Malapascua Island, located off the northern tip of Cebu in the Philippines, is a captivating destination known for its stunning white sandy beaches, vibrant underwater world, and the opportunity to swim with thresher sharks.
This guide focuses on how to go from Cebu City to Malapascua Island, providing you with a step by step guide. From details on the land transfer to boat rides and ports, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of how to reach Malapascua Island from Cebu City.
Take a flight to Cebu City
If you are coming from Manila, you need to fly to Cebu City. You can take any of these airlines and fly direct from Manila to Cebu City:
You can book your flights here:
If you would like to take a ferry, this is also possible. The most popular ferry that travels to Cebu City from Manila is 2Go. You can book your ferry tickets here: Book 2Go tickets to Cebu City via Bookaway
Take a cab to Cebu North Terminal
From the airport, take a cab going to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Based on my experience, it’s easier to get the cheaper white cabs from the departure area. You just have to get out of the arrival area, cross the street to the departure building and walk towards the pick-up/drop-off bays right in front of Waterfront Hotel. Alternatively, you can book a Grab Car or Grab Taxi to pick you up either in the arrival or departure area.
Ride a bus or v-hire to Maya Port
Option A: Bus or shared/public van
From the terminal, you can either ride a bus or a v-hire (public van) going to Maya Port. The one-way fare is PHP 200 to PHP 250 or roughly 4-5 USD.
As of this writing, there are 2 operational ports in Maya – the old and the new one. If you ride the bus, they will go directly to the new port. If you take a v-hire, some might take you to the new port and others may take you to the old one. Doesn’t really matter. Both ports have boats going to Malapascua.
Book your seat in a shared van here: Shared Van Transfers Between Maya Port and Cebu City/Mactan
Option B: Private van
If you would rather charter a private transportation going to Maya Port, this can also be arranged through Klook. Here are the fare/rates:
- Sedan/car for 1-3 pax: PHP 3,500 to PHP 4,000 (USD 70 – 75)
- SUV for 4-5 pax: PHP 4,000 – PHP 4,500 (USD 77 – 82)
- Van for 6-10 pax: PHP 4,500 – PHP 5,500 (USD 88 – 93)
The pick-up/drop-off can be anywhere in Cebu City or Mactan. This is very ideal for travelers who are trying to catch the last boat trip in Maya Port and don’t have the luxury of time to take the public transportation.
Public transport takes about 4-5 hours while private transport takes only about 3.5-4 hours. You can book this private transfer here: Private City Transfers between Maya Port and Cebu City/Mactan
Ride a boat going to Malapascua Island
From Maya port, ride a boat going to Malapascua Island. The fare is PHP 100 or about 2 USD. The first trip leaves at 6.30 AM and the last trip leaves at 5.30 PM. In case you miss the trip, you can hire a private boat (which of course will cost more) or spend the night in Maya.
Walk or take a flat boat
When you reach Malapascua Island, you can either walk or take a flat boat going to your resorts. For those staying in resorts along Bounty Beach, you can either walk through town for 15-minutes from the Malapascua port or you can take a flat boat for P20 each and they will drop you off along Bounty Beach right in front of your resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the fare from Cebu City to Malapascua?
To travel from Cebu City to Malapascua Island, you need to take a van to Maya Port then take a local ferry to Malapascua Island. The fare for the van is 200 to PHP 250 or roughly 4-5 USD. The fare for the ferry is P100 per head.
How many hours from Cebu City to Malapascua?
This depends on whether you take a public or private transportation from Cebu City to Maya Port. If you take the shared van, it usually takes 4-5 hours (bus takes longer) but if you have a private transportation, it only takes 3.5-4 hours to get to Maya Port.
The ferry ride, on the other hand, takes another 2-3 hours.
Can I book a private transfer from Cebu City to Malapascua?
Yes you can! The cost is about PHP 3,500-4,000 for a car for 1-3 people or PHP 4,500-5,500 for a van for 6-10 people. You can book this private transfer here: Private City Transfers between Maya Port and Cebu City/Mactan
Where can I stay overnight in Maya Port?
I have another blog entry detailing some places where you can stay overnight in Maya Port. You might end up needing a place to stay in case you missed the last trip of the ferry boat going to Malapascua Island. Here is the blog entry about Where to Stay near Maya Port.
Other Useful Articles
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Where to Stay in Malapascua Island |
OTHER DESTINATIONS IN CEBU |
KEY CONTACTSTo book your island hopping tours in Malapascua, you may contact Kuya Nonoy at 0916-388-7801.
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