The Britania Group of Islands – a group of small islets that is certainly not part of the United Kingdom, but located in a small municipality of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. To the white sand lovers, tanning addicts, and the beach bums – this is the perfect place for you to chill, relax, and just enjoy the day while eating exotic and freshly caught seafood on the islands.
Being a fourth class municipality, it doesn’t offer the high class luxuries city people usually have. But what they do have is what I prefer. Crystal clear waters, a bountiful sea, a lot of friendly folks, and an elegant scenery to top that. There’s always something heart-warming about these places, never take them for granted.
Going back to the non-emotional side (lol), the Britania islands are usually being side-tripped by tourists after their Hinatuan tour (read Hinatuan blog here). Though I suggest you guys spend the rest of the day here as well. There’s more to Britania than what you normally experience in just the island-hopping tour. For you to fully rediscover the surreal islands of Britania, read along and we’ll guide you on exploring another beautiful destination in Mindanao!
HOW TO GET THERE
From Butuan
- Take a plane to Butuan City’s Bancasi airport.
- From the airport, take a trike or minivan to Butuan City Bus Terminal. Take buses going Tandag and tell them to drop you off at Salvacion. If you missed this drop-off point, then you could get off at San Agustin Terminal.
- Either from Salvacion or San Agustin Terminal, you could take a trike or habal-habal ride to Britania!
From Hinatuan
- If you’re from Hinatuan, and just finished your Enchanted River tour, then you have options below going to Britania
- Go to Hinatuan Terminal and find a van/bus going departing for Butuan – but drop off at Barobo terminal
- From Barobo Terminal, take another bus/van departing for Tandag and drop off at either Salvacion (recommended) or San Agustin Terminal.
- From there you could just take a trike or habal-habal to Britania.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- Resorts and accommodations at Britania usually restrict you to their private boatmen in doing the island tours and will only limit you to 3 hours with additional payment per hour. This was really a slight turn-off for me just because of some money-crazy businessmen. Luckily, kuya Romnick – a guy we met at our Bislig tour (which I would blog in a while) told us to just find any LGU or local boatmen along the area. Not only could you enjoy the whole day on the islands, you could even go back to revisit islands you love most after the tour!
- With the above, I’ll take the liberty to recommend kuya Romnick (contacts below) to be your guide, boatman, accomodation finder, service, and anything you could possibly do at Britania. You could even contact him for your Bislig and Hinatuan tour!
- Facebook: Romnick Quinonez
- Mobile: +639299582345
- Trikes and Motorcycles are the main mode of transportation here. It’s a very small barangay you could memorize it in a minute. Be sure to bring cash as there seems to be no ATM nearby.
- DO NOT LITTER! And if possible pick up any left plastic as well. Leave something for the next generation to enjoy.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re staying at Britania (which i recommend), here are some opinions. We stayed at La Entrada Resort. It has the most beautiful wooden bridge and restaurant by the beach. But of course it depends on your taste really. Haha! Accommodations are really not a problem here especially on low seasons, as you could stay on beach front resorts or even home-stay on people’s houses. It’s a small barangay so you won’t have any “time” problems if I may say.
If you haven’t read my important notes above, I’m saying Romnick could hop you on his habal-habal and individually inspect resorts and accommodations here depending on your budget. They’re all just along the beach front and stand close to each other so you could take your time thinking. If you opt for a home-stay – again, ask Romnick above. Haha!
THE BUDGET
- Hinatuan to Barobo: 140php ea (via bus)
- Barobo to Salvacion: 40php ea (via van)
- Salvacion to Britania: 20php ea (via trike)
- Britania Island Tour: 1000php-1500php boat ride (negotiable, time is unlimited if you rented via LGU – see my notes above)
TOURING BRITANIA ISLANDS
The Islands of Britania are just a few minutes away from the beach port and are actually close to each other (about 300-400 meters apart). With technically 21 islets around, there are only 4 main islands that are accessible for tourists, an additional 3 more could be walked from Boslon island if you intend on visiting those as well. 🙂 In any case, these islands have really enticing waters to dip in. Another natural beauty found only here in the Philippines!
Good morning blue skies, warm sunshine, and the ocean breeze!
The Britania Islands from La Entrada’s ocean view deck!
Siesta time is fiesta time! My all time favorite shell food locally known as lima-lima!
Boslon Island
Walking along the shores of the powdery white sands of Boslon Island.
These two other islets are just a few steps from Boslon Island.
Now here’s a perfect spot for beach bumming!
Shade? What shade?
Hiyor-Hiyoran Island
The “shadiest” island at Britania and the perfect place for lunch!
While waiting for the food to cook, let’s wander our eyes a little on how lazily beautiful this day is.
And for our appetizers, a dozen of pointy sea urchins and vinegar! Mmmmmhh Tasty!
You have been served! Adobong “eel”, grilled “eel”, grilled “mini-swordfish”, “puso”, and hotdog?
Naked Island
Next stop – a barren, abandoned, lonely, and nostalgic naked island.
If you’re wandering how wide the islet is, well this is just about it!
But who says, there’s nothing to do on a naked island?
Forgetting to change the f-stop when the sun suddenly flew in. (nvm nerd stuff) Hahaha!
Hagonoy Island
Being furthest island among the group, it has strong waves at the back end of the island.
And it’s always fun playing on clear vivid waters!
And did I say it’s always gonna be fun here at Britania!
Thank You Britania, till we meet again – Ambiance.
Hello po. Ask ko lang po if may Boracay trip n po kayo? Nagbabalak po kasi kami pumunta don, sana po may mga tips din po kayo. Salamat po. More power po s page. God Bless.
Hello Joyce,
Funny cause now I haven’t have any Boracay posts yet. Will update the blog once I get some details, albeit I’m fully booked for 2017 on other places. Because of popularity, it’s actually an easy trip going to Boracay. Either take a plane to Caticlan (more expensive) and ride a ferry straight to Boracay, or the cheaper and longer way of taking a plane to Kalibo then take a van (2 hrs) to Caticlan Port then to Boracay. For accommodations, better take advance bookings as it’s a place where there is NO LOW SEASON!
Tips? Well… same old same old, enjoy the surprises of travel! Good or bad, it’s definitely worth living!