The 7 Best Non-Diving Things to Do in Malapascua Island

Last Updated on May 30, 2025 by Oliver

Malapascua Island in the Philippines is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the country and for good reason. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can dive with thresher sharks and pretty much guarantee a sighting, which is super cool.

I personally had an amazing experience diving here, and since scuba diving is kind of the main reason people come to Malapascua, I’ve put together a full guide on that which is definitely worth checking out.

But if you’re visiting Malapascua without any intention of diving, or you’re just looking for something to do on your dive-free day, this list is for you. I’ve rounded up my favorite things to do on Malapascua that aren’t diving. It’s not a huge list, because honestly, there isn’t a ton to do here but these are the activities I actually think are worth your time.

Things to Do in Malapascua – My Experience

I spent a few days in Malapascua and only used two out of the five days for scuba diving. One day I did a refresher course in the shallow water just off the island near the shipwreck snorkeling site, and the other day I went diving with the thresher sharks.

That left me with plenty of time to explore the island, check out the beaches, and find some other fun things to do.

The island is pretty small, so there honestly isn’t a ton to do but I have to say, my favorite activity outside of scuba diving was snorkeling. I know it’s kind of in the same category, but it doesn’t require any certification and it’s way cheaper too.

We booked a snorkeling tour that took us to some of the best spots around the island, and honestly, it was almost as cool as scuba diving. We saw a bunch of blacktip reef sharks, tons of fish, and even a turtle so I’d call that a success.

Aside from that, I really enjoyed the beaches in Malapascua. Bounty Beach in the south and White Sand Beach in the north were my two favorites—white sand, crystal-clear water, and super chill vibes.

1. Go Snorkeling (You Can See Sharks Here Too)

Snorkeling Malapascua is actually amazing and I loved it just as much as the scuba diving. So even if you’re coming here specifically for the diving, I’d still recommend setting aside at least one day or afternoon for a snorkel tour.

We booked our tour through our accommodation, Georgia’s Neverland, which is a super cheap eco stay. It only cost 500 pesos (less than $10 USD) for a four-stop snorkeling trip that took us around the whole island.

The tour itself was super simple, just a local guy and his young son taking us out on their boat and dropping us off at the different snorkel spots. Masks and snorkels were included, but that’s honestly all you really need.

One of the sites is home to a group of 10–15 baby blacktip reef sharks, and they actually live there, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them up close which was so cool.

The other spots were scattered around the island and full of colorful fish and coral. We even saw some underwater snakes and a turtle. All that for less than $10 USD? Easily one of the best things we did in Malapascua.

2. Explore the Beaches in Malapascua

I didn’t want to list every single beach here as its own activity, so I’m grouping them all together and just telling you which ones are actually worth visiting.

My two favorite beaches on the island were Bounty Beach and White Sand Beach.

Bounty Beach is the main beach in the south, near the port. It’s more built up and that’s where most of the dive shops and dive resorts are but it gets quieter the further down you walk. I liked this beach because it’s clean and super easy to hang out at after a day of diving. My go-to spot was usually Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort. They’ve got a great setup with bean bags right on the sand, and you can just chill there with affordable drinks or lunch.

White Sand Beach in the far north is also great but less developed and not nearly as busy. It was clean, the water had a bit more wave action (which I liked), and the sand really lives up to its name. We usually hung out near Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort because that’s where the beach was the cleanest.

To be honest, most of the other beaches aren’t really worth your time. Sadly, Malapascua has a big trash problem, and we came across piles of plastic and garbage more often than we’d like. Some beaches, like Lapu Lapu Beach, were honestly disgusting and closer to a landfill than a beach. I’d stick to Bounty Beach and White Sand Beach and skip the rest.

3. Watch Sunset at Shipwreck Beach Bar

My favorite spot on the whole island for sunset was Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar (formerly Lighthouse Beach Bar). It has the best sunset views in Malapascua, no question. The bar itself is super laid-back, it’s basically just a wooden shack but it’s tucked away in its own little cove with a small beach, which makes it the perfect spot for a sunset swim.

They serve super cheap drinks, strong cocktails, and ice-cold beers, which is pretty much everything I want from a beach bar.

Getting there is a bit of a mission. You’ll need to climb quite a few stairs (check Google Maps for the route), but I totally think it’s worth the effort.

Just a heads-up: this isn’t some secret hidden gem. It might feel like one when you’re there, but it does get busy. I’d get there at least an hour before sunset to grab a good spot. Or, honestly, just bring a towel and sit on the sand, it works just as well.

4.Take Day Trip to Kalanggaman Island

The island sits pretty much in the middle of the ocean, and getting there takes about 2 hours by boat from Malapascua. 

