Malapascua Island
Go to Malapascua for early-morning thresher shark dives at Monad Shoal, then slow days on a small island a short boat ride from northern Cebu.
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Malapascua is a small island off the northern tip of Cebu, in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Divers come for the thresher sharks that visit Monad Shoal, and dive boats reach the shoal before sunrise. Boats cross from the mainland port of Maya to the village, which has guesthouses, dive shops and restaurants. The shark dives are the main reason to go, so most of a visit is planned around them.
Beyond diving, the island suits a slow trip. Days follow boat schedules and the weather more than a fixed plan. Getting there from Cebu City takes several hours by bus and boat, so allow a full travel day each way. November to February is the drier season with calmer seas, while June to October brings rain and typhoon risk. Three to five nights covers the early dives and a few beach days without rushing.
Malapascua Island in five
- Book the thresher shark dive aheadShoal dives leave before sunrise, so book a licensed operator a day ahead and bring your certification card. Operators usually will not take you out without one.
- Carry pesos in small notesSome guesthouses, restaurants and boat operators on the island take only cash. Withdraw enough pesos in Cebu City or Maya before you cross.
- Take the bus and boat from Cebu CityTake a bus from Cebu City to Maya in northern Cebu, then a short boat ride to the island. Confirm the last boat times before the bus reaches Maya.Getting around
- Load data before you cross to the islandMobile data on the island is limited, so buy a SIM or eSIM plan and download offline maps on the mainland. Keep your booking confirmations offline too.Phones and eSIM
- Check that insurance covers divingSome standard travel policies exclude scuba diving unless you declare it or buy an add-on. Read the diving section of the policy and confirm the depth and certification limits.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free entry for many passports; check the Bureau of Immigration before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; tip dive crew and boatmen if service was good
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryDry, cool
- MarchHot, dry
- AprilHot, dry
- MayHot, rains start
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, typhoons
- AugustRainy, typhoons
- SeptemberRainy, typhoons
- OctoberRains ending
- NovemberDry, pleasant
- DecemberDry, holidays
Right now in Malapascua Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
Malapascua Island
05:19 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°27°69%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Wed31°27°63%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Thu30°26°71%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Fri31°27°79%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Sat31°27°47%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun32°27°83%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Mon31°26°65%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 65%.
Updated 05:16 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cebu Cityseveral hours by bus and boatThe regional capital, with Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño, and a base for flights out.Read the guide
- Moalboalseveral hours by roadA southern Cebu coast known for sardine-run snorkeling and reef dives.Read the guide
- Oslobseveral hours by roadWhale shark watching in the south; choose an operator that does not feed the whale sharks.Read the guide
Before you go to Malapascua Island
Rules for Malapascua Island, checked
- Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays. Check the current rules with the Bureau of Immigration before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival. Check the current amount with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
- Do not touch, chase or feed the thresher sharks or other marine life. Follow the dive guide's briefing before every dive.
- Philippine drug laws are strict and penalties are severe. Read the travel advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs before you go.Source
Plan around Malapascua Island
Timing, routes and what to book first for a diving stay
Read the guideGetting aroundBus from Cebu City to Maya, then the boat across
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need what, and where to check
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for food, boats and dives
Read the guideWhere to stayBeach resorts, guesthouses and the village center
Read the guideMalapascua Island FAQ
Is Malapascua Island worth visiting?
Yes if you dive or snorkel and want a quiet beach island. The thresher shark dives are the main reason to go, so plan at least two nights.
How do you get to Malapascua from Cebu City?
Take a bus from Cebu City to Maya in northern Cebu, then a short boat ride to the island. Check the last boat times before you set off.
When is the best time to visit Malapascua?
November to February is the drier season with calmer seas for boat trips. June to October brings rain and typhoon risk, which can cancel boats and dives.
Do you need a certification to see the thresher sharks?
Operators usually require an Open Water certificate for the shoal dives. Some centers offer an introductory dive for non-certified guests, so ask before you book.
Is Malapascua safe for tourists?
Keep valuables in your room or with the hotel, and check the Department of Foreign Affairs advisory before you go.