The tiny island of Malapascua is located at the extreme northern edge of Cebu Island. There are no cars on this island and the locals are very friendly, creating a magical environment.
You can walk around Malapascua Island in less than two hours. The 4,000 or so people who live here are fishermen, boat builders or involved in the island’s fledgling tourism trade. Malapascua has emerged only recently as a hot new scuba diving destination, but it first stepped onto the scene due to its stunning Bounty Beach.
The diving is a highlight here. Beautiful healthy coral gardens abound, along with some impressive dive sites like Monad Shoal, where manta rays and thresher sharks are regular visitors. The beaches on Malapascua are stunning and nearly devoid of overt development.
Snorkelling immediately off the coast is a popular pastime, as is getting a coconut oil massage right on the sand. Outgoing visitors will find the locals eager to chat and likely to invite you in for an evening drink, dinner and some music. The island’s lighthouse is open to the public and makes an interesting excursion.
Getting There & Away
The easiest way to reach Malapascua Island is to take a bus or minivan from Cebu City|Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal about 4 hours north to the town of Daanbantayan. At the adjoining town of Maya, you can catch a boat to Malapascua in 45 minutes. To reach Cebu City, take a 1-hour flight from Manila to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is serviced by many airlines.