There are no ATMS
Make sure you plan ahead and bring cash with you as there is no where to get money out on the island. You can pay by card in some of the larger resorts, but prepare yourself for that 5{3c584785206271acba0b48c760be4725f0625fa591b4a52f771ab721d5a102df} surcharge! You can definitely live cheaply on the island (60 peso for 2 rum and cokes during happy hour!), so just make sure you have enough dough for all the awesome shark diving you will want to do day after day.
Have a flexible leaving date
This island is captivating. In fact, all of the islands in the Philippines are captivating. However Malapascua… Malapascua is something special. It is the perfect balance between not being too built up, yet it is still lively enough to be able to have a bit of a boogie when you have the morning off from the sharks. The locals are friendly and of course the pure white sand and crystal clear waters will all make you want to stick around for longer.
Be prepared to want to learn how to dive… and then dive more
Even though the island is small, there are a number of activities you can do to fill your time – but diving will steal the show! Even if you’re a non diver, you are most definitely going to want to learn here. Malapascua provides a great learning environment because of it’s countless secluded, calm bays and dive sites that can cater for everyone from the complete novice, to the extremely technical, deep orientated diver.
The thresher sharks will steal your heart
There is a reason as to why people come all over the world to see these beauties – Malapascua is the only place in the world where you can see Thresher Sharks all year round. You don’t just get the opportunity to see them in passing, but right up close and personal whilst they have their daily groom. They will honestly take your breath away. Before you know it, you’ll forget that you’ve just woken up at 4:30am and be booking yourself on tomorrow’s dive for more shark action. Also for those people unfamiliar with thresher sharks, these are the friendly kind that won’t eat you. Promise.
Plan your journey to and from the island
Malapascua is a remote island, adding to its charm. However I would advise in planning your trip. You can take public transport from Cebu, a bus that can take anywhere from 4-6hours depending on how many people it decides to pick up along the way, and then a 30min banka ride (local boat) that will only leave once full. If you are not pushed for time, then public transport is the way forward, just make sure you time it so that you arrive in Maya (the port to Malapascua) before 4pm so you don’t miss the last ferry. If you are on a tight schedule or wanting to spoil yourself, you can arrange for private transfer. A private car that will take you from door to door and then a private boatt hat will drop you right in front of your hotel or dive resort.
Learn to say HELLO!
Coming from a big city, I can understand how the simple act of saying “hello” to complete strangers can be a daunting task. But, just do it! The locals are friendly and always keen for a chat, who knows what you may learn about the island. Plus, you’re on a remote island full of like-minded people you are guaranteed to get on with, and if you happen to meet that one person on the island that annoys you, politely say bye and move to another table. They’ll get the picture.
Fly direct into Cebu if possible
Flying direct into Cebu cuts out all the hassle that Manila brings with it. The flights may be a bit more expensive, but by the time the taxi drivers try and scam you between terminals and the long waiting times between flights, it may just be worth spending that little bit extra.
Bring more swimwear
Be prepared to be in your swimmers all the time! You will never be too far from the ocean, and with the beautiful tropical weather, you need to be ready to jump in when things start to heat up. Underwear? Who needs underwear.
Brush up on your Cebuano
There are more than 175 different languages and dialects in the Philippines, so make sure you learn the right one! If you’ve been practicing your “hello’s” and “thank you’s” in the national language of Tagalog, forget everything and start learning them in the local dialect of Cebuano.
