There are so many islands to explore in Batangas, namely:
Tingloy, Bonito, Isla Verde, and Sombrero Island, to cite a few.
But one island stands out from rest - Fortune Island!
June 7, 2014
PAGASA has not yet officially declared the end of the summer season neither the start of the rainy season. Honestly, I was asking myself the question whether I will still continue with my summer travel. Classes in FEU will start on June 25 and without anything to do, I told myself why not have one last tour with Red Chuca's (aka Adobo Journey) event/tour. Luck was on my side that week after the event was canceled, Red decided to revive the tour. My gratitude to Red! Hooray! Anyway, a week ago we were in Jomalig Island, Quezon. Now, we find ourselves in another adventure, i.e. to explore Fortune Island.
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| at Feast of Tabernacle Beach Resort, Barangay Wawa |
For those who have been asking me how to go to Fortune Island, here is your answer.
How to get there
There a variety of options in going to Nasugbu, Batangas.
Option 1 - from EDSA, Pasay City
Ride a BSC or DLTB bus en route to Nasugbu, Batangas. Travel time is 3-4 hours. It is 92 kilometers from Pasay. Fare is P155.00. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 2 - from Buendia, Pasay City
Ride a DLTB bus en route to Nasugbu, Batangas. Travel time is 3-4 hours. It is 94 kilometers from Buendia. And the fare is also P155.00. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 3 - from Park n Ride, City Hall, Manila
Ride the bus going to Nasugbu (they have a schedule and it is better to inquire), Travel time is 3-4 hours. Fare is P173.00. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 4 - from Cubao
Ride the bus (DLTB) going to Nasugbu. Travel time is 3-4 hours. Fare is P173.00. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 5 - from Olivares, Tagaytay
From SM Calamba, ride the van going to Tagaytay and alight in Jollibee, Olivares. Fare is P70.00 and travel time is more than an hour depending on the traffic. From Olivares, ride either the jeepney or bus going to Nasugbu, fare is P78.00 and travel time is 60-80 minutes. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 6 - from Talisay, Batangas
Ride the jeep going either to Talisay or Laurel, Batangas. Fare is P23 and travel time is less than an hour. Alight at the Municipal Hall in Talisay and board the tricycle to Banga. Reaching Banga, ride the jeep (P40), motorcycle (P150) or tricycle (P300) to Tagaytay. Travel time is 15-20 minutes only. Alight in Olivares, ride either the jeepney or bus going to Nasugbu, fare is P78.00 and travel time is 60-80 minutes. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 7
Hire a van going to Nasugbu.
Foton Van for Hire (several units available)
Derick Villegas - contact numbers: 0917-504-0770 / 0998-545-0016 / (043)-778-4657
With wifi, GPS Navigation, videoke, RFID, Sky
ALTERNATIVELY - (But I still RECOMMEND that Fortune Island Resort be the one to arrange your boat rental needs.)
From SM Calamba, ride the van going to Tagaytay and alight in Jollibee, Olivares. Fare is P70.00 and travel time is more than an hour depending on the traffic. From Olivares, ride either the jeepney or bus going to Nasugbu, fare is P78.00 and travel time is 60-80 minutes. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 6 - from Talisay, Batangas
Ride the jeep going either to Talisay or Laurel, Batangas. Fare is P23 and travel time is less than an hour. Alight at the Municipal Hall in Talisay and board the tricycle to Banga. Reaching Banga, ride the jeep (P40), motorcycle (P150) or tricycle (P300) to Tagaytay. Travel time is 15-20 minutes only. Alight in Olivares, ride either the jeepney or bus going to Nasugbu, fare is P78.00 and travel time is 60-80 minutes. Alight in Jollibee, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then, ride a tricycle to Barangay Wawa for P10.00 only. Specifically, in Fortune Island Resort.
Option 7
Hire a van going to Nasugbu.
