Thinking of visiting Malapascua Island?
If so, I’m guessing there’s one thing on your mind:
“Thresher sharks.”
Malapascua Island is the only spot in the world where you can dive with these beautiful, elegant sharks on an almost daily basis.
I know: crazy!
But here’s the thing: what if you’re not a scuba diver?
Can you still enjoy Malapascua?
In this article, I’ll answer all your questions about the island, such as:
- Fun facts about Malapascua
- 4 cool dive spots for snorkelers and freedivers (if you aren’t a scuba diver)
- 4 non-water activities you can do on the island
- How to get to Malapascua
- How to get around Malapascua
- How much you’ll spend
- Where to stay
- Where to eat
I’ll answer these questions (and a WHOLE LOT more) in this blog.
Let’s get started!
Malapascua Fun Facts: 3 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the Island
First things first!
Let’s dive into a few fun tidbits about Malapascua.
Malapascua Fun Fact #1: Malapascua Island Is Tiny
If you’ve already been to other Philippine Islands like Bantayan or Camiguin, you probably have an idea of what “small” is.
But hold that thought.
Malapascua Island is EVEN SMALLER than your definition of small.
That’s right!
It’s only 2.5 by 1 kilometer, and you can walk across the whole island from north to south in less than an hour!
We did this when we were there, and we barely broke into a sweat.
So if you’re worried about transportation on the island, don’t be.
Walking anywhere is easy (unless you hate walking, of course), and it’s a fun way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and interesting sights along the way.
Malapascua Fun Fact #2: Malapascua Island Is the Only Place in the World You Can Dive with Thresher Sharks
I touched on this a little bit in the introduction.
And it’s true.
While you can see thresher sharks in other parts of the world, Malapascua is the only place you can dive with them on a (weather permitting) daily basis.
Now that’s something unique, and a huge reason to visit the island!
Malapascua Fun Fact #3: Malapascua Is Home to Dozens of Marine Species
Think Malapascua is only home to thresher sharks?
Think again!
While thresher sharks are its main attraction, you don’t have to be a scuba diver to enjoy the abundance of underwater life.
That’s right: Malapascua is home to mandarin fish, clown triggerfish, schooling bannerfish, flying gurnard, angelfish, flounder, sweetlips, filefish, and more!
There are even black tip sharks, which you can view while snorkeling in the shallow water.
Add to this number the stunning colorful corals, and you have your big reason for visiting the island – even if you never see the thresher sharks!
4 Stunning Malapascua Dive Spots (For the Snorkeler and Freediver)
Disclaimer here.
I am not a scuba diver.
So unfortunately, I didn’t get to dive with the elegant, exotic thresher sharks in Monad and Kimud Shoals.
I’m writing this guide to tell you that you CAN enjoy Malapascua without being a scuba diver.
So, let’s get to it!
Here are 4 dive spots you can enjoy even if you’re just a snorkeler or beginner freediver and can’t dive beyond 5 meters.
Malapascua Dive Spot #1: Baby Sharks
Malapascua is home to a lot of sharks…and not just threshers.
Not just the terrifying tiger sharks that prowl the outer reefs and (according to our guide) are the size of a boat.
On the island, close to the shore, you can swim and dive with schools of baby black tip sharks.
These sharks are absolutely beautiful, shiny silver with black-tipped fins.
They glide gracefully through the water in twos, threes, and even sixes!
No, they’re not scary at all.
They measure about a foot long and are slender and breathtakingly graceful.
Our guide told us these babies like to stick close to the shore when they’re young, then move off into the deep when they grow up.
Can you enjoy swimming with these sharks even if you’re not a diver?
Absolutely!
The depth in their area is only around 3-5 meters, and you can see them even while floating on the surface.
Note: My sister is not a freediver, and she enjoyed this spot just as much as we did!
How to get to the baby sharks dive area:
We accessed the baby sharks area as part of a private island-hopping tour.
You can do this too – there are private and “joiner” tours you can avail of when you get to the island.
