Malcapuya Island
Malcapuya Island
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
666 reviews
Excellent
519
Very good
110
Average
34
Poor
3
Terrible
0
baroom
Mississauga, Canada2,168 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We did Joiners Island Escapade Tour (P1700/person) with Calamian Islands Travel and Tours on Thu, May 18, and Malcapuya Island was our first stop. The island was some distance away and the boat trip took about 1.5 hours. We got here before 10:30AM. The beach is a short trek across the island from the boat docking area. There are no directional signs, just a dirt trail to follow. Pretty soon the scenery changes to tall coconut trees, white picnic tents, sand, sea and sky. The boat crew led our tour group to the tents on the left side. My group of five (three adults and two seniors, mid-70s) picked the tent that was closest to the fresh "buko" (young coconut) stand. Toilet facilities are conveniently located along the beach--two rustic toilet rooms equipped with pour-flush toilet, "tabo" (dipper) and "timba" (water bucket).
The beach here at Malcapuya Island is absolutely world-class! Powdery white sand, clear blue waters... a tropical paradise! As I was admiring the top-notch scenery and taking photos, young boat crew member Nelson offered to take photos so my son went with him for a beach photo shoot. Next on the agenda was the boat-pulled (P100/person) snorkeling activity. Since my family of 3 signed up for it back at Coron town dock, we got ready with snorkels and masks and followed our guide Jigs to the beach. Jigs was not happy with the small boat operator for taking a different group just as we arrived on the island. He said our tour group should have been prioritized due to a long-standing arrangement. The boat returned to shore around 11AM and we were asked to hold on to ropes that were horizontally attached to the outriggers. We were pulled slowly in the water and were soon looking at different corals and fish beneath us. At one point the boat stopped so we could do fish feeding. I wasn't expecting so many hungry fish to converge on a cracker I was holding and demolish it in a matter of seconds. It was such a cool experience! We quickly realized that the black fish bites. Our fingers definitely felt a nibble or two from these critters. The fish feeding made our day. We were at it for maybe 5 mins and then we continued our easy and lazy snorkeling all the way back to shore.
While the boat crew was busy getting the buffet table ready, we went to buy some fresh "buko" (P50 each). The vendor expertly cut the young coconuts--he did it so quickly that by the time I brought out my phone to take a video he was already passing them around. A bald, old man joined us and insisted that I take a photo of him with my husband while they each held a "buko." I didn't want to but finally took one photo just to appease this stranger. No idea who he was, probably saw himself as a local celebrity, but the encounter was really weird.
Our buffet spread this time consisted of grilled "tulingan" (bullet tuna), grilled pork, mixed vegetables, sauteed shrimps, cucumber salad, "ensaladang lato" (seaweed salad), steamed rice, cut watermelon and ripe papaya and bottles of cold water. While we enjoyed our lunch, a young mongrel dog wandered into our tent and kept making those puppy-dog eyes so we gave him some pork scraps from our plates.
Overheard someone from our tour group loudly complaining to our guide about the small boat. She brought small kids and was apparently expecting a glass bottom boat ride. An unrealistic expectation as our guide never said anything about a glass bottom boat ride. But a good business idea for Calamian Islands Travel and Tours to consider for Malcapuya Island. By the time we finished lunch, we were only able to fit in a quick "human drone" video shoot with Nelson and then we all had to return to the tour boat. Wish we could have stayed longer in beautiful Malcapuya Island. We left around 12:55PM.
The beach here at Malcapuya Island is absolutely world-class! Powdery white sand, clear blue waters... a tropical paradise! As I was admiring the top-notch scenery and taking photos, young boat crew member Nelson offered to take photos so my son went with him for a beach photo shoot. Next on the agenda was the boat-pulled (P100/person) snorkeling activity. Since my family of 3 signed up for it back at Coron town dock, we got ready with snorkels and masks and followed our guide Jigs to the beach. Jigs was not happy with the small boat operator for taking a different group just as we arrived on the island. He said our tour group should have been prioritized due to a long-standing arrangement. The boat returned to shore around 11AM and we were asked to hold on to ropes that were horizontally attached to the outriggers. We were pulled slowly in the water and were soon looking at different corals and fish beneath us. At one point the boat stopped so we could do fish feeding. I wasn't expecting so many hungry fish to converge on a cracker I was holding and demolish it in a matter of seconds. It was such a cool experience! We quickly realized that the black fish bites. Our fingers definitely felt a nibble or two from these critters. The fish feeding made our day. We were at it for maybe 5 mins and then we continued our easy and lazy snorkeling all the way back to shore.