Foton Van for Hire (several units available)
Derick Villegas - contact numbers: 0917-504-0770 / 0998-545-0016 / (043)-778-4657
With wifi, GPS Navigation, videoke, RFID, Sky
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| at the boarding point of the boat ride to Fortune Island Fortune Island Resort Apacible Blvd, Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines Contact number - 0906-380-5259 Internet phone - 070-4300-7715 email: ggkbr6269@gmail.com homepage: http://m_cafe_naver_com/fortune island Fortune Island Resort is the one managing ALL the tours in Fortune Island. They also provide scuba diving and island hopping tour. They also have ATV rentals. It is co-owned by Mr. Kim and Mr. Steve whom I both met in the resort. It is BETTER if the resort will be the one to ARRANGE your boat to the island. If you are traveling alone or 2 or more, they will the the one to squeeze you in other tours. Entrance fee to the island P300 - day tour P400 - overnight |
Boat for Hire
Ely B. Catubigan / Batoy Catubigan
Tabernacle Beach Resort
Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas
0947-574-7548 / 0905-602-2041
Boat hire / Guide
Mang Chris - 0908-722-5628
Mang Dante - 0939-489-5292
Day Tour - P4,000.00 (10 pax only)
Overnight Tour - P6,000 (10 pax) / P8,000-9,000 (15 pax)
Best time to visit the island is between the months of March to June only. It is better to travel in a large group (8-10 pax) to minimize the cost of renting a boat.
Best time to visit the island is between the months of March to June only. It is better to travel in a large group (8-10 pax) to minimize the cost of renting a boat.
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| Fortune Island viewed from the boat |
Per Red's itinerary, our call time in Buendia, Pasay was 3:00 am and ETA in Nasugbu is 7:00 am. We were supposed to meet at Jollibee branch in Nasugbu. But Sir Rico Garcia and I opted Option 6, and we arrived in Olivares around 5:00 am and 6:30 am in Nasugbu. But the group arrived 5:45 am.
Around 7:45 am, we went to Barangay Wawa and boarded the boat to Fortune Island. Travel time in the boat is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Usually, it is only 1 hour but due to rough waters, we reached the island more than the allotted time.
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| panoramic view of the Fortune Island beach |
The wave was strong enough to get us all wet but it was part of the thrill going to Fortune Island. We were 12 that day under the leadership of Red Chuca.
I immediately saw the ruins at the top of the island and told myself I had to be there at once! We got out stuff and proceeded to our camping area at the top of the beach.
The beach is white sand. There are portions of the beach with powdered white sand and there are portions with rough white sand and shells abound in the shore. Aside from our group, there were 4-5 other groups who will spend the night in the island.
I brought my stuff to our camping area and immediately Sir Rico and I proceeded to the top of the ruins. We had to take advantage of the blue skies that day and off we go to the top.
I thought I was in Parthenon in Greece!
The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron.
But reality struck! I am in Fortune Island!
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Sir Rico enjoying the panoramic view from the top of the island |
Fortune Island is a photographer's dream! A sight to behold and get lost!
I almost forgot, there is a landing fee of P300/pax for day tour and P400/pax for overnight tour. You can camp anywhere in the island. Mang Loreto (0928-453-8821) is the caretaker of the island.
There is no electricity nor drinking water in the island. No food outlet or canteen. But it has mobile network signals of Smart and Globe. There is a toilet but there is no water. It is better to bring your wet wipes or use salt water for toilet purposes.
After spending an hour at the top of the ruins, I went down and explored the island. There was this ship wreckage at the opposite side of the island and a good site to take your souvenir pictures. There are no pirates! =)
From the ship wreck, there is a trail going to the lighthouse. Rico, Samara, Marcio and I decided to trek the lighthouse. From the wreck, you have to walk for 40-50 meters and you will see a black pipe. Just follow the black pipe and you will end up at the lighthouse. No need for a guide, only your courage, determination and perseverance will do.
After 20 minutes, we reached the lighthouse! Unfortunately, the entrance was closed and we were not able to climb the top of the lighthouse.
We spent 15 minutes enjoying the scenery and after that, we decided to descend.
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| view at the top of the island |
There is no electricity nor drinking water in the island. No food outlet or canteen. But it has mobile network signals of Smart and Globe. There is a toilet but there is no water. It is better to bring your wet wipes or use salt water for toilet purposes.
