Malapascua Guide
Malapascua is one of those islands in the Philippines that has stolen our hearts. The first time we set foot on its fine sands, we knew we would return, and that is why we have already spent different seasons there during our trips. Through this Malapascua Guide, we are going to tell you everything you need to know to make the most of your experience on this island. How to get there? What to do in Malapascua? Where to sleep? The excursion to the Kalanggaman sandbar, diving with thresher sharks… From each section of this guide, you will be able to access articles 100% dedicated to each topic so that you have all the necessary information to plan your DIY trip to the Philippines. And, you know, if you have any questions, we are here to help you.
Malapascua is a tiny island 2 kilometers long by 1 wide where there are no roads and very few paved streets. Walking through Malapascua is walking through small sandy alleys, where you will never find cars, which sooner or later will end up leading you to the sea. Here the pace is slow and smiles are around every corner to make you feel at home. It is not the island with the best beaches in the Philippines, it does not have waterfalls or rice fields, but it has a special magic that traps you and makes you never want to leave. More and more travelers are leaving behind that old and false dogma of “if you don’t dive, there’s no point in going to Malapascua” and in this Malapascua guide you will easily understand why.
THINGS TO DO IN MALAPASCUA
There is a lot to do in Malapascua and, although no island hopping tours or great waterfalls await you here, we are sure that this island will plant a seed in you that will make you want to come back for more in a future trip. In the Malapascua guide we highlight:
- Langob Beach: A long and extensive beach of white sand and turquoise waters waiting for you to enjoy a relaxing day in an area with hardly any businesses. Next to it, you can enjoy the views from the island’s lighthouse and explore the abandoned resort where the famous “window of Malapascua” is located.
- Excursion to Kalanggaman Island: one of the most famous sandbars in the Philippines, more than 200 meters long. An incredible paradise to which you can dedicate a day trip or even stay to sleep there if you want to feel like a castaway on a desert island.
- Diving in Malapascua: This island is one of the many Filipino paradises for divers. In addition to unique diving spots, among coral and pygmy seahorses, it is a unique place in the world to dive with the thresher shark.
- The unique atmosphere: The vibe of Malapascua is difficult to describe but, believe us, its rhythm, smiles, and atmosphere will make the simple fact of being there worthwhile.
There is much more to do in Malapascua and we tell you in detail in:
KALANGGAMAN ISLAND TOUR
If you have seen the photos of the Kalanggaman sandbar, it is very likely already among the essential things to do in the Philippines for your trip. Here a plan of relaxation and enjoyment of 3-4 hours awaits you, where you can snorkel, swim in its main beach area, eat, walk along the sandbar, or even do activities like kayaking. If these 3-4 hours of excursion to Kalanggaman were not enough, you can take the experience to another level: you can sleep on Kalanggaman Island. Do not expect great luxuries and comforts, as you will sleep in a very simple hut, but in return, you will be able to enjoy this paradise practically for yourself when the vast majority of tourists leave around 15:00.
Keep in mind that the sandbar depends on the rise and fall of the tide. Therefore, every day it appears and disappears at a different time. You can check the tide table in the article “Excursion to Kalanggaman from Malapascua”.
MALAPASCUA BEACHES
We will never tire of debunking the false myth that “Malapascua is not worth it if you don’t dive”. This tiny island offers much more than you can imagine and one of its treasures is its beaches. Fine sand beaches, white sand beaches, beaches with coconut trees, crystal clear water beaches that leave you speechless… And best of all, beaches where you can enjoy a swim, many times, alone. Discover the best beaches in Malapascua in this guide:
DIVING IN MALAPASCUA
Malapascua is an ideal destination for lovers of diving in the Philippines, as it offers a spectacular range of possibilities for all tastes. For example:
- Lighthouse Reef acts as a magnet for night diving lovers from all over the world since here, in addition to small seahorses, tropical shrimps, or dwarf cuttlefish, it is possible to see the courtship dance of the beautiful mandarin fish live.
- At Gato Island, whitetip sharks, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, and a wonderful blanket of coral await you.
- The Doña Marilyn Wreck is the most famous shipwreck in Malapascua. This 90-meter-long ferry sank in 1988 due to a typhoon and today it is still possible to dive to see its black coral, scorpionfish, or rays that now frequent it.
If you still don’t have your diving certification, in Malapascua you will find different diving schools where you can get both the Open Water and the Advanced in Spanish. Jump from the Malapascua guide to “Diving in Malapascua” from here:
THRESHER SHARK IN MALAPASCUA
Malapascua is one of the best places, not only in the Philippines but in the world, to dive with the thresher shark. Every morning, around 5:00, this spectacular animal ascends from the depths of the sea to visit Monad Shoal. This is a “cleaning station” where the thresher shark comes to be dewormed by the fish that live there. Diving with the thresher shark in Malapascua is a different kind of dive where, instead of following a route, you will stop at a specific point to wait for the shark to appear. The feeling you get when that happens is indescribable.
To do the thresher shark dive in Malapascua, due to the depth at which the immersion takes place, you will need to be an Advanced diver. But if you are Open Water, don’t worry, we tell you how to also enjoy this experience here:
HOW TO GET TO MALAPASCUA
Something important to keep in mind when getting to Malapascua is that this small island does not have an airport nor does it receive large ferries like its neighbors Bohol or Siquijor. Therefore, the most common way to get there is by bangka from the small Maya port, at the northern tip of Cebu Island. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes, depending on sea conditions, and you can do it either in a public bangka or in a private one if you don’t want to wait for more people to arrive to share it.
To get to Maya port from Cebu (the most common route), you can take a public bus, a shared van, or a private taxi. Each of these three transports has a different price and duration, with the taxi being the fastest and most expensive and the bus the cheapest and slowest, as it makes different stops during the journey.
In the Malapascua guide, we give you an overview, but you have all the details to get to Malapascua from Cebu and Bantayan here:
WHERE TO STAY IN MALAPASCUA
There are all kinds of hotels and accommodations in Malapascua. From hostels for tight budgets where you share a room to modern resorts where you can enjoy the best comforts. It is possible to sleep in Malapascua from only €6, the limit is set by you. Of course, you should keep in mind that at times like Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Easter it is highly recommended to book your accommodation in advance as local tourism and Chinese tourism usually fill up many of the hotel spots.
We have prepared a detailed guide to hotels in Malapascua so that, depending on your budget, you find the one that best suits your needs:
WHERE TO EAT IN MALAPASCUA
As tiny as our beloved Malapascua is, you might think that the options to find lunch and dinner there would be somewhat scarce. Quite the opposite! Here you can enjoy tasty local food, restaurants with international menus, and bars where you can have a drink while enjoying a beautiful sunset. This section of the Malapascua Guide will make your mouth water with this great variety of places to satisfy your appetite and thirst. Bon appétit!
TIPS FOR VISITING MALAPASCUA
- ATMS IN MALAPASCUA: in the last year, ATMs from the Euronet company have appeared, which are not too reliable. We advise you to bring enough cash and only resort to them in case of emergency. At the Ocean Vida resort, they exchange money.
- HEALTH: in Malapascua, there are no hospitals or clinics. Traveling with travel insurance that covers transfer and diving is indispensable in a place like this. From here you can benefit from a 5% discount on your travel insurance.
- WHEN TO TRAVEL TO MALAPASCUA: the best season to visit Malapascua is from December to May.