Malapascua, a tiny island in the Visayan Sea north of Cebu, is well-known for its thresher-shark cleaning station, where divers gather daily to see these beautiful creatures ascend from below to be cleaned by fish before returning to deeper waters. Reef sharks can be seen here, too. What fewer visitors know, however, is that behind the strip of resorts that line Bounty Beach is a traditional village. There are quaint shops and restaurants as well as a large church, and the people are wonderfully friendly and inviting. It’s a great peek into real Filipino island life, meaning Malapascua is a worthwhile stop even if you aren’t interested in the sharks.
The writer’s brother on Waikīkī circa 1984 (left); taking part in a hula lesson at a luau in Oʻahu (right).
Photo by Peter Baran
The writer’s husband and son watch a humpback whale from a kayak.
Courtesy of Maui Undersea Adventures
The writer and her son display a bag of trash they collected at the beach in Maui.
Photo by Jonathan Baran
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is hoping to educate guests about the importance of hula beyond just the entertainment value.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Embrace Hawai‘i’s deep ranching history at the Stables at Turtle Bay Resort.
Photo by Michelle Baran
Enhance your stay at Four Season Resort Maui at Wailea with a plethora of educational activities.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The writer and her kids plant a milo tree at Gunstock Ranch in Oʻahu.
Photo by Jonathan Baran
Exploring a traditional Hawaiian living site at Waimea Valley.
Photo by Michelle Baran
Families will love the aquarium in the lobby at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.
Courtesy of ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach
A lei making lesson at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Photo by Michelle Baran
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) Bohol Sea, Oslob, Cebu, Philippines, Southeast Asia.
Andrey Nekrosov/age fotostock
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Malapascua's Fishermen Viewing Deck
I feel like I’m betraying a well-guarded secret by telling people about this secluded slice of paradise, but it’s bound to be discovered sooner or later. Malapascua, a tiny little island off of Cebu’s northern tip in The Philippines, is known as one of the best dive destinations in the world - it’s the only place on earth where you can swim with thresher sharks - and also plays host to one of the prettiest little beaches in the world, a grotto on the western part of the island that offers sensational sunset views and a chance to watch the fishermen do their thing against a setting sun.
Malapascua Island, Cebu, The Philippines.
If memory serves me, I caught the sun rising from this quiet bit of beach five days in a row - and I would still be there, waist deep in the water, if I never had a plane to catch. Malapascua isn’t the most secluded island in the world - it’s popular among divers and backpackers - yet I was still surprised at how few people strayed from the hotels fronting Bounty Beach. Sunset or sunrise, I was usually on my own when I wandered the island - and out here in this private bit of heaven was no exception (I did find a human skull on this bit of beach, so maybe there’s a reason few people stray).
Catching Sunset in Malapascua
After a day full of activities visiting the island of Kalanggaman a hundred kilometers away, we reached Malapascua Island just in time to watch the magnificent sunset.
