Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cebu | Discovering Malapascua Island


CEBU | Discovering Malapascua Island
Underwater Adventure


Cebu is a wonderful place, as such that it is also near to some of the most charming islands I have ever visited. It's not a secret that when I travel to some of the best known destination in the Philippines, I seek the one's with beautiful beaches, and those with opportunity for snorkeling adventure. I'm such a sucker for underwater fun ever since I learned to snorkel without wearing vest or flippers. That feeling of buoyancy while in water, the freedom to move freely without inhibitions, that moment when I hold my breath and dive down to get a closer look at some of the best coral reefs that we are proud of, these are just some of the junks I seek out. Bringing my own snorkeling gear, and the investment I made with an underwater camera over 6 months ago, I have become a witness to how pristine and fragile is our own backyard of underwater world.



Signing up for snorkeling activity while in Malapascua Island is a good past time other than lounging in it's sandy white sand beaches and watching lots of foreign back packers enjoy this laid back beach. I can't compare it to any other locations, it has a charm more on its own, I'm just taken aback by the realization that more foreign tourist would have known the historic island of Malapascua than the local one's like myself. The snorkeling activity is about 3 hours, hopping on 3 locations surrounding the island. At the end, you'd have made a full circle tour of the place with the finale at a place they call Marine Sanctuary. A sanctuary that is, about 20 feet deep and laden with some of the riches and most diverse coral gardens I've ever seen. 




These shots here are a lot more closer to shore, as the white sand creates a startling contrast against the colorful marine life. Snorkeling here is a standard rate of Php 1,500 as I am with 2 other friends, that makes it 500 for each of us. However, I got a discount of Php 150 because I'm using my own snorkeling gear. As part of the fees, the boatman rents the gear for the same amount. So if you have the intention of visiting Malapascua island off the coast of Cebu, better bring your own gear, saves you money and more so about the hygiene, one can't tell about who was that last person who had used that gear.




This photo above is shot in the final location, the Marine Sanctuary. It proved to be challenge for me, as Habagat is raging all across the Philippines, here I was, braving strong currents to enjoy this beautiful site.

I have heard of Malapascua, aside from fellow travel bloggers who had been here, but more to the publicity it garnered being synonymous to divers as haven for Thresher sharks.

It's best to visit the island, when you are with many friends tangling along. As is, the fee I paid for the snorkeling is already overpriced at Php 350 considering that we've only visited 3 sites.


More of discovering Malapascua in my upcoming post, How to get there, What to do and the accommodations. Remember that you don't have to spend much in here, the island is a back packers haven, very friendly to a Pinoy working class like myself.



Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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27 comments:

  1. great underwater shots! :P di pa ako nakapagsnorkel ng todo sa malapascua. tsk tsk tsk...

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  2. lakas makadiver ang peg ha :) nice shots as usual :)

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  3. it would be better also if you are wearing fins, imho.

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  4. ang galing ng shots mo underwater. parang moro ami ang peg. :D
    buti nlng may dala kang gear mo. dyahe nga yung makikirent ka lang.

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  5. Unfortunately, I can't take photos of myself underwater..
    So I normally ask friends to take it on my behalf.
    It's thanks to them really, I get a few photos of myself while snorkeling.

    @Eric - :) I tried wearing fins before.. I'm not comfortable with it, as it restricts my movements

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  7. Hey Francis,

    Great photos, I specially like the first one. I don't know how to swim so diving isn't my thing, LOL! Anyway, glad to see you again and the fun things you do. ☺

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  8. wow! that is just so awesome.. please excuse the overreaction, i can't swim so, i'm starstruck with people who can, lol! very nice shots..

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  9. Hi Kim! thanks much for visiting! :)

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  10. Been here bro! luv this place- blue water, fine white sand beach plus amazing coral formations! Ganda bro ng mga shot mo:)

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  11. The photos are so crisp and it felt like we were right there swimming with you and enjoying the marine sanctuary.

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  12. Nice underwater shots! Would love to visit Malapascua Island just so I could look at the underwater life hehe

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  13. Nakakainggit. Haven't been to Cebu pa. There's a ton of reasons why we should visit Cebu and Malapascua Island is one of those. I love the shots. Ang ganda. :)

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  14. The beauty of the underwater world... epic! I love to go there ang ganda lang!

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  15. omg! that is just amazing! passing this link to all my aussi frends who wanted to visit philippines! great photos! xx

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  16. This is great! One of my fave destination in North Cebu.Been there on 2010 and 2011. Malapascua never failed to amaze me- ganda!

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  17. So great to see underwater wonders like the coral garden. Just awesome. I envy you for having the guts to dive with only a snorkel. I'm so afraid of deep sea diving.

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  18. This would probably the next in my destinations. I have witnessed the beauty of nature at Tumalog and the white sand beaches of Alcoy. I've also seen the mighty butandings at Oslob and have myself relaxed at Kawasan

    Indeed, Cebu, being the Queen City of the South, has so many places to offer

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  19. Wow! Underwater photography is one of my frustrations. Aside from not having an underwater camera or a cover for my DSLR, probably the nearest body of water I could go to is the Manila Bay.

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  20. Oh wow! What a nice diving site and I love the photos here, i wonder who's taking the shots..

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  21. Eascinating underwater photos. Kakaingit ka bro. Cebu is so near sa Liloan, Leyte. Next time na magawi ako riyan,subukan ko rin ang snorkeling.

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  22. Really great underwater shots! I've never been able to 'enjoy' Cebu as I'm on business each time I go there. This is a great place to add in my 2013 list, as I'm trying to beef up my domestic travel experiences :D

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  23. wow...I also tried doing that but I wasn't able to capture vivid photos like these...Beautiful indeed.Yahweh bless

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  24. Great underwater shots. What camera did u use? Probably the underwater will be better if it were cleaner I guess

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  25. Ganda ng pictures, how I wish marunong akong lumangoy :(

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  26. Wow, vis is good. It would be a good diving day. How about the current? If I am planning to dive, is this going to be an easy dive?

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