2025 Malapascua Island Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

Getting There - from Cebu city. you can get the malapascua via bus/van and ferry from north bus terminal Attractions - Diving to see thresher shark. iIdived with diveon dive center which is right beside my resort. the equipment are new and well maintained and it is right beside the beach. Hotels - i stayed at hippocampus beach resort. nice place with good live band but can be noisy at night Food & Restaurants - Angelina Italian restaurant . the pasta and pizza are great there .

Travelled in the Northern part of Cebu, Philippines. Malapascua Island. Superb! It was a great experience. Everything is perfect. From the salty beach, sunny weather, fine sand and very accommodating hotel staff. Will surely visit the Island again. A very unforgettable experience going there with your family and friends. #vacation #beachlife #beaches #beachvacation

Island tour in Malapascua and Carnaza Island. you can stay in Malapascua for a night or 2 and visit Carnaza island as a side-trip. Carnaza have the most prestine beach which is very secluded and away from the crowd. The triangle tents are for rent and you can rent a banca a well. Be prepare for strong winds and rough seas. #mapletrees #luxuryhotel #skiing #nationalpark #christmasgiveaway #urbanexplorer #momentsmission

The most common route is from Cebu City to Malapascua with the use of the public bus and then a short boat ride to Malapascua Island. The bus from Cebu to Malapascua operates on a daily basis and departs every hour from the Cebu North Bus Terminal bound for New Maya Port at the northernmost tip of Cebu Island. The cost of the bus is around 230 pesos and the journey time is 4 hours. Another option of how to go to Malapascua is to ride in a shared minivan or take a private transfer which includes a pick-up from your hotel in Cebu City and drop-off at New Maya Port. This is the option that I went for because it was much more comfortable than the bus and the journey time was faster. #urbanexplorer #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches #momentsmission

This 3-star accommodation is one of the most popular places to stay on the island. Located on the shores of Bounty Beach, Hippocampus features a seaside restaurant and bar, tropical gardens, and a dive shop. Each room has air conditioning/fan, large beds, a private bathroom, a work desk, free wifi, and ocean views from the balcony! PADI and SSI-certified scuba diving are also available at the resort. Perfect place. #urbanexplorer #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Tepanee Beach Resort is the best luxury accommodation on the oceanfront. Featuring a private beach area, hot tub, in-house restaurant with a bar, beautiful gardens, and free wifi. The beachside cottages are cozy with bamboo furnishings and fitted with air conditioning, a minibar, a large bed, a private bathroom, and a balcony. Tepanee beach Resort can also help you to organize water activities, island hopping tours, and scuba diving. Recommended for couples, families, and friends! #urbanexplorer #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

This charming island in Cebu called Malapascua, is known for its underwater attractions, most especially for being a diving destination. Its name Malapascua has been said to be derived from “mal” a Spanish word for bad, and “Pascua,” for Easter. According to locals, the island was named by Spaniards when they arrived there during a stormy Easter. To get to Malapascua from Cebu City, you can take a van or a Ceres bus bound for Maya port. Then at the port, you need to take a boat to get you to Malapascua Island. Around the place, you’ll see hotels or lounges for your accommodation needs. Malapascua has become one of Cebu’s major tourist destinations. From sunrise through sunset, you will love how fascinating this place is. #islandvacation #touristattractions #beaches #bestislandtraveltowns#beaches

I really can’t contain my satisfaction from the owner down to the staff. They have given us such great accommodations. They really have shown what Malapascua can offer— the room, food and trips are just great! Plus the owner who’s very generous, who made us feel at home. they also have the floating table which we really enjoyed where you can eat your food while on the beach! Will surely visit again! #urbanexplorer #summervacation #summervacation#beachvacation#hikingtrails#hotelstay

Malapascua a long stretch of white sand beach, with bars and restaurants scattered around. It is the main beach of the island, and there is no entrance fee. It is ideal for chilling around, having a meal or a snack, and going for a leisurely swim. There are even hammocks hanging around that you can lie in them and relax for free. Also perfect while watching the sunset and having friends around. #urbanexplorer #summervacation #summervacation#beachvacation#hikingtrails#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

