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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Malapascua
Spend 2–3 days for thresher‑shark dives and island walks; longer only if you want extra relaxation.
Malapascua is a small island (≈6 km circumference) best explored on foot. One full day of diving plus a second day for snorkeling, beach time and a walk covers the highlights. Add a night if you prefer a relaxed pace or want night‑dive options.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season, calm seas)
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy, rough seas)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1 200–1 800 excl. bed · Mid ₱1 800–2 500 excl. bed · High ₱2 500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | ₱80–150 |
| Meal at local eatery | ₱150–300 |
| Ferry Maya → Malapascua | ₱100 |
| Motorbike rent (day) | ₱1 000 |
| Dive day (incl. gear) | ₱1 800–2 500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CEB · Mactan‑Cebu International Airport
- Transfer by bus or taxi to Maya (≈3 h) then ferry.
Typical fares
- Maya → Malapascua ferry
- about ₱100, 30 min (check)
- Motorbike rent (day)
- about ₱1 000, 1 day (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The island is walkable (≈3 h for a full circuit). Habal‑habal rides cost ₱10–30; motorbike rental ₱1 000 per day.
See and do
Known for
- Thresher‑shark dives at Kimud Shoal
- Snorkeling in Coral Garden and Lapus‑Lapus
- Bounty Beach and Mangrove Bay
- Budget beachfront cottages
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Maya Port | Ferry from Maya to Malapascua (≈30 min, ₱100) | ≈45 min total including walk |
| Cebu City | Bus from Cebu North Terminal to Maya (≈3½ h, ₱230 air‑cond) then ferry | ≈5 h total |
| Bantayan Island | Ferry from Maya to Bantayan (≈2 h, ₱300) then boat to Malapascua (≈1 h) | ≈4 h total |
Sleep
- Mike & Dioses Beachcottage
- Budget, fan rooms, sea view, ₱500–600 per night incl. breakfast.
- Villa Sandra
- Dorm beds ₱350, private rooms available, eco‑friendly.
- Aabana Beach & Watersports Resort
- Mid‑range, air‑cond cottages ₱1 600–2 000 per night, beach access.
- Slam's Garden Resort
- Deluxe, air‑cond, dive‑center on site, from ₱2 400 per night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pasensya napa-sen-sya na |
| Thank you | Salamatsa-la-mat |
| How much is it? | Magkano ito?mag-ka-no i-to? |
| Where is the clinic? | Nasaan ang klinika?na-sa-an ang kli-ni-ka? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Clinic only open Saturdays; serious injuries need transport to Daanbantayan or Lahug, Cebu City.
- Ferry from Maya departs 6:30 AM, then every 30 min until 4:30 PM; may not leave if not full.
- Low‑tide transfers require a small banca (₱20).
Malapascua is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on currents when swimming, store valuables in hotel safes, and note that medical help is limited to a small clinic open Saturdays.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Malapascua yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Thresher‑shark dives at Kimud Shoal
- Snorkeling in Coral Garden and Lapus‑Lapus
- Bounty Beach and Mangrove Bay
- Budget beachfront cottages
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Philippines tourism board – Cebu province: www.tourism.gov.ph/cebu
- Wikivoyage: Malapascua, revision 5309945 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5309945
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Malapascua
Punta rito, paki
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
Check local police station number if needed.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/malapascua). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.