Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island – a place revolving around peace, tranquility, and simplicity. Located at the western part of North Cebu mainland, it boasts a stretch of white sand beaches, freshwater caves, and an experience best described only by going there. Undeniably one of the best getaways from the busy life at the city and a perfect detoxifier for the everyday struggle. 🙂

Unknown to many, it’s also called the Egg Basket of Visayas – producing most of the supply for almost the entire Cebu mainland. Moreover, it brags on their delicious danggit delicacies and other dried fish/seafood specialties. And before this becomes more like a promoting commercial, lets pack our cameras and rediscover more of Bantayan Island.

HOW TO GET THERE

Public Transport

Our starting point would be from the Cebu mainland, so depending on your location, it all depends as long as you get to Cebu mainland. In our case, we took a flight landing on Mactan International Airport.
Take a cab/taxi form the airport going to Cebu North Bus Terminal
Find a bus/van that departs for Hagnaya
Drop off at Hagnaya Port (this is usually the last drop off point so you will have no trouble getting lost)
From Hagnaya Port, there are scheduled ferries or small boats going to Sta. Fe Port at Bantayan Island.
Once at Sta. Fe Port, you could either walk (if your hotel is near) or take trikes around the area if you’re hotel is at Sta. Fe. Contact your accommodation if any. If you opt to stay on a different part of the island other than Sta. Fe (like Madridejos and Bantayan) don’t worry, talk to trike drivers around to take you there. The farthest you would go is Madridejos.

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re on a very very tight budget, the shorelines of Sta. Fe are open for camping (as per PD1076 or water code of the PH). But if you have some change to spare, then cheap accommodations are abundant on the island. You could even check AirBnB (you read it right, they have it here too) for incredible offers.

For the most part, the closest resorts and most popular ones, since they have really beautiful views up front are Anika Beach Resort and Ogtong Cave Resort. There are also cheaper options (500php/night) around Sta. Fe. We recommend you check-in or find an accommodation close to Sta. Fe as the beach on the area is really surreal and it would be a great view at night as well. Regardless, as long as you’re comfy, then nothing else matters!

THE BUDGET

The budget below would only include transports/fees/ and accommodation taken as of November 2016. Other miscellaneous expenses; ie. pasalubong (dried fishes/ daing etc) aren’t included. haha!

Cebu North Bus Termnial > Hagnaya Port: 160php ea (via Ceres aircon bus)
Hagnaya Port > Sta. Fe Port: 170php ea (via Ferry)
Port Terminal Fee: 10php ea
Scooter Rental at Bantayan: ranging from 300-500php (depends on type of motorcycle/hours of use)
Bike Rental: 100php per day (this is sooooo much tiring unless you’re pretty athletic to travel more than 50kms)
Anika Resort Accommodation: 2000php per night
Ogtong Cave Entrance Fee: 100php (use of pools, entrance to beach, and ogtong cave ammenities)
Bantayan Island Nature Park Fee: 200php ea (includes touring caves, pool use, mangroves, etc)
Pump boat (Anika Resort) – price varies with seating capacity and distance/destination.
- P2,500.00 – seats 11-19
- P2,000.00 – seats 6-10
- P1,500.00 – seats 4-5
- P1,000.00 – seats 2-3
- Virgin Island entrance fee – P500.00 for the first 2 persons , P100.00 for exceeding persons.
  Snorkel and fins rental – P 50.00 each
  Virgin Island cottage – P300.00; seats approx. 8 persons
Bantayan Island Tour (Anika Resort) – 2000php ea
Take a tour around the island. See the famous Ogtong Cave (entrance fee to Ogtong Cave Resort: P100.0), Mangrove Plantation, go around Bantayan town proper – visit the 15th century Sts. Peter and Paul Parish church, buy the famous Bantayan danggit, explore Kota Park – a historical site in Madridejos and finally, take a guided tour and swim in an underground cave at Island Nature Park (entrance fee: P200.00). Inclusive of operator/tour guide. Vehicle is a multicab and can seat a maximum of 15 persons.

TOURING AROUND THE ISLAND

The most recommended way of touring around the island in my opinion is via a rented motorcycle (if you know how to drive one). If not, a more difficult route would be on a bicycle (if you’re pretty confident in your athleticism. haha!). Of course guys could also negotiate for a van transport if in larger groups. Another option would be renting a tricycle and tour you around the island. Rates for tours (via Anika Resort) are listed previously above. Island tours are also an option if you have the spare time; but honestly, Bantayan Island is more than enough. 🙂