Bantayan Island

 Welcome to Bantayan Island!

This is again, one of the many solo travels that I have in our country, Philippines.

I came from Cebu City, took some habal-habal to the North Terminal which is at the back of SM City Cebu. The buses/vans have signages of its destination, you may ask the driver or "konduktor" if you are unsure of which bus to take. The current fare was between Php 165 - Php 185 something?? I forgot.

Travel time is 4 hours.

Upon arriving in Hagnaya port, I went to buy the ferry ticket.

As of March 2023:

Regular fare: Php 359.00

Terminal fee: Php 25.00

Total: Php 384.00

Travel time is 1 and half hour.

The blue waters and the white sand beach welcome you to the Bantayan island.

Upon arriving at Santa Fe port, I rented a motorbike for Php350/day. 

Just show your driver's license, and they will ask to leave your I.D.

The road is paved, and you can drive around for half a day. 

The town center is very near the port, and it is where all the fun stuff like food stall market, party clubs, sun rises and sun sets, too.

There are a lot of resorts, hostels, rooms and hotels around the area that you can book, rent. 

I drove around, looking for a less expensive room accommodation and found one for Php1,900 and Php700. 

It was a peak season, but I guess I am your adventurous solo diy traveler that looks for her accommodation once she gets there. I have done this "find-an-accommodation-when-I-get-there" in Coron, Bohol, El Nido, La Union, Baler, Siquijor, Siargao and so on.. except Batanes. 

My first day lunch.

There are a lot of seafood restaurant in the town center, also grocery stores and some tindahan.

I left all my stuff in my room accommodation and went driving around.

The Ruins

There is a white sand beach down the cliff when low tide.

I drove to Paradise Beach.

It's quite a rough road going there, and it is out of nowhere but it's worth it.

There is a small secret white sand beach during low tide in this portion.

I was here after lunch, so the water is quite high.

This is the Paradise Beach.

I stayed for a while under I got my tanned skin.

Then, went to Kota beach for the sunset.

This is a long stretch of white sand beach.

I also enjoyed watching locals prepare their banka for an overnight fishing.

I had sizzling dinner in the same food market. There are party/drinking clubs here as well.

Next morning, 

I woke up early to watch the sunrise in the same Kota beach.

Then, 

I drove to the other side of the island to find a coffee shop.

This is when I saw the Lagoon signage.

The boat fare is Php 100 round trip.

You may want to go there very early to enjoy the ocean lagoon by yourself.

The boatman is going to leave you there and you can hop in any boat going back.

There is a resort that is under construction at the end of the lagoon.

The entrance is Php 100, you can use the tables, beach chairs and hammock.

I arrived very early so I was able to enjoy the sand bar.

After some time, 

I went back to the resort and order a coffee, a breakfast.. 

to a local.

Then, chill facing the lagoon..

You can also swim in it.

There is a designated portion.

Then, change scenery to the other side that faces the ocean.

I went back to the town before lunch to catch the afternoon ferry.

I missed the Camp Sawi mangrove, Sta Fe Cliff Diving Spot, and Baigad Old Warf.

Total Expenses: 

Bus fare: 165x2= 330

Ferry fare: 384x2= 768

Hotel:(1night) = 700

Lunch = 200

Dinner = 250

Breakfast = 100

Lunch = 150

Scooter rent: 350

grand total: Php 2,848.

(not including redhorse, water, soft drinks, junk food, etc)

Goodbye for now and see you again!