#scubadiving Ready to drop into a world of vibrant reefs, thresher sharks, and kaleidoscopic marine life? Cebu isn’t just a beach lover’s paradise — it’s a bucket-list diving destination! Whether you’re chasing the thrill of deep dives or floating lazily above coral gardens, Cebu has something extraordinary beneath the surface. 🇵🇭🌴 ⸻ 🎯 Top Dive Sites in Cebu • 🦈 Malapascua – Home of the Thresher Sharks The only place in the world where you can reliably dive with thresher sharks at Monad Shoal — a truly bucket-list dive! 🔹 Best for: Advanced divers, early morning dives, big pelagic lovers • 🐟 Pescador Island – Moalboal’s Reef Jewel A short boat ride from Moalboal, this island features dramatic drop-offs, caves, and vibrant coral walls buzzing with marine life. 🔹 Best for: All levels, wide-angle photography, reef exploration • 🌀 The Sardine Run – Moalboal Not technically a deep dive, but a surreal experience: dive or snorkel with millions of sardines just offshore — nature’s underwater tornado! • 🪸 Sumilon Island – Gentle Drift Dives Calm conditions and clear visibility make Sumilon ideal for drift dives and beginners, with pristine reefs and occasional reef sharks. • 🧜♀️ Hilutungan & Nalusuan Marine Sanctuaries (near Mactan) Great for easy, shallow dives with lots of tropical fish — perfect for new divers or a chilled day underwater. ⸻ 🌟 Diving Tips in Cebu • ✅ Get certified here! Many PADI schools offer affordable Open Water + Advanced courses • 🛥️ Plan early for Malapascua – remote & worth the travel • 🌊 Best diving season: November to May (dry season = calm seas + clear viz) • 🦞 Don’t miss night dives — Cebu’s reefs come alive after dark! • 📷 Bring or rent an underwater camera — you’ll want proof of this beauty ⸻ 🐠 What You Might See • 🦈 Thresher sharks, reef sharks, turtles, sardines • 🐢 Macro critters: nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, frogfish • 🐙 Octopus, lionfish, seahorses, moray eels • 🌈 Vibrant coral gardens and dramatic walls ⸻ 🏝️ Best Bases for Divers • Moalboal – Great for coral reefs, sardines, casual vibes • Malapascua – Shark diving heaven with a remote island feel • Mactan – Easy access from the airport with solid day dives • Dauin (nearby in Negros) – For those who want epic macro and muck diving ⸻ 💬 Final Thought Cebu’s dive sites are alive with color, movement, and magic. Whether you’re plunging deep for a shark encounter or floating over coral gardens with schools of tropical fish, every dive is an adventure worth repeating.

The Secret Sunset Sanctuary of the Philippines Tucked away in the Visayas, Malapascua Island (often called "Little Boracay") is a crescent of white sand where dusk transforms into pure magic. This tiny, barely-touched paradise is where the horizon burns with colors you won’t believe are real. 🔥 Why Malapascua’s Sunsets Are Legendary The Sky on Fire - Watch the sun melt into the Tañon Strait, painting the clouds in tangerine, violet, and molten gold - Unique double sunset effect – the light bounces off the water, creating a second glow - Best viewed from the western sandbar (bring a coconut to sip while you watch) Bioluminescent Bonus - Stay after dark to see the water sparkle with blue plankton (like swimming in stars!) - New moon nights = brightest glow 📸 Sunset Pro Tips ✔ Best Month: March-May (clearest skies) ✔ Timing: Arrive 1 hour before sunset – the light turns magical fast ✔ Where to Stand: Northwest tip of the island for unobstructed views #philippinestrip #MalaPascuaMagic #PhilippineSunsets #HiddenParadise

#summervacay #MalapascuaIsland #cebu Just off the northern coast of Cebu, Malapascua Island is a peaceful escape known for its white sand beaches and world-class diving. It’s one of the few places where you can see thresher sharks up close during early morning dives. The island is small and quiet, perfect for slow days, fresh seafood, and calm sea views. Whether you're here to dive, explore secret coves, or simply unwind, Malapascua offers a simple kind of magic far from the busy world.

The 4-day, 3-night trip was very enjoyable. My group of five people mainly went diving. It was so happy to see three kinds of sharks. It was worth getting up at 5 o'clock. We stayed at Hippocampus Beach Resort, which has a high CP value and includes a Devocean Dive shop, so the equipment does not need to be moved around, which is very convenient. The island residents are very kind and the food is delicious, but it takes a little time to cook. #diving resort

Beautiful dive sites, full of healthy corals and sea fans for wall dives, high chances of spotting thresher sharks, white tip reef sharks and macro such as pigmy seahorse, medusa nudi branches. Big boats with toilet and kitchen available, BBQ pork, chicken and fish are normally served for lunch. Wide variety of restaurant and bar for dinner along the beach. Beautiful night sky full of stars Average price per person for a 5D4N trip is RM 3k#localguides #海岛游 #海滩

