If you’re thinking of Malapascua tourist spots, the first thing on your mind is probably…
“Thresher sharks.”
And that’s understandable.
I mean, Malapascua IS the only place in the world where you can dive with these elegant, beautiful, curious sea creatures.
But hold up!
Because Malapascua has so much to offer beyond the breathtaking thresher shark experience.
That’s right: Malapascua Island has a lot of tourist spots, from bustling coral reefs to brightly-lit strips lined with shops and restaurants.
Ready to explore these spots?
Let’s go!
Malapascua Tourist Spots: 11 Things to Do I 100% Recommend
I love Malapascua Island. (Check out my complete guide to the island here.)
It’s tiny but substantial, laid-back but full of life.
And there’s so much to do on the island.
Here are 11 tourist spots I recommend:
- Baby Sharks
- Coral Gardens
- Dakit-Dakit “Island”
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Monad Shoal
- Kimud Shoal
- North Beach
- Bounty Beach
- Malapascua Lighthouse
- Shipwreck Sunset Bar
- The Market
But before that, a quick note:
How to Get Around and See Malapascua’s Vibrant Tourist Spots
Malapascua is a TINY island, no more than 2.5 by 1 kilometer in size.
So the best way to get around and see its diverse tourist spots?
Walking!
That’s right.
When we visited the island, we didn’t bring or rent a motorcycle.
And trust me, the roads are too small for even a tiny car.
So if you love walking, you can literally walk to all the land-based tourist spots without breaking a sweat.
For the shoals and coral gardens, you’ll need to take a boat.
There are “bankas” available to take you on a private tour, but remember: prepare your bargaining skills!
We paid PHP4,000 for 3 people for a private tour.
But a friend of mine paid PHP2,000 for 5 people, so there you go.
For the shoals and thresher sharks, you’ll need to go on a scuba diving trip with one of the (many) dive shops in the area.
Also note: There are motorcycles for rent if you’re not the type who likes walking.
That being said, let’s go explore those 11 tourist spots!
Malapascua Tourist Spots #1: Baby Sharks
You can swim and dive with sharks even without visiting one of Malapascua’s far-out reefs.
That’s because baby black-tip stick close to the shore, waiting to grow up before they venture out into the deep.
When we were there in March, there were many of them swimming close to the edge of the rocky beach.
We pointed them out…1, 2, 3, 4, 5, even 6 gliding close to each other!
The sharks are around a foot long, and they’re absolutely beautiful and sleek in their slender silver bodies.
Don’t miss this experience.
And don’t be scared!
The sharks are completely harmless and simply ignore you as they go about their business.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 5:00pm
How To Get Here:
To get to the baby sharks, you can either go on a boat tour like I talked about earlier.
Or…
You could head to the Dakit-Dakit Adjoining Marine Protected Area. This is a small beach beside Tepanee Resort and the public cemetery.
It’s a bit difficult to find, but it’s worth it if you want to see the sharks without renting a boat.
Malapascua Tourist Spots #2: Coral Gardens
If you love coral gardens, you’ll be happy to know that Malapascua has some fine ones.
Lively, colorful corals thriving next to each other like gnarled, spiky, glorious trees.
The shades: rust, bright green, purple, cream.
The fish swimming around them the way people walk within gardens.
If you’re not a deep diver or not a diver at all, you can still enjoy this stunning underwater gem.
That’s because it sits only 3-5 meters below the surface, and you can enjoy the breathtaking shapes and colors as you float on the surface with your snorkel!
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How To Get Here:
Unlike the baby sharks, the coral gardens are a bit far off shore, so you’ll need to go on a boat tour to get here!
Malapascua Tourist Spots #3: Dakit-Dakit “Island”
This was one of my favorite spots in Malapascua.
Imagine it.
A quick trip by boat out to sea.
The silvery-blue surface of the water broken suddenly by craggy, jutting rocks.
Waves foaming around them, wild and beautiful and free.
Beneath the surface, the rocks slope into the deep.
They’re covered with corals of many colors, from purple to rusty orange.
And the fun surprise?
There’s a little tunnel/cave that you can dive through for a quick adventure and some stunning photos.
Like the one above, which was a bit of a fail – but still!
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
Get a boat tour! While you can see the Dakit-Dakit rocks from shore, it’s quite a long swim to get here.
Malapascua Tourist Spot #4: Japanese Shipwreck
I didn’t expect there to be a Japanese shipwreck lying broken so close to the shore of Malapascua.
So when the guide told us he was taking us there, I thought, “WOW!”
And it was interesting.
No, it’s not one of those epic shipwrecks (hello, Coron!) that you can dive into and explore.
It broke apart a couple of years ago, and all that’s left are its haunting form and metal bars covered in algae.
But for me, it’s still worth the visit.
It gives off an eerie and mysterious energy, and it’s easy to imagine the ghosts of old sailors resting their elbows on the starboard, eyes out to sea.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
You can get to the Japanese Shipwreck by going on a boat tour.
Aside from that, you can also head to Shipwreck Beach (also known as Guimbitayan Beach) and swim off the shore there.
The shipwreck isn’t too far from shore. However, there is no buoy to mark its location.
Your best option is to ask a local where it is. Or, if there are tour boats around it, that’s where you should go!
Malapascua Tourist Spots #5: Monad Shoal
Monad Shoal is historically known to be the spot where you can dive with thresher sharks.
And you can still see them there, swimming in the depth beneath the waves.
But more recently, a lot of these intelligent creatures have moved to…
Malapascua Tourist Spots #6: Kimud Shoal
Why?
