How to Get to Malapascua Philippines: My Experience & The Easiest Way to Travel to Malapascua in 2025

Malapascua wasn’t even on my original route through the Philippines. I hadn’t heard much about it, didn’t really plan for it, and clearly didn’t do the best pre-trip research. But that’s how travel goes sometimes. I ran into a few people who wouldn’t shut up about the diving, so I figured, why not?

At the time, I was in Siargao and already planning to make my way through Bohol and Siquijor. Since Malapascua sits just off the northern tip of Cebu, it kind of made sense to squeeze it in. And I’m really glad I did.

If you’re into diving (or want to learn), this is one of the best spots in the country. Seeing thresher sharks in the wild is pretty unforgettable, and the island itself has a slow, chill vibe that I really liked.

I’m putting together a full set of guides about Malapascua including what to do, where to eat, where to stay, all that stuff you might want to know about and I’ll link them all at the bottom of this post. But this guide is specifically about how to get to Malapascua, because trust me, it’s a bit of a mission. Not hard, it just takes forever. Here’s exactly how I did it, plus a few tips to make your own journey a little easier. And no, there is no ferry from Cebu to Malapascua!

How to Get to Malapascua – My Experience

I usually like starting off with a bit of personal experience rather than jumping straight into the step-by-step stuff. It just gives a better feel for what the journey’s actually like and less like a checklist, more like what to expect on the ground.

When I went to Malapascua, I started from Cebu City (not the airport). I booked a Grab, (which is basically Southeast Asia’s version of Uber, and if you don’t already have it, I’d definitely recommend downloading it) to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. (Here’s the Google Maps link).

From there, the whole thing was surprisingly easy. We were planning to take the regular bus to Malapascua (technically, to Maya Port), so we just walked up to the booth, waited in line, and told the lady we wanted to go to Maya Port with air-con. She printed the tickets, we paid ₱220, and hopped on the bus she pointed us to. It had air-conditioning and looked pretty new, basic, but totally fine.

The ride took about 5 hours. Not because it’s far, but because the bus stops constantly. Like, every five minutes someone’s hopping on or off. Nothing you can do about that, it’s just how buses work here.

Once we arrived at Maya Port, we had to register with immigration (just a quick stop at the little office there) and then went to buy our ferry tickets. Everything was super straightforward. The boat itself is a classic Filipino pump boat, basically a wooden boat with bamboo outriggers. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

Arriving in Malapascua, we were greeted by crystal-clear water and starfish everywhere around the harbor. From there, we just walked to our accommodation. Easy. Long day, but nothing stressful. Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to mess up, hence everything is super simple, it just takes a while.

I’ll break down all the specifics like schedules and prices below, but that’s the gist of how my trip went.

How to Get from Cebu to Malapascua (via Maya Port)

Let’s break this down real quick. No matter how you decide to travel, the last stretch to Malapascua is always the same: you’ll head to Maya Port at the northern tip of Cebu, and from there, take a ferry across to Malapascua. Simple as that.

The only real decision you need to make is how you want to get from Cebu City to Maya Port. You’ve got a few options—bus, minivan, or private transfer—and honestly, they all get you there in more or less the same amount of time. I took the standard air-conditioned bus, and it was totally fine. A bit slow, sure, but comfortable and straightforward, and it didn’t feel like a hassle at all. That’s the one I’d personally recommend, but I’ll lay out the different options further down so you can pick what suits you best.

Taking the Ferry from Maya Port to Malapascua (This Part Is Always the Same)

As I mentioned, everyone finishes the journey to Malapascua the same way, by ferry from Maya Port.

Here’s how that works:

Once you arrive at the port, the first stop is the little yellow house on stilts next to the pier. That’s the environmental office where you’ll register and pay a ₱140 environmental fee. Have your passport ready, they’ll ask for it.

After that, walk over to the yellow container booth just a few steps away. That’s where you’ll show your registration slip and buy your ferry ticket for ₱200 per person.

From there, just walk through the gate, and someone from the boat crew will guide you onto the pump boat. The boats are simple, wooden with bamboo outriggers, very typical for the Philippines. I recommend tossing your backpack or luggage on the box in the middle of the boat to keep it from getting soaked. It can get a bit splashy if the sea’s rough.

The boat ride only takes 30 to 40 minutes, and you’ll get dropped off at Malapascua’s tiny little port. From there, you can either walk to your accommodation (everything’s super close), or hop on a motorbike taxi if you’re carrying too much stuff.

Private Boat Ride to Malapascua

I haven’t mentioned this yet, but there’s also the option to take a private boat transfer from Maya Port to Malapascua. This often comes included if you’re staying at one of the more upscale dive resorts—like Hippocampus Beach Resort, for example. They work with Devocean Divers (my favorite dive shop in Malapascua), and if you book through them, they can arrange a private boat transfer that’ll drop you off right on the beach in front of the hotel.

