-
The first image Malapascua offers will stay with visitors for a long time: an exceedingly beautiful pristine stretch of white sand, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and a dozen of scattered, native-style resorts. But that has changed over the years as the number of visitors has exploded. More and more concrete build hotel like buildings are springing up, replacing the native-style houses. The beach at the 'town' end is not great for sunbathing or swimming (it is very gritty and uneven) and it is only towards the resorts at the further end that it widens a little and the sand becomes finer. There is little to do on Malapascua unless you are scuba diving, if you are looking for a relaxing tropical beach retreat, consider other options.
Malapascua is known to the locals as Logon and this vision of secret beach is whimsically named Bounty beach.
It lays 8 kilometers off northern Cebu and has a community of about 11,000 inhabitants (as of 2012).
A walk or a tour of the whole Island will take about three hours.
The main resource of the island is the sea, with divers and fishermen working side by side via compromises.
The island was hit hard by Super-Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in late 2013, and while it still bears some of the scars (there are many fewer trees than previously and many topless and fallen trees remain, away from Bounty-Beach many buildings remain roofless and villages at the far side are still sheltered by Red Cross sheeting - June 2014), the main beach however is very much back up and running, though is perhaps less attractive than it once was due to the loss of coconut palms.
-
[wiki=5834ac15d37ae7d48a5183fd5d5020ab]Cebuano[/wiki] is the common language here, followed by [wiki=473a1337a08505cff4da2b79e2145015]Filipino[/wiki].
Most of the staff at the resorts and dive shops speak English fluently. Some locals speak enough to get by.
-
-
By plane
Mactan-Cebu Airport is the international and national gateway to Cebu island. It is the second-busiest airport in the Philippines, there are many domestic and international destinations served. Cebu is approximately 150km south of Malapascua.
-
By bus
There are 2 bus companies, Ceres and Rough Riders, that run to/from Maya (the port at the very north of Cebu Island where you will catch the ferry to Malapascua) from the North Bus Terminal in Cebu (located in Mandaue, approximately 7kms from the airport). The journey takes 3.5-4.5 hours, and buses run every 30minutes. There are many stops along the way to pick up locals often travelling very short distances. Video and a/c 180PHP, non a/c 163PHP. Some buses will even have wifi. Ceres Tours AC buses at 7am, 9am and 11am.
Vans are faster, cost 180PHP. But usually they leave only when fully loaded and if not packed to the top, they make circles through suburbs picking additional passengers- so expect rather pressed journey.
If time is short or you just don't want the hassle of the buses, it is possible to hire a taxi or private car from Cebu to Maya, as well as arrange a pick-up with one of the resorts. Price for private car transfer from Cebu/Airport/Hotel to Maya, about 2500PHP one way.
-
By boat from Masbate
There are two boats that leave [wiki=09932e5409e64065d3f0517c5753ff09]Masbate[/wiki] Island daily at 12pm (February 2014) bound for Polambato Port just north of Bogo, a town approximately 40km south of Maya. Montenegro Lines leave Cataingan on the west of Masbate, while Super Shuttle Ferry leaves from Cawayan on the east. Both ports are approximately 1.5hours from Masbate city. The ferry crossings take approximately 6hours. Fare is 365PHP from Cataingan, 380PHP (economy) from Cawayan. From Polambato port take a habal-habal (25PHP) or tricycle to the highway and flag down any of the many northbound buses from Cebu (40PHP, 1hour to Maya). Masbate Island can be reached by ferry to Masbate City from Pilar, twenty minutes from [wiki=1d073acdc42300e1e988d8bb07cb213c]Donsol[/wiki] on [wiki=8bfec695ebad854108a2942bca9546e4]Luzon[/wiki]. It is a good idea to leave Donsol very early in the morning to catch the first boat to Masbate from Pilar, as there isn't much in the way of accommodation or other tourist services at Cawayan or Cataingan. Bear in mind that the last ferry leaves from Maya at 4:30pm, so plan to overnight in Bogo or Maya, unless you want to charter a private boat across to Malapascua.
