Good Day people of Hive! Today, I will take you to one of the most prominent tourist spots in Cebu, Bantayan Island. If you are not familiar with it, exploring this place offers you a unique and personal experience - through its white-sand beaches, adrenaline-inducing adventures, world-class seafood culinary offerings, a fascinating history rooted in religion, and a fun escape from urban life. Bantayan Island will surely make you want to come back.
This getaway has to be one of the most recent ones and the last one I had this year, occurring around late January of 2020. I'm glad I was able to visit the island before strict lockdowns were in place, due to the coronavirus.
Without further ado, allow me to take you on a trip to the famous Bantayan Island of Cebu City, PH.
The Journey to the Island
Going to Bantayan Island is relatively simple. From Cebu City, all you have to do is get yourself to Hagnaya Port. You can either board a Ceres bus or avail a van ride at the North Bus Terminal. Because of the high demand for transportation to the island, there is usually an abundance of buses or vans to get there and at varying time periods of the day. Bus rides from the North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port ranges from 23:00 to 12:00, at 2-3 hour intervals.
Because most of my friends are also nurses who were working the afternoon shift, we had to wait for them to get off after 22:00. In our case, there was really no need to rush as there are plenty of bus rides after midnight. Once, everyone was at the rendezvous, we immediately set course to Hagnaya port at around 2:00 in the morning via Ceres Bus. Since the bus ride takes 3-4 hours, we got to the port just before sunrise.
When we got to Hagnaya port, you had to board a ferry to get us to the island. The economy class accommodation costs us around Php185.00 only. While on board the ferry, I took the opportunity to nap for a while. There are bunk beds available and you can simply choose any unoccupied bed. In a matter of an hour and a half, were already be in Bantayan island! We got there around 7:00, ready to explore the entirety of this paradise.
More often than not, I get seasick when I take ferry rides. Thankfully, I was asleep and recharged on the way to the island, even with just half an hour of nap. I was feeling quite groggy and drowsy but the excitement upon finally being on the island took all of that away.
As soon as we arrived at Santa Fe port, we were greeted by the locals. It wasn't really much of a warm greeting, as we were aware they were advertising their transportation to get us to our homestay. A vehicle that seemed to be a small jeepney caught our attention. Upon approaching, we were in disbelief to find out that it was actually a motorcycle attached to a two-wheeled modern carriage which was fashioned to mimic a modern Filipino Jeepney.
Since it was not at all costly, we jumped at the first one that was in front of us. If you choose another means to get by, there are also vans, jeepney, and motorcycles at the port. Kuya driver was kind enough to drop us off directly to our homestay which was at Bantayan Proper, the biggest town of the Island. Even though Bantayan is a small island, it took us around 30 minutes to get from the port to our homestay. This may be because the roads are quite small, accommodating only one or two vehicles on each side.
Arriving at our Homestay
At around 9:00, we finally arrived at our place, at Batiancila's Apartelle, Bantigue, Bantayan. We booked this place at the Airbnb app and was welcomed by the owner when we arrived. However, little did we know that it was quite far from where the well-known tourist spots are. Nevertheless, the place did not disappoint us. We had an airconditioned room with four queen-size beds, a bathroom, and a wide garden just outside the door. The place was very serene as we had the entire villa all to ourselves.
We readied ourselves and changed into our get-up. The girls freshened up and took much longer as usual so my boys and I decided to relax outside the garden while waiting for themm. As expected, I could notice how different the air is from the city. We were surrounded by a lot of trees and plants, it's hard not to take a step back and admire the air quality here.
Before we head out, one of the caretakers of our homestay was kind enough to show us a map of Bantayan Island. It detailed the location of some of the most famous tourist spots, which allowed us to plan how we were going to set course for the day. My group of friends is fond of spontaneous trips. We usually just set ourselves off a destination and wing it when get there. The same thing happened on this trip. Once we were done arguing on the most efficient means to get by the island, we decided to head out.
