Port information & tips for Malcapuya Island
Malcapuya Island is a tropical paradise in the Calamian Archipelago of the Philippines and an absolute highlight for lovers of pristine natural beauty. The island delights with its powdery white sand beach, crystal-clear turquoise water, and a relaxed atmosphere that instantly creates a holiday mood. Top attractions include the vast Malcapuya Beach, the vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling right off the coast, and the neighboring Banana Island with its idyllic tranquility. Since the island does not have a large pier, cruise ships anchor in the protected bay and bring their guests directly to the fine sandy beach by tender boat. Thanks to this direct connection, travelers arrive from the ship straight into the heart of this island paradise, far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
Malcapuya Island in Palawan is not a classic port of call for large cruise ships, but rather an idyllic destination for island hopping tours that typically start from Coron Town. Since the island itself has no infrastructure of its own, such as roads or train stations, travel from the DACH region is primarily by plane followed by a boat transfer.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region is usually via long-haul flights to Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB), from where you take a connecting flight to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) on Busuanga Island. This airport, also known as Coron Airport, is the closest to the starting point of your cruise and is located about 22 kilometers from Coron Town. Please note that direct flights from Manila to Coron have only been available on a limited basis since March 2026 due to restrictions on turboprop aircraft; travel via Clark (CRK) or Cebu (CEB) is therefore recommended, or a shuttle transfer from Manila to Clark Airport.
Transfer to the boat harbor (Coron Town)
From Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), you can easily reach Coron Town by shared van in about 30 to 45 minutes. These minivans wait directly in front of the airport building and offer a cost-effective transfer for about 250-300 Philippine pesos. Many hotels in Coron Town also offer a free or paid shuttle service. Coron Town serves as the main pier for island hopping tours to Malcapuya Island, which are carried out with traditional "Bangka" boats and take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Pre-cruise Hotel & Boat Transfer
Due to the long international flight and the required transfer to Coron as well as the subsequent boat transfer to Malcapuya Island, an overnight stay in a pre-cruise hotel in Coron Town is strongly recommended. This allows for a relaxed start to your cruise adventure and sufficient time to organize the island hopping tour. Many hotels in Coron Town offer comprehensive assistance with booking tours and transfers, where you can choose between group tours or private boat charters. The cruise ships themselves usually anchor off Coron Bay, and passengers are brought by tender boat to the pier in Coron Town, from where the excursions start.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Malcapuya Island is an idyllic natural paradise and, thanks to its manageable size, is wonderful to explore directly from the landing point.
On Foot
The island can be easily crossed on foot in a few minutes and offers direct paths from the landing beach to the dreamlike bays as well as shady palm groves.
Bangka Boats
The traditional Philippine outrigger boats are available for excursions to neighboring islands or reefs and also enable an authentic onward journey towards Coron.
Tender Service
As cruise ships anchor in the bay off the island, guests arrive safely at the fine sandy beach with the ship's own tender boats, while simultaneously enjoying a panoramic view of the coast.
To make the most of your stay on the idyllic island of Malcapuya, it is recommended to focus entirely on the untouched nature and the spectacular underwater world of the surrounding Calamian Islands.
Malcapuya Beach
The brilliant white powder-sand beach forms the heart of the island and, thanks to its crystal-clear, shallow waters, invites you to a completely relaxed day of swimming under shade-giving coconut palms.
Bulog Dos Island
This charming neighboring island impresses with its striking, curved sandbar and also offers a perfect panoramic view over the azure sea and the surrounding limestone formations thanks to the easily accessible viewpoints.
Banana Island
Only a short boat ride away, this oasis of peace fascinates with its intact coral reefs directly off the coast and is an ideal destination for snorkelers and nature lovers alike thanks to the colorful variety of fish.
Malcapuya Island Beach
The paradise-like Malcapuya Island, thanks to its location in the Calamian Archipelago, is a first-class destination for a relaxing day at the beach and is easily reached by boat transfer from the main pier. The location impresses with its extremely fine, white powdered-sugar sand as well as the brilliant turquoise water and offers a wonderfully authentic atmosphere thanks to shady palm groves and rustic picnic huts. The adjacent coral reefs are also perfectly suited for relaxed snorkeling directly from the beach, while small stalls provide you with fresh coconuts and cool drinks. Ideally, start your excursion directly after the ship's arrival to experience the untouched nature in peace and quiet, and plan your return journey so that you reach the port again about two hours before departure.
The return journey from the white sandy beaches to the ship anchored offshore is excellently organized on Malcapuya Island and can be enjoyed in a relaxed manner thanks to the short distances.
Tender Service and Outrigger Boats
The return trip to the cruise ship is conveniently carried out by tender boat or local outrigger boats, known as Bangkas, directly from the shallow shore zone of the main beach. The boats shuttle at regular intervals and, thanks to the sheltered location of the bay and the calm seas, bring you safely back to the gangway.
On Foot on the Island
On Malcapuya Island, you can easily reach the central boat landing stage via the short sandy paths that lead directly to the beach from the picnic huts and the viewpoint. The paths are flat and, thanks to the manageable size of the island, easy to find at any time, so you can complete the walk to the meeting point in just a few minutes.
Organization and Meeting Points
The ship's staff usually sets up clearly visible collection stations on the beach, marked by flags or tents, which serve as a fixed meeting point for the return journey. Thanks to the friendly coordination by the crew members on-site, punctual boarding is ensured, and you will receive support at any time when boarding the boats.
