Looking for the top 10 best Luxury Hotels in Malapascua? Malapascua Island is located in the northern part of Cebu and is just one of the many islands you can explore in the Philippines. Malapascua Island is a must — the only place in the world where you can dive with thresher sharks on a nearly daily basis. Malapascua Island is less commercially developed then the other islands of the Philippines, with a relaxing and friendly beach vibe that actually makes the island even more inviting. Most people visit Malapascua Island to dive and see the thresher sharks and other marine life. But it’s small island culture, smaller crowds, and the long stretch of white-sand beaches is what brings back visitors. Malapascua Island is a promise of a great dive and beach experience… worth the quite long and strenuous trip. Next time you visit Cebu, head north and experience the sea, the sand and the sun of Malapascua Island! You can visit the Most Beautiful Islands in the Philippines here or on Pinterest.
Malapascua Island Weather – Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is between the months of December to April. This is the dry season, and traveling during this time will allow you to have fewer chances of rain, and avoid typhoon season. If you want to avoid large crowds, don’t travel in March or April. This is the Holy Week and summer season in the Philippines where more local travelers will be exploring the island destinations.
Best Malapascua Island Beaches
Langob Beach
Langob Beach is one of the favorites on Malapascua Island. It’s located at the North part of the island and is very quiet and peaceful. Take a walk to Langob Beach, and you will see gorgeous palm trees and a breathtaking 360 view.
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Bounty Beach
Bounty Beach, the most popular and crowded Malapascua Island beach, is on the south part of the Island. The area is filled with restaurants, resorts and diving shops. Bounty Beach is the perfect place to spend your day if you just want to chill. You can get a coconut or a cold beer and just enjoy the day. And wait for the sunset!
Lighthouse Beach
This beach is near the Malapascua lighthouse where you can enjoy amazing panoramic views from the top. But what makes the Lighthouse Beach famous is the Japanese World War II landing craft wreck in a shallow snorkeling spot. Like most beaches in Malapascua, people go here to watch the sunset.
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Guimbitayan Beach
A bit secluded, the Guimbitayan Beach is one of the unspoiled, hidden gems in Malapascua Island. You need to take a steep and slightly bumpy motorcycle ride to reach the beach, but the tranquility and beauty of the beach make it all worth your while.
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Gugma Beach
Gugma Beach you will find in the North part of the island before getting to Langbog Beach on the right side. To get there you will have to climb for an abandoned resort and going down. Since the access is difficult to this beach could be the most quiet in this list of beaches in Malapascua.
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Best Malapascua Island Tours & Activities
Island Hopping | Bantayan Island – Malapascua
Enjoy the taste of the Central Visayas! A unique island-hopping Tour to Malapascua Island including lunch and sea food tasting during the tour. From Bantayan Island we’ll go to Malapascua, a very nice island with white sand beaches and great spots for diving and snorkeling. Of course, you also can just relax or discover the Island Life. Book your Island Hopping – Bantayan Island – Malapascua Island Here.
Island Hopping | Bantayan Island – Malapascua – Kalanggaman Island
A unique Island-Hopping Tour to Malapascua and Kalanggaman including lunch and sea food tasting. From Bantayan Island you’ll first go to Malapascua, then Kalanggaman where you’ll explore the place and discover the Island Life. Then descend on Malapascua to enjoy lunch with delicious traditional food. Book your Island Hopping – Bantayan Island – Malapascua – Kalanggaman Island Tour Here.
Kalanggaman Island Day Tour Package from Cebu City or Mactan
Private transportation from any hotel in Cebu City or Mactan to visit the beautiful island of Kalanggaman. Included in the package is a side trip to Malapascua where you can also relax in the white sand beaches for few minutes. Included in our package a BBQ lunch in the island. Book your Kalanggaman Island Day Tour Package Here.
Kiteboard Lessons
KiteBantayan Surf Club is located on the beautiful Bantayan Island in Cebu. The lessons are taught on one of the most pristine stretches of beach on the Island. The perfect white sand and shallow crystal-clear water make it the perfect teaching spot for Kiteboard beginners while enjoying Paradise. Book your Kiteboard Lessons Here.
Kalanggaman & Malapascua Island Day Tour with Private Transportation
Kalanggaman Island is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, but the complicated journey includes a long drive and two boat rides. Luckily, this tour handles all the logistics for you, making it possible for busy travelers to visit the island on a day trip from Cebu City or Mactan. Plus, with someone else to taking care of the travel details, you can enjoy the sights along the way. Book Your Kalanggaman & Malapascua Island Day Tour Here.
