So it was goinging to be a weekend of sun, sand, and fun. The entire gang was going to Bantayan Island!
The rest of the guys left Cebu for Bantayan Island last April 30. Those who couldn’t make it (Me, Harry, and Henry) decided to take the first trip the next day. Henry agreed that we could all just meet at the North Bus Terminal at 4 in the morning. Harry and I, however, decided to meet at midnight and just hang out until around 3 am so that we could go to the terminal together.
Take a look at out photos from the weekend getaway to the beautiful island of Bantayan!
Bantayan Island is awesome!!!
Harry and I decided to meet in Andok’s near SM since it’s open 24 hours. Here’s Harry trying to get some sleep and failing. LOL
We left Andok’s at around 3:45 am and we reached the terminal after ten minutes. Instead of arriving at four, Henry arrived thirty minutes and 3 buses later. Long story short, we reached Hagnaya Wharf in the town of Medellin at around seven in the morning. (Bus fare is only Php 50/person) After paying Php150, we boarded the boat headed for Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.
Here is a shot inside the aircon section of the boat.
After one hour, we finally saw the island of Bantayan for the first time. Gorgeous!
Check out the lovely coastline!
We’re finally in Bantayan. Harry doesn’t seem too excited!
Here’s Harry taking a picture of the wharf and the beautiful clear waters of Bantayan.
This small pink building serves as the office of the CPA.
Welcome to the town of Santa Fe!
We had little time to relax when we arrived because we were informed that we were going to the Virgin Island – a different island (but still part of Bantayan) located just ten minutes from Bantayan Island. Here’s Harry and Henry walking towards the waiting boat.
There’s our small private boat. Lovely!
Can’t take the heat, guys? Hahaha.
They’re present, too!
Hold on to your camera, Mike!
We’re all pretty excited for this wonderful adventure!
Finally, after ten short minutes, we arrived at the Virgin Island!
The place is just awesome!
What a sight to behold!
Jan is in awe! Hahaha.
And there’s Mike jumping for joy.
I wouldn’t mind staying here the whole year!
Our cottage by beach. Lovely, don’t you think?
Another small boat docked on the beach.
These fresh shells are ready for cooking and are available for those who are interested.
Up ahead, a Beach volleyball court. Beautiful!
A few minutes later, a fisherman approached us with his catch. I think they’re called talaba.
We had a big plate of this stuff for only Php 50. Can you believe it?
Here are our two boat drivers (can you call them drivers?) preparing our food. They do it for an extra fee.
Our fresh talaba. Ready to eat!
Jan just couldn’t wait.
The gang helping prepare the dishes.
We were the very first ones on the island. While we were eating, we saw more tourists approaching.
One of the few locals in the island. She’s making a ‘blanket’ for their fishing nets.
Pretty neat work, right?
Harry and his quest for stardom. LOL.
Thanks for this shot, Mike! I like it!
Fresh coconuts!
Ready to eat!
Our food: Grilled fish
Spicy shrimp
Grilled porkchops
Grilled squid
When we were all full, it was time to hit the water!
We left the island at around 3 in the afternoon.
Relaxing at our headquarters.
Of course, Satchmo was there, too.
Reviewing our photos before going to Sugar Beach.
All packed and ready to go!
Our ‘camp’ at Sugar Beach. Awesome!
We woke up really early for this jump shot.
A group shot before our early-morning swim.
Riding the traysikad on our way back to our headquarters.
After eating breakfast and taking a bath, we left Santa Fe for the Municipality of Bantayan. (By the way, Bantayan Island has three municipalities: Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan) Jan said that Julie’s Bakeshop’s halohalo is to die for. And so, our quest began!
Group shot in front of the public market.
A kid and his puso!
Crabs!
Dried Fish
We found Julie’s Bakeshop!
Another photos while waiting for our halohalo (which turned out to be actually really good.)
After eating, we checked out the town plaza.
This statue of Jesus is looking specially nice with the trees in the back.
The age-old church of Bantayan.
Group shot with some nice tourists we met. Hi, ladies!
Interiors of the Bantayan town church. So pretty!
