Don’t get me some parts of the island is beautiful, but a bit dirty with plastic waste unfortunately. You can easily walk the whole islands from north to south in an hour.
This post covers how is the island of Malapascua what else there is to do here besides diving.
What is Malapascua Like
Malapascua is a small island you reach from Maya Port in about 30 minutes. It has one main town area with barbecue stalls and small eateries where most people end up eating. Prices are a bit higher than on the mainland, and the tourist markup is noticeable but understandable.
The island is a bit dirty in places, with plastic trash here and there. There aren’t many picture‑perfect beaches either, but North Beach was genuinely nice in my opinion — quiet, wide, and good for swimming.
You can get around by local motorbike taxis. They don’t use apps, and they tend to charge whatever they want — and usually all charge the same, so negotiating doesn’t get you far. Luckily, the island is small enough that you can just walk almost everywhere.
Expect roosters to wake you up early. It’s part of the countryside charm. If you dive, you’ll be waking up before them anyway — and you get the rare chance to disturb their sleep for once.
Cockfighting is still legal on the island, and you’ll see it practiced by all ages — from young boys to the elderly. It’s active and heavily criticized, but also deeply rooted in local tradition. It’s easy to judge, but every country has its own contradictions when it comes to animals. One night, I stumbled upon a small gambling spot where locals were drunkenly playing coin toss for money. I guess violence and gambling are so ingrained in human culture that they show up everywhere, just in different forms.
Brownouts happen on Malapascua, but many places have their own generators, so it’s usually just a short inconvenience. Expect lodging to be simple — fan rooms, basic bathrooms, and the occasional cold shower. There’s no resort‑level comfort here, and that’s part of the deal.
Things to Do in Malapascua Besides from Diving
If you still decide to visit Malapascua without diving, here’s what you can actually do on the island.
Snorkling
Some people snorkel around the coasts of Malapascua, and to be fair, it’s still spectacular compared to where I’m from (Sweden). Clear water, coral patches, plenty of fish — nothing to complain about. But spectacular snorkeling exists in many places in the Philippines, and Malapascua isn’t the top choice for it.
If you’re considering coming here specifically to snorkel, honestly, don’t. Go to Moalboal and swim in the sardine run instead, you might spot some turtles too, if you’re lucky. It’s one of the most impressive snorkeling experiences in the country, and it easily beats anything you’ll see from the shore in Malapascua.
Visit the North Beach
North Beach was genuinely good — easily the nicest beach on Malapascua. It has soft sand, clear water, and enough space to feel relaxed without being crowded. There are a few restaurants and beach bars around, so you can spend a couple of hours there without needing to walk back to the town center. The sunset from this area is great too, with the whole sky turning orange and the beach getting that quiet, end‑of‑day atmosphere. If you’re not diving and want a simple beach day, this is the best spot on the island.
Eat Barbecue in the Center of the Island
The town center is full of small barbecue stalls and simple eateries, and this is where most people end up eating. It’s nothing fancy — plastic chairs, smoky grills, and locals cooking seafood, chicken, and whatever was caught that morning. Prices are a bit higher than on the mainland, but still reasonable, and the portions are generous. If you like straightforward food and don’t mind a bit of chaos, this is one of the best places on the island to eat.
Cockfighting
Cockfighting is still legal on Malapascua, and the setup is surprisingly organized. It looks almost like a small boxing ring: a square space marked off, people crowding around it, and someone walking through the audience taking bets before the fight begins. The atmosphere is loud and tense, with spectators shouting their wagers and arguing over odds.
Once the bets are placed, the handlers prepare the birds. Each rooster has a small blade attached to its right foot, kept in a protective holder until the last moment. When the safe holders are removed, the fight starts immediately — fast, chaotic, and intense. The birds go at each other until one can’t continue. It’s a fight to the death, and the crowd reacts to every moment, cheering, shouting, or groaning depending on how their bet is doing.
It’s heavily criticized, especially by outsiders, but it’s also deeply rooted in local tradition. I stomached to watch one match before leaving.
Walk Around the Island
You pass small villages, kids playing, roosters everywhere, and random shops selling snacks and flip‑flops. It’s not scenic in a postcard way, but it’s a look at everyday island life.
Getting to Malapascua from Cebu City
Head to the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City early in the morning, around 8 AM. Buy a ticket to Maya Port and choose between a van or a bus — vans are faster but might be more cramped, buses are slower but more comfortable but you might sit next to a cage with a chicken. The ride takes about 3–4 hours depending on traffic. Once you reach Maya Port, you take a small boat to Malapascua, which takes roughly 30 minutes.
Wrap-Up
As you’ll notice quickly, there isn’t much to do on Malapascua if you’re not spending time in the water. It’s a quiet island built around diving, and everything else is secondary. If your plan is to stay on land the whole time, you might want to rethink your Philippines itinerary and choose another place with better beaches, more activities, or simply more variety.
But if you enjoy slow days, simple food, sunsets, and small islands where you can walk everywhere, Malapascua can still be a pleasant stop — just not a destination designed for non‑divers.
Check out my other posts about Malapascua: Diving with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua: What to Expect & Where to Stay in Malapascua.
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