If you are on an island in the Philippines, chances are the best way to get by is by renting your own motorcycle. This allows you to personalize your trip and allows total freedom as to where you opt to go. We did the exact same thing. As promised by the owner, we could rent several of their motorcycles for us to explore the island. Since there were seven of us, we needed four motorcycles. They asked for our driver's license and handed the keys and helmet before we were escorted outside the villa.
Everyone was excited to get started with our spontaneous itinerary. The plan was to get to maximize our schedule on the island for the entire day. Most of the time, that is the reality of traveling for us. Personally, my shift was to start at 22:00 on the next day which meant we were to head back to the city tomorrow at noon. Truly, we just had to get the most of whatever time we had. Undoubtedly though, this race against time always makes our trip so much more exciting. We agreed to visit as many tourist spots as we could for the day, set limits to the number of stops, and simply enjoy what this paradise had to offer.
SAINT PETER AND PAUL'S PARISH Bantayan Proper, Bantayan Island
At the heart of the island, just across the town plaza, stands Saint Peter and Paul's Parish. Bantayan Island is known to be home to one of the oldest parishes in the Philippines. According to history, the St. Peter and Paul Parish was founded in 1580 under the Spanish rule. At around 1600, the church was said to be invaded by Muslim rebels time and time again causing immense destruction to the parish. In time, the church was rebuilt in 1839 and was completed in 1863. Upon completion, the church was dedicated to St Peter and Paul.
The church holds an important historical significance. It was said that while building the church, an ongoing scarcity of fishes was happening on the island. This prompted the Pope to exclude the local fishermen and builders from abstaining from meat during the celebration of the Holy Week, a practice that still continues to stand until today. This, partnered with its rich activities and festivities, causes an influx of local and foreign tourists during the Holy Week.
Aside from its rich history, the intricate architecture makes it not only just a hub for religious activities but a tourist “must-see” destination as well. Just like most of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the church was made of stones and corals and is notably a very fine piece of Spanish-Philippines architecture. The bright chalk-white blocks which make up most of the church is very much notable. Since it is at the heart of the town, it's hard to really miss it.
Another noticeable difference this church has is the detailed and vivid paintings on the roof of the church. Without a doubt, that makes it stand out from most parishes in the Philippines. If you look closely, the paintings seem to tell the history of Christianity in the Philippines. This religion is highly revered in the Philippines with its values deeply rooted in Filipino culture. And on each side of the roof, Roman Catholic Saints are depicted, along with the traits and symbols they are well-known for.
We maximized approximately 20 minutes admiring the beauty of the church. We took some photos and even had the chance to hear the wedding vow of the couples who were being married at the altar. It was quite romantic and sweet. Afterward, we decided to head out directly to the beach - and it isn't just any beach, but one of the best ones on the island.
SANDIRA PARADISE BEACH Sante Fe, Bantayan Island
From the church, we decided to journey to the beach immediately. That would cost us another 20 minutes ride. At this point, we were thrilled to finally head towards one of the most sought after destinations in Bantayan. At midday, the roads were already busy, teeming with tricycles, personal cars, and cargo trucks. We had to maneuver our motorcycles through this traffic and at times, had to wriggle through the vehicles to get there on schedule.
Just by looking at our map, it was easy to assume that it would be an easy ride. We were completely wrong. While the main road was made of concrete, the journey towards the beach was treacherous! The pathways were carved simply from the multitude of vehicles that pass through it. Often times, we had to consult our Google Maps to make sure we were headed the right way. The road was long, winding, and with considerable ascent and descent. Aside from that, some rocks and pebbles would also slip out of place as the wheels pass through them. Since I was at the back ride, I had to make sure that my grip was adequate or I would definitely slip away. In short, while the beach supposedly offers a paradise, do not underestimate the hell you need to go through to get there.
