Short answer
New Maya port is about 133 km north of Cebu City, roughly 4-4.5 hours by private car up the northern coastal road through Danao, Bogo, Medellin and Daanbantayan. This page is the road leg by itself, ending at the pier gate, for travellers who are booking the Malapascua outrigger themselves or whose stay is on the mainland side.
Because the journey ends at Maya, it is entirely ours to run: one vehicle, one driver, door to gate, with no crossing in the middle. The crossing to Malapascua, if you are making it, is a public outrigger of about 30-40 minutes that runs through the day and stops in the late afternoon, so a morning departure from the city leaves a comfortable buffer.
By public transport, Ceres buses run north to Maya from the Cebu North Bus Terminal. It is much cheaper and much slower, with stops the whole way up, and it puts you and your bags at the mercy of the last boat.
Step by step: Cebu City to Maya Port (Daanbantayan)
- 1Leave the city in the morning
Boats from Maya stop in the late afternoon, so a morning or early-midday departure gives a safe buffer on a four-hour-plus drive.
- 2Head north up the coastal road
Through Mandaue and Danao, then Bogo, Medellin and Daanbantayan. About 133 km and 4-4.5 hours depending on traffic leaving the city.
- 3Stop where you like on the way
The car is yours for the journey and the driver waits, so lunch or a look at somewhere along the northern coast can sit inside the run rather than costing you a separate day. Name the stops in the quote request.
- 4Arrive at New Maya port
Dropped at the port gate. The onward outrigger to Malapascua is booked and paid at the pier, or arranged by your resort if they run their own boat.
Ways to travel, compared
- Private transfer to Maya Port (what we arrange)~4-4.5 hrs
Door-to-gate from your Cebu City hotel to New Maya port, timed to a daytime boat, with luggage and dive gear handled and stops on the way if you want them. Fixed, all-in price - request a quote.
- Ceres bus to Maya~4-5 hrs
From the Cebu North Bus Terminal straight up to Maya. Cheapest, but slower with stops, and awkward with dive gear.
- Maya to Malapascua outrigger~30-40 min
The crossing, if you are going on to the island. Runs through the day, stops in the late afternoon, small public fare paid at the port. Separate from our quote unless your written quote says otherwise.
Add stops on the way to Maya Port (Daanbantayan)
It is a ~133 km drive, and you do not have to do it in one go. The car is yours for the journey and the driver waits wherever you stop, so a waterfall, an old church or a long lunch can sit in the middle of the run rather than costing you a separate day. List the stops you want in the quote request and we price the day, not the hop.
- The car waits at every stop
- Luggage stays in the vehicle
- Fuel, tolls and parking included
- Entrance fees paid locally, as you go
We'll pre-fill Cebu City → Maya Port (Daanbantayan). Put the stops you want in the notes box and we'll come back with one all-in price.
Cebu City to Maya Port (Daanbantayan): FAQs
How far is Maya Port from Cebu City?
About 133 km, and roughly 4-4.5 hours by private car up the northern coastal road. It is the same drive as the Malapascua run, stopping at the pier instead of continuing onto a boat.
Can you take me to Maya and stop for lunch on the way?
Yes. The car is yours for the journey and the driver waits wherever you stop, so a meal or a short look at somewhere on the northern coast can sit in the middle of the drive. List what you want in the notes box and we price the day rather than the hop.
Do I need to book the Malapascua boat in advance?
The public outriggers from Maya run through the day rather than on a booked schedule, and they stop in the late afternoon - so what matters is arriving with daylight to spare rather than holding a ticket. If your resort is sending its own boat, tell us the time and we work the drop-off around it.
Is the boat included in the quote?
No. Our quote is for the private road leg to New Maya port. The crossing is a public boat paid at the pier, and the walk or trike at the island landing is separate too, unless your written quote sets them out.
Can you do the return trip, Maya Port (Daanbantayan) back to Cebu City?
Yes - the same private car and driver, Maya Port (Daanbantayan) back to Cebu City over the same ~133 km. Ask for both legs in one quote request and we price the round trip together.
Maya Port (Daanbantayan) → Cebu City
We run this route in both directions, with the same car and driver. Ask for both legs in one request and we'll price the round trip together.
We'll pre-fill Maya Port (Daanbantayan) → Cebu City on the form. Just add your dates and details.
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