Bantayan Island in Cebu

If there is one beach spot renowned worldwide in Cebu, it would  be Bantayan Island.

Anika Beach Resort, Santa Fe, Bantayan Island

Summer 2013. I was then on Day 5 of my tour and I just finished touring at Malapascua Island. My last beach spot after visiting, Oslob, Moalboal, Olango Island, Malapascua Island and Camotes Island was Bantayan Beach. I saved the best for last!

How to get there

From Cebu City, you have to go to the North Bus Terminal.

Once there, you have to board a bus going to Hagnaya.

You can choose from either Ceres or Rough Rider.

I've always chosen Ceres as my bus whenever I travel in Visayas or Mindanao.

From either Camotes Island or Malapascua, you can also go to Bantayan Island (I made a separate blog for this)

From Cebu City, travel time is 3 hours. Fare is P150.00 for aircon buses.

But I came from Malapascua Island, so I went back to Don Pedro (intersection of going to either Maya or Hagnaya). I hired a tricycle for P100.00 and went to Hagnaya Port.

There are only 2 shipping companies operating at Hagnaya Port.

Schedule of trips
Super Shuttle Ferry

Hagnaya to Santa Fe
4:00 am, 7:00 am; 8:00 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm

Santa Fe to Hagnaya
6:00 am; 8:30 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm; 6:00 pm

Contact Nos. 
Santa Fe- 0909-258-2875; 0916
                                                                          Hagnaya - 0916-905-2348

For Island Shipping Corporation (the interval of 30 minutes as against Super Shuttle Ferry)

Fare is P170 for ordinary and P185.00 for aircon room. The ro-ro trip is 1 hour only.

After an hour, I reached the Port of Santa Fe in Bantayan Island.

I had no plans of staying in Bantayan due to my tight schedule last summer.

I have to finish this tour in 2-3 hours only.

There are so many resorts in Santa Fe and Bantayan. But I chose Santa Fe only due to lack of time to visit the next town (Bantayan).

I've visited only 6 resorts/accommodations while in Bantayan Island and I'm going to rank them according to the best resort.

1. Anika Island Resort 

Newest and nearest to the port

Room rates
Lowest - P1,750.00
Highest - P3,000.00

Contact nos. - 0917-328-4898; 0922-843-9517

2. Coral Blue Oriental

I love the place. Very cozy and accommodating

Room rates 
Lowest - P5,500
Highest - 9,950.00

Contact nos. - 0912-498-6746; 032-438-9009

3. Santa Fe Beach Resort

Simply amazing!

Room rates
Lowest - 900.00
Highest - P6,000

Contact nos - 032-4389090; 032-438-9107; 0928-778-7770; 0932-541-2954

World-class accommodations

4. Beach Placid

Nearest to the port

Room rates
Lowest - 1,500
Highest - P7,000

Contact nos. - 0917-722-2993; 032-406-5686

-

5. Marlin's Beach Resort

Room rates

Lowest - P1,950.00

Highest - P4,900.00

Contact nos. - 0921-760-3857; 438-9093

6. And the last one, Coco Beach

situated in the town proper

It's a bit far from the beach

If there is another thing I love about Bantayan, it's the food! Imagine this squid (which measures 12 inches) was worth P150.00 only. I wanted it grilled but the owner of the restaurant told me that it will take them half an hour to grill it, but only 10 minutes to cook it in Adobo. So I chose the Adobo.

It's Really More Fun in Bantayan Island!!!

LATEST IN BANTAYAN (April 2015)
Ceres Aircon - P200
First trip - 12 am
Last trip 12 noon
boat trip is 3 hours to Hagnaya
boat trips - 3 am - 5 pm


Side trip - WHALE WATCHING IN OSLOB

How to get there

From Cebu City
Option 1 (best option)

Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) to Oslob. Fare is P155. Travel time is 3 - 3.5 hours or 124 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort. Hire a habal-habal for P140 to Tumalog Falls. Travel time is 10-15 minutes. Trek to the falls is 10 minutes only.