A tour lasts around half a day and includes all the dive spots I talk about in this blog.
(Note: We found our tour through a “guide” who met us at the port when our boat landed. He offered a private tour for PHP4,000 for 3 people, and we accepted. Later, my brother posted a poll and got mixed replies on whether or not this was too expensive. My friend also told me she got a tour for PHP2,000 for 5 people. So: it depends! There are no fixed prices for the island hopping tours and boats, so you’ll have to use your bargaining skills to get a good price!)
Don’t want to do a tour?
You can still enjoy swimming with the baby black tip sharks.
Simply head to Tepanee Beach Resort on the southern tip of the island.
Here it is on Google Maps:
This beach resort has access to the marine sanctuary where the black tip sharks are, so all you have to do is dive in!
(Yes, the sanctuary is right next to the shore.)
If you really love swimming with the sharks, you can even stay at Tepanee Beach Resort.
Rooms cost PHP4,000-5,000 per night, and give a lovely, peaceful view of the ocean.
Malapascua Dive Spot #2: Japanese Ship Wreck
Besides diving with marine animals, one thing I truly enjoy is shipwrecks.
There’s nothing as eerie and exciting as gliding along an algae-covered wreckage, imagining the sailors who lived in it many years ago.
Honestly, I was surprised when I heard of a wreck in the shallows of Malapascua.
I know there are wrecks deeper out to sea (think 30-50 meters depth), but voila!
There was one we could see right next to the shore.
Now, this shipwreck isn’t the kind you can enter and explore.
It broke apart a few years ago (according to older freedivers), and what remains of it are its shape in the sand and a few long, algae-covered bars.
But it’s still beautiful.
What remains of it is covered in marine life, the ocean claiming it and using it as a home to colorful corals and fish.
We had fun gliding beside the eerie underwater shapes, taking photos and videos, and simply imagining the people from the past who once touched these surfaces.
How to get to the Japanese shipwreck:
Again, we accessed this dive spot through our island-hopping tour boat.
But you can get to it by yourself if you’re not into doing the whole tour.
Simply head over to Malapascua’s northwest area.
You can search for a landmark like the famous Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar.
From there, you can swim out into the sea and find the Japanese shipwreck.
Here is its exact location on Google Maps:
No, there’s no marker to show you where the shipwreck is. (No buoy or flag or such.)
You can ask some locals where it is, or you can swim around until you see the markings of its dark hull.
The shipwreck is pretty shallow (around 3-5 meters depth), and you will notice a change in the color of the water even from the surface.
Still, the easier way is by tour boat.
The guide will drop you off right on top of the shipwreck, so you don’t have to stress yourself swimming around and trying to find it.
Malapascua Dive Spot #3: Malapascua Coral Gardens
Ah, coral gardens.
I remember when I first became a freediver, how stunned I was to swim right next to huge corals with their own life blossoming within them.
If you love corals, Malapascua has some fine ones to offer.
Don’t miss: the Malapascua coral gardens.
They’re a little bit far out to sea, and swimming out to them is not recommended.
It’s far, trust me.
But ah, how beautiful.
Rust-colored corals, brain corals, huge, lively table corals that remind me (strangely) of trees.
The fish swimming about them are also bright and diverse – truly a sight to see.
How to get the the coral gardens:
By boat.
This spot (unlike the others) is not accessible from the shore.
It’s right in the middle of the sea, a really far swimout even for advanced freedivers.
Plus, the waves can get big in the area, so it’s nice to be able to hop back on the boat when you need to.
Yes, the waves were a little big when we were there.
It was a sunny day, but the coral gardens are a little out in the open water, which makes the waves choppier.
My sister got scared and had to swim back to the boat for safety.
Still, it’s a worthy place to visit if waves don’t scare you and you love the stunning beauty of corals.
The area is pretty shallow (around 3-5 meters depth), so you don’t have to be a deep diver to enjoy it.
