surfing, & Underwater
Beautiful white beaches and underwater marine life. No surfing spots though.
★★★★☆ Nightlife
It’s a little more energetic than Coron and El Nido but not as hectic as Boracay. Do not miss the acoustic night shows at Hippocampus!
★★★☆☆ Relaxation
Activities tend to require more physical stamina, however, a lazy day sunbathing by the beach can be very relaxing.
★★★★☆ Activities
Snorkeling, scuba diving, biking, chilling on the beach.
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6 Comments
Paradise
Beautiful sunset 🌅
Malapascua is a gem. We went there last year and planning to go again next year.
I got good info from your blog
My stay at Tepanee was amazing ❤
I want to see the sharks! Sadly I can’t dive.