Cebu is endowed with rich and magnificent waters and beautiful small islands with white sands and beaches. Bantayan Island is one of it.
Bantayan Island is made up of three municipalities of the province of Cebu – Bantayan, Madridejos and Sta. Fe. Bantayan takes up the western and central areas and known for its picturesque sunset and centuries old church. Madridejos is a fishing village and known for its rich history. Lastly, Sta. Fe boasts of its beautiful sunrise and famous for its wide stretch of fine white sand beach.
Me and my family went there during the summer and it was really amazing. Though the travel to get there wasn’t that easy due to the route and type of transportation. But I can help you on how to get there:
How to get to Bantayan Island
From Cebu City is the usual starting point for most of the travelers/tourists.
1.To Cebu City North bus terminal via Taxi/Jeepney from the downtown: Assuming Cebu city as the starting point grabbing Taxi Cab or Jeepney is convenient to go to North bus terminal. Just choose whichever is much more convenient for your situation. If you are not a local or not from Cebu, I suggest for you to ride a taxi.
2. Cebu City North Bus- Hagnaya’s Port: From the North Terminal, Ceres Coach Busses (yellow & white) & Cebu AutoBus Corp. (orange & white) run all day from aproximately 5AM onwards at about Php 200 fare Aircon from very early in the morning, to the port town of Hagnaya in Northern Cebu.
Estimated travel time; 3hrs. – 4hrs. or longer depending on road traffic conditions.
3. From Hagnaya’s Port- Santa Fe, Bantayan: you’ll hop a Ferry Boat at the Hagnaya port in San Remigio with an approximate fare of Php 170 going to Santa Fe on Bantayan Island, and the boats run from 5:30 AM early morning until the last boat leaves Hagnaya at 5:30pm.
Estimated travel time; 1 and a half hour – 2hrs depending on the conditions.
San Ildefonso/Tacloban (Leyte) to Bogo City to Hagnaya Port:
If you are coming from Leyte, there are buses to Bogo City from San Ildefonso and Tacloban City. These buses cross Camotes Sea via Ro-Ro barges in Palompon to Bogo City and from there Hagnaya Port is less than an hour ride.
With that, I can say there is no easy way in getting to Bantayan Island, however the journey is rewarding as you will be mesmerized by the charm and beauty of the island.
Best Tourist Spot
1. Virgin Island – as the name corresponds.It is indeed a Virgin island with a very relaxing view of its crystal clear blue waters with white sands illuminating the island. From the mainland Bantayan, you will ride a small pumpboat by hospitable locals with a fair of Php 1000- 2000 depending on the agreement and duration of usage. In our situation, we rented the boat for about Php 1000 and then the boat stayed at the shore of Virgin Island for 1 day.
During your arrival to the wonderful island they will welcome you with tribal drum beats. The foods sold in the island is quite expensive though therefore it is more convenient to bring your own treats.
The Island is privately owned therefore no one inhabits the island aside from the owner and the island’s “service employees” as I’d like to call it.
For more glimpse of the beauty of the island Watch this Video Bantayan Island Summer Escapade
2. Ogtong Cave and Beach Resort – is one of the most visited spot in Bantayan Island. It is known for its lovely white sand beach and its natural cave with underground pool that you can swim in. The resort is very accommodating. It has its own restaurant that serves different types of dishes (mostly seafoods). Indeed a great place to spend and hang out while staying in Batanyan Island.
My experience in this place is really spectacular. Too many things you can do in one place; you can have a lot of option to make a swim either you go to the Cave, Pool or the Beach.
If you want to see a more lively look of the place Watch this Video Bantayan Island Ogtong Resort Summer Escapade
Where to Stay in Bantayan Island
Most tourists stay in the beach area of Sta. Fe where accommodation ranges from as low as P500.00 for a single fan room to by the thousands for fancy air-conditioned room on high end resorts.
For budget travelers, Kota Beach Resort and Mayet’s Resort have budget fan room for as low as P600 per night, both are strategically located along Sta. Fe Beach. Meanwhile Ogtong Cave Resort and Sta. Fe Beach Club and Yooneek Beach Resort have facilities for high end tourists.
As for us, we have a relative priest assigned in the island. We are given the oppurtunity to experience a free stay at the St. Peter and Paul convent. Pretty handy!
Kota Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4165013 [Cebu City Office] / +63-32-4389042 [Santa Fe]
Email: kotabeach@gmail.com
Mayet’s Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +639173107791 / +639063093166 / +639154320633
Email: mariettasalve@yahoo.com
CouCou Lodge (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389385 / +63918-4541960
Budyong Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4385700
Sta. Fe Beach Club
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389090 / +63-32-4389107 / +63918-9199101 / +63928-7787770
Email: info@stafebeach.com
Ogtong Cave Resort by Sta. Fe Beach Club
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +6332-4380165 / +6332-4389129 / +63920-8999456
Email: info@stafebeach.com
Website: http://ogtongcave.com/
Yooneek Inn (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389124 / +63917-9993829
Email: yooneek_inn@yahoo.com
Yooneek Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389124 / +63917-9993829
Email: yooneekbeach@yahoo.com
Maia’s Beach Resort (Non-beachfront)
Basawon, Sulangan, Bantayan
Contact No: +63918-5714297 / +63917-6358612
Email: maia.becker@gmx.de
St. Bernard Resort
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63917-9636162
Email: wowbernard@bantayan.dk
Anika Island Resort
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63917-3284898 / +63922-8439517 / +63999-8864465 / +63-32-3188402
Email: anikaislandresort@yahoo.com
White Beach Bungalows
Maricaban Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63946-1146510
Email: whitebeachbungalows@yahoo.com
Heather and Aspen Inn (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63946-5686646 / +63923-5043554 / +63922-8311552
Email: schermosisima@gmail.com
Activities you can do while having a stay on the island
Enjoy the mesmerizing beaches of Sta Fe: Alice Beach (fronting east), Sugar Beach (fronting south), Maricaban Beach and Paradise Beach
Go scuba diving, free diving or snorkeling
Drop by at Dalton Pass Shrine
Ride a boat to Virgin Island/Silion Island or Hilantagaan/Cabulauan Island
Swim in the water of Ogtong Cave
Go biking around the island
See the Kota Ruins in Kota Park, Baywalk and the fishing village of Madridejos
Check out the centuries old Sts. Peter and Paul Church of Bantayan
See the heritage houses and establishments in Bantayan
Spend a day or two in Malapascua Island
Go at different local bars in Poblacion, Santa Fe
Want more Travel guides? Try my Camotes Island Travel Guide and Aguinid Falls Travel Guide
Memento Vivere 