So, you and your partner or your mates have decided to enjoy your holiday in Malapascua, one of the most exciting places in the Philippines.
But since this is your first time visiting there, a lot of questions must have popped in your head. Hence, you wonder how the whole travel and expedition will be at the Malapascua island.
In this article, we’ve painstakingly gathered all the most significant answers to questions that may bother you.
From the question, how to get to Malapascua beach through your stay at Malapascua resorts and when you decide to leave. Read through the article and get yourself acquainted.
How to Get to Malapascua Island
Depending on where you’re coming from, the journey will be quite different until you get to the city of Cebu. This is because you may come from outside the Cebu, State, or outside the country. Heck!
You may even come from a continent outside Asia, for example, coming from all the way Europe, Africa, or America.
To make things easier, we assume you are in the city of Cebu already, and now you need to find your way to Malapascua.
The usual trip from Cebu to Malapascua begins by boarding a bus ride from Cebu City to the New Maya Port in the island’s northernmost area. From here, you will take a wooden passenger canoe moving to the last stretch from Cebu to Malapascua Island.
Alternatively, there is an option to go to Malapascua by taking a ride in a shared minivan or a private transfer that involves a direct pickup from your lodge in Cebu City and alight at the New Maya Port.
This option is faster and more comfortable; is also recommended if you don’t mind the cost.
See also: The Absolute 10 BEST Places to Visit in Southeast Asia
What you should note:
The transport fare from Cebu city to New Maya port through the bus is about 230 pesos, and the trip time is 4 hours.
The boat’s transport fare from New Maya Port to Malapascua Cebu is between 100 to 1,500 pesos, depending on the number of passengers. (A maximum of 15 pesos).
The boats move from New Maya Port to Malapascua every time of the day, between 6:30 am and 4:30 pm.
There is available accommodation close to New Maya Port should you decide to stay and relax before continuing your journey.
How to Get Around
Getting around Malapascua island is easy. The most common and more comfortable way is to move around by motorbike, bicycle, or foot.
Usually, considering the smaller size of the island, most tourists move by strolling around the island right from one end to another in less than one hour.
If you don’t want to soil your legs, particularly for women, there is an option of renting a motorbike from the local. The cost is only about 300 pesos per day, and there are other chances of having a ride on the back of a motorbike taxi at a cheaper rate of 30-50 pesos.
If you are one of those that love posting the experience right away on the internet, there is a reliable internet connection on the island too.
At Malapascua island, both Smart and Globe SIM cards work just fine. There is the option of using the best Wi-Fi around if you don’t have other network providers.
Based on our last visit to Malapascua island, we discovered that there are no ATMs on the streets, but some resorts, like Blanco Beach, do offer one.
Hence, it is advisable to prepare yourself with a pile of cash before you get there. To make it easier, get your money at Cebu City, where several ATMs are in and around the city.
Best Time to Visit
Typically, visiting at any point in time throughout the year is not bad. However, the best time to visit Malapascua Island Cebu is between December and June in terms of climatic conditions. During this period, the temperatures are hot, with little or no rainfall.
Another best time to visit is during the high season when there is some rainfall, but most of the days are sunny. This period usually falls between July and November.
Note that there is also the typhoon season, which is not ideal for visitors to play around the beach. This period usually lies between August and October.
If you are planning to stay longer in this amazing country, you should check the best time to visit the Philippines.
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Where to Stay
Malapascua Island has various accommodation options to have your pick. Depending on your budget, we’ve selected some of the best available options considering the prices.
This list covers the needs of budget visitors, luxury tourists, and every other guest in between.
Best for Luxury – Blanco Beach Resort Malapascua
If you’re one of those that don’t want to compromise comfort during your stay, this one is for you.
Blanco Beach Resort Malapascua is the most luxurious accommodation on the island. It has a private beach area, a restaurant with a bar, beautiful gardens, an ATM and currency exchange for guests and free Wi-Fi to surf the internet.
Blanco Beach Resort Malapascua is a perfect option for you if there is money to spend because you get to organize water activities, island hopping tours, snorkeling, and fishing.
Best for Midrange – Hippocampus Beach Resort
Hippocampus Beach Resort is located on Bounty Beach’s shores and has a combined seaside restaurant, bar, tropical gardens, and a dive shop.
