Malapascua Cebu

Christmas day of year 1520, Spaniards’ ship got stranded  due to bad weather in the island and because of this misfortune of having to spend Christmas stuck in a desolate island, the Spaniards called the island Mala Pascua, which literally means “Bad Easter”. And from then on, the island has been called Malapascua.

How to get to Malapascua Island? 

Malapascua is the northern most tip island of Cebu and to get there, one can hop on a Maya Port bound bus or  van at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Travel time is around 5-6 hours. (Fare: Air-conditioned Bus: 170php , Non-Airconditioned bus: 163php | First bus leaving Bus terminal, 1am last trip at 10PM) . Then arriving at  Maya Port, you’d take a 30 minute boat ride (Fare: 80php) to the island of Malapscua.

Accommodations:

Would highly suggest that if you want to explore or snorkel around the island that you stay at least a night or if you plan to dive , stay at least 2 nights in the island.  Accommodations in the island start at 800php for a non air-conditioned room, good for 2 people per night.

 

What I love about Malapascua is that it’s serene and intimate. You’d also notice that most visitors here are foreigners.

The island is known for its white sand beaches but most tourists go here to dive and see thresher sharks and manta rays.

The best way to see all the beautiful beaches of Malapascua is to hire a boat. For snorkeling and beach hopping you can rent a boat for as little as 300php per person (minimum of 4 people, inclusive of snorkel. Environmental Fee of 50php is not included).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of my underwater shots during our snorkeling around the island. Don’t worry I will dive soon and share my photos with you all. 😉

 

Food

Affordable and really good food, we highly recommend Ging-gings Restaurant and Flower Garden . A must try at Ging-ging’s are the calamares, Chicken curry and squid in coconut milk. And at night, get a glass of Mango Daiquiri and Malapascua Pizza at Sea Explorer Bar.

 

 

 

Before heading back to the city, purchase some souvenirs from the island. Get an arm candy or a thresher shark wood carving.

 

Going back to the city.

To get back to the Cebu City from Malapascua: Go to Malapascua Port then ride a boat to Maya (Approximately 30minute boat ride | Fare: 80php |last trip at 3pm so be sure to be there by 2pm just to make sure you get a ticket). Bus going to Cebu North Bus Terminal are parked at the Maya Terminal (First bus trip from Maya to Cebu North Bus Terminal at 1AM and last bus trip 5:30pm | Fare: 170php | Travel time approximately 5 hours.)