With over 7000 islands to choose from, where do we start?! For me, personally, the smaller, more deserted, the better.
After unsuccessful attempt to find a paradise in Boracay, I’ve decided to try Cebu region. Malapascua is an island located in north Cebu. It especially attracts divers because of a rich marine sanctuary, and is best known for thresher sharks. But diving isn’t the only reason to visit the island, it can also offer pristine beautiful beaches for a laid back holiday.
How to get there:
Regular Ceres buses run from North Cebu bus terminal to Maya. Trip will take around 4 hours and costs 200php for AC bus (160 students), I suggest leaving early to avoid morning traffic and to get there by 3pm. Once you get to Maya port (last bus stop) take a panga to Malapascua. They leave once full and cost 100php and only takes 30min. First boat is at 6:30am and last at 3pm. Make sure you fall in that window. We also had to pay an additional 20php for little boat to get us on shore as it was low tide.
Accommodation varies from luxury AC rooms to basic style dorms. Budget inn offers dorms for 400php, when another hostel has them for 350 (don’t remember the name, but you turn right after port and walk a few minutes). We opted for a private fan cabana for 550/night at Mr Kwizz. I read some bad review about it but my stay was pleasant and without complaints.
Food is fairly priced. With little bbq’s on a street for 100php to higher end restaurants. My favourite was Ging Gings, where portions are humanly sized and cheaply priced. Make sure to try their curries (85php with rice), they’re truly great for Philippines cooking:)
Ocen Vida does happy hour 4-7pm and has 2for1 cocktails that are not ‘shoot me disappointing’.
I was highly recommended to dive and see thresher sharks and make a trip to Kalanggman island. I have done none. No explanation for that. But you can get a boat to Kalanggman for 800php return + 500 park fee and avoid doing my mistakes.
Travel tip: stock up the cash in Cebu city, as once you leave it, bus wont stop and there will be no ATM in Malapascua.
Recent Comments