Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island is a small island barangay of Logon in the municipality of Daanbantayan at the northern tip of Cebu Province, Philippines. Situated about 7 km across the strait from Maya Port, it is internationally known as a dive destination for regular sightings of pelagic thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. The island features white-sand beaches, clear waters, coral reefs, dive resorts and a traditional fishing community.

Visitors can expect a small, low-lying island with white-sand beaches, notably Bounty Beach on the south, clear turquoise water, and a compact village with resorts, restaurants and dive shops. The interior has sandy paths and coconut palms. Most visitors explore beaches, snorkel near shore, and take boat trips to offshore dive sites such as Monad Shoal and Gato Island. The island is reached only by boat from Maya Port and has a relaxed, beach-focused atmosphere.

The island's name is attributed to Spanish explorers who experienced bad weather around Christmas, called 'mala pascua' meaning bad Easter/Christmas. Historically a fishing community under the barangay of Logon, it developed as a dive tourism destination from the 1990s after thresher shark sightings at Monad Shoal were publicized.

The island supports a Cebuano fishing community with traditional outrigger boats and small village life, now interwoven with dive tourism culture. Local livelihoods combine fishing, boat operation and hospitality services.