How To Get From Cebu To Malapascua (2024 GUIDE)

Looking for how to get from Cebu to Malapascua?

Well, the most common route is the use of the public bus from Cebu to Malapascua and then a short boat ride to Malapascua Island.

The island is located in the Visayan Sea approximately 7 km off the northernmost tip of Cebu Island in the Philippines.

In this guide, I’m going to provide you with all the information you need on how to get to Malapascua Island, mainly focusing on how to get from Cebu to Malapascua and also how to get from Bantayan to Malapascua.

Let’s jump right into it and go through how to go to Malapascua from Cebu City!

CEBU TO MALAPASCUA ISLAND

Getting from Cebu to Malapascua involves taking a bus ride from Cebu City to the New Maya Port at the northernmost tip of the island.

From here you will have to board a wooden passenger boat and make the final stretch from Cebu to Malapascua Island.

Check out the tips below on how to get from Cebu City to Malapascua Island.

The bus from Cebu City to Malapascua operates on a daily basis and departs every hour from the Cebu North Bus Terminal bound for New Maya Port at the northernmost tip of Cebu Island.

The cost of the Cebu to Malapascua bus is around 230 pesos and the Cebu City to Malapascua travel time is 4 hours.

Another option how to go to Malapascua is to ride in a shared minivan or take a private transfer which includes a pick-up from your hotel in Cebu City and drop-off at New Maya Port.

This is the option that I went for because it was much more comfortable than the bus and the journey time was faster.

The cost of the boat from New Maya Port to Malapascua is 200 pesos providing there is a minimum of 15 passengers to fill the boat.

If there are fewer than 15 passengers the cost of the boat is 2000 pesos total which can be divided between you and other travelers heading over to Malapascua Cebu.

The bus or minivan will arrive at New Maya Port and from here you will need to take an outrigger boat over to Malapascua Island which takes around 30 minutes.

BOOK NOW: Transfer from Cebu to Malapascua

When it comes to the Malapascua ferry schedule, boats depart from New Maya Port to Malapascua every hour, 7 days a week, between 6:30 am and 4:30 pm.

If for some reason you get to the port too late for the Cebu to Malapascua ferry schedule, I recommend spending the night at D & N Lodge near New Maya Port and taking the first boat over to the island the following morning.

The above information is the same if you plan to go from Cebu Airport to Malapascua, with the only difference being to get from Mactan Airport to Cebu North Bus Terminal first.

The Cebu to Malapascua travel time will also be the same, approximately 4 hours.

Note that there is no direct ferry from Cebu to Malapascua, and you’ll have to get to Maya Port first, and the same when you come back from Malapascua to Cebu City.

BANTAYAN TO MALAPASCUA

If you happen to be on Bantayan Island and finished with the adventures there, it’s time to think about how you’re going to get from Bantayan to Malapascua.

BANTAYAN TO MALAPASCUA – DIRECT BOAT

From Bantayan Island, you can rent a boat starting from 800-900 pesos per person and it will take you around 2 hours to reach Malapascua directly, depending on the sea conditions.

Head down to the main street in Santa Fe on Bantayan Island and pop into one of the tour desks to organize a boat from Bantayan to Malapascua, preferably the day before you plan to travel.

Alternatively, you can ask the reception at your accommodation to help you organize your transport from Bantayan to Malapascua.

BANTAYAN ISLAND TO MALAPASCUA – FERRY, BUS, & BOAT

If you want to save some cash, there is a cheaper route from Bantayan Island to Malapascua but it takes much longer and is not recommended, in my opinion, but the option is there if you’re on a tight budget.

For 150 pesos plus a 10 pesos terminal fee, you can take the ferry from Bantayan Island to Hagnaya Port on mainland Cebu which takes around 1 hour.

From here you’ll need to make your way to the New Maya Port via bus or tricycle and this journey takes around 1 hour.

From Maya Port Cebu, you can take the boat over to Malapascua for 200 pesos. The boats leave every 30 to 40 minutes, daily.

Note: After 5:00 pm you may struggle to get a boat from Maya Port in Cebu to Malapascua which can end up resulting in you having to pay for a private boat which can be around 2,000 pesos.

Bantayan to Malapascua on this particular route is slightly less direct but nevertheless, it’s still doable.

The total journey from Bantayan to Malapascua can take up to 4 to 5 hours, between transportation and waiting times.

You can get from Bantayan to Malapascua a lot quicker by taking a direct private boat, however, the cheapest way is going to be via public transport.

QUICK ANSWERS: MALAPASCUA FROM CEBU

HOW FAR IS MALAPASCUA FROM CEBU CITY?

The distance between Cebu and Malapascua is 115 km (71 miles), and it takes approximately 4 hours to get there.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAPASCUA?

Now that you’ve got all the information on how to get to Malapascua Island from Cebu City, be sure to read my Malapascua guide which includes 15 Best Things To Do In Malapascua.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MALAPASCUA?

The best time to visit Malapascua from Cebu, weather-wise, is between December and June when temperatures are hot and there is barely any rainfall.

This is also high season, so expect to see many tourists during these months.

I recommend visiting on the shoulder months of the high season in July and November which sees a bit of rainfall but usually only lasts for a couple of hours and the rest of the day is sunny.

Try to avoid the typhoon season between August and October which isn’t the best time when searching for how to get to Malapascua from Cebu.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

There are no ATM machines on the island so you will have to withdraw cash before getting to Malapascua. I recommend doing so in Cebu City where hundreds of ATM machines are located around the city.

Getting around the island is done simply by motorbike, bicycle, or on foot. Most travelers will get around by walking as the island is so small and you can literally walk from one end to the other in less than one hour.

If your legs are painted on, you can rent a motorbike from a local for around 300 pesos per day or get a ride on the back of a motorbike taxi for as little as 30 pesos.

The internet connection on the island is relatively good. Smart and Globe SIM cards will work fine and most establishments offer free WiFi.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND MAP

Other than knowing how to get to Malapascua from Cebu City, you’ll want to know the location.

Malapascua Island is located in the Visayan Sea approximately 7 km off the northernmost tip of Cebu Island in the Philippines.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND TO BANTAYAN ISLAND

When going to Malapascua from Cebu City, I highly recommend heading over to Bantayan Island which is located just off the northwestern tip of Cebu.

The only way to get to Bantayan Island is to take an outrigger boat and the cost is around 800-950 pesos per person. If you can find a small group of people to share the boat with the cost will be lower.

The journey time to Bantayan Island is around 2 to 3 hours depending on the sea conditions.

See More: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – CEBU CITY TO MALAPASCUA

I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Malapascua how to get there and if you have any questions at all about getting from Cebu City to Malapascua, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

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