Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–18 | $25–50 |
| Food | $5–12 | $12–25 |
| Diving (per dive) | $60–70 | $70–90 |
| Transport | $2–5 | $5–15 |
| Day Trips | $25–30 | $30–50 |
| Daily Total | $40–70 | $70–130 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Entry & Visas
- Visa-free 30 days for most nationalities — extendable to 59 days at any Bureau of Immigration office
- Fly into Cebu Mactan International Airport, then bus or van to Maya port (4 hours), then boat to Malapascua (30 minutes)
- Keep ₱1,700 departure tax in cash for some domestic airports
Health & Safety
- Travel insurance with diving cover to 30m+ is essential — standard travel insurance excludes scuba diving
- The nearest hospital is in Daanbantayan on Cebu mainland (1 hour by boat) — the nearest recompression chamber is in Cebu City
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, and basic first aid supplies — the island pharmacy is limited
Getting Around
- Malapascua is tiny — everything is within 20 minutes' walk from Bounty Beach
- Boats to Maya port run from 7am to 5pm (₱100, 30 minutes). The last boat back fills up — do not miss it
- Motorcycle rentals available (₱400–500/day) but the island is small enough to walk everywhere
Connectivity
- Buy a Globe or Smart SIM card at Cebu airport — data coverage on Malapascua is usable but slow
- WiFi at guesthouses and dive shops is unreliable — download offline maps and entertainment before arriving
- Share your dive plan with someone not diving — standard safety practice for any dive trip
Money
- Currency: PHP (Peso). 1 USD ≈ ₱56. There is no ATM on Malapascua — bring enough cash from Cebu
- Dive shops accept cash and sometimes cards (with surcharge). All other businesses are cash only
- Budget ₱150–250 for tips per dive day — guides and boat crew appreciate it
Packing Tips
- Underwater camera or GoPro with red filter — you will want to photograph thresher sharks
- A powerful dive torch for the Gato Island cave and mandarin fish sunset dive
- Reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag for electronics, and a rash vest for sun protection between dives
Cultural tips
Respect the Sharks
Thresher sharks are shy and easily disturbed. Stay motionless on the sandy bottom, control your breathing, and never chase or reach towards a shark. Flash photography is prohibited at the cleaning station — it drives the sharks away for hours.
Marine Conservation
Malapascua's reefs were damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and are still recovering. Never touch coral, anchor on sand not reef, and support dive shops that contribute to reef restoration programmes. The Thresher Shark Divers foundation runs conservation projects.
Respect the Community
Malapascua is a fishing village first and a dive destination second. Dress modestly when walking through the village, do not photograph children without parents' permission, and buy from local sari-sari stores to keep money in the community.
Language
Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano are the local languages. English is widely understood, especially at dive shops. Learning Salamat (thank you) and Magandang umaga (good morning) earns genuine smiles.
Support Local Dive Guides
Many dive guides are local Malapascuenos who grew up on the island. Choosing locally-staffed dive shops keeps tourism revenue on the island. Tip your guide and boat crew — they work long hours starting before dawn.
Leave No Trace
Waste management on small Philippine islands is limited. Bring a reusable water bottle, avoid single-use plastics, and take your rubbish back to the mainland. Some dive shops organise underwater clean-up dives — join one if you have time.
