The 4 Best Malapascua Beaches: These Are My Favorite Beaches in 2025

Malapascua Island in the Philippines is a small island just off the northern tip of Cebu, and to me it’s nothing short of awesome. The diving with thresher sharks is the main draw, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of my trip. Most travelers come here for that reason alone.

If you’re into scuba diving or want to try it, Malapascua should be high on your list of places to visit in the Philippines. But here’s the thing: once you’re done diving by 1pm, what do you do for the rest of the day? For me, the answer was almost always the beach.

I visited in April 2025 and spent a few days checking out different beaches around the island. Some were stunning, others… not so much. That’s why I put this guide together, my honest take on the best Malapascua Beaches. It might look perfect on Google Maps, but not every beach lives up to the photos. Here’s what I found.

The Best Malapascua Beaches – My Experience

Let me start this beach guide with my own experience, so you get a proper feel for both the good and the not-so-pretty sides of Malapascua’s beaches.

I visited in April, right during Holy Week, which is one of the biggest public holidays in the Philippines. It’s a time when loads of locals travel and enjoy their country (which I genuinely love to see). But it also meant the island was packed.

Trash was everywhere. Plastic in the sand, piles of burnt rubbish, bottles floating in the water, you name it. And no, this isn’t a “blame the tourists” moment. The real issue is that there’s clearly no proper waste management system in place on the island.

The first beach I visited was Lapus Lapus Beach for sunset. The photos online looked dreamy but when I showed up, I found ash heaps where people had burned garbage and plastic tangled in the tide line. It was honestly heartbreaking. Other beaches weren’t much better during that week either.

Now, once Easter ended and the crowds thinned out, things improved a bit. You could tell that people had tried to clean up, but it still didn’t look like how nature intended it to be. That untouched island vibe, it wasn’t quite there.

That said, not all was lost. A few beaches were still insanely beautiful and relatively trash-free (hallelujah). My favorite was for sure Bounty Beach, it’s the main stretch down south where most of the dive shops are, and it’s clearly more maintained. I spent most of my time there between dives. The sand was white, the water was clear, and it actually felt like a proper island escape.

1. Bounty Beach // The Best Malapascua Island Beach

Out of all the beaches in Malapascua, Bounty Beach was easily my favorite. It’s the longest beach on the island, stretching along the entire southern coast and if you’re staying in one of the nicer dive resorts, chances are you’ll be waking up right on its shore.

I didn’t stay on the beach myself, but my dive shop (Devocean Divers) was right in the middle of it, on the main strip they call “Bounty Beachfront.” That’s where most of the dive shops and resorts are lined up, so naturally I ended up spending a lot of time there in between and after dives.

The sand is white, the water’s crystal clear, and the vibe changes depending on where you are. Closer to the port it’s more built-up and busy, but the further you walk down the beach, the quieter and more relaxed it gets. If you want that peaceful, post-dive beer-with-a-view vibe, just keep walking away from the crowds.

There are some great beach bars and restaurants here too. I really liked the one at Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, it’s perfect for a cold drink or a lazy lunch after a morning of diving. 

Bounty Beach is also amazing for snorkeling. If you’ve got your own gear, just walk into the water straight from the beach. I recommend heading over toward Evolution Beach & Dive Resort, we went snorkeling there and saw turtles, tons of reef fish, and even stingrays jumping out of the water.

2. White Sand Beach // Best Quiet Beach in Malapascua

White Sand Beach is the main beach up in the north of Malapascua, and while it doesn’t get as much attention as Bounty Beach, it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s got more going on than the other northern beaches, there’s a dive resort, a few cute little cafes and restaurants. We spent a few days staying up north, so of course we ended up here a lot.

The sand is white and soft, the water perfectly turquoise blue, and the vibe is more quiet relaxed. It also had a bit more wave action, which was a nice change. Down south, most beaches are totally flat which is great for diving, not so much for splashing around.

