Getting to Malapascua

Beach in front of Evolution Dive Centre

Not too painful a journey neither was it easy. Although it was a direct flight from Singapore to Cebu, it was 4 am when I arrived. Managed to get an hour of sleep during the flight mentally feels fresh but eyes were tired. The private taxi driver waited for me at the arrival appeared as a limping middle-aged man suffering from gout. With my request, he stopped by various gasoline stations searching for a SIM card and got it after much effort.

It has been suggested by most tourists to stay at least a day or two at Cebu to take a look around the city and other nearby islands around in an hour or so journey time such as Carnotes Island, Mactan(30 mins journey) & Bantayan Island or Oslob and Moalboal much further away (3 to 4 hours land journey). For more details on these islands, click here.

Find a hotel in Cebu.

The 3 hrs journey to Maya port was quite easy, dozing and waking up to the red skies and sunset along the way. We stopped by Carmen, a park where locals jog. We finally arrived at the port where we were met by porters to help me get on the boat seamlessly. At Maya port, the unfinished construction of building and shelters, reminded me of the Typhone Haiyan of 2013 that left the devastated city with grief and loss.

Soon we left the port from the small tug boat and after few minutes we were transferred to the big bangka (outrigger) boat. Some locals were even selling bananas and snacks on the boat. This was my first time travelling on an outrigger. However, soon after the boat sailed, the strong waves hitting on the boat left most of us distraught, hiding at the back of the boat to avoid the splashes.

After 40 minutes of rough and wet ride, we arrived Malapascua, some named it the mini Boracay. As I got off the tug boat to the beach, I was almost immediately met with a porter to get me to where I was going ... Evolution Dive Centre. No doubt, everyone knows this popular dive resort I have booked way before my arrival. It cost me php20 to get a ride on a normal motorbike with my 20 kg luggage.

It took only 5 minutes to get to Evolution. Facing the resort is the beautiful clear blue waters with fine and white sand beach. The skies were cloudy and winds were strong. My room is the very first one from the beach.  Just by the beach, there are kids selling souvenirs and aunties offering massage services. 

Book your stay if you wish to dive with Evolution Resort and Dive Centre.

FInd a resort at Malapascua here.

View from my room

The administrative portion took almost 30 minutes after which I waited at the restaurant waiting for my room to be ready. Finally settled after a nice wash up, had lunch and met up with Angel, a Mexican instructor. Got my manual to read to prepare for the test 3 hours later. Sleepy and tired though, still managed to make it through..borderline. Alas, I took my first specialty course.