Beach Bumming : Bantayan Island, Cebu Chronicles Part 1

Queen City of the South, Cebu is blessed with so much overwhelming and stunning bodies of water. From beach bumming, corals viewing, thresher and whale sharks encounter to so beautiful natural falls. There's really no reason not to love Cebu and I'm just so thankful for having the privilege to experience Cebu myself.

Cebu City, as the capital of Cebu province, being the oldest city in the Philippines' archipelago has sure a lot of historical treasures to share to everyone, one of the reasons why tourism in the province is very visible not only for Filipinos but mostly, for foreign nationals. Cebu City is slowly becoming just like Manila - horns and traffic lights are everywhere, a busy city indeed. Cebu islands are the most visited places in the province and I was able to visit 2 of them, Bantayan and Malapascua. This article is purely about Bantayan island.

Who wouldn't love this beach??

How to get there:

All Philippine airlines fly and have everyday trip to Mactan International Airport in Cebu, the 2nd busiest airport in the Philippines and the gateway to Cebu's many treasured gems including Bantayan Island.

Mactan-Cebu Int'l Airport

To get to Bantayan Island, you have to get out of the aiport and go to Cebu North Bus Terminal. You can either take a cab (P250-300) directly from the airport to CNBT or commute.

TIP: If you wanted to reach CNBT the fastest way, take a cab - not the yellow ones but the regular white cabs - as we all know, yellow or airport cabs have P70 flat rate while the white ones have P40 flat rate. So from the arrival area, go to the other building while is the main entrance to the airport and white cabs are everywhere.

If you want to try some adventures and commute from the airport to CNBT, here's how:

1. Take a cab from the airport to "Marina Mall". P50-60
2. Take a jeep/public multicab that says "Hi-way" and ask the driver to drop you off at "Mandaue Coliseum. P8
3. At Mandaue Coliseum, take a jeep/public multicab with signage "Makro" or "North Bus" and ask the driver to drop you off at the terminal for P15 - it may take a while, you can also take a cab from here to CNBT which is P80-100.

I tried commuting but due to absence of jeep going to CNBT, I decided to take a cab.

To Bantayan Island, at last.

From CNBT, I took Ceres bus (aircon) to Hagnaya port, travel time was 3.3 hours, and from Hagnaya port, a ferry to Bantayan Island - Sta.Fe port that took 1hr.

Side Notes: I must say, going to Bantayan Island with the sun at it's hottest and the city at it's busiest, was such a pain in a butt - literally. It caused me headache, good thing I brought Biogesic.

Bantayan Island from afar

Where to stay:

There are a lot of resorts and inns in the island. Rates however increased, from the cheapest P500/night before typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), they are now ranging from P700 - 900 for a standard fan room.

It's safe to book and reserve in advance especially during peak season, summer and holidays to be specific, you don't want to spend a day walking and trying to find an affordable and available room.

From Sta. Fe port, there are tricycles and pedicabs waiting to get you to your resort/hotel/inn for a standard rate of P25/person.

• Kota Beach (Beachfront) - 09487993787. Cheapest is P900/night
• Budyong Beach (Beachfront) - 09213145275. Cheapest is P800/night
• Mayet's Resort (Non-beachfront) - 09173107791. Cheapest is P700/night

I stayed at Kota Beach, took their fan room for P900/night. I must admit, t'was a little over for my accommodation budget but I had no choice, nearby inns were fully booked, even Kota, good thing I made a reservation.

Kota Beach Resort entrance

What to do:

There are a lot of things to do in Bantayan, but for me, beach bumming was my one and only goal.

Thanks to my tripod for a fair shot.

Sandbar!!

Such a lovely view..

Kota Beach Resort facing sandbar.

Anyway, here are the things you can try while in the island:

• Beach Bum and get some colors.
• Snorkel
• Island Hopping
• Visit other towns - Bantayan proper and Madrilejos
• Witness the sunrise and sunset
• Socialize with the locals and other tourists
• Visit Malapascua Island

Where to eat:

I believe most a of the resorts have their own resto that offers a wide variety of food to choose from. T'was sooooo hot and I'm toooooo lazy to walk around so I stayed at Kota for my meals, though a little expensive.

Breakfast for P185.

Expenses and Sample Itinerary:

NOTE: This doesn't include pasalubong expenses and other side meals :)

From Bantayan, I visited Malapascua Island too. Click here to view my article about Malapascua.

Bantayan Island is really one of the best beaches Philippines can boastfully introduce to the world. It's best to visit Bantayan during cool to summer season, January - April. What I love about Bantayan Island is the fact that even after being highly affected by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the serenity and stunning view and feels of the island had remained.