Malapascua Dive Spot #4: Dakit-Dakit “Island”
Coral gardens, sharks, shipwrecks…now caves!
Can Malapascua get more exciting?
Answer: it can!
Because situated a little distance from the shore is a thriving coral reef with a fun mini tunnel/cave you can dive through.
No, it’s not a hard dive.
It sits at only around 3-4 meters depth, and you can do it even if you’re a beginner.
Plus, the photos you can take in this area are limitless!
Even if you don’t want to dive through the tunnel, you can still enjoy the surrounding beauty of the reef.
There are rocks jutting out of the water, with waves crashing white foam into them.
There are schools of bright fish, diverse corals, and simply so much to see!
My sister didn’t do the cave, but she still enjoyed snorkeling amidst all the life and color of that area.
How to get to the cave:
By boat.
Just like the coral gardens, the cave is far from shore.
We got to it through our tour boat, and I recommend you do the same.
4 Fun Non-Water Activities on Malapascua Island
Not a diver?
Want to do something besides being in the water?
No problem!
Here are 3 fun activities you can do in Malapascua, whether you’re not a diver or water-lover, or you simply want to intersperse your trip with out-of-water activities.
Malapascua Non-Water Activity #1: Chill in Bounty Beach
Tired from a whole morning of enjoying the water?
Hungry and craving for a snack?
You’ll love Bounty Beach.
This white-sand beach stretches along the island’s southern area (near the port), and it’s packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops.
Want a pizza? Some shabu-shabu? A nice, cool watermelon shake?
Bounty Beach has it all.
Plus, it gets lively and fun at night.
There are live bands, karaoke machines, and lots of tourists stretched out on the sand on lounges, listening to the music and sipping their favorite drinks.
In fact, this area reminds me a little of Moalboal, Boracay, and Alona Beach at night.
A smaller version, though, that’s not too crowded and annoying.
Malapascua Non-Water Activity #2: Go on a Trek to See the Lighthouse
Back in the day, before ships had the technology that keeps them from crashing into rocks…
…there were lighthouses.
Malapascua island has its own, sitting high up on a rock and catching the last rays of the setting sun.
You can go take a 5-minute trek to see it.
The mini-hike is fun, and the thick silence of nature wraps around you like a fragrant green blanket.
Then, a clearing opens up, and the lighthouse juts straight into the cloudless blue sky.
It’s the perfect spot to travel back in time to when lighthouse keepers made their way up to the rock to protect ships from meeting their watery end.
If you have a lively imagination, visit the lighthouse around sunset and let your thoughts go wild!
Here’s its exact location on Goolge Maps:
Malapascua Non-Water Activity #3: Explore North Beach
North Beach is around 2 kilometers from Bounty Beach and the port.
You can get there by walking (20-30 minutes, depending on your pace).
Honestly, this is one of my favorite spots on the whole island.
The sand is powdery soft and stretches on and on, almost as far as the eye can see.
The water is a bright aquamarine, playfully crashing white foam onto the shore.
You can go for a dip or simply sit in the sand and watch the sun go down.
Malapascua Non-Water Activity #4: Watch the Sunset From Shipwreck Beach or Sunset Bar
On the northwest side of the island, you’ll find probably the best sunset viewing point in Malapascua — Shipwreck beach or the Shipwreck Sunset Bar!
The Shipwreck Sunset Bar is found on the way to the Malapascua lighthouse. It takes a short mini-trek up some stairs to get to, but once you’re there, you’ll find it’s super worth it.
You can order drinks, watch the sunset, and sometimes, they even throw a bonfire party for guests.
To get here, look for “Shipwreck Beach Trailhead” on Google Maps, and then just follow the stairs and trail! There’s also a trail coming from North Beach — however, you’ll have to ask around since the trail doesn’t show up on Google Maps.
Shipwreck Beach is found further north of the Sunset Bar. It’s actually much closer to North Beach than the bar.