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| the ship wreck |
After spending an hour at the top of the ruins, I went down and explored the island. There was this ship wreckage at the opposite side of the island and a good site to take your souvenir pictures. There are no pirates! =)
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| the trail |
From the ship wreck, there is a trail going to the lighthouse. Rico, Samara, Marcio and I decided to trek the lighthouse. From the wreck, you have to walk for 40-50 meters and you will see a black pipe. Just follow the black pipe and you will end up at the lighthouse. No need for a guide, only your courage, determination and perseverance will do.
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| the lighthouse |
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| With Samara and Marcio, Brazilian tourists in the Philippines |
We spent 15 minutes enjoying the scenery and after that, we decided to descend.
The trail was rocky, steep and a bit difficult. Going up was a bit easier than descending. And after 25 minutes, we reached the beach anew. Strolling in the beach, I met the owner of the island.
I introduced myself and told him about my blog and he was delighted to hear that I will be writing my travel in Fortune Island. He was very accommodating and friendly. It was a good thing I met him.
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| with Steve, Korean owner of the island |
Scuba Diving and Hopping Tour
Steve Song
General Manager and PADI Scuba Instructor
Fortune Island Resort, Apacible Blvd.
Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas
+63-915-881-9756
Internet phone - 070-4300-7715
e-mail- quepit76@naver.com
homepage - http://m.cafe.naver.com/fortuneisland
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| fishermen in the island |
Activities in the island
camping, trekking, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, island hopping
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| July holding the 2 Unicorn fish |
And the grilling of the fish continued, 1 Unicorn fish was cooked in Adobo style.
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| enjoying the grilled fish! |
We took our early dinner past 5 pm and enjoyed the grilled fish and Bistek Beef!
We were hoping for a sunset but it was cloudy that day. It was a futile wait!
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| FUN! |
The fun continued after dinner! We had our drinking spree of Lambanog and Alfonso light. While drinking, we played games and enjoyed the night. After the session, some decided to take a swim but I decided to sleep for my early sunrise viewing.
Day 2
I woke up 4:45 am only to find out that it was still cloudy that morning but I still decided to watch the sunrise from the ruins.
The sun came out that day but there was no splendor or drama to it as it was covered by the clouds. Another futile wait! And so I decided to go down to shore and take a morning swim! It was a good day even though it was a bit cloudy.
I strolled again in the island and took pictures. Fortune island offers so many pictures.
Day 2
I woke up 4:45 am only to find out that it was still cloudy that morning but I still decided to watch the sunrise from the ruins.
The sun came out that day but there was no splendor or drama to it as it was covered by the clouds. Another futile wait! And so I decided to go down to shore and take a morning swim! It was a good day even though it was a bit cloudy.
I strolled again in the island and took pictures. Fortune island offers so many pictures.
While swimming, I did a bit of snorkeling and underwater photography.
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| breakfast prepared and cooked by Red Chuca |
Past 8 am, we took our breakfast to my delight because I was already famished!
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| the 12 participants, I took the picture in case you are wondering =) |
After breakfast, we broke our tent and decided to go back to the mainland.
The waves were so strong that day and while boarding the boat, I got wet again in the process. But I did not mind it! =)
The waves were so strong that day and while boarding the boat, I got wet again in the process. But I did not mind it! =)
Exploring Fortune island is a treasured experience!
It's Really More Fun in Nasugbu, Batangas!
Thanks again Red Chuca!
Tips -
1. It is better to negotiate your rent of the boat directly to Mang Chris or Mang Dante without any fixers/agents.
2. It is better to bring supplies of water in the island.
3. There is no tent rental in the resort or island. Please bring your own. Using hammock is neither an option. Sleeping bags can be used as there are dilapidated shelters in the island.
4. The waves can be so strong that you will get wet while boarding or onboard the boat, better bring a spare clothing just for this purpose.
5. Do not forget to bring a camera! Enjoy Fortune Island!
Participants:
Red Chuca
Rico Garcia
Jun Villegas
Olay Rullan
Marcio MN
Samara Prestes
July
Net
Gary
Bianca
Albert
Ralph
Marcio MN
Samara Prestes
July
Net
Gary
Bianca
Albert
Ralph
My newest blog about Fortune Island
Return to Fortune Island
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2015/06/return-to-fortune-island-nasugbu.html
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