Tropical Retreat: Ocean Vida Beach and Scuba Haven
Malapascua Island, located on the northernmost tip of Cebu Island in the Visayan Sea, is a popular destination for divers seeking world-class diving experiences. One of the top resorts on the island is Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, home to some of the most popular dive sites in Malapascua.
Getting to Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort
To reach Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort from Cebu City, you typically embark on a combination of land and sea travel.
- From Cebu City to Maya Port: Take a bus or van from Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal heading to Maya Port in Daanbantayan municipality. The journey by road usually takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. Options include air-conditioned vans (more comfort, faster) and local buses (cheaper but slower).
- From Maya Port to Malapascua Island: At Maya Port, take a boat or pump boat to Malapascua Island. The boat ride usually takes around 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Small boats or pump boats operate regularly, and you buy tickets at the port.
- From Malapascua Port to Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort: The resort is located on Bounty Beach, Logon, Malapascua Island. From the port, it is within walking distance or a short motorbike ride (5-10 minutes) to the resort.
The total travel time from Cebu City to Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort is approximately 4 to 5 hours.
Additional Notes
- The resort has 12 sea view and 8 garden view rooms on Bounty Beach, and is a well-rated dive resort with easy beach access.
- Travelers generally plan this journey early in the day to avoid arriving late.
- Public buses or vans to Maya leave frequently, but schedules may vary.
- Weather can affect boat schedules, so it is best to check ahead.
Once you arrive at Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, you can enjoy a wide range of amenities. The Beach Bar offers a big selection of soft drinks, fresh coconut juice, local fresh fruit shakes, cocktails, and cold beers. The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, including European favorites, Asian-influenced dishes, and local specialties.
The resort is also home to some of the most popular dive sites in Malapascua, including those offering macro, wreck, cave, and wall diving. Sea Explorers, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center located on Malapascua Island, provides up to 4 dives a day, with a maximum of 4 divers per guide. They offer diving with a 95% sighting rate of thresher sharks, Malapascua's main attraction, which comes up to Monad Shoal to get clean at dawn.
In addition, Ocean Vida Beach Resort offers renovated facilities, including a new air-conditioned classroom and equipment room, completed in 2010. Good quality, well-maintained rental equipment is available. There is also a daily "Happy Hour" from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with 2 for 1 cocktails at the Beach Bar.
The best wreck dive in the Visayas can be found on the Dona Marilyn, one of the dive sites offered by Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort. Malapascua Island also offers great reef and macro diving all around the island, with nightly sightings of mandarin fish and various macro subjects like pygmy seahorses and blue ring octopus.
So, if you're planning a diving trip to the Philippines, consider Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort on Malapascua Island for an unforgettable experience.
- Travellers planning a diving trip to the Philippines should consider Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, situated on Malapascua Island, which is known for its world-class diving experiences.
- To reach Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, one must embark on a combination of land and sea travel, involving a bus or van ride from Cebu City to Maya Port, followed by a boat or pump boat ride to Malapascua Island, and a short distance walk or motorbike ride to the resort.
- Besides offering comfortable accommodations, Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort is home to some of the most popular dive sites in Malapascua, including those providing macro, wreck, cave, and wall diving opportunities.
- Sea Explorers, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center located on Malapascua Island, provides diving services from Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort, offering up to 4 dives a day with a maximum of 4 divers per guide.
- In addition to diving, Ocean Vida Beach & Dive Resort provides various marine life encounters, such as thresher sharks, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, and blue ring octopus, making it an ideal destination for travellers seeking a unique lifestyle experience blended with sports and exploration of marine life.