Taking the Bus to Malapascua Island

Time: ~5 hours
Price: ₱220 per person
Comfort: Surprisingly new and air-conditioned
Schedule: Every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (no need to book ahead)

Taking the bus from Cebu City to Malapascua (well, to Maya Port, to be exact) is honestly super easy. No need to book anything in advance and I don’t even think you can. Just grab a Grab (yep, that’s the name of the app, basically the Southeast Asian version of Uber) and head to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Once you’re there, just walk up to the ticket counter and tell them you want to go to Maya Port with aircon. That’s it.

The terminal is actually kind of impressive. Way more organized than I expected, clean, modern, and everyone queues up properly. The staff at the counter all speak English, so no need to stress. Just make sure you’re getting a seat on the green Ceres Tours bus (those have air-conditioning). The yellow Ceres Liner buses are the non-AC ones, so double-check before hopping on.

The bus itself was also way newer than I expected, basic but clean and comfortable enough. The only real downside was, that the seats are small, and if you’re anything over 6 feet tall, you might be a bit squished. But hey, it’s five hours, not forever.

The real killer is how often the bus stops. Like… constantly. Picking up people, dropping others off, it never ends. That’s why the trip takes five hours even though the distance isn’t that crazy. Still, once you get to Maya, the bus drops you off right at the port. It’s the final stop, so you literally can’t miss it.

From there, just follow the steps in the ferry section above to get across to Malapascua.

How to Get to Malapascua By Minivan

Time: ~4 hours
Price: ₱350 per person
Comfort: Faster but more cramped
Schedule: Leaves when full (usually every 20–30 minutes) from 6:00 AM onwards

Taking a minivan from Cebu to Malapascua follows the exact same process as taking the bus. They leave from the Cebu North Bus Terminal too, just look for the typical white passenger vans hanging around the lot.

The key difference is that minivans don’t leave on a fixed schedule. Instead, they depart whenever they’re full, which usually doesn’t take more than 20–30 minutes. They’re a bit faster than the bus, expect about 4 hours total but also more expensive at ₱350 per person.

That said, don’t expect a comfier ride. These vans are infamous for being packed to the brim, sometimes with people even sitting on the floor. So while the trip might be shorter, you’ll probably be a lot more squished.

Personally, I’d still go with the bus. The extra legroom (even if it’s just a bit), air-con, and predictability make the longer ride worth it. But if you’re in a rush or just want to hop into the next thing leaving, the minivan works fine too.

Once you get to Maya Port, the rest of the journey is the same, head to the registration and ferry (see section above).

How to Go to Malapascua Island by Private Van, Shuttle, or Taxi ( How to Get to Malapascua from Cebu Airport )

Time: ~3.5 hours
Price: ~₱4,500 total (around $80, for up to 3 people)
Comfort: Very high, private car with air-con
Schedule: On demand, you choose the pickup time

Taking a private transfer is the one option where you’ll really feel a difference in both time and comfort. I didn’t go this route myself, but I looked into it pretty thoroughly, both online and while I was in Cebu.

If you’re on vacation and don’t feel like dealing with any stress, this is probably your best bet. You can book a private driver who’ll pick you up straight from your hotel or the airport in Cebu and take you all the way to Maya Port in around 3.5 hours. The car is usually a proper sedan or van with air conditioning, and the ride is direct, no random stops or chaos.

It costs about ₱4,500 (roughly $80) for up to 3 people, but the more people you split it with, the more affordable it gets per person. So if you’re traveling with friends or family and just want to get there smoothly, this is definitely the most stress-free option. I’ll link a couple of reliable options down below.

–Get Your Guide Driver

–Island Trek Tours

How Much Does it Cost from Cebu to Malapascua?

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the costs and times for the three main transport options from Cebu City all the way to Malapascua, including the ferry and environmental fees. This should make it easier to compare and decide what fits your budget and schedule best.

Cost / Time	Bus	Minivan	Private Transfer
Transport Cost (Cebu to Maya Port)	₱320	₱350	₱4,500 (1500/pax)
Ferry Ticket (Maya to Malapascua)	₱200	₱200	₱200
Environmental Fee	₱140	₱140	₱140
Total Cost	₱660	₱690	₱4,840
Travel Time (Cebu to Maya Port)	~5 hours	~4 hours	~3.5 hours
Ferry Time (Maya to Malapascua)	~30-40 minutes	~30-40 minutes	~30-40 minutes
Total Travel Time	~5.5 hours	~4.5 hours	~4 hours

Final Thoughts on How to Get to Malapascua from Cebu

Getting to Malapascua will definitely take up most of your day, that’s just something to be prepared for. But honestly, it’s worth it if you’re sure you want to visit. If you’re into scuba diving or thinking about learning, I can absolutely recommend it. Otherwise, I’m not 100% sure it’s worth the long travel just for a quick visit.

That said, getting there isn’t difficult or stressful at all,  it just takes time. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the process and what to expect. It’s really pretty straightforward, so no need to stress. Just take it slow and enjoy the journey!

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