Why Honeymoon in Malapascua
Seeing thresher sharks in the wild is a rare experience. Malapascua makes it accessible. You wake before dawn, ride out to Monad Shoal in the dark and kneel on the sand at the edge of the plateau as sharks circle in. It is an early start that divers rarely regret.
The rest of the day is slow. The island is small enough to walk around, with fishing villages, a lighthouse and quiet coves. Bounty Beach has soft sand and calm water for swimming.
Malapascua suits couples who like simplicity. There are no big resorts, no traffic and only modest nightlife. It works well combined with a more luxurious stay elsewhere, such as Bohol or Mactan, or as part of a Cebu trip with Moalboal.
When to Go
Thresher sharks are seen year-round at Monad Shoal, which makes Malapascua a reliable dive trip any month.
The calmest seas and best visibility usually come from about March to May. The dry season starts around December, though winds from the northeast can roughen the crossing from Maya in December and January.
June to September brings more rain but often reasonable diving.
October to December is the main typhoon window for the Visayas. Typhoon Haiyan hit the island hard in 2013. Storms remain a real risk late in the year. Watch forecasts and book flexible rates.
Avoid the busiest Filipino holidays, such as Christmas and Holy Week, if you want a quieter island. Book ahead if your dates fall then.
Where to Stay
Most resorts are on or near Bounty Beach on the south side, close to dive shops and restaurants.
- Bounty Beach has the widest choice, from simple rooms to boutique resorts with pools. It is convenient for early dive departures.
- The quieter coves on the east and north coasts have a handful of small resorts with more privacy, a short walk or tricycle ride from the main beach.
- Logon village, near the island's center, has local guesthouses for budget travelers.
Rooms are generally simple but comfortable. Look for air conditioning, hot water and a pool or beachfront location. Expect comfortable resort rooms to cost very roughly $40–130 a night (approximate). Many dive resorts offer packages combining rooms and dives.
Romantic Things to Do
Dive Monad Shoal at dawn. You need to be a certified diver, ideally with some experience, since the site sits around 20 to 30 meters deep. The boat ride back as the sun rises is part of the memory.
Explore Gato Island, a marine sanctuary farther out, with an underwater tunnel, whitetip reef sharks and sea snakes.
Take a full-day boat trip to Kalanggaman Island, a long, narrow island with sandbars at each end and clear water. Go on a calm day.
Snorkel around the island's reefs with a local boatman, or swim off Bounty Beach.
Walk the coastal paths to the lighthouse and fishing villages in the late afternoon, then watch sunset from the west side of the island.
Getting There and Around
From the US, Philippine Airlines flies nonstop to Manila (MNL) from several cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Connect to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Some couples fly into CEB directly via Tokyo, Seoul or Hong Kong.
From CEB, drive about three and a half to four hours to Maya port at the northern tip of Cebu. A private transfer is easiest. Buses run from Cebu City's North Bus Terminal but are slow.
From Maya, public and private boats cross to Malapascua in about 30 to 45 minutes. Expect a wet landing on the beach. Avoid the last boats in rough weather.
On the island, there are no cars. You walk, or hire a motorbike taxi on sandy paths.
Food and Drink
Malapascua's food scene is small but varied for its size. Bounty Beach has resort restaurants serving Filipino, Italian and international dishes, plus casual spots with grilled seafood.
Try grilled fish, squid and prawns with rice and garlicky dipping sauces. Kinilaw, raw fish cured in vinegar or calamansi with ginger and onion, is a local favorite.
In Logon village, small eateries serve home-style dishes like adobo and fish soup at low prices.
Many divers eat an early breakfast after the dawn dive, so cafes open early and serve good coffee.
For a honeymoon dinner, ask your resort to set a table on the beach. Drink bottled water and carry snacks on boat trips.
Honeymoon Tips
If you want to see thresher sharks but are not certified, consider getting certified at home or arriving early to take a course. Monad Shoal is not a beginner dive.
Follow site rules. At Monad Shoal, divers stay behind a line, with no flash photography, to avoid disturbing the sharks.
Pack light. The wet boat landing and sandy paths make rolling suitcases impractical.
Carry cash. ATMs are limited or absent on the island, so withdraw money in Cebu.
Use repellent at dawn and dusk. Dengue occurs in the Philippines; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Get dive insurance that covers evacuation, since medical facilities on the island are basic.
