Travel Guide to Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines with a DIY Itinerary

On the northernmost part of the province of Cebu is the town of Daanbantayan. This town’s crown jewel is an island famous for its-- gorgeous beaches and one of the world’s best diving destinations, Malapascua Island. Check out our travel guide to Malapascua Island as well as a sample weekend itinerary for your trip.

With white-sand beaches and an excellent dive spot, Malapascua became a hit for tourists. Many all over the world come to dive in the Monad Shoal to see the most elusive sharks in the world, the Thresher sharks. Many would also pair this with a trip to Kalanggaman Island for white sand and blue waters.

What to do in Malapascua Island

1. Dive in the Monad Shoal

Catch a glimpse of shy Thresher Sharks in the Monad Shoal. Not only will you see those, but you could also say hi to eagle and devil rays, shrimps, seahorses, and a lot more marine life. A great time to visit is before sunrise from December to May.

Beach Bumming

Have a good time on the white sand beach of Malapascua island! Don’t forget to have some vitamin sea and swim or snorkel on the waters. You’ll surely enjoy this gorgeous place.

Drive Around

Rent a motorcycle or hire a driver to tour you around the island. You can go cliff diving, see the lighthouse, and check out other gorgeous beaches. See the sunset and sunrise from here!

Expenses

Here are the expenses you might incur during your trip to Malapascua Island:

Activities

• Island or Snorkel Tour – PHP 350 – 700
• Diving – PHP 1,500 – 5,000
• Day trip to Kalanggaman Island – PHP 800 – 1,500

Stay

There are many gorgeous resorts in Malapascua Island; you can check some here:

• Ocean Vida Resort
• Blanco Beach Resort
• Slam’s Garden Dive Resort

Food

• Restaurants are found on the island, especially near or inside the resorts; however, prices may be high as they tend to many foreign tourists (PHP 250+)
• However, if you are a budget traveler, you can also look for Carenderia where locals eat

How to get to Malapascua Island

Nearest Airport

• The nearest airport is the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu
• From there, you can ride a MyBus and stop at Parkmall then ride a 01K jeepney to Cebu North Bus Terminal (PHP 33 – 60)
• You can also get a taxi from MCIA to Cebu North Bus Terminal (PHP 100 – 250)

To Daanbantayan

• From Cebu North Bus Terminal, ride a bus or v-hire to Maya Port in Daanbantayan
• Travel time is 4 – 5 hours and fare cots PHP 120 – 220, depending on if it’s airconditioned or not

To Malapascua Island

• At Maya Port, buy a ticket for a public boat to Malapascua
• It will cost PHP 100 – 200 for a 20-minute ride, it will sometimes depend on the number of passengers
• You can also hire a private boat from PHP 1,000-1,500

Travel Guide Tips to Malapascua Island

• The signal is not so strong in the island
• ATMs are not available, so you need to withdraw at the airport or the mainland before coming here
• Big resorts accept credit or debit cards; however, you’ll mostly need to pay cash
• Buy a waterproof bag for your things
• You can also enjoy a side trip to Kalanggaman Island

Sample Itinerary in Malapascua Island

Day 1 in Malapascua Island

5:00 AM – Travel from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Maya Port
10:00 AM – Arrive at Maya Port
10:30 AM – Arrive at Malapascua Island / Relax and tour your resort
12:00 PM – Lunch / Swimming / Snorkeling
3:00 PM – Malapascua Island Tour
7:00 PM – Dinner / Sleep

Day 2 in Malapascua (Option 1)

4:00 AM – Early Morning Dive
11:00 AM – Brunch / Swimming / Wash Up / Check out
12:00 PM – Trip to Mainland
5:00 PM – Arrive in Cebu

Day 2 in Malapascua (Option 2)

8:00 AM – Preparation / Breakfast
9:00 AM – Kalanggaman Island Day Trip
4:00 PM – Arrive back in Malapascua
5:00 PM – Travel to Mainland
10:00 PM – Arrive in Cebu City

I hope this travel guide to Malapascua Island is handy for your future travel there. With unlimited blue waters, white sand, and marine life, you’ll surely fall in love with here. It’s truly a gem in the North of Cebu. You could enjoy a weekend trip here. Plan your adventure now, and don’t forget to have fun and take a lot of pictures!

Are you on Pinterest? Pin these!

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.