However, if you want to sit on a beach and watch the sunset alone, this is the place to do it. Since this beach is facing west, you get the best sunsets on the island here.
Plus, unlike the Beach Bar where there are sure to be other travelers around, you can get the whole beach to yourself here since it’s not as well known!
How to Get to Malapascua Island
You can get to Malapascua from Cebu City by bus.
First step: make your way to Cebu North Bus Terminal.
It’s located just near SM City Cebu and Radisson Blu Hotel – here’s its exact location on the map.
Take a bus bound for Maya Port at the terminal. (No need to book in advance.)
This costs PHP300-350 (depending on which bus you ride) and the trip takes approximately 4 hours.
When you get to Maya Port, pay the environmental fee and purchase a boat ticket.
The environmental fee is PHP90 for locals (Filipinos) and PHP170 for foreigners.
Boat tickets are PHP200 per person.
Next thing to do: hop on the boat!
The trip to Malapascua is super fun.
It takes only around 30-40 minutes (nothing too taxing), and the scenery is simply amazing.
Crystal clear blue water, flying sea foam, a pristine sky arching like a dome over your head.
Also, watch out!
The boat is small and the sea can get rocky, sending water into the boat and your stuff.
When we disembarked at Malapascua port, my bag was drenched and soaking.
Not that I minded – the fun experience was worth it!
Have your own car?
No need to take the bus to Maya Port.
(Obviously.)
Simply drive your car to the port and park it there.
Or you can park it at one of the parking garages a stone’s throw away from the port.
We parked in a grassy field with trees.
It was gated and locked, with a guard to watch over the cars.
The fee was PHP100 per night – worth it, I think, if you want peace of mind knowing your car will be there waiting for you when you get back.
Can you bring your car to Malapascua?
Short answer: no.
There are no barges that take cars to the island.
Also, the roads there are tiny (and I mean tiny!) and driving there is not ideal.
Which brings us to…
How to Get Around Malapascua Island (2 Ways for 2 Different Types of People)
Like I said, you don’t need a car to enjoy Malapascua.
The island is small and the roads narrow.
Here are 2 ways to get around there:
By Motorcycle
Like many of the Philippines’ small islands, Malapascua offers motorcycle rentals to visitors.
This costs PHP300-350 per day, and you can drive the motorcycle wherever you like on the island.
Or…you can ride a “habal-habal” (motorcycle taxi) to your destination.
There are motorcycles with drivers parked on practically every street corner, so this is not hard to do.
We did this when we went from our hostel to North Beach, and it cost PHP50 per person.
Not bad at all, huh?
On Foot
This is what we did (mostly) when we were in Malapascua.
That’s because everything is so close to each other!
You can walk from the port to Bounty Beach in 10 minutes.
Or Bounty Beach to North Beach in half an hour.
If you’re a person who loves to get a little exercise while exploring, I suggest enjoying Malapascua on foot.
An added benefit is you get to take in the scenery at a slower, more immersive pace.
The soft, powdery white sand, the stalls with their barbecue and wooden sharks, the locals’ houses and sari-sari stores, the bakery selling blue and orange crinkles, the scuba shops with their groups of yellow-haired tourists, and so much more!
The truth is, walking around Malapascua is one of my favorite memories of the place.
How Much You’ll Spend on Malapascua Island
Answer: It depends.
There are different ways to enjoy Malapascua – fancy, budget-friendly, or something in the middle.
When we went there, we spent somewhere in the mid-range area.
We picked a cheap place to stay, but we sometimes spent on a fancy meal.
Here’s an idea of what our spending there was like:
| Item | Price |
| Hostel | PHP 500 per head (per night) |
| Boat Tour (Private) | PHP 1,300 per head (the island hopping tour cost PHP4,000 and we were 3 people) |
| Lunch | PHP170 per head (barbecue pork belly, rice, and a soft drink) |
| Dinner | PHP500 per head (ate Shabu-Shabu at a fancy place) |
Of course, this was just our style of spending.
