The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 638

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By boat There are frequent bangkas from Maya to
Malapascua from dawn until 6pm (40min; P80, subject to
enough passengers on board), though there are more in
the morning. Until the new pier is fully operational you'll
often have to transfer to a smaller boat for the last 50m
to shore (P10). On the way back the first bangka of the
day leaves Malapascua at 6.30am. Travelling to or from
Bantayan, you'll have to hire a bangka.
By bus Buses run between Cebu City's northern bus
terminal and Maya (every 30min; 4hr). Buses run every
30min from 6am and it's best to set off early to avoid tra c
and the heat.

chicken (P30), pork (P35) and hot dogs (P8). The more
adventurous can go for chicken ovaries (P28), intestines or
blood, both for a bargain P5. Daily 8am-midnight.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND
Eight kilometres off the northern tip of
Cebu, the tiny island of Malapascua is
one of Southeast Asia's finest diving
destinations and was just hitting the big
time when typhoon Yolanda struck.
Almost every roof on the island was
destroyed, and most of the local
population was left without shelter.
Substantial private contributions have
helped the island to begin to find its feet,
but at the time of writing only the bigger,
more established resorts were operational.
Repair work on boats, roofs, houses and
hotels was taking place all around, and by
the time you read this the vital tourist
economy should be up and running and
will hopefully facilitate the community's
recovery.
At 2.5km long and about 1km wide,
and with some of the warmest, most
welcoming people you'll meet in the
Philippines, Malapascua has been touted
as a potential baby brother to Boracay,
largely because of the charms of Bounty
Beach , a blindingly white stretch of sand
on the south coast.
hough Boracay-style development has
yet to transpire, it is on its way. he new
pier is finally complete (although
currently only used by a few dive boats)
and visitor numbers are already
recovering post-Yolanda. While the
island may not be quite as picture perfect
as it once was, it remains a wonderful
low-key divers' and travellers' paradise,
and the friendly locals are as happy to see
you as ever!

ACCOMMODATION
All the places listed below are on Bounty Beach, and rates
include breakfast. Early booking for the limited economy
rooms is advised.
Blue Water Beach Resort T 0917 627 2951,
W malapascuabeachresort.com. Badly damaged by
Yolanda, Blue Water was closed at the time of writing,
but was planning to reopen soon. When they do, plans
are for the same clean nipa chalets around a pleasant
garde n area. Rates include breakfast and there's also free
wi-fi. P1000
★

8

Evolution T 0915 666 1584, W evolution.com.ph.
At the end of Dano Beach. Friendly English-Irish owned
place with pleasant huts set around the garden area.
Rates include delicious breakfasts (see The Craic House ).
If you're on a tight budget the neighbour ( Mr Kwiz ) at
the back rents c heap rooms for just P500 - ask at
reception. P1800
★

Hippocampus Eastern end of the beach T 0917 860
8439, W hippocampus-online.com. Bamboo huts deco-
rated with mahogany wood furniture, all with mosquito
nets and private tiled bathrooms. Staff are very helpful and
friendly, and there's a cosy little bar and restaurant with
happy hour 5-7pm. Free wi-fi. Ask a bout “w alk-in
discounts” if you haven't booked, otherwise P1500
White Sands Bungalows Logon Beach T 0927 318
7471, W whitesand.dk. Karl's three simple huts have had
an upgrade and now feature a simple upper mezzanine
level with a double mattress (P100 per extra person) as

DIVING MALAPASCUA
Some shallower dive sites were damaged by Yolanda, but the major drawcard - thresher
sharks - remain in residence and anyone staying more than a few days is almost guaranteed a
sighting. Long-established dive operators on the island are Thresher Shark Divers ( T 0927 612
3359, W malapascua-diving.com), Malapascua Exotic Island Dive and Beach Resort ( T 032 406
5428, W malapascua.net) and Sea Explorers ( T 032 234 0248, W sea-explorers.com).
Nearby Gato Island is a marine sanctuary and a breeding place for black-and-white banded
sea snakes, and overnight trips can be arranged to the tiny volcanic island of Maripipi, where
reef sharks and dolphins are common.