Little Mermaid Dive Resort

There is no need to dress the place up as something it is not: this is a three-star dive resort on an island known for thresher shark diving, with the beach directly in front and the dive shop on site. You get modern, air-conditioned rooms, a garden and terrace, a restaurant, a bar, and the useful luxury of not having to turn a post-dive transfer into another expedition.

Malapascua is a relaxed, friendly island without cars, so the rhythm is more sandy footpath than traffic jam. Little Mermaid Dive Resort suits you if diving is the main event, but you still want somewhere to eat, sit down, arrange a boat trip or simply let your shoulders drop. The resort’s website is available in English and is geared towards English-speaking guests, while the staff languages are not specified.

You are on Malapascua Island, in Daan Bantayan, Cebu, Philippines, on the northern end of Cebu and within the Visayas. The resort sits directly opposite Bounty Beach, with its white sand, and Logon Beach is within a five-minute walk. For a change of shoreline, Bool Beach and Langub Beach are around 1.1 and 1.2 miles away, while Guimbitayan Beach is about 1.3 miles away.

The island setting matters in practical terms. You move around on foot rather than by car, with a café around 150 metres away and several restaurants within roughly 100 to 200 metres. Maya Seaport is a 30-minute boat ride from the island. From Cebu International Airport, the journey takes around three hours by road and boat, so the arrival is a proper transfer day rather than a quick hop from the terminal.

The room choice is mainly about how much space and which view you want when the diving kit is no longer on your back. The Family Room is the practical option for up to three guests, with a single bed and a super-king-size double bed. For two people, the King Room with Sea View gives you the more obvious island-facing choice, while the garden-view double or twin room keeps things simpler for a couple who would rather spend the difference on another boat day.

All guest rooms are bright and airy, with air conditioning for the return from warm, salty water and a private bathroom with both cold and heated shower. You also get a safe, wardrobe or closet, linen, towels and a clothes rack. The details are unglamorous but useful: a socket near the bed for charging, and Wi-Fi throughout the property when you need to sort out the next day or reassure someone back home.

The terrace, garden and outdoor furniture give you somewhere beyond the bed to sit, though the room information does not attach a private outdoor space to a particular category. Non-smoking rooms are available, and daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay moving while you concentrate on tides, tanks and whether your knees still work.

The resort restaurant works across Asian, Philippine and European cooking, which is a sensible spread when one person wants local food and the other has spent the afternoon thinking about fajitas. Chicken fajitas are one of the house specialities, alongside freshly prepared sandwiches and baguettes, fresh seafood, wine and desserts. Freshly caught fish arrives regularly, giving you a reason to look beyond the reliable post-dive sandwich.

Halal food can be prepared on request, and special-diet menus are available on request. Packed lunches are also available, useful for island excursions or a full day away from the restaurant. Breakfast arrangements are not specified, so your morning routine is best planned around the dive schedule rather than assumed.

There is one named bar, simply called Bar, with cocktails, beer, fresh fruit juice and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Its lounge faces the sunset, with beanbags for the important business of watching the light change while holding a cold drink. Happy hour is part of the offer, and the bar also serves wine and champagne.

Bounty Beach is the easy answer when you want no further planning: a few steps from the resort and you can put your feet in the sand. Sun loungers, beach chairs and sun umbrellas provide the basics for a slow afternoon, while the garden and terrace give you a quieter place to sit without leaving the property. There is also a massage service, including back, neck, head, foot, hand and full-body massages, as well as couples massages.

For a day away from the dive timetable, the resort can arrange snorkelling, kayaking, island hopping and sightseeing tours. You can also take part in excursions around the island or visit local villages, with hiking and cliff jumping available for those whose definition of rest is still faintly competitive. The tour desk helps keep these plans in one place rather than sending you around the island asking the same question three times.

Evenings are deliberately uncomplicated. You can stay near the beach, take a sunset drink in the lounge, or arrange a massage and call the day finished. That combination suits couples particularly well: one can go exploring while the other takes the sensible route and remains horizontal.

The route from Cebu City runs by bus or minivan to Maya Port, followed by a public boat to Malapascua. The crossing takes around 30 to 45 minutes, and the last public boats leave at around 17:00. A private transfer can be arranged from Cebu International Airport or your Cebu hotel, using a car or van for up to six people followed by a private boat, with direct arrival at the resort. Airport shuttle and other shuttle services are available through the property.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 22:00, while check-out is from 11:30 to 12:30. Private check-in and check-out are available, and the tour desk can help with excursions, island hopping and sightseeing. Currency exchange, laundry and daily housekeeping are also available, while an on-site safe keeps the small valuables under control.

Children of any age are welcome, and babysitting or child services are available. Payment can be made in cash using Philippine pesos, US dollars or euros, as well as by credit card, PayPal, GCash or bank transfer. Credit card and PayPal payments carry a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the island has cash machines, which is worth remembering before you settle into beach mode.