Best Malapascua Island Restaurants
Amihan Restaurant $11 – 30
Treat yourself to a refreshing break in a restaurant with two panoramic terraces overlooking the ocean on the island of Malapascua. Come taste the flavors of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, but also a careful selection of Filipino and Asian dishes. Menu Telephone: 63 917 188 1491 Web: Amihan Restaurant
Villa Sandra’s Guesthouse $11 – 30
At this guesthouse you can find an excellent vegan/vegetarian restaurant. I really recommend going here, even if you’re not vegan or a vegetarian. If you’ve had enough of the sun and the beach, it’s the perfect place to order lunch, read a book or even take a nap. Telephone: 63 977 130 0642 Web: Villa Sandra’s Guesthouse
Ristorante Angelina $11 – 30
The pizzeria serves delicious pizza, made according to the best Italian traditions. The ingredients are imported from Italy and are served with a great choice of wines from the Veneto valleys. We have tables directly on the beach and a comfortable indoor dining area. Telephone: 63 966 577 5853 Web: Ristorante Angelina
Aroi Mak $11 – 30
The atmosphere of Aroi Mak is relaxed, with cushions on the floors and string lights across the restaurant. The menu is extensive too, with plenty of choices, but not too much Aroi Mak is also one of the cheapest restaurants we encountered on Malapascua. Telephone: 63 917 320 0879 Web: Aroi Mak
Kokay’s $11 – 30
Their local Maldito chefsn under the keen eye of Executive Chef Fabrizio Forlaninin will provide an array of culinary delights to your dining experience. There are a lot of options on the menu, from fish and meat dishes, paella, Thai, Filipino, Mexican to Italian. Telephone: 63 916 588 4503 Web: Kokay’s
Best Malapascua Island Drinking & Nightlife
Kocoy’s Maldito
Kokay’s is the most popular bar on Malapascua, with the action extending well into the night. Bar games such as table football and pool lure punters in; strong cocktails keep them here. There’s also a full food menu, featuring local and Western dishes. Telephone: 63 916 588 4503 Web: Kokay’s
Oscar’s
Named in honor of Oscar Wilde, this stylish bar has fine views over the ocean, smart rattan seating and a devilish drinks menu that includes great cocktails and imported beers. It’s located above Thresher Shark Divers. Telephone: 63 927 612 3359 Web: Oscar’s
Other Place
Hidden down a warren of lanes in the village behind Bounty Beach this low-key bar has a pool table, beer garden and draws a crowd of locals and dive-school staff. Food is available too.
I’m from Davao city, and I think that most filipinos think of going abroad when going on vacation. Also when people visit the Philippines, they only go to popular places like Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. Malapascua seems like a good alternative to Boracay. I am definitely going to book a trip, when I take a vacation in the future. Thank you for sharing.
You are very welcome. Surprised you have not been. Thanks for visiting the top 10 best luxury hotels in Malapascua.
Diving with sharks? Yikes! I might skip that part but I’d love to soak up some atmosphere at Bounty Beach.Guimbitayan Beach also looks lovely so spending a day there would also be nice. I’d round off my vacation with some island hopping tours as I love to learn more about the places I visit. Thank you for posting!
These particular sharks shy away from humans, so don’t be scared! I am glad you enjoyed learning about the beautiful Philippines area of Malapascua! You would love it, sharks or no sharks LOL
Hello Leahrae,
I never thought to explore the Philippines as a holiday destination – but after reading this post, I can see why these strategic islands could make for beautiful havens of discovery and relaxation.
The waters appear to be so calm and so clear. Anyone who loves exploring the ocean will find this idyllic. Exploring the ocean is not my cup of tea – do you want to collect shells, go for a swim or go diving? I would certainly love to snorkel with some dolphins and then enjoy a refreshing swim in the tropical blue!
I was surprised by the high number of hotels on the island of Malapascua. Is that because tourism is their primary industry? I had no idea there were this many places to stay, what are the 2-3 nearest hotels in relation to each other?
Cheers.
Tourism is a big part of their economy, so they work hard to keep Malapascua tourist friendly. It is a beautiful place that you would really love. Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a divers paradise. It’s not everywhere that you can dive with thresher sharks and live to tell the story. I also like that it is a small friendly community where you can get to know the locals. The Philippines has always attracted me as the people live so simply and have a great attitude to life and tourists.
I can’t believe the amazing color of the water and how clean and clear it is. It looks like it has some lovely secluded bays where you can relax too and wonderful food.
