At a Glance
Duration
3 Days
Budget
₱6,360+
Best For
Divers
Highlight
Thresher Sharks
Day
1
Arrival & Orientation
08:00
Leave Cebu City
Take a Ceres bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Maya Port (3-5 hours, ~₱350). Alternatively, hire a private van (~₱6,000) or ride a motorbike. Full transport guide →
~12:00
Arrive at Maya Port
Public boat to Malapascua (30 min, ₱100) or charter a private bangka (₱3,000-5,000). Boats run roughly every hour until late afternoon.
~14:00
Check into your resort
Drop your bags at Bounty Beach. Budget fan rooms start at ₱800/night, mid-range beachfront from ₱2,000, resort-level from ₱5,000. Browse resorts →
15:00
Walk the island: Bounty Beach to Langob Beach
A 30-minute walk across the island takes you from the tourist side to the quieter Langob Beach on the west coast. The path winds through the village — good orientation for the island layout.
17:30
Sunset at Bounty Beach
Grab a drink from a beachfront bar and watch the sky turn orange. The west-facing beach gets reliable sunset views.
19:00
Dinner at a beachfront restaurant
Expect ₱200-500 per person for a solid meal. Fresh seafood is the highlight. See restaurants →
Book your thresher shark dive tonight. Walk into any dive shop on Bounty Beach and reserve a spot for tomorrow's 5:30am boat. Spots fill up, especially in peak season (Dec–May).
Day
2
Diving & Island Hopping
05:00
Wake up for thresher shark dive
This is the #1 reason people visit Malapascua. Monad Shoal is the only place in the world where thresher sharks are seen almost daily at recreational diving depths. Non-negotiable wake-up time.
05:30
Boat to Monad Shoal
Your dive operator handles the boat. Expect ₱1,500–2,500 for a single fun dive (gear included at most shops). The sharks come up from the deep to cleaning stations at dawn — you will be underwater by 6:00am. See dive operators →
~85% sighting rate. Thresher sharks are seen on most mornings. Best conditions are calm seas with good visibility. They are reliably at the cleaning stations at dawn.
07:30
Back for breakfast
You have earned a big breakfast. Most resort restaurants are open by 7am.
09:00
Optional: Second dive at Gato Island
A swim-through underwater cave with banded sea kraits (sea snakes — they are not aggressive), beautiful reef walls, and excellent macro life. Around ₱1,500–2,500 for the dive. Non-divers can snorkel here too.
13:00
Lunch
Refuel at a beachfront spot. Filipino dishes like adobo, sinigang, or grilled fish run ₱150–300.
14:00
Island hopping afternoon
Join a group trip to Kalanggaman Island (famous sandbar, about 1.5 hours by boat) or snorkel at Gato Island if you did not dive it in the morning. Expect ₱1,500–2,500 per person for a half-day island hopping trip including lunch and snorkel gear.
18:00
Sunset drinks at a beach bar
You have had a full day. Grab a cold San Miguel or a mango shake and decompress on the beach.
Sunscreen reminder. You will be on open water most of the day. Reef-safe sunscreen only — the reef is what makes this island special.
Day
3
Relax & Departure
06:00
Morning options
Choose your own pace: a second thresher shark dive (₱1,500–2,500), a snorkel off Bounty Beach (free — reef is right there), or just sleep in.
08:00
Hike to the Malapascua Lighthouse
A 30-minute walk to the north tip of the island. The old lighthouse offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Bring water — there is no shade on the final stretch.
10:00
Brunch at a cafe
Last meal on the island. Take your time — you will miss this pace of life. See restaurants →
12:00
Check out
Most resorts have a noon checkout. Some offer late checkout or luggage storage if you want more time.
14:00
Catch the boat back to Maya
Public boats run roughly hourly. The trip is 30 minutes to Maya Port, then 3-4 hours by bus back to Cebu City. Transport details →
Last boat to Maya is around 4–5pm. Do not cut it close. If you miss it, you are staying another night (which is not the worst thing, but plan accordingly).
Total 3-Day Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | ₱560 | ₱7,000 | ₱11,000 |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | ₱1,600 | ₱4,000 | ₱10,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ₱1,200 | ₱3,000 | ₱6,000 |
| Activities | ₱3,000 | ₱5,000 | ₱8,000 |
| Total | ₱6,360 | ₱19,000 | ₱35,000 |
Prices in Philippine Pesos (₱). See our full cost guide for detailed breakdowns.
What to Pack
Cash (Philippine Pesos)Few ATMs on the island and they can experience shortages in busy times. Get cash in Cebu.
Reef-safe sunscreenRegular sunscreen damages coral.
Water shoesCoral beach — not soft sand everywhere.
Dive certification cardRequired for fun dives. No card, no dive.
Light rain jacketTyphoon season is Jun–Nov.
Flashlight or headlampStreets are dark at night. No streetlights.