Cebu to Malapascua Island: The Complete Travel Guide (2026)
Planning a trip from Cebu to Malapascua Island? Use this step-by-step guide to help make your journey simple and easy. I visited Malapascua from Cebu in February this year, and though the journey can be long, it is quite simple so long as you know where to go. In this guide, I have included ferry routes, travel times, costs, and a few tips for your journey that would have made mine a lot smoother. Whether you are heading there to dive with thresher sharks or simply to explore, my travel guide has everything you need to get there stress-free.
Of course, this can be reversed to travel from Malapascua to Cebu.
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How to get from Cebu to Malapascua Island
A thresher shark from the Monad Shoal dive in Malpascua.
Step 1: Arrive in Cebu City
The first step to traveling from Cebu to Malapascua Island is flying into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). You can fly internationally and domestically into this airport.
I flew from Brisbane, Australia, to this airport. I always find the best flight deals with Skyscanner, especially when I am flying into Asia. I find that not every regional airline and its connections populate on Google Flights.
The airport is located right in Cebu City, so once you arrive, you need to decide whether you prefer to take the bus or hire a private taxi to the Maya Ferry Port (where you take the ferry to Malapascua). The bus ride and the private taxi ride will both take 3+ hours, but the bus can sometimes take longer with all of the stops. I opted for a taxi because I just wanted the fastest possible route to the ferry port since the ferries stop running around 5:00 PM. I will explain this all further in the next section.
If your flight arrives after 1:00 PM, I would consider either staying one night in Cebu or near the ferry port (Maya Ferry Port), since you likely will not make the last ferry. If you prefer to be in a more centralized area with plenty of food and shops, I would suggest staying in Cebu. Otherwise, you can stay near the smaller port area. It could be worth staying in Cebu if you have already had a long travel day and just want to relax in a hotel bed, versus sitting in a car for 3.5 hours, or a couple of buses for even longer. If you do choose to stay in Cebu, I recommend staying near IT Park to be near the main mall and some restaurants. You can find some of the best accommodation options here. Although I did decide to stay here on Mactan Island for a different experience (I would highly recommend my accommodation).
Also, keep in mind that Malapascua runs primarily on cash, Wise transfers, bank transfers, and PayPal. Many of the ATMs on the island do not always work. I suggest stopping at an ATM either in the city or at a 7-Eleven along your route to take out the amount of cash you may need for your time on the island. I would allocate 30-100 USD based on your budget.
Pro Tip: US travelers do not need a visa for stays under 30 days. Always check your own country's entry requirements before traveling.
Step 2: Travel from Cebu to Maya Port
As mentioned, for traveling from Cebu City to Maya Port, you have two options: a private taxi or the public bus. The private taxi is more expensive but more direct and less time-consuming, whereas the bus is less expensive but can be more time-consuming and unpredictable.
The cozy taxi seats for our journey between Cebu and Malapasuca Island.
Option 1: Private Taxi
I will be honest with you, I was quite short on time in Cebu, and I wanted to be sure to have as much time as possible dedicated to diving and exploring, so I did opt for a private taxi. The taxi was extremely comfortable with extra pillows and cushions and a separate space for luggage. It was so cozy I even napped for most of it. The driver even offered to stop at 7-Eleven for us to grab snacks and drinks, have a bathroom break, and use the ATM to take out cash. The entire 3-hour and 20-minute journey (he was fast) cost 4,000 PHP (67 USD at the time of writing). We likely could have shopped around for a better price if we wanted to, but my partner and I were happy paying 33 USD each for such a long journey and peace of mind. We used Ken Taxi (09176218788). Please confirm pricing directly with them, as prices may change.
Option 2: Public Bus
For the public bus, you will need to make your way to North Bus Terminal either on foot or by taxi. I personally had trouble getting Grab (similar to Uber and Lyft) to work in Cebu, but I do know it exists.
Once you reach the bus terminal, look for the Ceres Bus with Maya displayed in the window. Be sure to take the Ceres Bus and not the White Stallion Express. The White Stallion only goes to the Old Ferry Terminal, which is 2 KM from the New Port (Maya Ferry Port), meaning you would need an additional taxi to get there. If you get lost, you can easily ask someone who works at the bus terminal or the driver for help.
The Ceres Bus will drop you right at the Maya New Ferry Port, so no additional transport is needed once you arrive.
