Top Beaches in Visayas (A Review)

It's Summer! And as always, a trip to the beach is simply inevitable! Well, these are the best beaches in Visayas only. This is a simple review of the beaches that I have visited. I hope this will help you pick the right beach for your vacation.. =)

My personal rating 
1 - highest/best
5 - worst

Antulang Beach, Negros Oriental

Travel Time from Manila - 55 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Dumaguete, tricycle to Ceres bus station in Dumaguete, bus ride to Antulang, habal-habal ride (motorcycle) to the beach
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #1
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - none
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #3 (usually foreigners)
Adventure - nature photography, breathtaking view, walking along the trail
Serenity/Paradise - #1 (best reason)

Primary Reason - the view and the atmosphere are simply world-class

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html

Camotes Island, Cebu

Santiago Bay Resort

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Danao Port, Ro-Ro to Camotes, habal-habal to resort 
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - lake, falls, spelunking (best reason)
Serenity/Paradise - #2 (best reason)

Primary Reason - going to Santiago Bay is the best reason to enjoy your vacation

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/camotes-island-white-sand-beach-and.html

Bantayan Island, Cebu
best choice!

Anika Beach Resort

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Hagnaya, Ro-Ro to Bantayan, tricycle to the resort 
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #1
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - YES, at the town proper
Drinking spree - YES, at the town proper
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - #2 scuba diving, snorkeling, water sports
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - best white sand in Cebu!

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/bantayan-island-in-cebu.html


Biliran (Naval)

Travel Time from Manila - travel by air to Tacloban City, 55 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Tacloban, tricycle to van station, van to Biliran, motorcycle or tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #4
Expenses - #4
Food - #3
White Sand - minimal (almost brown sand)
Nightlife  - none
Drinking spree - none
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - falls, trekking, hiking, island hopping
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - it has great falls (Ulan-Ulan Falls)

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/biliran-paradise-undiscovered.html
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html


Boracay (Station 1)

Travel Time - (varies) you can reach Boracay either by air, land or sea
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - 
  if your flight is Kalibo - plane to Kalibo, van to Caticlan, pumpboat to Boracay
  if your flight is Caticlan - plane to Caticlan, tricycle to the pier, pumpboat to Boracay
  if you opted 2GO - ferry ride to Caticlan, pumpboat to Boracay 
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - 
    Station 1 - high end (10,000 - up)
    Station 2 - average  (5,000 - 9,000)
    Station 3 - 1,000 - 4,000
Expenses - #4-5
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - #1(best reason)
Nightlife  - #1 (best reason) 
Multitude of People - #5
Adventure - #1 (best reason)
Serenity/Paradise - #4 
Drinking spree - #1 (best reason)
Sunset or Sunrise -  sunset (best reason)
Primary reason - best white sand in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html


Guimaras (Alubijod Beach)

Travel Time from Manila - travel by plane to Iloilo, 50 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Iloilo, taxi to Pantalan (pier), pumpboat to Guimaras, motorcycle or tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #2 (you have to taste the mangoes)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - none 
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - island hopping, spelunking, trekking
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - Mangoes!

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/guimaras-paradise.html


Malapascua Island, Cebu

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Maya, pumpboat to Malapascua, walk to the resort =)
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #2
White Sand - YES (best reason)
Nightlife  - none
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #1 (usually foreigners sunbathing)
Adventure - #2 Thresher shark diving
Serenity/Paradise - #1 (best reason)

Primary Reason - One of the best diving spots in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/malapascua-island-best-island-in-cebu.html

Moalboal, Cebu

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to South Bus Terminal or Librando Bus Terminal, Bus to Moalboal, tricycle or motorcycle to the beach 
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #3
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - moderate
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - diving, boat racing
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - One of the best diving spots in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/passing-in-moalboal.html


Panglao, Bohol

Travel Time from Manila - 47 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Tagbilaran, Bohol, van to Panglao Beach
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #2
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - moderate
Drinking spree - moderate
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - island hopping, scuba diving
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - best spot in Bohol

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

Siquijor

Travel Time from Manila - 50 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Dumaguete, tricycle to pantalan (port), Ro-Ro to Siquijor, motorcycle ride to the resort  
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #5 (be very cautious on what you eat or drink)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife  - none
Drinking spree - none
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - falls, visiting old churches, spelunking
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - the entire island is white sand =)

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/siquijor-adventure-in-three-hours.html



Related links:
Traveling in Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/traveling-in-cebu.html
Top Beaches in Mindanao - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-beaches-in-mindanao-review.html
Top Beaches in Luzon - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/ro-ro-travel-from-allen-to-matnog-ort.html
Islands of Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/islands-of-cebu.html
Eastern Visayas Tour - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html

Malapascua Island (Best Island in Cebu)

Malapascua Island 

I have already made my list of my top ten tourist spots in the Philippines, but I think I have to change it upon seeing MALAPASCUA ISLAND in Cebu...

North Bus Terminal

Going to Malapascua Island, starts from Cebu City. Board a taxi and tell the driver that you are going to the North Bus Terminal. Taxi fare is around P100.00 and travel time is 15-20 minutes depending on your location in Cebu City.

Upon arriving at the terminal, you have to board a bus en route to Maya Port. Take either the Ceres bus or the Rough rider bus. Travel time from Cebu City is 4 hours. Fare is P163.00 for non-aircon and for aircon around P200.00.

Maya Port

Along the way, you will pass Danao City. Travel time from Danao City to Maya is 3 hours. Then the next city is Bogo City. From Bogo City, travel time is only 1 hour.

After 3.5 - 4 hours, then you will reach Maya port.

Then ride a pumpboat to Malapascua Island. Fare is P180.00. But there are times when there are no passengers and you have to share the cost of P1,200.00 with other passengers. They need at least 26 passengers before going to the island.

First trip from Maya Port to Malapascua is 7:30 am and the last trip is 6 pm. The boat usually leaves every 30 minutes.

On the other hand, from Malapascua to Maya Port, the first trip is 6 am and the last trip is 3pm.

Travel time onboard the pumpboat is 25-30 minutes only.

Then after 30 minutes, you have reached paradise!

Malapascua Island is totally different from Boracay. First, there are only a few people (mostly foreigners). Second, there is no partying at night. And third, the island is undeveloped and so for nature lovers, you will simply love the island and be amazed!

There are plenty of accommodations to choose from such as -

Malapascua Legend

Room starts from 2,500 - P5,000

Tel. No. 0930-888-8889

Ocean Vida

Room starts from P3,300 - 4,700

They accept credit cards.

Cocobana Beach Resort

Room starts from P900 - P2,400 

Blue Corrals

Best spot for sunset viewing

Blue Water

Room starts from P1,100 - P5,500

This is where I stayed.

Malapascua Is known as a diving spot for foreigners (for the Thresher Shark) and that is the reason why you will see a lot of them.

One can simply sit at the beach and enjoy mother nature. But one of the best things that you can do here is sunset viewing.

Malapascua Island is truly a Paradise!

It's More Fun in Malapascua Island!