If you find yourself getting hungry while you’re up here, do yourself a favor and stop by My Tablea Cafe. It’s a small, local cafe that serves homemade breakfasts and lunches for cheap and it’s actually good.

3. Gugma Beach // Hidden Malapascua Beach

Gugma Beach is a quiet little spot tucked up on the northeast coast of Malapascua and easily the most hidden beach on this list. It’s not the kind of place you stumble across by accident. You either take a boat or follow a small footpath through the trees (Google Maps does the job, don’t worry).

When we went, it honestly felt like a secret beach, there was no one else around, just us and the sound of the waves. The sand was soft and white, and the whole place had very much of a ‘hidden gem’ vibe. That said, there was a bit of rubbish scattered around (a recurring theme, unfortunately), but by then we were probably used to it.

We didn’t snorkel here, but I’ve heard it’s actually a great spot for it, just bring your own gear and keep an eye out for boats. It’s a bit more remote, but totally worth the walk if you’re looking for a quiet beach day away from the main strip.

4. Shipwreck Beach Bar (Rock Beach) // Best Beach in Malapascua for Sunset

Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar might just be my favorite hangout spot in all of Malapascua. It’s basically a little wooden shack type of bar, serving up cold beers, surprisingly strong cocktails (you’ve been warned), and simple but tasty food at prices that don’t hurt your wallet.

To get there, head for the “Shipwreck Beach Trailhead” on Google Maps, then follow the narrow jungle path up the stairs. You’ll feel like you’re going the wrong way, but you’re not. Trust the process.

The bar itself sits in a tiny little cove with its own beach, which makes it an unbeatable spot for sunset. Try to arrive a bit before 5pm if you want to get a good seat. What we did was head down around 4pm, chilled on the beach, swam a bit, and then grabbed a drink as the sun started to drop. Sunset swims, beach beers, and that golden-hour glow? Peak island vibes!

FAQs About the Best Beaches in Malapascua

How is scuba diving in Malapascua?

It’s world-class, honestly. Malapascua is famous for one very good reason: thresher sharks. If you’re into diving or want to get into it, this is one of the few places in the world where you can reliably see them. The early morning dives are 100% worth it.

When is the best time to visit Malapascua?

The dry season, roughly December to May is the sweet spot. You’ll get clear skies, calm seas, and the best diving conditions. Try to avoid major Filipino holidays like Easter and Christmas unless you’re prepared for crowds and higher prices. I went during Holy Week, and yeah… it was chaos.

What are the best beaches in Malapascua?

Bounty Beach is the main one and where most people (including me) hang out, it’s long, white, swimmable, and great for snorkeling. White Sand Beach in the north is also a good shout if you want something quieter and with a few waves.

How to get to Malapascua from Cebu?

To get to Malapascua from Cebu City, take a bus or van from the North Bus Terminal to Maya Port (about 4–5 hours), then hop on a boat to Malapascua Island (around 30 minutes). Boats usually leave when full, and the last one departs mid to late afternoon (5PM), so try to leave Cebu early.

Is Malapascua worth visiting?

If you’re into diving, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re not into diving then it depends. The beaches are beautiful, but the island is tiny and very chill,so don’t come expecting big parties or flashy resorts. I personally think it’s worth it for a few days, especially if you want a more quiet island vibe with some underwater adventure thrown in.

Final Thoughts on My Top Malapascua Beaches

Alright, so here’s my honest take: I wouldn’t come to Malapascua just for the beaches. If beaches are your main priority, there are way better options in the Philippines like Boracay, Siquijor, or Coron. But if you’re here for the diving (which you probably are), the beaches are more than good enough to spend your afternoons on after those early morning dives.

Maybe I was a bit harsh earlier because truthfully, the beaches are beautiful. The water is ridiculously clear, the snorkeling is amazing (we saw turtles and stingrays!), and there are definitely some amazing spots  if you know where to go. Some parts can be a little trashed up, yeah, but overall the beaches still get a thumbs up from me.

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