Bus Fees & Times:
Non-airconditioning: around 220 PHP
Airconditioning: around 250 PHP
(I was informed the aircon bus makes more frequent stops and can take 5-6 hours, but I did not experience this myself).
Departs every 30 minutes from Cebu North Bus Terminal (also called SM North Bus Terminal)
There is sometimes a small minivan option instead, for around 350 PHP, which will end up taking less time because it is more direct, but it will be much more cramped than the bus or private taxi. The vans will also not leave unless they are completely full. I have not done this option before, so I cannot speak much more about it.
Step 3: Take the Ferry to Malapascua Island
The small building where you pay the environmental fee. It also has a restroom.
The ferry tickets for the ride from Cebu City to Malapascua Island.
Once you arrive at the Maya New Roro Port, you will head into a little yellow building to pay the 140 PHP (2.34 USD) environmental fee (this is quite common across the Philippines). You will need to write down your name, address, contact, etc., and you will also need a form of I.D. such as your passport.
From there you will be guided to sit under a white gazebo/tent until the next ferry is ready for boarding. The ferries run from around 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. They tend to leave every 30-60 minutes depending on the time of year, weather, etc. They are first come, first served, so when you arrive is the place in line you will have for the ferry. Each boat can take around 28 people with luggage. You can see what kind of boat it is in the photo above. They are quite rickety, so keep this in mind if you often get seasick.
There is a restroom in the environmental fee building, and a second one once you have purchased your actual ferry ticket and passed through the gate. A few locals will sell small food and beverage items, but I suggest having your own already packed with you. I did not see any ATM at the ferry port, so be sure to take it out ahead of time. Luckily for me, the dive resort I was staying at accepted Wise and bank transfers, which meant we did not need to take out an obscene amount of cash.
Once the boat is ready to board you will line up to pay the actual ferry ticket fee (200 PHP per person or 3.35 USD), and once again fill in some of your information. You will also have to pay a 5 PHP terminal fee. You will be handed your ticket and sent over to another wooden gazebo seating area (see photo below).
The final waiting area for the Cebu to Malapascua Ferry.
The ferry and the plank used to enter and exit the boat.
The luggage section on the ferry.
When the boat is ready to board, someone will come over to get everyone and you will walk down a set of stone stairs and over a slim, wooden plank onto the boat. Two workers will hold a bamboo stick on one side for you to use as a railing. If you are not steady on your feet, go slow and be sure to hold on. Someone will be there to carry your suitcase across for you. I did decide to tip them something small, because my bag was heavy and what they are doing can be quite dangerous, though they are used to it.
Your luggage will go on a short platform in the middle of the boat, which may also get slightly wet, so keep that in mind.
For seating, I recommend sitting in the back or middle of the boat if you can.
Once on the boat, you will have a 45-minute ride (give or take) to Malapascua. You can see the island from the ferry port in Cebu, but the boat travels quite slowly, so it does take some time.
On my way there, we ended up having to tow a second ferry boat across because it broke down, which made our ride even longer (almost 1 hour). We departed at 1:50 in the afternoon and arrived around 2:45. The ride was quite choppy because of the wind and we did get wet on the boat. I definitely recommend putting any valuables you do not want to get wet into a waterproof bag.
A view of Malapascua Island on arrival.
The boat workers carrying the luggage off of the boat in Malapascua.
On arrival at Malapascua, it is quite obvious where to go; simply continue down the jetty and follow your maps to your accommodation. Some roads are paved and some are sandy, making tugging suitcases more difficult. Roads do flood after rainfall.
You do have a second option of simply hiring a private boat from Cebu over to Malapascua Island, but you do need to schedule these ahead of time and pay a larger fee of 2,500+ PHP (42 USD).
Return Journey:
On the way back, head to the jetty where you arrived and look for a small fold-up table set up on one side. When the boat is ready, you will again sign in and pay the 200 PHP ferry fee. If you want to be on a specific departure time, I recommend going early, as boats can fill up fast and people book tickets ahead of time through their accommodation. We unfortunately had to wait for a second boat because the 8:00 AM boat was already full.
The boats do not always leave on time either; our 8:30 AM boat departed at 8:50. The ride felt much faster on the way back (no towing any boats, thankfully). We arrived at the port at 9:35, though we had to wait around 15 minutes for a parking spot before docking.