Option 2

Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) with the signboard Bato via Barili. Fare is P191 (aircon) or P177 (non-aircon). Travel time is 4 - 4.5 hours or 147 kilometers. Alight at Bato Terminal and board another bus going to Oslob.  Fare in the bus is P30 (aircon) or P20 (non-aircon). Travel time is 15 minutes or 16 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort. Hire a habal-habal for P140 to Tumalog Falls. Travel time is 10-15 minutes or 6 kilometers. Trek to the falls is 10 minutes only.

From Dumaguete City

The other one is from Dumaguete City. From the city, ride a multicab bound to Sibulan port (fee is P11.00 only). Then, ride a fastcraft to Santander. The boat trip to Santander is 20 minutes only. Fare is P60.00. Reaching Santander port, ride a bus going to Cebu (the bus is just waiting at the port). The trip to Oslob is 20-25 minutes only. Fare is 60.00 aircon. Then alight at Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu.

PLACE TO STAY

There are so many resorts/accommodations in Tan-awan. But I stayed at MB's Sunrise View Resort (one that has the yellow gate). Lodging fee is P800 for non-aircon (negotiable up to P500) and P1,500 for aircon (good for 3 pax). The other resorts are charging P1,500 - P2,000 for aircon.

Contact Nos. - 0906-586-9895 / 0923-297-1176

ACTIVITIES IN OSLOB

Whale watching is the number one activity

Local (Filipinos) -

      Viewing only at the boat - P300.00

      Swimming with the whale shark and snorkerling - P500.00 (life vest and gears   included) 

Foreigners -

      Viewing only at the boat - P500

      Swimming with the whale shark and snorkeling - P1,000.00

Island Hopping - depends on the number of persons (minimum P1,500 - 1-5 pax)

During the island hopping, you can do fish feeding, snorkeling and swimming.

Diving

Foreigners - P3,500

Local - P2,600

Tumalog Falls

Passing in Moalboal

Just came from Oslob, Cebu and was still amazed then by the fact that finally I was able to swim with the "Butanding" or whale sharks. I headed-off to my next destination. It's Day 3 of my Summer 2013 tour and I'm going to MOALBOAL! 

My trip to Moalboal was very timely since the national beach volleyball competion was being held then in Moalboal and I was given the opportunity to be a spectator in one of my favorite sports.

How to get there

From Cebu City, you  have to go to South Bus Terminal and head off to Liloan Port. The trip is 3 - 3.5 hours (99 kilometers) from Cebu City. You will alight at Moalboal, not in Liloan.

There is a direct trip at Librando Bus Terminal near E-mall at Cebu City.

From Dumaguete, you have to go to Sibulan Port (20 minutes from the City) and ride a fastcraft (worth P62.00) to Santander (20 minutes). From the port of Santander, ride a tricycle (P10.00) towards the main highway. Then, in the highway, flag down a bus going to Bato (Fare is P60.00 ordinary bus). From Bato, ride a Ceres bus to Cebu. The trip is almost an hour and alight at Moalboal.

I came from Oslob and I took the second option. From Oslob, I boarded a bus to Bato and then, Bato to Cebu and I alighted at Moalboal.

Reaching Moalboal bus stop (near the Moalboal church), you have the option to choose either a tricycle ride worth P200.00 for 4-5 pax or ride a habal-habal worth P100.00. I chose the habal-habal.

But I hired the habal-habal for P200.00 as my return trip to the town with the condition that he has to give me 2 hours in the beach. The driver agreed.

The trip towards the beach is more or less 15 - 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, I reached the Moalboal Beach. Moalboal is known for its white-sand beach and one of the best diving spots in the Philippines.It is even referred to by the locals as the Boracay of Cebu.

There are many beach spots in Moalboal. But the best spot is Basdaku White Beach.

 I took some pictures and videos of the spot and stayed for 2 hours to wander and rest.

I watched the national beach volleyball competition while I was in Moalboal.

And there was this local "banca" (boat) race among the locals which was hosted by the local government.

In the span of two hours, I enjoyed Moalboal. I'd love to stay for the night but I had to go to Cebu City for my next stop - Olango Island.

It's More Fun in Moalboal!

Siquijor Adventure in Three Hours!