Getting There - From Manila Ninoy International Airport to Mactan Airport take a cab going to the bus terminal bound for Maya port. You can also take a Van if you want a more short travel time. The travel usually takes up to 4 to 5 hours for Bus and 3 to 4 hours for Van. After arriving in Maya port, take a boat to go to Malapascua Island, and there you can enjoy the amazing little boracay view. Attractions - The island is famous for it's diving tour. It's famous tourist attraction is one of the beautiful species of shark called Thresher Shark. This type of shark can only be seen in a few places around the world including Malapascua Island. You can also visit different spots of the island especially their famous North Beach. You can also enjoy music at night in different restaurants. They also offer different beverages. Locals offer an island tour for you to see the overall view of different beaches on this island. And of course, besides from their crystal clear sea, you can also have an opportunity to view an astonishing sunrise and sunset. Hotels - You can find different hotels on the island with different rates. You can try their budget inn if you want a more cheaper but comfortable option. If you want, you can have your hotel with a sea view. Food & Restaurants - Lots of fresh seafoods, filipino and foreign cuisine. You can have a variety of choices where you can enjoy. You can visit their market market if you want an affordable but delicious meal. Shopping - The locals offers a variety of souvenirs where you can wear or used as decorations to remind you of your amazing travel. #beachlife #travel #couplestrip #seascapes #familytravel

Easy booking with trip.com for flight to Cebu. Pay and go!

Malapascua is a total gem 💙 Can’t believe I got to dive with thresher sharks (yes, actual sharks!), chill on the most stunning beaches, and watch sunsets that felt straight out of a postcard. 😍 Whether you’re up for underwater adventures or just want to kick back with a mango shake, Malapascua would be the trip you didn’t know you needed 🌺🌴 P.S. The journey to this little slice of paradise feels like forever but trust me, it’s totally worth it! #philippinestrip #cebu #malapascua #scubadive #travel #beachlife

Malapascua is a small island paradise located off the northern tip of Cebu in the Philippines. Known for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, it’s a diver’s haven. The island is famous for its thresher sharks, which can be seen year-round, making it a must-visit destination for both beginner and experienced divers. Beyond diving, Malapascua offers pristine beaches, stunning sunsets, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Don’t miss a boat trip around the island to explore hidden coves, or spend a day enjoying local delicacies like fresh seafood right by the shore. Whether you’re diving deep into the blue or soaking up the tropical vibes on the beach, Malapascua promises an unforgettable experience. #Malapascua #ThresherSharks #Philippines #DivingParadise #IslandLife

Explore Cebu's Malapascua Island, known for being a diving destination where you can swim with thresher sharks, making it one of the top Visayas tourist spots. Find out about the best time to visit, how to go, where to stay, top attractions to visit in Malapascua tours, and local food you shouldn't miss in this guide. Malapascua Island, located in the northern part of Cebu, is just one of the many islands you can explore in the Philippines. But what makes this small island a must-visit is that it's the only place in the whole world where you can dive with thresher sharks on a nearly daily basis. Compared to other more popular island destinations in the Philippines. Malapascua Island is less commercially developed. And that relaxing and friendly beach vibe actually makes the island even more inviting. With a length of 2.5 kilometers and a width of 1 kilometer, you can explore the whole island in less than 2 hours, depending on how long it takes for you to marvel at its many tourist spots and activities. Even though most people visit Malapascua Island to dive and see the thresher sharks and other marine life, its small island culture, smaller crowds, and the long stretch of white-sand beaches are what makes travelers come back for more. The best time to visit is between the months of December to April. It’s always best to schedule your trip to Malapascua Island during this dry season, where there are fewer chances of rainfall and typhoon. If you want to avoid large crowds, avoid March and April. This is the Holy Week and summer season in the Philippines where more local travelers will be exploring the island destinations. The easiest and fastest way to get to Malapascua Island is to fly to Cebu directly through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is located in Lapu-Lapu City just outside Cebu City. From there, you can ride a private vehicle or board a public bus to New Maya Port. Travel time from Cebu City to New Maya Port is around 4 hours. From there, you can hop on a boat going to Malapascua Island. The boat ride is between 30 minutes and 1 hour long. The earliest boat leaves at 6:30 AM while the last boat leaves at 4:30 PM. If you miss the last boat heading to Malapascua Island, you can stay at the small lodge near New Maya Port. There’s a boat every 30 minutes so don’t worry if you miss one. Each boat leaves when there are enough passengers on board. But if you want some privacy, you can also rent the entire boat. If you’re prone to getting seasick, it’s advisable to take medicine for motion sickness before boarding the boat to the island. The boat ride from New Maya Port to Malapascua Island can be a bit rough so it’s best to be prepared. #islands #seascapes #beachcheck #philippines #travelwithmai #getlostwithmai

I personally think the price is very cost-effective, this big crab is only 1,000 pesos to be well prepared alive. The Dongxing restaurant next door only charges half the price in Taiwan and also prepares it for you well 🫢🫢 but it takes a little longer, at least an hour to wait 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 We ate it for two days in a row, but some ingredients were not so fresh on the second day.

