Splashing Through Malapascua Island Philippines

Before flying out of the Philippines, we promised ourselves to have more island escapades. We took the beautiful shores of Cebu province. We decided to amble the islands, exploring their hidden gems and this time, Malapascua Island was our destination. We departed Cebu City early in the morning at around 6 AM. Going towards Maya Port where the boat to Malapascua awaited us. It was a four hour drive but my elation kept me awake.

Malapascua is a Philippine island situated in the Visayan Sea, 6.8 kilometres across a shallow strait from the northernmost tip of Cebu Island. Administratively, it is part of the peninsular barangay of Logon, Daanbantayan, Cebu. Malapascua is a small island, only about 2.5 by 1 kilometre, and has eight hamlets. Wikipedia

When we reached the port, my husband directly bought tickets for the three of us. The crew told us that the boat was ready to load passengers after a short wait. I felt that usual mix of excitement and nervousness. The water at the port was calm at first, almost teasing me with peace. But the further we went, small waves began to rock the boat. I felt a twinge of fear knowing the waves would only get bigger in the middle of the sea and soon strong splashes hit our boat. Every splash against the side made my heart beat faster. I quietly held my husband’s hand, pretending to stay calm, whispering a silent prayer for a safe crossing. The trip normally takes just 30 minutes but stretched into 45e to the rough waters. Relief immersed me when I eventually saw the island’s port and the water calming down.

The moment we moved onto the island, we were engrossed. The water was crystal clear and the calmness of the environment directly put us at ease. We took a motorcycle ride straight to Johan Drive Resort, our home for the night.

The resort was beachfront. The friendly staff greeted us warmly. She showed us to our room and making us feel at home. We placed our things in the room. The sun was high and it was nearly lunchtime. So we rode off on our rented motorbike and searched for food. We landed up at a simple open air restaurant. Fresh seafood was everywhere. It lay out like treasures from the ocean. I didn’t took photos this time, but I don’t regret it. Our laughter and talk made the incident more memorable. The food was absolutely yummy. While we ate, my husband asked the owner if he knew someone who offered island-hopping tours. He knew someone and quickly called the operator because he was just nearby. Within minutes, a boat operator appeared to discuss the details. We had an island tour booked for 2 PM. My heart leapt with excitement. I couldn’t think how excellently everything was falling into place.

After we finished our lunch we went back to the resort. We couldn’t withstand striking a few poses along the beachfront. The view was too awesome not to seize crystal waters shining under the sun. The smooth sand under our feet made an ultimate backdrop. After we were satisfied with our little photo session, we went to our room for a short rest. We are saving our energy for the much awaited island-hopping adventure later that afternoon.

Our time had finally come. The boat operator told the front desk to inform us that he had arrived. The excitement spilling inside us. We got our bags and went out. Walking onto the boat felt like stepping into another getaway. We sailed away, small islets appeared in the distance. The crew hint us that we would stop at one of them, a perfect spot for diving. My husband and son were excited to dive in. I couldn’t join because of my monthly visit. I was more than content to watch and take pictures from the boat.

When the boat ceased they dove straight into the turquoise crystal-clear waters. Seeing my husband and son blithely, swimming filled me with happiness. I smiled the entire time, catching their laughter in my heart. The crew dove down and brought up fresh sea urchins adding to the experience. We spent about an hour at that spot. Letting my husband and son savor their swim in the clear turquoise waters.

After an hour, my husband and son finally mounted back onto the boat, refreshed and smiling from their swim. We continued our island tour passing along the coastline. We saw the remains of resorts that stood as silent reminders of a powerful typhoon that hit years ago. Despite the damage the island’s beauty shone through. Its shores surrounded by crystal-clear waters that gleam under the sun. I started to feel some abdominal pain, my husband decided that we should head back to the resort. Though our tour was short but the experience we had was already more than enough to valued.

We rested for a while. We came out for an early dinner and were welcomed by a wonderful sunset. The sun was slowly sinking toward the view. It casts a peaceful radiance across the sky. A few boats basked quietly near the shore. Their reflections dancing on the flaring water. The smooth scene made our walk to the restaurant feel almost mystical. We couldn’t uphold but stop for a bit to take it all in before enjoying our meal.

We woke up early to watch the sunrise, sitting placidly, we looked as the sun slowly rose. It paints the sky with soft colors of gold and pink. We felt the calmness in the morning.

Before we left the island, we took a bit to simply breathe and enjoy the view. We thanked Almighty God for this memorable experience. We're grateful for the joy, peace and memories this island had given us.

Photos taken using Samsung S21
Collage using Canva