North Cebu Adventure: Bantayan Island Travel Guide

Located in the most northern part of the province of Cebu, Bantayan Island is rich with beautiful white sand beaches, amazing scenery, and century-old churches. The island is divided into 3 municipalities namely, Bantayan, Madridejos and Sta. Fe. Most resorts and beaches are located in Bantayan and Sta. Fe.

Paradise! (Photo from Den Balingit)

How To Get There

Going to Bantayan Island is quite a trip, but surely it is worth it. Coming from Cebu, it requires land & sea travel.

FROM CEBU

• Go to Cebu North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City and ride a bus bound to Hagnaya Port.
  Fare: P165+, Travel time: 4 hrs, First trip: around 2-3 AM
• Take a ferry in Hagnaya Port going to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.
  Fare: P180 with a terminal fee of P10, Travel time: 1hr, First trip: 3 AM, Last trip: 5:30 PM
• From Santa Fe, just walk a few meters to the tricycle waiting area, then ride a trike to your resort of choice.
  Fare: P100 per trike, or depends on your negotiation skills.
• Optionally, you can ride a direct bus to the town of Bantayan for P200. The bus will be loaded onto the ferry but, you will still need to pay the ferry fare.
• *The first trip by ferry going back to Hagnaya from Santa Fe is 6:30 AM and last trip is 4:30 PM.

Destination: Bantayan

Hagnaya Port

FROM LEYTE

• Take a ferry in Palompon to Pulambato Port in Bogo City, Cebu.
  Fare: P250, Travel time: 2.5-3.5 hrs, Daily trip: 7:30 AM - around 10 AM
• Ride a bus to Hagnaya Port. Fare: Less than P50, Travel time: 30-45 mins

Boarding a RoRo bound to Bantayan Island

FROM MASBATE

• Take a ferry (RoRo) in Caitingan Port in Masbate to Pulambato Port in Bogo City.
  Fare: P460+, Travel time: 5.5 hrs, Daily trip: 12 PM - around 5:30 PM
• Ride a bus to Hagnaya Port. Fare: Less than P50, Travel time: 30-45 mins

Passenger Terminal in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island

Where To Stay

Most beaches and resorts are located in the towns of Bantayan and Santa Fe, so you will want to look for accommodations on these towns. Here are some budget friendly accommodations you can check.

• Ritzy's/Althea White Beach Resort
  Rates: P800 Fan Room for 2, P1500 AC Room for 2 | M: 0977-240-6258 / 0977-605-9196 | T: 032-438-9569
• Nordic Inn
  Rates: P700 Fan Room for 2, P1000 AC Room for 2 | M: 0998-554-6711
• Mayet’s Resort
  Rates: P600 Fan Room for 2, P1200 AC Room for 2 | M: 0927-545-8743 / 0921-761-8763 | T: 032-406-5668
• Kota Beach Resort (Camp Sawi Location)
  Rates: P1600 AC Room for 2 | M: 0956-276-4410 | T: 032-416-5013 / 032-438-9042

Santa Fe Beach Club (just taking a picture, we didn't stay there lol)

Getting Around the Island

You can ride a tricycle or motorbike on getting around places within the town. While multicabs/jeeps are the primary options on getting to another town. You can also rent a bike for P150 or motorbike P350 (not including gas) for a day.

Map of the island

Activities and Attractions

Here are some activities you can do and attractions you can see in Bantayan Island.

• Paradise Beach, Alice Beach, Sugar Beach and Maricaban Beach - Visit these beautiful white sand beaches in Santa Fe.
  
• Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island - Rent a boat for P1000+ for a whole day tour and visit these nearby islands. The entrance fee on Virgin Island is P500 for first 2 pax, and a P100 for additional persons, while you can enter Hilantagaan Island for free.
• Ogtong Cave - Take a dip in a natural pool in a small underground cave located inside Ogtong Cave Resort. There is a P120 entrance fee though, which also includes the use of their other swimming pools.
• Explore the island via bicycle or motorbike - Rent a bike or motorbike and just roam the island and checkout the sights like Kota Ruins in Kota Park, Kota Beach, Baywalk, the fishing village of Madridejos, and Obo-ob Mangrove Eco Park.
• Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church - Visit the five-century-old church that is also the oldest church in the province of Cebu.

Itinerary

Here's a 2-day, 1-night itinerary for travelers that are making a side trip to Bantayan Island.

• DAY 1: CEBU - BANTAYAN + LAND TOUR
  • 03:00 AM: Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port (4hrs)
  • 07:00 AM: Ferry from Hagnaya Port to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island (1hr)
  • 08:30 AM: Early Check-in or Leave Baggage in Accommodation/Breakfast
  • 09:00 AM: Start Land Tour
  • 05:00 PM: Back to Accommodation
  • 06:00 PM: Dinner/Free time
• DAY 2: ISLAND HOPPING
  • 06:30 AM: Wake up time
  • 07:30 AM: Breakfast
  • 08:00 AM: Island hopping
  • 03:00 PM: Back to Accommodation
  • 04:00 PM: Free time/Sunset at Kota Beach
• DAY 3: BACK TO CEBU or JUMP TO MALAPASCUA
  • 05:00 AM: Wake up time
  • 06:00 AM: Santa Fe Port to Hagnaya Port Ferry (1hr)
  • 07:00 AM: Travel back to Cebu (4hrs) or Maya Port for Malapascua (2.5hrs)
  • (if back to Cebu) 12:00 NN: ETA CEBU
  • (if proceed to Malapascua) 09:30 AM: ETA Maya Port
  • 10:00 AM: ETA Malapascua

What are you waiting for?