This restaurant in Malapascua is always full during dinner and you have to prebook in advance to get a seat. Tried the food at Angelina and is really good. Must try Italian restaurant in Malapascua! do give their dessert a go too when you are there.

#naturalwonders#beaches

Malapascua is a small island, only about 2.5 by 1 kilometre located in Daanbantayan, Cebu. It is a quiet tropical Island featuring long white sandy beaches, coconut trees and crystal clear water. Very low-key and one of the best islands in the Philippines which is world-renowned for its incredible scuba diving. Specifically well known for Thresher shark diving. Though I haven't tried diving yet, but if your are, this better be on your bucket list. #unforgettableexperiences #nature #natureshots #beachvacation #beachview #getawaytrip

The best time to visit Malapascua is around December – June during the dry season so you can enjoy its beaches without having to worry much about an incoming rain or storm. The summer season (April – May) is usually crowded, especially during weekends and holidays. See graph above. Always check the weather updates before proceeding. There are no ATMs scattered in Malapascua. If you need to withdraw money, you have to go to Bogo town where ATms abound (Metrobank, DBP, Landbank, BPI,etc), about an hour away from Malapascua. SAFETY: Malapascua island is pretty safe for tourists. #naturalwonders#bestislandtraveltowns#romanticrestaurant

Malapascua is low-key one of the best islands in the Philippines which is world-renowned for its incredible scuba diving sites such as Monad Shoal where you can swim with thresher sharks. I’m not a diver myself, but I can tell you now that there are many more fantastic things to do in Malapascua other than diving! #urbanexplorer #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

📍Malapascua island, Cebu, Philippines ⏰2019.07 #This is a drone shot I took Cebu, Philippines is famous for being a cheap and close travel destination, but Malapascua seems to be a bit unfamiliar to regular tourists. Malapascua, also known as Malpa, is a travel destination that is quite popular among those who enjoy scuba diving as a hobby. Malapascua is about a 4-hour drive from Cebu, which we are familiar with, and then you take a boat to get there. Many divers go there because you can see the long-tailed shark called the thresher shark. My group and I went diving for two days at the Korean shop Sol Divers. To see the thresher shark, you have to get on the boat in the dark of dawn. We enter the water around 5 o'clock and wait quietly...still...for the shark to come up at a designated point about 20 meters deep. It was dark and hard to see, and it was cold because I was still there.. I failed to see the thresher sharks for the two days I tried.. I heard that most people see them every day... But it was still good in Malapascua.. In addition to the thresher shark point, the diving near Capitan Chilo Island, where there is a lighthouse, was beautiful, and the Gato Island spot where you can see whitetip sharks was also fun! #Soldivers The food was delicious and the staff was so kind and fun, I hope you are doing well! Until the day I visit again and see the thresher sharks #Sea travel #Diving trip #Vacation trip #Malapascua #Cebu travel #Hidden travel spot #Diving #Cebu hot place

It is already known to many that people visit the island of Cebu because of its great history, its churches, parks, but not known to many, people come to Cebu for the white beaches and beautiful nature. Nestled 6.8km from the offshore of the northern coast of Cebu island is, Malapascua. Because of its rich marine sanctuary, Malapascua Island has attracted both local and foreign visitors, especially divers. It is best known for its world-famous diving sites, specifically the Monad Shoal where thresher sharks can be seen and observed regularly before sunrise. The Best of Malapascua Island As I was saying, the island of Malapascua is perfect for a beach vacay. There are quite a number of beaches waiting for you to explore and I have a list of some for you: 1. LIGHTHOUSE BEACH If you are up for snorkelling, Lighthouse Beach is perfect for you because of the Japanese wreck submerged in the shallows. The skeleton of the ship is what remains, and became an artificial reef. Lighthouse beach is accessible by foot or a short habal-habal ride from anywhere on the island. #urbanexplorer #maydaytrip

Moalboal is a small town in southwestern Cebu