From there, we had a private taxi pre-arranged and he was waiting for us when we arrived. If you are planning to take the bus back to Cebu, I would suggest asking your accommodation to point you in the right direction, as I cannot speak to that experience personally.
Essential Tips to Know Before You Go
Keep in mind the ferry from Cebu mainland to Malapascua Island runs between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Ferrys are first-come, first-served, so I recommend arriving a bit early if you have not purchased your tickets ahead of time.
If you plan to hire a private taxi from Cebu City to the Maya Ferry Port, be sure to shop around and schedule it ahead of time so you can find the best deals. I came from Moalboal, but my taxi from the Maya Port to Cebu City was 4000 PHP or 67 USD at the time of writing.
Remember that traffic around Cebu can be unpredictable, so allocating extra time for your transport to the ferry port is important.
Always check the weather and swell conditions before planning your trip, especially during windy and rainy seasons.
Pack a reusable water bottle for the journey and maybe some snacks. Nobody likes a hangry traveler….
If you are prone to seasickness, bring motion sickness prevention methods. The ferry to Malapascua Island is a smaller boat and can rock more.
Dress comfortably. Speed boats and the public buses can get extremely hot and sweaty. Loose, breathable clothing makes a big difference.
Download a book, podcast, or music before boarding to keep yourself occupied during the journey. If you plan on listening to anything, remember to bring earphones.
Keep valuables and electronics in a dry bag or waterproof pouch with you. Even if the ride is calm, boarding and disembarking can involve splashes or walking through water.
Be sure to download directions offline in case you lose service along your journey.
Do not forget to stop at an ATM to grab cash for Malapascua!
Best Places to Stay in Malapascua
Malapascua is quite small, with many shops, restaurants, dive resorts, etc., located on one end of the island. If you prefer to be within walking distance of everything, I suggest staying near Bounty Beach. Hotels in Malapascua can sell out fast, especially in the high season (December to April), so I suggest booking ASAP. We had minimal options when booking.
Best Places to Stay in Malapascua for Every Budget
Best Hostel: Georgia's Neverland Hostel(Keep in mind, this one is a bit far from the main area)
Best Budget Hotel: JPH Resort(AC Room)
Best Mid-Range Hotel: Angelina Beach Resort & Italian Restaurant
Best Splurge: Buena Vida Resort and SpanOR Ocean Vida Beach and Dive Resort
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World! You can help support my blog by booking through my links! :)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Malapascua to Cebu?
To get from Malapascua to Cebu, simply reverse the directions. First, take the ferry from Malapascua Island to Maya Port. From there, choose the bus or the private taxi to Cebu City.
Is Malapascua Worth Visiting?
I think Malapascua is worth visiting if you are a scuba diver. Personally, I think if you do not scuba dive, it is not really worth the journey. The beaches and the island itself had a lot of trash around and therefore, I was not tempted to swim in any of them. Outside of diving, there is not much else to do on the island.
How far is Malapascua from Cebu Airport?
Malapascua is around 130 KM north of Cebu’s airport. By private taxi, you can expect a 3.5-4 hour journey to the port. The bus will take longer (around 5+ hours). The ferry from the port to Malapascua is then another 45 minutes, give or take ocean conditions. My journey there took around 55 minutes and my journey back took around 45 minutes.
Is Malapascua safe for tourists?
Malapascua is generally safe for most travelers. I found it to be a quiet, small island with incredibly friendly locals. As with any destination, I suggest following basic safety rules, such as keeping an eye on your personal belongings. If you plan to swim, always be mindful of boat traffic in the water.
I also recommend staying up to date with your country’s travel advisories. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling, including:
Keep an eye on personal belongings and valuable items.
Always triple-check vaccination requirements and recommendations for countries. Some important ones include Typhoid, Rabies, and Hepatitis A.
Pack mosquito spray to protect yourself from Malaria.
DO NOT drink the tap water. Keep your mouth closed in the shower and even use bottled water when brushing your teeth, especially if you have a sensitive stomach like me!
For emergencies, it is always a good idea to have insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance I have used since I started traveling full-time. It has saved me so many times by covering hospital visits and medications when I was sick in Asia.
Download an eSIM before you arrive. This way, you can figure out where you are going and always have a way to contact someone in an emergency. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Emergency Contact Number: 911
