Malapascua thresher sharks
Malapascua is a small island off Cebu’s northern tip, world-famous among divers as one of the only places you can reliably see pelagic thresher sharks at the Monad Shoal cleaning station at dawn. Reaching it means a 4-4.5 hour drive up to Maya port, then a short outrigger-boat crossing to the island.
Boats from New Maya port run through the day, roughly hourly, so the key is leaving the city early enough to catch one with daylight to spare. We arrange a private transfer timed to the boats, with luggage and dive gear handled.
How to get to Malapascua from Cebu City & the airport
- Private transfer to Maya (what we arrange)~4-4.5 hrs to port
A private car or van straight to New Maya port, timed so you make a daytime boat. Comfortable for the long northern run with gear. Request a quote for the fixed price.
- Ceres bus (public)~4-5 hrs to port
Ceres buses run from the Cebu North Bus Terminal to Maya. Cheapest option but slower, with stops along the way.
- Maya → Malapascua boat~30-40 min
Outrigger boats cross from New Maya port through the day, roughly hourly between morning and late afternoon.
What to expect
Thresher sharks
Early-morning dives at Monad Shoal offer one of the world’s most dependable thresher shark encounters.
Easy island vibe
Beyond the diving, Malapascua has quiet white-sand beaches and a relaxed, walkable village.
Boat from Maya
A short outrigger (banca) crossing of around 30-40 minutes links Maya port to the island.
Gear handled
We coordinate the drive so you reach Maya in good time with luggage and dive kit looked after.
Best time to visit
Thresher dives run year-round at dawn. Calmest seas and best visibility are generally in the dry season; the last boats leave Maya in the late afternoon, so arrive with daylight to spare.
Malapascua: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Malapascua from Cebu City?
Travel about 4-4.5 hours north by private car (or a Ceres bus from the North Bus Terminal) to New Maya port, then take a roughly 30-40 minute outrigger boat across to the island. Aim to reach Maya by mid-afternoon at the latest so you catch a boat in daylight.
What time should I leave for Malapascua?
Because the boats from Maya stop in the late afternoon, a morning or early-midday private departure from the city is safest - it gives a comfortable buffer for traffic and the port. We plan the pickup time around your boat and any dive schedule.
Is Malapascua only for divers?
No - the thresher sharks are the headline, but the island also has quiet beaches and an easy-going village, so non-divers enjoy it too. We just get you there and back; diving is booked with the local operators.