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Vincent Vanderveken.com

Take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

Malapascua

Malapascua island

by Vincent July 11, 2008
by Vincent July 11, 2008 6 comments

Malapascua with its small proportions of 2½ KM long by 1KM wide is a tiny but beautiful tropical island lost 8KM into the Visayan sea just off Cebu’s port of Maya. Often compared to what Boracay looked like 20 years ago the major advantage of Malapascua over Boracay is while it’s every bit as beautiful it hasn’t been overrun by development and tourists yet. More laid back and calm It’s a nice place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of life where you won’t find here any of those western style big hotels, trendy restaurants or nightclubs. What Malapascua island offers are a few beach-style bars with a crowd mostly made out of divers on Bounty beach.

View from the Bantigue Cove Beach Resort

The people come here for diving, enjoying the beach and nature glad to take life without the frills, away from clubs and all night partying. Don’t expect to see any jeepneys, much paved roads at all, tricycles or televisions. Just friendly locals living at their pace. Sitting and talking with each other as the children play on the beach. Most are fishermen or live from tourism by renting bancas for island hopping, snorkeling or diving. A fairly new diving destination since the nineties Malapascua gained popularity for being one of the few spots in the world where divers can be just about certain to sight Thresher Sharks, Manta Rays and White Tip Reef Sharks.

Shaded area of Bounty beach

My stay on Malapascua island only lasted two days but were memorable. On the last day I’ve taken about five hours to roam around and do the complete tour of the island on foot at my own pace which was well worth the long walk. It is where you will find the prettiest beaches (around the village of Langob and Guimbitayan) and get a taste of the real local Filipino native lifestyle. Due to the lack of ressources online showing pictures of the island in its entirety I shared pictures of my little tour where some commentaries can be read when images are viewed in full screen.

Kids playing some pool in Guimbitayan village

Map of the Island of Malapascua, Province of Cebu, Philippines

Map of the Island of Malapascua, Province of Cebu, Philippines

The banca ride from Maya to Malapascua

Arriving by boat in Malapascua

The crossing from the port of Maya on the tip of Cebu to Malapascua (under 50 pesos) takes 30 to 40 minutes by banca. Be sure to plan in advance and arrive not too late because it gets hard to find a boat past 5PM. Keep in mind that the ride from Cebu City to Maya will take ± 3½ to 4 hours by bus (under 100 pesos),  ± 2-3 hours by Van-Hire (under 150 pesos) or ± 2½ to 3 hours or by taking taxi depending on your bargaining skills and demand can range anywhere from 1000 to 2500 pesos.

[Show as slideshow]
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Various Photos from Bounty Beach

Floating bar along Bounty beach

The bulk of the accommodations and tourism takes place on and around Bounty beach. If you continue walking on the beach to the north a while you’ll go cross the two villages of Pansil and Indonacion. If you want to get away from the dive talk and tourists there are many resorts all around the island that will give you much more privacy in a more secluded area.

[Show as slideshow]
1.Sunsplash-Floating-bar-on-Bounty-Beach.jpg
2.fishermen.kids.bounty.beach.jpg
3.bluewater.beach.bar.jpg
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5.desamparados.banca.ridefrom.malapascua.to.cebu.jpg
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9.buddha.bar.malapascua.jpg
10.banca.jpg
11.bounty.beach.with.biggest.resort.of.island.at.the.end.jpg
16.white.beach.jpg
18.end.of.bounty.beach.jpg

Photos going into Kabantangan

Main inland road

Leaving the end of Bounty beach to go inland following what would become a narrow path with ample vegetation leading me north of the island to the more remote village of Kabatangan.

[Show as slideshow]
1.malapascua.roads.jpg
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3.native.kids.jpg
4.native.nipa.hut.malapascua.jpg
5.kabatangan.malapascua.village.jpg
6.kabatangan.beach.jpg

Next stop Bakhaw

village of Bakhaw along the beach

After Kabantangan just a few hundred meters later after a small hill you reach the village of Bakhaw

[Show as slideshow]
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In and around the village of Bool

Beach around village of Bool

Just at the next beach cove a stone’s throw from Bakhaw is the next village of Bool

[Show as slideshow]
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Bantigue Cove Beach Resort and Dive Shop

Beach around the Bantigue Cove Beach Resort

Just after Bool is probably the best resort to be located beach-wise if you are staying in Malapascua. A maximum of 10 couples can stay at the location assuring plenty of privacy with the best view.

plenty of privacy with the best vie

[Show as slideshow]
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Langob

Strip of sand around Langob

Calm and and blue sea in perfect harmony with the blindingly white sands of this long stretch of sand. The opposite end of the island is definitely my favorite spot where no tourists are in sight.

Beautiful view of Langcob and Guimbitayan beaches

[Show as slideshow]
1.Langob.view.from.hill.jpg
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5.Langob.beach.jpg
6.Children.playing.Langob.Malapascua.jpg
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9.Langob.malapascua.kids.playing.in.water.jpg

Guimbitayan

Bangkas along Guimbitayan beach

At the other side of the strip of sand is where Guimbitayan lies where the beach is as pleasant

[Show as slideshow]
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Guimbitayan

Small beach next to the Guimbitayan village

The walk up to the lighthouse tower which is Malapascua’s highest point on the Island

[Show as slideshow]
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view.from.malapascua.lighthouse.looking.into.the.Visayan Sea.jpg

Walk back

trail leading back to the road to south of Malapascua

Road from the lighthouse tower back to Malapascua’s biggest city Logon in the South

[Show as slideshow]
malapascua.mainland.village.near.sea.jpg
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Walk back

IMG_4715

Finally arriving in Logon, biggest city of Malapascua which is a few minutes from Bounty Beach

[Show as slideshow]
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My personal favorite place to stay on the Island:

Ocean Vida Resort (Click for online booking)

[Show as slideshow]
beachfront at Ocean Vida Resort
calm seas right at the beach in Ocean Vida Resort
Not a bad place to relax in Ocean Vida Resort!
Ocean Vida Resort room ot oceanfront-ground-floor
pathway around the accomodations at Ocean Vida Resort
ocean-vida-beach-view from the balcony
AsiaBeach of the PhilippinesCebuIsland of the PhilppinesMalapascuaPhilippinespopularSoutheast AsiaVisayas
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Vincent

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Coco Loco island and resort

6 comments

Hummer Floor Mats July 14, 2008 - 5:51 am

Hi Vincent,
Thanks for explaining about Malapascua island . I really enjoyed the photographs…
Wow…. what a beautiful place…..
If I got a chance sure I will go there to the island….

Great post…

Reply
Jacob S. July 22, 2008 - 7:22 am

Vincent, you have a seriously amazing blog. Beautiful pictures, and a quite savvy traveler if i may say so…

Thanks for the post of Malapascua island, great choice. Keep exploring, your blog is truly a pleasure…

Reply
Deka August 5, 2008 - 3:54 am

Great site. You have beautiful review and photos. I have a travel blog too, Thank you.

Reply
Deka August 6, 2008 - 5:22 am

Is it possible for link exchange?

Reply
Andrew October 9, 2008 - 11:48 am

Vincent, thanks for the interesting story and professional photos. I was in Montenegro in July, and I think I’ll visit Malapascua next year.

Reply
lina morales December 12, 2008 - 6:23 am

great blog…so nice to read them…i like how ur so open minded and ur views about places are not consrticted to what mediaa hypes………..pictures of the beaches are awesome…i especially love malapascua

Reply

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Make sure to take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

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