And true enough, after the arduous drive and a minute worth of walking, we were greeted with a paradise! Upon arriving, you can stand on a cliff that provides you a pleasant view of the beach. You will be mesmerized by the beauty which stands before your eyes. Looking down, it is obvious how crystal clear the waters are. Now, shifting your eyes forward, you will be delighted at how smooth the waters transition into a deep blue hue leading itself to the sublime horizon.
If we were to walk a little bit more, we could even find a much bigger and higher cliff where we could dive directly towards the sea. The area is also a noteworthy site for adrenaline-junkies who desire to take a leap of faith and jump towards the clear waters. Since we were still at the start of our adventure, we agreed to play it safe and simply spend our time by the beach.
We got around the cliff and was lead to a man-made staircase leading to the shores. At that point, the clouds which had provided us shade had dissipated, leaving us vulnerable to the scorching heat. We had to find shade immediately. We coursed through the shoreline to find any amount of shade we could find.
A striking feature of the beach is that the shorelines extend horizontally from each side until it touches the foot of a cliff. There weren't a lot of trees aside from those which stick out from above the cliffs. We had to improvise a shade by crawling our way to a small cave-like structure that must have been created by the crashing waves. We shared the space with a few foreigners who got there before us.
We had initially bought ourselves some booze from a store before the descent. I would say that that was a wrong move. While the bottle of beer was indeed relaxing, coupled with the heat, it was difficult not to succumb to being drowsy 🤣. After chatting for a few minutes, the girls insisted we take a short break since traveling with this heat was highly inconvenient.
What was supposed to be a brief stopover, turned into an hour-long nap for them. It was difficult to wake them up and we completely understood. So while waiting for their slumber to end, I set up a hammock nearby and allowed myself some rest as well. Once the girls were up, we all took a dip into the crystal clear waters and enjoyed the fine white sand which caressed our toes. They were not wrong to call the place Paradise Beach.
CAMP SAWI | OBOOB MANGROVE ECO PARK Bantayan Proper, Bantayan Island
From the beach, we were eager to proceed to another well-known destination in Bantayan - the shooting site of one of the scenes of a famous Filipino movie, Camp Sawi. The place is also called as OMAGIECA, short for Oboob Mangrove Eco Park. I especially appreciate the place because of its responsible eco-tourism. Tourists are allowed access to see the mangroves, and in turn, provides a means of livelihood for the locals. Aside from that, it plays a vital role in raising awareness about mangrove's role erosion control, coastal protection, and its part in creating a vibrant marine ecosystem. The circular economy makes this attraction very sustainable.
The place boasts of a plantation of mangroves that form a wonderful coastal woodland. Countless stretches of mangroves fill the area and create a forest-like trail. The pathways are all made of sourced bamboo shoots fashioned to create a bridge. I could only imagine how much effort was put into creating them.
What is amazing is how wide the mangroves stretch into the sea, offering marine animals a form of habitat and creating a diverse ecosystem. I can affirm this by simply looking from the bamboo bridge. Mudskippers, small fishes, and even small birds take shelter within the plantation of mangroves, creating some sort of an ecosphere.
Other than its prime environmental importance, it also possesses a wonderful view, worthy of praise and attention. At any angle, the walkways are nothing short of being picturesque. I have seen a lot of my friends coming here, and sure enough, each portion of this mangrove plantation is Instagram worthy.
If you get tired from the walk, it is easy to find rest stations made of more bamboo shoots. You can even take time to take a pose on each of the huts if you please. The pathways are designed to take you a roundabout through the mangroves, the lush greens enough to relax your weary eyes.
1970 FORT, KOTA PARK Madridejos, Bantayan Island
At this point, it was already way past noon. As expected of me, I just have to get a glimpse of the sunset before the day ends. Because we still had much gas left in our tanks, I thought why not have a long ride through the sunset. It sounded like a reasonable and fun plan. Everyone was amenable to it so we coursed on a long journey through the northernmost part of the island, Madridejos. It was a long ride but nothing our group couldn't handle.