The rooms at Hippocampus are equipped with air conditioning or modern fan, enormous beds, a private bathroom, a work desk, free Wi-Fi, and ocean views from the balcony to make your day.
If you enjoy scuba diving, there is also the availability of PADI and SSI-certified scuba diving to keep exercised throughout your stay.
Best for Budget – Malapascua Budget Inn
This could likely not be the right place for those looking for comfort. Staying at Malapascua Budget Inn could save you a lot of money as the price for a bunk bed is only $8/night.
The staffs are friendly and always ready to welcome and guide you through your stay.
If you’re looking to make friends during your stay, this is the perfect place, as it always almost packed with solo travelers.
There is also a Wi-Fi network to surf the internet. It is an excellent place to stay with little or no complaints if you’re looking to save cost.
Where to Eat
Amihan Restaurant delivers food and drinks for visitors and tourists who are on a medium budget. At this restaurant, a meal of 250 to 500 pesos should be enough to satisfy your hunger. It also has a nice beach view.
Another cheaper restaurant that is cooking traditional food is Bakhaw Kiwi. It looks more like a guest house than a restaurant but I can promise you is doing delicious meals.
Best Things to Do in Malapascua Island
There are various things to do on Malapascua Island. As a visitor, especially a first-timer, there are many things to explore and create a long-lasting experience for yourself. Some of the things to do are:
Visit Bounty Beach
Taking a nice dip in the Bounty Beach to cool off. Characterized by the palm-fringed shoreline, white sands, turquoise waters, dive shops, and beach resorts, Bounty Beach is the absolute bliss.
You can get to visit Ocean Vida Bar and Restaurant, where you get to have candlelit tables with a pleasant view of watching Malapascua Island in the sunset.
Make sure you buy a good pair of water shoes before visiting Malapascua Island. The bottom of the ocean is rocky and is very easy to cut yourself.
Have a Go at Lapus Lapus Cliff Jumping
One delightful spot not to miss out is the Lapus Lapus cliff jump on the island. This cool spot is on the northwestern point of the island, a perfect adventure to your itinerary.
Lapus Lapus cliff has various cliff jumps from a lower point of 5 meters and the highest point of 15 meters. We always recommend tourists to visit during high tide if they have the skills to make the jump.
During the low season, however, visitors get to experience the Lapus Lapus cliff by exploring the beaches and the caves at the base of the cliffs.
Scuba Diving in Malapascua
If you enjoy scuba diving, this is ideal for you to explore.
The locals and frequent visitors knew Malapascua Cebu for having a fascinating underwater species, like Thresher Shark. Thresher Sharks has a growth potential of 4 meters long, combined with their long whip-like tail, making it a spectacle for visitors.
I understand this place to be the rarest and safest place to see Thresher Sharks frequently in the world.
To experience Thresher Sharks sightseeing, you need to dive at Molt’s site, close to Monad Shoal, where you get to watch the symbiotic relationships between the creatures underwater. This is mostly possible in the early hours, around 4 am, and 5 am.
Happy Hour at HippoCampus
One of the most exciting events you don’t want to miss at Malapascua Island. Hippocampus Beach Resort features happy hours, usually between 4 pm and 6 pm, every day of the week.
Later in the evening, there is also a live band playing in the night. This a spot to have time to meet fellow tourists and divers.
You can also treat yourself to an in-house restaurant if you wish to stick around after happy hour for dinner and more cocktails.
Nightlife
Arguably the best time to unwind after the entire day’s exercise. Usually, there is every Night Disco time, held at the community church basketball court on the northern end of the island.
The party usually starts around 11 pm, which can be a chance to hook up with fellow travelers from other places. Men, women, children, all without a doubt, get to have great fun.
During this period, the resident DJ plays outdated electronic music mixed with a combination of strobe lights, copious amounts of Red Horse beer, and lots of fun dancing!
As a tourist attending the Night Disco, it is a great time to mix with the locals and experience the fun party.
See also: 10 Best Party Islands in Southeast Asia to Visit this Year
Visiting Malapascua island is one expedition everyone should explore and experience. A cool adventure to have maximum fun, mingle with locals and other visitors from around the world.
You also get to unwind yourself, broaden your networks, and create lasting memories to keep.
Where to Go Next?
We suggest you visit Negros Island and Palawan Island.
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