Malapascua is a tiny, picturesque Philippine island situated in the Visayan Sea, and the lovely Exotic Island Dive Resort is beachfront on the best part of Bounty Beach. It is the island’s first dive resort and pioneers of the thresher shark encounters. The owners, Dik and Cora de Boer carried out the first encounters with thresher sharks back in 1997 and soon film crews and dive magazines from all over the world visited to see the phenomenon. The area is famous for having some of the best shark diving in the Philippines and being the only place in the world where the thresher shark can be seen within recreational diver limits on a regular basis.
This wonderful resort is in an idyllic location within walking distance of the main tourist beach yet far enough away to feel secluded and peaceful. Guests can lay back and soak up the island atmosphere in the beautiful beach garden where the hammocks are great for relaxing after an exhilarating day’s diving. The newly refurbished rooftop Exotic Spa takes de-stressing to another level, here the professional masseurs offer a range of relaxing treatments including Reflexology, Thai massage, Aromatherapy, and the Exotic Combination Massage where east meets west combining a full body Swedish massage with pivotal shiatsu pressure points.
Guests can choose from several types of accommodation, all of which have en suite facilities, balcony, and air conditioning. There is also a highly acclaimed restaurant, wonderful coffee corner, sea view bar and bakery serving mouth-watering homemade products. The newly constructed Multimedia Conference Room and Instructor Development Classroom can accommodate up to 30 people and is situated above the dive shop. From here you have access to most media requirements including internet, large flat screen TV with DVD whilst enjoying stunning views across Bounty Beach. Other facilities include free Wi-Fi access in the restaurant, an internet cafe and telephone, laundry service, convenience store, safety deposit box at Reception and 24-hour security guards.
Even if you don’t dive Malapascua is the ideal destination for a beach holiday. Bounty Beach is lively and has a good selection of shops and restaurants, and for peace and quiet spend the day at Langub Beach or Guimbitayan Beach with their desert island vibes. If you are looking for panoramic views then take a walk up to the Lighthouse, the perfect place to enjoy sunset. For foodies there is an abundance of fresh seafood, and local delights such as binignit, a creamy, sweet dessert made of cooked bananas, coconut milk, sticky rice and tapioca rice; or if chocolate is your thing then sample the local version of hot chocolate named sikwate, where blocks of cacao are boiled in water and frothed using a traditional wooden whisk before adding milk and sugar to produce this delicious velvety delight.