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.
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.
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.
Map of the Island of Malapascua, Province of Cebu, Philippines
The banca ride from Maya to 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.
Banca fully loaded with luggage headed direction Malapascua island! The WHOLE island can be seen here… All 2.5 KM long by 1km wide of it.Bounty beach ahead the most populated area of Malapascua islandgetting nearer as the banca crew gets in positionOne tip of the island\’s southern portion can be seen on the rightBlue Water Resort, one of the oldest and biggest resorts of Malapascua where I stayedHelpers on the land awaiting to unload…
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.
Various Photos from Bounty Beach
Banca that make multiple rides from Malapascua to Cebu main island and back daily.Indonacion Village apprentice fishermen on Bounty beach learning the trade of their parentsBue Water beach barRelaxing in the shade on bounth beachBanca that make multiple rides from Malapascua to Cebu main island and back daily.Beautiful view of sea from Bounty beach in MalapascuaBeautiful view of sea from Bounty beach in MalapascuaBuddha’s bar of Malapascua. One of the earliest ones to have a Happy Hour.Lonely Banca waiting…Bounty beach with its biggest resort of the island at the endFishing boats along white sands beachAt the end of white sands beach
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.
Photos going into Kabantangan
Leaving Bounty beach to roam a bit in the jungle. Hmmm many possible directions looking back.. Lets continue on this trail and see.The beach cove just next to KabatanganInland road to the village of KabatanganArriving in the remote village of KabantanganAlways curious kids following you around make excellent guides from village to village for my 4 hour walkNicely manicured laws and native nipa huts seen on the way
Next stop Bakhaw
After Kabantangan just a few hundred meters later after a small hill you reach the village of Bakhaw
View of Bakhaw from a small hillFishermens boat in tiny Bakhaw village of Malapascua in the PhilippinesKid playing alone by the beach in Bakhaw, Malapascua
Just at the next beach cove a stone’s throw from Bakhaw is the next village of Bool
In and around the village of Bool
Beach cove next to the small village of Bool in Malapascua, PhililppinesBlue sea view from a desert beachRelaxing a little while on a deserted strech of beach
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 and some stunning views.
Some pictures of Bantigue Cove Beach Resort (Sadly now closed).
On the right some of the lower cost accommodations of the Bantigue Cove Beach Resort (±1800 pesos).View of rh beach at Bantigue Cove Beach ResortLooking straight into the sea from MalapascuaStair up to the other part of the Bantigue Cove Beach Resort where you have a fantastic view of the nothern portion of the island.Fishermen of Malapascua at work on the seaFabulous view of Langob from Bantigue Cove Beach Resort
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.
View of Langob and part of Guimbitayan from on top of the hills.First beach cove arriving on the long strip of white sand at LangobView from hill at a distance with calm and light blue seaLangob village with the fishermen\’s livelihood boats on the beachRelaxing looking at the sea from Langob, one of the many beaches of MalapascuaLangob kids playing in the water among the bancasLangob beach from another angleLangob kids playing in the water on a magnificent day where sky and sea blend togetherBanca sitting in paradise
Guimbitayan
At the other side of the strip of sand is where Guimbitayan lies where the beach is just as pleasant
Guimbitayan shares the same beach as with Langob. Each village is at opposite side of the beach.Kids playing on a perfect day around a few bancasGuimbitayan fisherman getting ready to set off for the seaWalking into the village of GuimbitayanGuimbitayan lies also next to a little beach cove on the western side of the village.ell needed stop after hours in the boiling sun for some refreshments at the Guimbitayan sari-sari. Very popular place with the kids due to its mini pool table.Passing by the Guimbitayan Primary School on my way back to the beach.Sitting by some bancas at Guimbitayan before heading slowly for the long walk back in direction of the south of the island of Malapascua.Last glimpse of the beach on the western side of Guimbitayan
The walk up to the lighthouse tower which is Malapascua’s highest point on the Island
After asking some locals the way up up to the lighthouse some of the kids are glad to take me there.Perfect view from the highest point of Malapascua looking in direction of it\’s northwest coastView looking straight to the west into what seems the endless Visayan Sea
Road from the lighthouse tower back to Malapascua’s biggest city Logon in the South
One of a few small deserted beach cove on my way backLooking for the main road back that takes you back to the south portion of of the island.Finally back on track! Direction the biggest village of the island Logon.
Walk back
Finally arriving in Logon, biggest city of Malapascua which is a few minutes from Bounty Beach
Finally arriving in Logon. The biggest city of MalapascuaPig farming in Logon, MalapascuaKid on a tricycle in LogonThe beach right next to the village of Logon, MalapascuaThe beach right next to the village of Logon, MalapascuaSome freshly caught fish set to dry in the sun called referred to as \”bulad\”.Church of Logon, MalapascuaCurious, I entered the ChurchKids, always curious about foreigners passing by came for a closer look.