-
Ferry from Maya
From Maya several local boats (bancas) go across, starting at 06:30 until 16:30. It takes about 1/2 hour and costs 100PHP. Tickets used to be purchased from the white stall on the pier, but that does not exist no longer. Operators will negotiate price on shore or on the boat (use common sense - be sure to agree the price before getting on, and head for the waiting boat with the most passengers). Be aware that the ferries don't exactly run to a schedule, they leave when they have enough cargo or people, so aim to arrive earlier rather than later. As of January 15, 2015, boat operators are now charging tourists between 200 php and 1,500 php one way to the island. The operator will first attempt 1,500 php, and say to the effect "since there is so few passengers this is the rate". However, once aboard, they will charge the local population only 80 php. The smaller transfer boats are maintaining their rate at 20 php per person, 20 php per bag.
Crossing can be rather wet in choppy water and bancas have very little shelter from the elements. You may want to bring a rain coat or rain poncho from home, or buy one from a local department store for about 280 php. When arriving/departing from Malapascua shores be prepared to either jump into the shallow waters or walk down a rickety plank. At low tide you will need to transfer to a smaller boat for 20 pesos both at Maya and Malapascua.
A private bangka to Malapascua can be hired from Maya for 1200 pesos if you are not prepared to wait, or arrive after the last boat has departed. If you have arranged transportation with your resort you don't need to worry about any of the above.
The local boatmen may attempt to trick naïve tourists into paying over the odds for the trip across to Malapascua, suggesting there will be a very long wait, or that there are not enough passengers. Just use your common sense, be calm, and tell them you have all the time in the world. The fare is 80PHP, if you pay more than that it is because of your own stupidity, or because you have too much money.
The Malapascua Business Group is trying to fight and stop the growing type of tourist cheating seen in Maya, which also spreads to Malapascua. If you feel you were ripped off at Maya here are the phone numbers and email to send your complaint:
Secretary of the Mayor: Sonny Luche, cellphone 0935 159 5800
Police Daanbantayan : 0916 423 3121, 032 437 8431
Mayor Augusto CORRO, phone 0917 812 1090, email: dodong_corro@yahoo.com
Note the name of the boat, time and date of the action, and try to identify the involved persons by description to the Officials.
Malapascua can also be reached from [wiki=d1f2578717bb20d01e4e2b56fa7f7221]Bantayan[/wiki] and from [wiki=e6673209a39cbd6a175d6a41a9c540ef]Leyte[/wiki] (San Isidero), but there's no regular ferry service.
-
The only motorised vehicles on the island (besides the boats) are motorbikes. Some may be willing to give you a lift - expect to pay a fee of 10PHP for short ride, and 20-30PHP from south to north. To rent a motorbike for a whole day 1000PHP. Local fishermen can also take you from A to B in their boat. To hire a boat and captain for 4hours is approximately 800PHP.
-
[wiki=f0a9e1d85f606b67d581023c8420933a]Scuba diving[/wiki]. This is the reason most people come to Malapascua. Waters off the island offers some of the most exciting extreme dives in the [wiki=77dab2f81a6c8c9136efba7ab2c4c0f2]Philippines[/wiki], with adrenaline-pumping thresher shark (year-round) and manta ray (seasonal) encounters. The dive shops seem mindful of the environment and have a caring attitude towards their customers. Dive shops offer introductory courses to advanced [wiki=f0a9e1d85f606b67d581023c8420933a]Scuba diving[/wiki] and there are a couple of wrecks to explore. There is also some very good diving at nearby Gato Island - a 35m long tunnel swimthrough guarded by reef sharks.
*Snorkelling and fishing. With its spectacular underwater flora and fauna, as well as an old Japanese shipwreck, there is much to see, making snorkelling a fine experience. However after 2013 typhoon Yolanda, only few living corals left (locals say that it takes them up to 10years to regenerate) - so do not expect to see much. A resort will rent boats, alternatively locals will take you on their fishing rakie. Two people on a local fishing boat tour should cost no more than 800PHP, including mask, snorkel and marine park fees. Marine Protected Areas for snorkelling are: Coral Garden - east side, close to Aabana Beach & Watersport Resort, Lapus Lapus - northwest point, close to Los Bamboos Resort, Dakit Dakit - southeast point, close to Blue Corals Rosort. If you need gear like swim vest make sure your trip organizers will provide it and check the quality of the equipment upfront. Malapascua is a divers island so some of them will not expect you need such thing.
