ISLANDS AND LIVEABOARDS
24
seahorses. The muck diving here is a pleasing
counterpoint to the stark backdrop of the
Monad Shoal.
For wall dives and soft corals, I recommend
a day trip to Calanggaman Island, an idyllic spit
of white sand and palm trees. You get a beach
barbeque included in the price of the trip, and the
coral walls are the most spectacular in this part
of Cebu.
GATO
ISLAND
23
23 A triplefin goby rests
on bubble coral
25 Black coral on the
MALAPASCUA
ISLAND
Dona Marilyn wreck
24 The view from Blue
Corals Beach Hotel
MONAD
SHOAL
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
High season is December to April,
when there is less rain and better
visibility, but more people. The
thresher sharks are seen year-round,
with hammerheads from December
to April.
HOW
Fly to Cebu City airport via Manila –
recommended carriers are Singapore
Airlines and Philippine Airlines.
The car journey from the airport
to Malapascua is about four hours,
followed by a 35-minute boat ride. If
you get into Cebu late, you have to
overnight at an airport hotel.
SDOP
82
STAY/DIVE
• Thresher Shark Divers
www.malapascua-diving.com
• Blue Corals Beach Hotel
www.malapascuaisland.com.ph
TOPSIDE
Malapascua is a small, simple island,
so it’s really a case of chilling out on
the beach or enjoying the bars and
restaurants. Try Kokay’s Maldito, a
fun diner with a pool table, great
milkshakes and tables out on
the beach. Otherwise, the beach
massages are tremendous value at
less than US$10 for an hour.
25
ENTRY
For the majority of tourists a visa is
available on arrival, though some
travellers must request visas in
advance of their travel. Check with
your local Philippine consulate.