You can go more fancy and stay at a seaside resort for PHP4,000 a night.
Or do a tighter budget and skip the fancy restaurants (stick to the bbq dinners in the “market”).
The fun part is, you can customize your spending based on your budget and preferences.
There is something for everyone there, including cheap “carenderia” food, fancy Italian, dorms with shared bathrooms, and luxury hotel rooms.
That’s what makes Malapascua a place for all kinds of people!
Where to Stay in Malapascua Island
When you visit Malapascua, you won’t have trouble finding a place to stay.
Trust me, you can even wing it and go there without making a prior booking.
Cross to the island, walk around, get a feel of the place, and pick something that appeals to your taste.
But if you’re the type of person who likes to plan, here are some options for you to choose from.
Budget-friendly:
This is where we stayed.
It has beds in a dorm for PHP500 per night, private rooms with shared bathroom for PHP800-900 per room, and family rooms that fit 4 people for PHP2,000 per night.
The place is cozy, and it’s just next to the sea.
We had a lovely time falling asleep to the sound of the waves just outside our door.
Other budget-friendly places:
Mid-range:
If you’re looking for something more spacious, you’ll love Chief’s Villa.
For PHP2,500 per night (2 adults), you can enjoy a big bedroom, a living area, and a little kitchen where you can prepare food.
There’s also a mini veranda where you can sit at night and enjoy the island’s night breeze.
Other mid-range places:
High-end:
I mentioned Tepanee before.
It’s the resort with access to the black tip sharks marine sanctuary, and it’s a beautiful, cozy spot with its own lovely view of the sea.
Rooms are a little pricey at PHP4,000-5,000 per night, but you get free breakfast, lovely views, luxurious balconies overlooking the sea, and a small pool.
This is definitely the place to stay if you’re celebrating something special and want to splurge on good memories.
Other high-end places:
Malapascua Exotic Island Dive & Beach Resort
Where to Eat in Malapascua
There are so many places to choose from to eat in Malapascua.
Here are a few we tried:
- “The market” – this is a foodcourt-like place with lots of affordable options, including barbecue, seafood, “silogs,” and more.
- Nicey Burger Junction – our go-to for breakfasts each morning. You can get buy 1 take 1 burgers for a super cheap price.
- Amihan – we ate dinner here on our last night. Fancy place with a view of the sea. I loved the seafood platter (pictured above) and the pumpkin risotto!
- Shabu-shabu – by the beach and really delicious!
- Malapascua Beach and Dive Resort – love their pizza and watermelon shakes.
No matter what your cravings, all you need to do is walk along Bounty Beach, and you’re sure to find something to satisfy it.
How Much Does Scuba Diving in Malapascua Cost?
You can go scuba diving in Malapascua for as low as PHP5,000.
This usually includes 3 dives to Monad and Kemod shoals, where you can enjoy diving with thresher sharks.
Want more dives?
You can get a package for 5, 6, or even 10 dives.
Prices range from PHP7,000-16,000, depending on which dive shop you choose.
Can You Get to Kalanggaman from Malapascua?
Yes!
Kalanggaman is a famous sandbar that people staying in Malapascua like to visit.
You can join an island tour with Mabuhay Thresher Dive Resort (other resorts also offer trips there).
The price for the tour is PHP10,000 for 10 people, and you can pay an extra PHP500 per person for a nice barbecue lunch.
When you get to the island, entrance fee is PHP1,000 for foreigners and PHP300 for locals.
Ready to Visit Malapascua Island?
Awesome!
I’m sure you will love it there.
Whether you’re a scuba diver seeking thresher sharks, a freediver looking for a new adventure, or simply a water-loving human who wants to enjoy the beauty of the ocean…
…Malapascua has something waiting for you.
From sunset viewing to snorkeling, chilling by the beach and sipping your favorite drink to getting a spa treatment in one of the fancier hotels, you’re sure to come home from the island soaked with good vibes and thousands of beautiful moments and memories.