There are actually a lot of places to greet the sunset in Bantayan Island but we just wanted to get a glimpse of as many parts of the place as we could. Riding through the island may not be an easy feat but the tall covering canopies make it so much easier to enjoy the ride. I insisted to take the wheel from this point as I wanted to enjoy the sunset right before my eyes.
The rays glimmer faintly on the side of the road as they pass through the tall trees. Every minute brings us much closer to the sunset paralleled with the excitement I feel of finally getting there. It was fulfilling to leave with the sky vibrant with hues of blue and arrive at the fort a couple of minutes before sunset.
Upon arriving, I purposefully left my phone on a watchtower to take the fleeting moments of the sun fade into darkness. It was quite a bummer though as some people who were also enjoying the sunset did not notice my phone flaunted on top of our bags, covering a small portion of the video clip. Nevertheless, it caught how amazing the promised sunsets really are on the island. The sea stretches out into the horizon as small boats and ferry make it back to the port. The fort offers an exceptional view of the sea as it reflects the warm tones from the sun.
It was astonishing how much time it took for us to get here. However, I would argue that it was worth the drive and wait. We were racing against time as we were riding from south to north, making sure not to miss the sunset. We were beyond blessed to get there just in the nick of time, with a few moments to spare. At this point, we were filled with much exhaustion and hunger. We had to get back immediately before hypoglycemia kicked in.
Longs story short, we then went straight back to Santa Fe where we had a scrumptious dinner buffet of freshly cooked seafood. I do not have photos to brag about as we were most probably eager to just dig in, with not a moment to lose. I can tell you for a fact that it was comprised of souped scallops, spicy crab stew, and sweet and spicy fish.
It is notable as well that nights on is this island is filled with life. At such a late hour, local and foreign tourists still roam the district. We ordered one drink each before after our meal before making it back to our homestay.
KOTA BEACH Santa Fe Fe, Bantayan Island
The previous day was long and exhausting but definitely worth every single moment. We woke up the next day more energized to visit one last stop before heading back to the port. We packed our bags and got ourselves ready to have brunch. As initially planned, we were to visit one last destination and purchase some dried goods at the market for our families back home. We set our expectations to another famous beach in Bantayan Island, Kota Beach at Santa Fe.
What makes this beach unique is the bountiful sandbars that fill the beach. To illustrate, you had to walk a couple of minutes in order to get to the shoreline. Similar to Sandira Paradise Beach, the sand features fine, white, grainy sand. While it offered a different experience, taking a dip on the beach and simply coursing through the sand would offer the same refreshing experience. The cool beach breeze also gave us relief as it chilled us despite the sunny weather.
With only a couple more hours to spare before our ferry ride back home, we took the time to enjoy taking it all in. In a span of a day and a half, we were able to explore most of the island's treasures. Sure, we were in a hurry but we had a lot of fun.
We had to leave before noon or our ferry would leave without us. As we returned our motorcycles and rode another jeepney motorcycle to the port, a sense of misery filled me. Looking back now at how much fun we had, I could not help but wish for similar days - of the ultimate freedom of being on your own motorcycle, the fresh sceneries that fill you with awe, and the never-ending adventures you could do on the island. It was really such a shame we had to leave so soon. But I assured myself not to worry as this will definitely not be the last time I will set foot on this paradise.
So that ends my trip to the famous Bantayan Island. Thank you for reading up to this point. See you soon on my next adventures.
🍺Live like a templar🍷 | ⚔️Serve like a knight💉.
Every writer needs to have his pen name. In that case, welcome to josejirafa's blog.
Aaron is an aspiring travel blogger whose dream is to visit the world's most famous tourist spots. A thinker and frustrated philosopher, Aaron spends his days off learning about himself, others, and the world. He enjoys discourse about philosophy, politics, religion, emotional intelligence, and has an aptitude for being vocal about his point of view. Although a registered nurse by profession, Aaron has an inclination for business and finance.