*Walks. With about a 6km circumference, Malapascua has more than a few spots to see. It has a handful of exotic beaches like Bounty Beach, or Mangrove Bay. The lighthouse is an excellent spot when it comes to watching the sunset.
*Cliff Jumping. There is an approximately 10m high cliff located not far from the lighthouse from where you can jump into the water below. Better to do it as part of a snorkelling trip, as it is difficult to find and a long swim back to shore, particularly if you land awkwardly!
-
Malapascua is a diving destination. The main attractions are the thresher sharks and manta rays, occasional hammerheads, and for macro lovers, the mandarin fish, frogfish and pygmy seahorse.
Monad Shoal, where you will almost certainly encounter thresher sharks, is at a depth of approximately 30metres, so you will need to have a minimum of an Advanced Open Water Certification, or Open Water with an Adventure Deep Dive. You can, of course, complete either of those courses on Malapascua. Nitrox will also give you more bottom time with the threshers.
-
Dive Centers
There are dive centres on Malapascua to suit most divers and budgets, but be aware that there is quite a large price differential between the cheapest and priciest dive shops. The most established dive shops along the beachfront cater more to their pre-booked guests staying in the resorts than walk-ins.
*Evolution Diving [url=http://www.evolution.com.ph/|]]Evolution Diving offers a personalised and fun atmosphere for all divers. A TDI Five Star Instructor Training facility Evolution has incredible facilities right on the beach. As well as running 5 plus fun dives a day on Malapascua's best sites, Evolution also offers all PADI and SDI Recreational courses and all TDI Technical Courses. Evolution is the leading provider of Technical Diving and Exploration support in the Central and Southern Philippines.
*French Kiss Divers French Kiss Divers is a small Diveshop who offers SSI courses from open water to Instructor and a panel of specialties such as Nitrox, Deep, Night, Wreck etc... With a very good knowledge of the dive sites and the dive group which doesn't exceed 4 people; the fun, the safety and the enjoyment will be guaranteed.Great also for get advice about the area, and very nice staff Futhermore they often organize "Day Trip" in surrounding Islands like Kalanggaman or Carnaza, those places are suitable for divers and snorkelers and will complete your holidays in Malapascua with a unforgettable moment with your familly, your friends or even alone. Diving prices start 1200php
*Seapark Diving [url=http://www.seaparkmalapascua.com/|[/url]] Seapark is unique in Malapascua as they include camera, torch, and dive computer free of charge with all fun dives. Located on Bounty Beach, Malapascua Island.
*Malapascua Exotic Dive & Beach Resort (IDC Centre) [url=http://www.malapascua.net/|[/url]]The first Dive Resort on the Island. Offers all in one - accommodation, restaurant, bar, dive shop, travel service, etc.. This eco-friendly resort, which has its own recycling plant and 24-hour generator, offers World-class dives.
The Exotic Dive & Beach Resort is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Resort and the only National Geographic Center [url=http://www.padi.com/scuba/about-padi/padi-partners/national-geographic/default.aspx|[/url]]in Malapascua. Courses range from beginner through to Instructor (100% pass rate) and Technical diving. They cover more than 22 different dive sites around Malapascua, have daily dives to see the thresher sharks, as well as NitrOx, Wreck and Night dives. Restaurant, accommodation and bar on-site. IDCs are run bimonthly by award-winning Course Director and DSAT TecRec Trimix Instructor Trainer Dan Robinson.
*Thresher Shark Divers [http://www.malapascua-diving.com/|[/url] Thresher Shark Divers is the premier PADI 5 Star IDC Center on Malapascua Island. They offer daily diving in small groups with experienced divemasters in a fun environment. With over 10 years experience on Malapascua and Divemasters with 5,000+ dives locally, you will not be in better hands. They also offer a full range of PADI courses including Instructor and Technical with one of the most active internship programs in the country.
*Fun and Sun Probably the cheapest fun dives in Malapascua, but they have new equipment and great staff. Probably also the most confortable boat on the island (Maarte). A single dive costs between 1,300 to 1,500 pesos. www.funsundivetravel.com (Feb 2014).
*Dan's Diving Located in "the village". Older, but perfectly functioning equipment and a local divemaster with 14years experience diving Malapascua. Three dives, one a Monad and two at Gato Island (including equipment), 4700PHP (February 2014, minimum 2 divers).
