Bantayan Island: Travel Guide 2019

Turquoise blue water, white sand and alluring sunset are few things I can describe my experience in this another paradise that the Philippines have. Felt sublime inside every time I went there. Even went to stay there for a week (which isn’t the plan). I just throw some of the dilemmas in life, give it a shot and stayed there. Viola! Bantayan Island did not disappoint me. And it feels splendid, magnificent, fantastic, superb (name all terms you can see in thesaurus to explained my days during the trip). It is all worth the sleepy head traveling here.

Overview

Bantayan Island is essentially a fishing island group. No wonder the island is considered as Cebu’s fishing ground from where boatloads of fish – guinamos (salted fish) and buwad (dried fish) – are transported daily to Cebu and Negros for consumption and further distribution to as far as Mindanao and Manila.

Bantayan Island lies off the coast of northern Cebu. Administratively divided into three municipalities: Sta. Fe covering the eastern portion and considered as the gateway to Bantayan and its islands because the airport and ferry port are both located within the municipality; Bantayan is the largest municipality covering the central part and is the center of trade and commerce of the island; Madridejos or “Lawis” among locals, covering the northern portion of the island. Showcasing its beautiful sunset and its unforgettable history in town.

Let’s dig in the places! Here’s where I went to!

• Omagieca Mangrove Garden. A mangrove forest where you have the choice on how to explore. By kayak (150php/$2.90), small boat (350php/$6.77), or by strolling through elevated bamboo boardwalk. You can also feed some fishes and try the delicious food from the in-house restaurant. An entrance of 50php/$0.97 is required upon entering.

• Ogtong Cave. A natural pool inside a small cave situated in Santa Fe Beach Club Resort. No diving policy, just go on a dip and savor the cold water. Prepare (250php/4.83) to access the cave as well as the resort’s amenities.

• Paradise Beach. Also known as Sandira Beach is pure unspoiled beauty. Secluded stretch and is definitely worth the visit. Prepare (50php/$1) upon entrance.

• The Ruins & The Cliff Diving Site. Not so much to do but if you are a photography enthusiast you’ll not miss to take wonderful photo in here while enjoying the turquoise ocean view.

• Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort. A hidden gem in the far east side with endemic floras and faunas present in the area. The place is a bit expensive (but worth the stay and visit) but if you want to include this in your tour prepare the amount of (200php/$3.89) for a day tour package. With this, you’ll get to tour the entire 8-hectare area and have access to the Sto. Nino Cave, the zoo, the fish spa and many more.

• The Quarry: “The Little Arizona”. It is the product of mining/extraction of limestone way back before time but has now become one of Bantayan’s pride and instagrammable places in Cebu.

• Bontay Bay Walk. The best place to witness the sunset is at Kota Park in Madridejos where the Bontay bay walk is located. It is worth the joy ride from Sta. Fe up to Madridejos as picturesque perfect is what you will get.

• Virgin Island. A very seductive island for me. I personally love this one as this is one of my definition of paradise. Island is well manage and still continued its progress. An entrance for the first two pax is (500php/$9.72) and (100php/$1.94) per additional head.

• Hilantagaan Island (WangWang Island). Opposite of Virgin Island. Not that much to do but the view from the deck is worth the visit. The place is not develop yet but they are trying to make it a better paradise for the tourist to enjoy the place. Prepare 300php/$5.84 per boat for the entrance.

Tired & hungry? Let’s check where to eat!

The famous place to dine-in is at MJ Square. It’s definitely a go to place for food lovers and adventurers. This open-air food bazaar has a wide array of your food choice from Filipino cuisine , italian to fine mexican food. Buffet is also available in your choice and even a good bar to hang out with friends and family. They got pretty good selection of foods in here depending on your choice, taste and mood.

There are also restaurants outside MJ Square that you can choose too. From grilling to plated ones up to some few bars with band performing live to entertain people. At night it may packed with people but immersing to new place with different races present on the island, that makes it more livelier.

So, you wanna go and visit Bantayan Island now? Here is how!

1. You need fly to Cebu City if you are outside Cebu.
2. From Mactan Airport you have choices to decide on what to ride going to North Bus Terminal: take a cab or book an uber or grab (200-300php/$3.89-$5.84 depending on traffic); ride myBus which is leaving every 30 minutes from 7am-11am and every 20 minutes from 11am-09:30pm which only cost 50php/$0.97
3. When arriving at North Bus Terminal, board a Ceres Bus bound for Hagnaya Port. Fare is 240php/$4.67 for air-conditioned bus and 170php/$3.31 for non air-conditioned bus. First trip is 03:00am which I recommend for you to travel because less traffic to deal and instead of the normal 5-6 hours travel it will shorten to 4 hour travel time.
4. Board the Island Shipping or Super Shuttle Ferry bound for Sta. Fe Port. Travel time is approximately one hour with 180php/$3.50 fare and additional 10php/$0.19 for the terminal fee. Note that the first trip is 03:00am and 05:30pm for the last trip.
5. At the Sta. Fe Port, follow the covered walkway to the tourism office in where you need to present your I.D and log in your information detail (name/address/mobile number) on the visitor’s book and then you will have to pay 30php/$0.58 for the ecological fee.
6. Take the tricycle going to your booked resort. Fare: 25php-30php

Where to stay in the island? Here’s the place you can check.

Better book a hotel or a resort before going to Bantayan for a less hassle free vacation. Personally when booking a place to stay I used Agoda.com and Booking.com which I both compare on where to find a good deal. The following are the places that we personally stayed during our juander Bantayan adventure.

• Micky Santoro Hotel & Restaurant
• Marlin’s Beach Resort
• Chef Panyang Beach Resort

Here’s how to get around the island!

1. Rent a pedal bike for 150php/$2.92 or a motor bike for 300php/$5.84 good for 24-hour access.
2. For the land tour contact Kuya Remy (0908-608-8812) or Kuya Baroy (0923-592-0507) for bookings.
3. Rent a motor boat for island hopping 1,000php/$19.46 for the two island (Virgin and Wang-Wang island) already. If you are in a group you can break-down the fee for a cheaper contribution. You can still contact the two Kuya’s above for the booking of island hopping which is still negotiable depending on your strategy used.

Juander tips and reminder:

1. Check the weather before planning to go to Bantayan Island. Best time to visit is during the Habagat season (November-April).
2. During holy week, activities and accommodation will be costly. Better reserve/book a place to stay 2-3 months before the holy week.
3. Most of the porters are ardent, so better deal with them or say no in your kindest way.
4. If you are an adventurous seeker, a Paradise Campsite at Marikaban Sta. Fe few minutes from the Port is a place in where you can set a tent for you to stay there without spending too much of the money for renting a place to stay.
5. Buying and cooking fresh fish from the market is another way from spending too much for the food budget.
6. Bantayan Island is not a good spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
7. Spat on sunscreen if you don’t want to get burn.
8. You get wet in most of the activities, choose dri-fit clothes as possible.
9. Drivers may take advantage. Always ask a local or from the tourism office for the right fare and price.
10. Don’t leave Bantayan Island without a “pasalubong”. And because Bantayan island is a village of fishing, might as well buy some fresh seafood from Brgy. Baigad (contact Kuya Remy 0908-608-8812). And for the dried fish you can go to Bantayan Market and negotiate with the vendor for a lower price.
11. Last but definitely not the least. Please observe the number one principle at all times, the “LEAVE-NO-TRACE POLICY”.

“Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing except great memories.”

Enjoy juandering!!! 🙂