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Activities
Malapascua Island with its white Bounty Beach, the turquoise
blue water and abundant coconut palmtrees comes close to the cliché
of a tropical paradise. Many people travel here to enjoy sun,
warm sea, delicious food and the fiendly philippino atmosphere.
Swimming and snorkelling are excellent. Those looking for more
action have the choice of a number of activities. Main attractions
are island hopping and scuba diving.
Exploring the island
Malapascua is a rather small island, about 2.5 km long and 1 km wide.
There are no roads nor cars and surrounding the island by foot
takes about three hours. Just follow the beachline, which will lead
you to tiny fishing villages with friendly inhabitants and lonely
bays. Shell collectors may find their paradise here. The lighthouse
is located on the opposite side of the island and when the air
is clear the view from its tower reaches across the neighboring
islands of Leyte, Biliran and Maripipi until the mountains of
Samar.
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Island hopping
Hiring a banca, that is a local outrigger boat, for a day will make some
of the remoter islands around Malapascua accessible. Take a packed
lunch, plenty of drinks and spend some hours on the water accompanied
by dolphins with a bit of luck. One possible destination is Calanggaman
Island, about 75 minutes by boat. With its pristine sandbank and
lush vegetation it gives the impression of a virgin paradise.
Snorkelling and swimming are excellent. Besides some private rangers
just a few dozen people inhabit Calanggaman, whose lives have
not changed a lot during the past decades. You might be able to
buy a fish for your lunch. Other possible dream islands are Carnasa
or the more distant Maripipi with its huge and scenic vulcano.
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