-
There are no ATMs on Malapascua, although it is possible to exchange USD to PHP at some of the fancier resorts. Far better to cash up before arriving at the island, however. There is at least one ATM in Bogo (a 1hour, 43PHP bus ride from Maya), that accepts foreign VISA cards (PNB Bank). There is also a Metrobank which usually accepts most foreign cards.
Souvenirs. There are a couple of Malapascua t-shirt vendors around Bounty Beach, as well as craftsmen that sell wooden threshers shark figurines.
Groceries. There are a bunch of local shops scattered around the island. They sell everything and anything from toiletries and painkillers to light bulbs, water, sodas, beer and snacks. There are fruit shops that sell bananas, apples, coconuts, tomatoes and other products.
Dive Shops. The big Dive Centers have a Dive Shop where you can buy wet suits, masks, knives, etc.
Books. We saw 3 shelves with a few hundred books up for free exchange at Malapascua Exotic Dive & Beach Resort (IDC Centre) and also at the Blue Corals Resort.
-
You will see local eateries spread all over the island. Do not let their worn aspect put you off of a good and cheap meal; usually rice with choices of veggies, meat, and fish. Some evening stalls barbecue finger-licking pork satay.
*Ging Ging's located behind Bounty Beach, close to the village. Offers cheap local and international good dishes (under 100PHP).
*La Isla Bonita offers Philippine dishes and pizzas
*Kiwi's Restaurant down a track behind Ging Ging's, a small family run eatery with great food and good prices.
*An eclectic mix of international dishes with a daily changing menu. Open air beachfront restaurant located above Thresher Shark Divers.
*Rated the best restaurant on Malapascua by TripAdvisor users, The Craic House serves up delicious daily specials based on the best local produce and quality imported ingredients personally sourced by the owners. Everything that can be homemade IS homemade from bread, wraps, falafel, cakes, pies, relishes, pates - you name it.
* Original Italian food, delicious pizzas and pastas
-
Disco. During high season, there is a popular disco event every Saturday, surrounded by stalls that sell beers and sodas, or food. Not to be missed!
*An open air bar located above Thresher Shark Divers, nestled amongst the palm trees with a sea view, The Pub Upstairs is a lively watering hole for an apres-dive beer or cocktail. An excellent selection of local and imported beers and spirits.
* The Craic House is a real Irish bar on a perfect Filipino beach. An Irish word, 'Craic' means fun and enjoyment and with a buzzing atmosphere The Craic House delivers this. With a selection of 10,000 tunes to choose from The Craic House has the best music selection around - no Lady Gaga guaranteed. With contemporary cooking and drink specials this is the perfect place to meet people and have a great time and make sure to get your own 'Craic Addict' T-shirt before you leave.
-
On arrival a few official looking touts await the visitors but they are superfluous, considering the number of resorts, so take your time to choose what suits you best.
Touts won't charge you a fee; they'll get 50+ pesos from the resorts, so be aware that they might just take you to the closest one or the one paying them the most rather than the best one.
-
Budget
Blue Water starting from 1000PHP (Jan 13) for a bungalow with fan, cold water shower and WIFI in the room. Breakfast is included. Ask for a discount, especially if you are diving. They take credit card.
*Mike & Dioses Beachcottage, cell 0905 263 2914(Mike) or 0917 524 4105(Kiko)email office@aabana.de. Mike is the manager and owner, KIKO his friend, caretaker and representative. Only a few cottage left over cause of building all new rooms. They have a thatched roof, bamboo (amakan) wall and veranda. The cottages are simple fan rooms, are located in garden area with seaview. 2 rooms share 1 CR. Price range is php 500 - 600 per night, including breakfast. More infos see under the website www.malapascua-island.com
*Daño Beach Resort, cell 09156661584 or 09273817894. Lemuel Daño is the manager. There are 20 odd bungalows, all facing the sea; they have a thatched roof, bamboo veranda and the concrete cottages are simple, with a large room and come equipped with a bathroom. These are the perfect place to enjoy your stay on the island.