According to the locals and some of my scuba diving friends, tiger and bull sharks have begun appearing in the area surrounding Monad Shoal.
These sharks are aggressive, and our friend the thresher shark doesn’t like their presence.
So they moved further out, to Kimud Shoal.
The shoal is around an hour away from Malapascua by boat, and it belongs to the province of Leyte instead of Cebu.
But scuba trips make their way there almost every dive day, so it’s not hard to go on a dive to see the lively, curious, beautiful long-tailed sharks.
Fun fact?
Kimud Shoal is much shallower than Monad Shoal – only around 15 meters deep.
That’s great news for open water divers, as you can enjoy diving with the sharks even without advanced certification!
Entrance Fee: Fees depend on your tour operator! As you can see from the image above, 1 dive in Monad Shoal and 2 dives in Kimud Shoal start at php4,999 per head.
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
There are dozens of dive shops ALL OVER Malapascua. You don’t have to walk far to find someone who can take you here!
Malapascua Tourist Spots #7: North Beach
Looking for a place to relax after a busy day diving and exploring Malapascua’s amazing underwater world?
Head straight for North Beach.
It’s a quiet, serene, breathtakingly beautiful place at the north tip of the island.
Think soft white sand, turquoise waters clear as glass, and foamy waves rolling gently into the shore.
The water in the area is shallow, so you can wade, swim, or simply sit in the sea and gaze out into the horizon.
Close your eyes or read a book, and be lulled by the wind moving through the branches of coconut trees.
It’s the perfect spot to relax before dinner, or spend time during an off day when you simply want to unwind on a picnic blanket on the sand.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
You can either walk, rent a motorbike, or ride a habal-habal to get here for no more than PHP50.
Just search “North Beach” on Google Maps, or just walk on the roads as far north as you can go!
Finding North Beach can be a bit tricky because there are small alleyways that lead to the beach. Just ask around if you get lost, or just keep heading north, because you’ll get there eventually!
Malapascua Tourist Spots #8: Bounty Beach
Hungry?
It’s time to head for Bounty Beach, Malapascua’s seaside strip lined with all kinds of shops and restaurants.
Want a brick oven pizza?
A cooling watermelon or banana shake?
Shabu-shabu boiling in a pot?
Bounty Beach has it all.
From cafes by the beach where they customize drinks according to your taste, to large plates piled with fresh seafood, you’re sure to find your cravings at Malapascua’s biggest food strip.
When the sun goes down, things get even more interesting.
Think karaoke machines, LIVE bands, souvenir stalls, colored lights swinging in the breeze from the sea.
Whether you’re in for a light snack, a quick dinner, or a whole evening of cocktails and conversations, Bounty Beach has something just for you.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
Bounty Beach is on the southernmost tip of Malapascua. You can walk here from anywhere on the island.
If you’re coming from North Beach, you can also take a habal-habal for just PHP50.
Malapascua Tourist Spots #9: Malapascua Lighthouse
Long ago, back in the day when ships had no sonar technology, lighthouses were lifesavers to oceangoing vessels.
And I understand why Malapascua Island needed one.
A tiny, rocky island set in the middle of the sea, it would be impossible for ship crew to spot in the heavy darkness of a cloudy, moonless night.
Today, Malapascua’s lighthouse is no longer needed.
But you can still take a short 5-10 minute trek up a hill to see it as it stands in its lonely, majestic whiteness over the island.
It’s a great spot to take pictures and breathe in the peace and calm of trees and green scenery around it, looking down at the rolling waves below.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
If you want to walk, search for “Shipwreck Beach Trailhead” on Google Maps. That’ll take you to the stairway leading to the lighthouse.
As always, you can also ride a habal-habal for around PHP50.
Malapascua Tourist Spots #10: Shipwreck Sunset Bar
Sunset lover?
I guessed it!
I mean, who doesn’t love to watch the sun go down in fiery colors over the sea?
I know I do.
If you do to, head to Shipwreck Sunset Bar before it gets dark.
You can enjoy some snacks and drinks, listen to the sighing of the waves as darkness falls, and immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of the setting sun.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
Shipwreck Sunset Bar is along the trail to Malapascua Lighthouse.
Pin “Shipwreck Beach Trailhead” to find the starting point, then it’s a 5-minute climb to the bar.
Malapascua Tourist Spots #11: The Market
Looking for something cheaper to eat, like barbecue or a “silog” meal?
Want to go home with some souvenirs, like a carved wooden thresher shark or a bunch of keychains?
The Market is for you.
Filled with all kinds of stalls, it has everything to offer by way of food, drinks, entertainment, and souvenirs.
Sweet pork barbecue on sticks. Vegetarian offerings like eggplant with tomatoes and onions. Fresh shrimps. Breakfast rice meals. Fruit shakes. Trendy handmade necklaces and bracelets.
If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for affordable dining and things to take home, head to The Market and…
…enjoy!
Entrance Fee: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
How to Get Here:
The Market is right in the center of Malapascua town, so it’s pretty easy to walk to from anywhere. Just search for “Malapascua Public Market” in Google Maps, and make your way there.
And remember, habal-habals are always ready to take you there!
Malapascua Tourist Spots: Which One Are You Excited to Visit?
Yes, Malapascua is most known for the thresher sharks that inhabit its shoals.
But no, thresher sharks are not the only thing to enjoy when you visit the island.
There are coral gardens, a lighthouse on a hill, serene beaches, strips filled with food and music, and so much more!
Expect color, adventure, and an experience of a lifetime when you set food on the island.
And yes, I recommend you visit ALL the above 11 Malapascua tourist spots during your stay there!
You won’t regret it.