Most guesthouses and dive shops offer tours (we booked ours through our accommodation), and it cost around 800 pesos for the boat plus a 500-peso entrance fee. The tour included a BBQ lunch on the island, which was super chill, we had grilled fish, rice, and veggies.

Once you arrive, you’ve got a few hours to just relax, swim, and walk along the massive sandbar. One end of the island is lined with palm trees, and the whole place feels completely untouched, no hotels, no restaurants, no vendors shouting at you.

There’s also the option to camp overnight, but it’s just you and a tent on the beach, so definitely not a luxury setup. I didn’t do the overnight myself, but if you’re into the idea of a castaway-style experience, it might be worth looking into.

Book Online Here: Kalanggaman Island Tour

5. Explore the North of Malapascua

A few of the things on this list are already up in the north, but I wanted to call it out properly because heading up there is definitely worth the trip. Chances are you’ll be staying in the south of Malapascua, if you check Google Maps, you’ll see that the south is much more built up. Most hotels and dive resorts are down there, while the north is quieter and more local.

You can walk up north in about 30 minutes, or just hop on a motorbike taxi for around 5 minutes which only costs 50 pesos.

There’s some cool stuff to check out in the north, like the shipwreck snorkeling site, the Shipwreck Sunset Beach Bar, White Sand Beach, and the hidden beach Gugma Beach. If you’re hungry, stop by My Tablea Café, they serve good food and, fun fact, they have a huge pet turkey wandering around, which is so random but kind of hilarious.

I loved the north because it gave me a glimpse of real local life in the Philippines with pigs and roosters roaming around, families living simply, and kids playing basketball on a dirt court with a hoop nailed to a palm tree.

6. Get a proper coffee at Devozen Cafe

I know this isn’t technically an activity, but honestly, for me, it was. I’m a total coffee lover, and after spending time on other islands in the Philippines (Siargao, for example, has amazing cafes), I was really hoping to find something similar in Malapascua.

It wasn’t easy, but the best and basically only proper coffee shop I found was Devozen Cafe, which I think is part of Devocean Divers Dive Center. And by proper, I mean a real espresso machine, actual baristas, and drinks like flat whites and cappuccinos—not just instant coffee with powdered creamer.

It’s still not the best coffee I’ve ever had, but it’s definitely the best spot on the island. So if you’re craving something decent, want a quiet place to chill, grab some breakfast, or maybe get a bit of work done, Devozen is the place to go.

7. Enjoy a NIght Out at Saturday Night Disco

Malapascua isn’t exactly known for wild nightlife—most people are in bed early because, well, scuba divers have to be up at 4:30am. But if you’re not diving the next morning (or just feel like stretching your night a little), the Saturday Night Disco is where it’s at.

It takes place every Saturday at the local basketball court by the church in the north of the island, and it’s basically a community party with local DJs, drinks, and a whole lot of dancing. It’s not a big club or anything fancy—more like a laid-back outdoor party where everyone is just there to have a good time.

If you’re staying in the south, just ask someone at your guesthouse or dive shop and they’ll point you in the right direction. It’s super local, super fun, and a great way to mix with people from the island.

FAQs About Things to Do in Malapascua

Where to stay in Malapascua?

There aren’t tons of options, but if you want to keep things easy and comfortable, I’d go with one of the popular dive resorts like Buena Vida Beach Resort or Hippocampus Dive Resort. If you’re on a budget, Georgia’s Neverland is a super affordable eco-stay.

How to get to Malapascua?

Getting to Malapascua takes pretty much a full day, but it’s fairly straightforward. From Cebu City, you take a 5-hour bus to Maya Port, then hop on a 30-minute ferry to the island. I do have a full guide on how to get to Malapascua Island too.

Is Malapascua worth visiting?

If you’re into scuba diving or want to learn and seeing thresher sharks is on your bucket list, then yes, 100% it’s worth it.

How is the diving in Malapascua?

Phenomenal. Diving with thresher sharks was honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. If you’re even slightly interested, I’d highly recommend giving it a go.

Where to eat in Malapascua?

I personally liked the food at the Buena Vida Beach Resort. They have some tasty mini burgers and mini pizzas for their happy hour.

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Malapascua as a Non-Diver

I’ve said this in another article, but I think it’s worth repeating here: Malapascua really makes the most sense if you’re into scuba diving or at least want to learn it. That’s the main reason people come, and it’s what the island is best known for.

That said, the snorkeling is also phenomenal, and you can still have a great time relaxing on the beaches or getting a glimpse of more authentic local life in the Philippines. But beyond that, I personally don’t think there’s a ton to do here if you’re not diving.

My advice? Do what I did. Spend a few days Malapascua diving (even just a discovery dive!), and then leave a couple of days to snorkel and explore the island. It’s a good mix, and it gives you a chance to experience both the underwater world and a more down-to-earth side of Filipino island life.

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