Yes LIly, and truly spectacular. I am glad you enjoyed reading and learning about Malapascua.
Very nice overview on these luxery hotels. I have never been out of the U.S.A before, perhaps I will consider this my first outside adventure. I bet the weather out there is unbelievable. The hotel that catches my eye the most is definitely the Light house. I am guessing its a rare experience to get inside though, you most likely have to pay a huge pretty penny!
I think that is the best choice for hotel. I have been lucky to travel from a young age as my family is in Europe. I guess that started the travel bug for me. You will have to venture out. So many beautiful places to see!
It never occurred to me to consider the Philippines as a holiday destination. After reviewing this post, I can see why strategic islands can be havens of beauty to visit.
The waters appear to be crystal clear. Anyone who loves exploring the ocean will find this idyllic. Exploring the ocean is not my cup of tea. I would be quite happy to relax on the beach and take boat rides to places.
I was surprised by how expensive the hotels were for a relatively poor country. I suppose it is supply and demand that dictates prices, How has the Pandemic affected business in Malapascua?
Cheers.
Edwin
Believe it or not the Philippines is a very popular destination for a romantic vacation or anyone who loves the beach. I am sure that is why the prices reflect that. I know that the pandemic has affected them, but to what extent, I don’t know. I know that a lot of islands are not as affected since they are somewhat protected by the water distance to another country.
This is something that I really need to read and see on this cold January day. Never been to the Philippines but it looks amazing! As I can see the best months to visit are when there is winter so that is also great. That Dusit Thani pool view is looking simply amazing, can see myself with a couple of mojitos, watching the sunset.
Yes, watching the sunset with a couple mojitos would be pretty spectacular for sure! I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the top 10 best luxury hotels in Malapascua. Thanks for taking the time to leave me comments as well.
Hi Leahrae,
Thanks for the comprehensive details about what looks like an amazing part of the world.
I can really see the attraction of Malapascua being less commercially developed, although I imagine that in itself could be self-defeating in that being less developed attracts tourists, which in turn could attract more development.
The pictures of the islands and the water in particular look beautiful, but my question is would the diving experiences be suitable for someone who is relative new to diving? And, at the other end of the scale, do you know if there are any more challenging dives around the island?
Thanks
John
There is plenty of diving opportunities for beginners, as well as seasoned divers. There will be something for everyone. And yes, being less developed is definitely appealing. I am glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Malapascua.
Whenever I come across your website, I just realize that there are so many islands out there. I hah never heard of the one before but it’s good to learn new things. I will be sure to bookmark this article and come back to it when I do decide to go on vacation. Thank you so much for this lovely review
You are very welcome and I am glad you are enjoying your visits to beach travel destinations.
I’ve never been to Malapascua. Diving with thresher sharks seems dangerous. Are they known to attack humans? I like that Malapasua is a small island with small crowds. When I go on vacation, I don’t like to be around crowds as that stresses me out. Thanks for giving tips on when to travel to Malapascua, thus avoiding typhoon season. I won’t be traveling any time soon, but I’ll keep this in mind for when I’m ready. Thanks again.
No worries, the thresher shark is shy and harmless to humans and very unlikely to attack them. You won’t find a lot of crowds here, which I think anyone likes 🙂
Great article.
My sister has been to Gugma Beach, she said that it was a lot fun over there. She and her husband went on a vacation over there and had their good time. She actually recommended it for me because I haven’t been there before though.
Well now you do need to go, right? LOL. Thank you for stopping by!
I came across your website to help plan my beach vacation Malapascua. There are so many beautiful beach locations, it’s hard to use one of the beaches. My first choice will have to be lighthouse beach, as I love lighthouses. My second choice would be Guimbitayan Beach as it is secluded giving little more privacy than the other beaches. I appreciate the help from your best beaches, now can relax as have my vacation planned.
Yes, Jannette. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information or answer any questions for you. Thanks for visiting my Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Malapascua guide.
Thank you for your article
I have lerned alot about traveling to the Philipines from your article.
I love all the places you mentioned to visit.
I like that you have lots of pictures and some options on hotels to stay in.
I have been to Boracay in the philipines myself and loved it.
It is good that you inclded Island Drinking & Nightlife, everyone want to go out at night while on holidays and have a drink
You have also included a lot of Resuturants visitors can go to to get good local food.
I always love tasting the local foods available
Thanks for a great article
Elke
You are very welcome, thank you for taking the time to leave me comments. Glad you enjoyed your visit to beach travel destinations!