While the boat crew was busy getting the buffet table ready, we went to buy some fresh "buko" (P50 each). The vendor expertly cut the young coconuts--he did it so quickly that by the time I brought out my phone to take a video he was already passing them around. A bald, old man joined us and insisted that I take a photo of him with my husband while they each held a "buko." I didn't want to but finally took one photo just to appease this stranger. No idea who he was, probably saw himself as a local celebrity, but the encounter was really weird.
Our buffet spread this time consisted of grilled "tulingan" (bullet tuna), grilled pork, mixed vegetables, sauteed shrimps, cucumber salad, "ensaladang lato" (seaweed salad), steamed rice, cut watermelon and ripe papaya and bottles of cold water. While we enjoyed our lunch, a young mongrel dog wandered into our tent and kept making those puppy-dog eyes so we gave him some pork scraps from our plates.
Overheard someone from our tour group loudly complaining to our guide about the small boat. She brought small kids and was apparently expecting a glass bottom boat ride. An unrealistic expectation as our guide never said anything about a glass bottom boat ride. But a good business idea for Calamian Islands Travel and Tours to consider for Malcapuya Island. By the time we finished lunch, we were only able to fit in a quick "human drone" video shoot with Nelson and then we all had to return to the tour boat. Wish we could have stayed longer in beautiful Malcapuya Island. We left around 12:55PM.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rolando A
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Nice place amazing I come back again for vacation I tell to all my friends this kind of place you enjoy your vacation here very nice staff and food is good nice room very clean
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helen t
Exeter, UK16 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
It was THE most beautiful beach I have ever seen .....one of those unable to speak moments and luckily even tho I was on a tour it wasn't too crowded
A very special place
A very special place
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
À la carte
Liverpool, UK651 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
I suggest you hire your own boat and dint go in a group you can stay on the island longer then, it’s the best beach and clear waters I have ever seen, don’t forget your snorkel
There is a little shop you cam but bits from and a man selling coconuts
There is a little shop you cam but bits from and a man selling coconuts
Written 24 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belle
Bucheon, South Korea579 contributions
Feb 2023
I really love Malcapuya Island! It has a lovely white sand beach, calm waves, long shoreline and clear waters. It a great place to just swim and enjoy the waters. It's perfect for kids too.
We tried swimming to the coral reef but it was a little too deep/far away. We still enjoyed all the fishes we saw while trying to reach it.
There's locals selling fresh coconut and rice cake snacks like ube rice turon, bud-bud and carioca made of cassava. Bring cash if you want to try these delicious treats.
We wished to have stayed longer but we were on a group tour. Next time, it is best to get a private boat tour.
We tried swimming to the coral reef but it was a little too deep/far away. We still enjoyed all the fishes we saw while trying to reach it.
There's locals selling fresh coconut and rice cake snacks like ube rice turon, bud-bud and carioca made of cassava. Bring cash if you want to try these delicious treats.
We wished to have stayed longer but we were on a group tour. Next time, it is best to get a private boat tour.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva Marie
Cebu Island, Philippines29 contributions
Nov 2022
The travel to this group of islands is more than an hour. But, its really worth it. Imagining swimming in the middle of the ocean. It is here.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CuriousMeerkatjie
Cape Town, South Africa461 contributions
Nov 2022
Picture perfect island one hour and 15 minutes from Coron. Picnic tables and a shop is available. There is not much corals or snorkelling in the area our guide pointed out but we enjoyed the beach and views.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
April S
2 contributions
Sep 2022
Very beautiful secluded island. Reminds me of Boracay. Spectacular Instagrammable photo ops. Must see destination In Coron!
