Malapascua Philippines Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know For Visiting Malapascua Island in 2025

Malapascua isn’t exactly on every backpacker’s radar. It’s not as hyped as Siargao or Palawan, but if you’re into scuba diving, chances are you’ve already heard of it. 

That’s how I found out about it too. I was backpacking around the Philippines when another traveler mentioned this tiny island where you can dive with thresher sharks and that instantly got my attention.

Yes, Malapascua is famous for thresher sharks, but there’s more to it than just diving. It’s a small island off the northern part of Cebu Island, and if you’re already in that area, it’s actually pretty easy to get to.

So if you’re planning a trip to Malapascua or just trying to figure out your route through the Philippines then this is the guide I’ve put together for you. It’s got everything I wish I’d known before going, plus the little tips and things that made my own trip better. Here’s how to make the most of Malapascua in 2025.

Why I Love Malapascua Island: My Own Experience

For me, Malapascua was (and still is) a bit of a love-hate relationship and here’s why. On one hand, it’s home to some of the most incredible scuba diving I’ve ever done. Getting in the water and suddenly being surrounded by thresher sharks? Absolutely unreal. It’s also way less developed than a lot of the other islands I visited in the Philippines, which made it feel more raw and authentic. Some of the beaches are absolutely stunning, and it really does give you that proper off-the-grid island life vibe.

But on the other hand… yeah, there are parts of Malapascua that just don’t have that paradise feel. I struggled with how much plastic and rubbish was scattered around, especially near some of the beaches. A few spots felt more like a dumping ground than a tropical island, and that was hard to ignore.

That said, I still had a great time overall and if you’re wondering whether Malapascua is worth visiting, my answer is a solid yes if you’re into diving. That’s where this island truly shines.

Some Keynotes to Know About Malapascua Island

• ATMs are limited: There aren’t many working ATMs on the island. As of my visit, the only one I found to be consistently reliable was inside Mabuhay Thresher Dive Center at Bounty Beach. I’d recommend bringing enough cash with you just in case.
  
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Snorkeling here is surprisingly good, even right off Bounty Beach. You’ll see loads of coral and fish without needing to hop on a boat. If you already have a mask and snorkel, it’s worth packing.
  
• It’s more rugged than you might expect: Compared to places like Siargao or El Nido, Malapascua feels a bit more raw and local. Fewer nice restaurants, more basic accommodation, and a bit rougher around the edges. Just something to keep in mind.
  
• Stay south if you’re diving: If your plan is to dive a lot (which it probably is if you’re coming here), I’d recommend staying on the southern side of the island. That’s where most of the dive shops, resorts, and restaurants are, so it makes everything easier.
  
• Power cuts happen: Not a huge deal, but don’t be surprised if the power cuts out now and then. Bring a power bank for your phone and maybe avoid relying on Wi-Fi too much.

Where is Malapascua & How to Get to Malapascua

So where is Malapascua? Easy, it’s a tiny island just off the northern tip of Cebu in the Philippines. And when I say tiny, I mean you can walk from the southern end to the northern beach in about 45 minutes. Yep, that small.

If you’re already in or around Cebu, getting to Malapascua is pretty straightforward. The best (and cheapest) way is to head to the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Cebu City and hop on an air-conditioned coach bus to Maya Port. The ride takes about five hours, depending on traffic and how often your driver feels like stopping.

Once you arrive in Maya, the bus will drop you right at the port. From there, it’s a 30–40 minute boat ride to Malapascua. Just a little heads up, you’ll need to register and pay a small fee before boarding one of the wooden pump boats. It’s all pretty casual and easy to navigate.

All up, the whole trip usually takes the better part of a day, but it’s nothing too stressful. Just bring snacks, water, and maybe a downloaded playlist if you don’t want five hours of Filipino karaoke classics on the bus.

The Best Time to Visit Malapascua Philippines

I actually wrote a whole guide on the best time to visit Malapascua, so if you want the full month-by-month breakdown, go check that out.

But if you’re after the quick version: the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. Obvious reasons are sunshine, blue skies, and way better scuba diving conditions. Rainy season messes with underwater visibility, and if you’re coming all this way to see thresher sharks, you want clear and blue water.

I personally recommend February or March. You avoid the big local holiday crowds (like Christmas or Easter), but still get great weather and ideal dive conditions. Fewer tourists, more sharks.

Where to Stay in Malapascua Island

Malapascua is small, like really small, so location isn’t a huge deal. That said, there are still two main areas to know about when picking where to stay.

The north side is much quieter and more remote. It’s peaceful, less developed, and a bit off the grid. You’ll find some budget stays up there, but it’s also farther from the action, meaning restaurants, dive shops, and the ferry port.