Port of Siquijor

Ever since I was a child, all that I've heard about Siquijor is about witchcraft, black magic, voodoo stuff and bad omens. Good thing I went to Siquijor and all these perceptions changed and what now remains are good memories!

From Dumaguete Port, one has to ride a boat to Siquijor. The fare is P100 or P120 depending on the shipping line. There are 4 shipping lines at the port going to Siquijor. GL Shipping (fastcraft and pumpboat) or Jaylann, Ocean Jet, Aleson (RoRo) and Delta (fastcraft)

Travel time to Siquijor varies on the boat that you will be using -

    Fastcraft - 55 minutes 

    Pumpboat - 1 hour and 15 minutes

    RoRo - 2 hours 

Schedule 

Delta - 11:15 am

Jaylann - 5:45 am; 7:00 am; 9: am

Aleson - 8:00 am

ocean Jet - 10:00 am

Last trip is 6 pm.

The tour in Siquijor using the habal-habal is P1,000 and it covers all the primary tourist spots in the area, including the trip to the mountain.

But I was given only, 3 hours that day and I paid P700.00 for my tour.

My guide is Mr. Felix and his contact number is - 0905-907-5927.

The first stop for the day was St. Francis Church. it is very close to the port.

Capilay Spring Park

 It's my first time to see a big spring beside the main road.

Then, Lazi Catholic Church. And in front of it is another spot.

Old Convent

Cambugahay Falls

Falls No. 1

Falls No. 2

Falls No. 3

The most beautiful and good for swimming.

from boyetstour.blogspot.com

last stop was - Salagdoong Beach

I enjoyed my three hour tour of Siquijor.

It's Really More Fun in Siquijor!

Bird watching at Olango Island, Cebu

Bird watching is one of the ecotourism activities in the Philippines. But the best spot to do it is in Olango Island, Cebu!

Hilton Hotel (nonw, Movenpick)

From Cebu City, flag down a taxi and go either to Hilton Hotel in Mactan Island or at the Angasil Port, Mactan Island. Travel time from Cebu City to any of the said ports is approximately 30 minutes. Taxi fare is P350.00. There are no public transport available except in Mandaue City but you have transfer so many times before reaching the port.

Angasil Port

Boats in Angasil leave every thirty minutes. While at Hilton hotel, every hour.

Fare is P15.00 only and terminal fee is P1.00

Going to Olango, I went to Hilton Hotel to see the port and experience the ride there.

If you want to do island hopping, fee is P2,500.

Island hopping at Olango plus the 3 islands beside Olango Island is P3,500.

Trip in Hilton to Olango Islands starts 5 am and ends 6 pm.

Arriving at the Olango Port, you have the option to choose between a tricycle or a habal-habal (single motorcycle) as your mode of transportation to the bird sanctuary.

I chose the habal-habal ride. Fee is P120. But I paid P250 that day since I made the driver wait for 2.5 hours while I do bird watching. The trip from the port to the bird sanctuary is 10-15 minutes only.

Bird Sanctuary

There are two periods to do bird watching at Olango Island.

First period is late September to March, peak season is November (south world migration from China, Japan and Siberia).

The other period is from February to March, peak season is February (north world migration from Australia). 

There are 42 resident birds and 48 migratory birds.

Entrance fee at the bird sanctuary is P30.00. Fee for your guide is between P100-200 (it's up to you). 

A lot of patience is required while doing bird watching.

The P30.00 fee includes the use of the binocular.

The guide will explain to you so many things about the birds in the area.

My guide that day is Mr. Quijano. If you plan to make reservation, the number is  0948-284-2188.

One week reservation is required especially during peak season.

After two hours of bird watching, I decided to go back to Cebu City and this time I used the pumpboat to Angasil Port. But along the way I stopped at Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan Island and visited the place.

It's More Fun in Olango Island!

Whale Watching in Oslob, Cebu (Updated April 2015)

Butanding or Whale shark

Finally, after years of waiting.. I've finally did whale watching but not in Donsol, Sorsogon but rather here in Oslob, Cebu!

South Bus Terminal in Cebu

HOW TO GET THERE

There are three ways on how to go to to Oslob, Cebu.

