Getting there
Air connections
The main gateway for Malapascua is Mactan-Cebu International Airport
in Cebu City.
There are plenty of domestic flights to and from Manila, but it is also possible to take
an international flight directly into Cebu.
At the time of writing (2009) five international airlines have
direct Cebu connections: Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, Qatar
Airways, Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) and Cebu Pacific. Mactan/Cebu International
Airport is a small, easygoing airport on Mactan Island, about
15 km from the city centre.
We will be happy to arrange a pick-up service from the airport
with transfer to Malapascua (about 3 1/2 hours travel time) and/or
book a hotel room in Cebu City. See the prices chapter for transfer details.
For all independant travellers here is how to reach the island:
Cebu – Maya by bus
From the airport take a taxi for about 150 PHP to the Cebu North
bus station and board one of the frequent buses to Maya (e.g.
Ceres, mostly not airconditioned, but the few aircon buses are quite new).
These will take you for 150 PHP in about 4 hours on mostly good roads directly to
Maya pier at the northernmost tip of Cebu Island.
Cebu – Maya by taxi
Hiring an air-conditioned taxi from Cebu City to Maya will cost
about 2200 PHP. This is a more comfortable option, saves about
one hour travel time and makes the trip on a scenic road, which partly follows
the shoreline, quite enjoyable.
Maya – Malapascua
On the Maya pier you will find a tiny booth selling regular boat tickets for 50 PHP.
Also porters are waiting to bring your luggage for a few
pesos on one of the outrigger boats servicing Malapascua. At low
tide these pumpboats cannot dock, so small crafts will ferry you
to the boat. Be prepared to get wet feet wading through some shallow
water! Regular boats leave for Malapascua until about 5 p.m. every
30 – 60 minutes, but only if enough passengers
are on board. An immediate special ride is available for about 1000 PHP.
After 5 p.m. it may be difficult to find a boat, so rather plan
an overnight stay in Cebu City then or make use of our pick-up service. The boat ride
to Malapascua will take about 30 minutes.
Hippocampus is located at the eastern end of Bounty beach about ten
minutes walk from the boating point.