The south side is where most of the action is. This is where you’ll find the popular Bounty Beach, the majority of dive resorts, plenty of restaurants, and the main ferry drop-off point. It’s more built-up (relatively speaking) and has more options for food, nightlife, and diving.

I’ve mentioned this before, but if you asked me where to stay in Malapascua, I’d always say the south. That’s where I stayed, and that’s where I’d stay again. The north is beautiful, sure, but it’s just too far removed for my liking. Unless you’re after a proper off-the-grid experience, I’d recommend sticking near Bounty Beach. It’s clean, it’s got a nice mix of places to eat and hang out, and the snorkeling right off the beach is surprisingly decent.

Here are a few of my favorite places to stay in Malapascua:

Book Here: Buena Vida Resort & Spa

Book Here: Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort

Book Here: Hippocampus Beach Resort

Scuba Diving in Malapascua Philippines

Scuba diving in Malapascua is unreal. I’ve got a full guide on diving in Malapascua if you want more information and  details (or at least as much as I’m capable of giving), but here’s the short version.

The big reason people come here is for the thresher sharks, sometimes called fox sharks. Malapascua is one of the only places in the world where you can pretty much guarantee seeing them. Why? Because of something called a cleaning station, where these sharks come up from the deep early in the morning to get their gills and skin cleaned by tiny reef fish. Nature’s spa day. The most famous dive site for this is Monad Shoal, and yes, it’s as incredible as it sounds.

I did the dive recently and can 100% say it was one of the coolest dives I’ve ever done. Floating there while a thresher shark glides past you with that impressive looking tail, it’s wild.

But it’s not just about the sharks. There are loads of other dive sites around the island where you can spot so much marine life from seahorses, turtles, octopus, mandarin fish, stingrays, and nudibranchs, to even tiger sharks, whale sharks or hammerheads if the dive gods are feeling generous.

Dive shops in Malapascua are generally great too. I went with Devocean Divers and had a brilliant experience, super professional but also super chill. Would happily dive with them again.

Things to Do in Malapascua Island

When it comes to things to do in Malapascua… well, I’ll be honest, scuba diving is definitely the main activity here. I’ve said it in other Malapascua posts too, but if you’re not into diving, I’m not totally sure Malapascua is worth the trip. That said, most dives wrap up by early afternoon, and not everyone wants to dive every single day. So, yeah, there are a few other things to do on the island.

Snorkeling is an easy one. It’s super affordable, around $10 for a 2.5-hour trip and honestly way better than I expected. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see baby black tip reef sharks, and we even got lucky and saw a turtle. 

Beach hopping is also a nice way to spend some downtime. Bounty Beach in the south is the main one and good for swimming, but I actually liked White Sand Beach up north too, it’s quieter and feels a bit more untouched.

And finally, watching sunset at Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar. It’s not fancy, but it’s my favorite spot on the island for a drink and a proper golden hour view. Definitely worth checking out.

Where to Eat in Malapascua

Malapascua doesn’t have the most exciting food scene, at least not if you’re comparing it to more popular tourist spots in the Philippines. But honestly, it doesn’t have to. I didn’t come here for the food. I came for the diving. Still, there are a few pretty good spots I really liked, so here’s a quick list of my go-to places to eat on the island:

Ocean Vida Resort: Great for some fried calamari or miniburgers during happy hour. The location is hard to beat, it’s right on the beach, super chill, and perfect for a post-dive lunch and a cold beer.

Devocean Café: A small coffee shop right on Bounty Beach. As far as I know, it’s the only place on the island where you can get proper specialty coffee, like a decent latte or cappuccino.

Angelina Beach Resort: If you’re craving pizza, this is the place. It’s run by true Italians, and the pizza actually tastes authentic. Definitely the best pizza I had on the island.

Bebot’s: A bit of a classic here. It’s a local breakfast spot with typical island-style breakfasts (rice, sausage, and egg), plus sandwiches and pancakes if you’re after something more familiar.

My Tablea Café: My favorite little spot up north. It’s a family-run café with affordable local dishes, a cozy vibe, and a massive pet turkey that wanders around the place. It’s hilarious, you should go just to see it.

My Final Thoughts in Malapascua Island

Malapascua is an incredible spot if you’re into scuba diving or even just thinking about getting into it. If you’re doing your open water certification here, chances are you’ll get to dive with thresher sharks as part of your training, which is such a unique bonus. Honestly, that alone makes it worth coming here.

That said, Malapascua is definitely more raw and local compared to other places in the Philippines like Siargao or El Nido. It’s not overly polished, and that’s part of its charm in my opinion but its also something to be aware of. The infrastructure is more basic, and the island does have a serious trash problem in some areas. It’s not always the dreamy tropical postcard version of paradise you might expect.

People here live a simple life, and tourism is still relatively low. I personally liked that about it, it feels more real. Just come with the right expectations, and you’ll have a great time.

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