From Cebu City
Option 1 (best option) - 3 hours

Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) to Oslob. Fare is P155. Travel time is 3 - 3.5 hours or 124 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort. 

Option 2 - 4 hours

Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) with the signboard Bato via Barili. Fare is P191 (aircon) or P177 (non-aircon). Travel time is 4 - 4.5 hours or 147 kilometers. Alight at Bato Terminal and board another bus going to Oslob.  Fare in the bus is P30 (aircon) or P20 (non-aircon). Travel time is 15 minutes or 16 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort.

From Dumaguete City

The other one is from Dumaguete City. From the city, ride a multicab bound to Sibulan port (fee is P11.00 only). Then, ride a fastcraft to Santander. The boat trip to Santander is 20 minutes only. Fare is P60.00. Reaching Santander port, ride a bus going to Cebu (the bus is just waiting at the port). The trip to Oslob is 20-25 minutes only. Fare is 60.00 aircon. Then alight at Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu.

PLACE TO STAY

There are so many resorts/accommodations in Tan-awan. But I stayed at MB's Sunrise View Resort (one that has the yellow gate). Lodging fee is P800 for non-aircon (negotiable up to P500) and P1,500 for aircon (good for 3 pax). The other resorts are charging P1,500 - P2,000 for aircon.

Contact Nos. - 0906-586-9895 / 0923-297-1176

Whale watching is done only from 6 am up to 12 noon. And so I spent the night in Oslob. The following morning I knew why the resort is called MB Sunrise View.

The sunrise at the resort was simply fascinating and breathtaking!

  After watching the sunrise, the trip to the whale sharks started. The fee for the whale shark adventure is as follows:

Local (Filipinos) -

      Viewing only at the boat - P300.00

      Swimming with the whale shark and snorkerling - P500.00 (life vest and gears   included) 

Foreigners -
      Viewing only at the boat - P500
      Swimming with the whale shark and snorkeling - P1,000.00

Before the actual whale watching, one will undergo a 10 minute briefing about things to do and prohibited while doing whale watching. among the the things prohibited are touching the whales, feeding the whales, putting sunblock and producing bubbles while swimming with the whales.

Well, there is no harm listening and following the rules. We have to protect the whale shark.

The trip to the whale shark site is only 5 - 10 minutes. And you can now swim with the whale sharks! There is only a limited time of interaction with the whale sharks which is 30 minutes only.

Touching the whale shark is prohibited. But inadvertently, the I touched it while it passed beside me. It is cold and slippery. Penalty for touching the whale is P2,500.

Two-thumbs up for whale watching! Even the boatman agrees! Anyway, you are given only 30 minutes to see and swim with the whale sharks.

ACTIVITIES IN OSLOB

Island Hopping - depends on the number of persons (minimum P1,500 - 1-5 pax)

During the island hopping, you can do fish feeding, snorkeling and swimming.

Diving

Foreigners - P3,500

Local - P2,600

Tumalog Falls

Visit the historical places - P100 (Baluarte Old church, Museum etc.)

After the watching, I decided to see the Tumalog Falls.

Habal-habal ride is  P140/pax and the travel to the site is 15-20 minutes or 6 kilometers. You have do a 10 minute trekking to reach the site.

It's Really More Fun in Oslob!

Side trip - Bantayan Island

From Cebu City, you have to go to the North Bus Terminal.

Once there, you have to board a bus going to Hagnaya.

You can choose from either Ceres or Rough Rider.

From Cebu City, travel time is 3 hours. Fare is P200.00 for aircon buses. Reaching Hagnaya, upu have to board a boat. There are only 2 shipping companies operating at Hagnaya Port.

Schedule of trips

Super Shuttle Ferry

Hagnaya to Santa Fe

4:00 am, 7:00 am; 8:00 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm

Santa Fe to Hagnaya

6:00 am; 8:30 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm; 6:00 pm

Contact Nos. 

Santa Fe- 0909-258-2875; 0916 / Hagnaya - 0916-905-2348

                                              

For Island Shipping Corporation

 (the interval of 30 minutes as against Super Shuttle Ferry)

Fare is P170 for ordinary and P185.00 for aircon room. The ro-ro trip is 1 hour only.