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TellyaThis
Seattle, WA14 contributions
Apr 2022
This Island beach provides a combination of what most people travel to the Philippines to see... grand ocean/island scenery, white sand beaches with coconut groves, and excellent snorkeling. It is definitely a "family" destination, accessed by boat, with shade structures and picnic tables available. There were quite a few people there when we visited, despite the time/distance required to travel there by boat. While the beach and ocean scenery is phenomenal, as with many Philippine attractions the facilities leave a lot to be desired. There are toilet facilities with water (a plus), but there are numerous run down old/unused structures that need to be removed, and some areas of the island have been cleared (with small stumps sticking up everywhere) and replanted with a variety of mango, palm, and other types of trees or shrubbery.... not sure what the purpose is. The place needs a good, extra-heavy-duty clean-up, with properly done repairs to the usable structures, and the "resort" part of the island could be made to complement the scenery and beautiful beach. My "Very Good" rating is due to the ocean scenery and beach that make this place worth visiting, not the limited (and run-down) facilities offered.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonioTheFlash
Pasig, Philippines39 contributions
Nov 2021
The experience was unlike any other. The island itself has bad reception - which is great for me so I could focus more on relaxing rather than working or social media. Loved the hammocks spread around the area.
Only issue was we got stuck here for hours. What was supposed to be an 8am to 5pm tour, turned to 8am to 10pm. But yeah, it's not a bad place to get stuck at. We were provided with more beers and chips.
Great island!
Only issue was we got stuck here for hours. What was supposed to be an 8am to 5pm tour, turned to 8am to 10pm. But yeah, it's not a bad place to get stuck at. We were provided with more beers and chips.
Great island!
Written 25 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al G
Moscow, Russia10 contributions
Is there some house or tents for nightsleep?
Roberto ZACCHISSIMI
Italy90 contributions
My friend, We could arrange a nightsleep for 1 day (with Kim Poy of Travel Juan); basically there are just few shelters on the beach, with a bed and nothing else, bathrooms are 50 m away.
There were no tents, just us and few local fellows staying the other side of the island
waking up in front of the sea is fantastic though!
Hay seguridad en estas Islas? me refiero a si se pueden "explorar por cuanta propia" con toda tranquilidad
nagenvillanueva
Batangas Province, Philippines
How to reach this Malcapuya Island ort?
mingalingdingdong
San Francisco, CA61 contributions
You have to hire a private tour boat and they’ll take you
map33
2 contributions
Hi, how far is the trip to the giant clams from the beach?
Is it easy to hang on to the boat that drags you out to the clams?
map33
2 contributions
Hi, how far is the trip to the giant clams from the beach?
Is it easy to hang on to the boat that drags you out to the clams?
butterflytsup
Quezon City, Philippines
Do you have a contact number of the landowner there? We'd like to stay there for two nights. Thank you. :)
JeamesH914
Dallas, TX87 contributions
Does anybody know if i can stay here overnight ? To camp or to stay in hut is very fine with me, do you guys know any travel agency in coron that can help me out arrange the accommodation and transportation? Please let me know thanks
Oly1610
Dammam, Saudi Arabia102 contributions
Once you reach Coron town you’ll see a lot of travel agencies and cheap hotels. They can help you choose the best places to visit in coron. In case you want to splurge a bit, high end hotels also offer packages. Regarding malcapuya, there are cottages there but i am just not sure if they could be rented for overnyt stays.
Camila G
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia2 contributions
Hi there Mona, thanks for your beautiful photos and great tip! I wonder how can we get to Malcapuya and if there is accommodation in the island?
Can we go to Malcapuya island post lunch? Will there be any travel services available to take us there?
DJEargasm.Thommo
Western Australia
Hi there, You can easily make a lunch stop here but you will need to either join in a group tour, or arrange a private tour as a boat is required to get from Coron to Malcapuya.
(NB: Make it a day trip visiting other islands before and after....if you've never been then I'd suggest incorporating Kayangan Lake, Twin Peaks, Twin Lagoon & Barracuda Lake)
Recommend: Calamianes Expeditions & Ecotours
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