*MGmatterhorn a small and very clean guesthouse, managed by Marites Monteclar, not on the beach. It's on the way to Bakaw-Kiwi eatery. One fan room good for two and about November 2011 two more air-con rooms. Free WiFi. Prices starting from 700 pesos per day and room. Strictly no cooking in the rooms. Cell 09155543310 or e-mail maritesmonteclar@yahoo.com. Look the pics on www.malapascua.de. Look for matterhorn, or go to: https://sites.google.com/site/abougibi/
*Villa Sandra cheap guesthouse popular with backpackers located in "the village", close to the school. Twin/doubles from 500PHP, cheaper for long-term. Free wifi & water. Common area with hammocks.
*Melinda only has one spacious fan room with private bathroom to rent. It is basic but very clean. She and her husband are very nice and helpful people. Melinda also gives amazing massages, with a discounted price for her renters.
-
Mid range
Centrally located on the main beach, Bounty beach. Rooms ranging from 1000-3000php based on season. Fan or aircon available, room safe in deluxe and super deluxe rooms, ceiling fans, minibar, hot and cold showers, free wifi. All rooms have a large balcony sitting area with chairs and a small table. 4 large beachfront rooms are available which are only 20m from the ocean. Fully licensed bar and restaurant with local and international cuisine. Upstairs there's a restaurant overlooking the ocean and the palm trees. Very lively bar and restaurant in the evenings with bean bags on the beach for happy hour and always good music in the bar. French Kiss Divers dive shop is located inside the resort and can provide diving services on site.
* Beach resort. High quality cottages are due to safety reasons about 60 meters to their own beach, having axtra small Bamboo Huts for their guest on the wide and nice beach. All cottages have big terrace, air-con, warm and cold water shower, Flatscreen LCD satellite TV, individual safety digital box, refrigerator and free wi-fi.There are also cottages which have a unique KITCHEN on the terrace for private guest use.They offer Boat tours around the Island, fishing tours, Snorkeling tours, and Jet Ski. Go to: http://www.aabana.de/
* Superior and deluxe rooms, all equipped with air-conditioning, safe and Wi-Fi. Facilities and services are Scuba diving, SLAM'S Garden Bar & Pub and massage service.
-
There is a newly built basic clinic on Malapascua Island, close to the Barangay Hall. It is operating since 2012, but the doctor doesn't work weekends. In case of a serious injury one would have to go to Bliss Hospital, in Daanbantayan, which may take 1hour+, depending on sea conditions, as well as road traffic.
For divers to note, the nearest decompression chamber is far away in Lahug, Cebu City Military Hospital.
-
The first boat departs for Maya at around 6:30am (or whenever it is deemed sufficiently full), and the last boat is at 2:30pm - after that you will have to hire a private boat for 1200PHP+. Expect to encounter the same scam attempts as at Maya, but keep your cool and don't pay more than 80PHP. If you are fortunate boatmen on the main beach who are heading to Maya anyway (for supplies etc) will spot you heading up the beach with your bag and may offer you a ride for the same price as the public bangka, this saves a the walk to the main beach and any wait for a boat to leave.
From Maya there are regular buses south to the northern bus terminal in [wiki=697221771a96b2e73bc8faac367930cc]Cebu City[/wiki].
If you are wishing to travel to [wiki=09932e5409e64065d3f0517c5753ff09]Masbate[/wiki] and/or on to [wiki=1d073acdc42300e1e988d8bb07cb213c]Donsol[/wiki], two large RoRo boats leave daily at midnight from Polambato Port, just north of Bogo (February 2014). Montenegro Lines crosses to Cataingan, while Super Shuttle Ferry goes to Cawayan. Both take 6-7hours, and it is a toss-up which route will be quicker to get you to Masbate City, from where you can get a ferry to Pilar, a 20minute van/jeepney from Donsol.
To get to the port, take any Cebu-bound bus to the Polambato turn-off (40PHP), then take a waiting tricycle or habal-habal (25PHP), the remaining distance. There is a restaurant and shop at the port, but little else. If you take the 2:30pm boat you may wish to kill some time in Bogo or Daanbantayan.
{cityguide}}
[[Wikipedia:Malapascua]]
Seleccionar Destino
Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic (ex. Zaire)
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
France, Metropolitan
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard and Mc Donald Islands
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle Of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey Island
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Other Countries
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City State (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Spanish