After the tour, we went back to the headquarters because some of the guys had to return home to the city. A couple of us remained, however.
We decided to tour the less-popular parts of Bantayan. The island is just awesome!
We spent another night in Bantayan. The next day, we woke up early to catch the 9am boat to Cebu.
Thanks a lot to our SSC-Cebu sponsors Sir Butch and Sir Fred for allowing us to bond and have a great great time!
Visit Bantayan Island now!
Additional photos by Mike, Harry, and Jan.
Hello guys, im jealouse with your Bantayan Fun.
Kalame ba sa inyong food.
I definitely visit here on my next holiday and Camotes.
bitaw, bisita gyud sa bantayan ug camotes inig uli nimo @mam inday!
love love the pics!
lamat bai! 🙂 kuyog nya namo sunod!
beautiful place + beautiful people ………………………. the philippines have it all!
salamat sa ‘beautiful people’ sir. apil na siguro mi ana. hahahaha.
island paradise!!
been there done that, it makes alot of difference when your looking at it in a picture thought it was just a nice place but came along its a fabulous place to hang around, a truly unique peaceful island and the locals are extra nice
Wow! Splendid! […] the white beach.. the clear water..seafoods.. the green.. and of course ang redhorse! hehe
Naa lang ko nabantayan nga redhorse nga blue ang takob. hehehe. two thumbs up!
gitabunan sir kay mas gisiguro ang beer kaysa tubig. hahahaha
Wow! Sunod nakong kinabuhi, I want to come back as you, Ley. By the way, how long does it take to get there each way (bus, boat, trisikad and all)?
Hehehe. Around three hours from Cebu to Hagnaya wharf in San Remigio. Then, one hour sa boat. dayon mga 5 to ten minutes na lang from port to sugar beach. 🙂
Aw, ingon man gud nga nag-meet mo sa terminal 4am, unya you “reached Hagnaya Wharf at around seven in the evening.” Abi nako the bus rides takes an entire day. Unya, naglibog ko nganong ang mga litrato pag-abot ninyo adlawan man kung alas siete na sa gabii.
aw. evening diay sir? hahahahaha. akong i-check. lol
Very nice pictures, I did enjoy again!
ka nice sa beach wish maka anha me inig uli….
lamia sa lambay uy. . . ning samot na ug ka crisp ang pictures ley karong naka D60 ka . . . . murag kinahanglan na guro mag SLR ley…. 🙂
bitaw sir. nindot kaayo ang d60. sige lang. hopefully by christmas makatigum na ko puhon puhon. hehehehe. para timing sa sinulog! 🙂
Nice Pics! The island looks beautiful.
5 weeks to go….and i will be in Cebu 🙂
lami kaayo ang mga pag kaon ley, oct puhon pa ko uli bantayan is already in my lists of places to visit cebu…. thanks, abi naku very polluted and over tourist kaayo ang bantayan dili man diay…
@ma’am luisa: Fully booked ang mga resorts diha kon Semana Santa, pero kon Oct dili na tingali. You can also ferry your vehicle across para dili na maglisod ug travel around the island.
nice
Lovely shots Leylander. I’d love to be camping on that beach right now.
Great report, as usual Ley! Galaway gyud ko sa imong sinugbang isda, the oysters, ang sauteed shrimps, the sinugbang baboy, the lambay esp the sinugbang nokos- anything tastes good sa picnic sa dagat, no?
Can you share your friend’s wedding pics too? Just curious how weddings are done back home nowadays. I know it is very westernized now but we always have our own distinct customs that makes it truly a Pinoy wedding.
very very nice adventure of the Beautiful Bantayan. the beach is gorgeous. i’m glad you have lots of fun, Ley. envy envy ko!!!! and the food, to die for !!!!
Happy guys & yummy food in paradise! 🙂
mura kaila ko anang taga Norkis da…
I’ve been to Bantayan three years ago with my wife. We stayed at Saint Bernard and Sta. Fe Beach Club. The white beaches are indeed awesome and I love the island’s laid-back lifestyle. Hinaot maka-balik na pud ko didto. Nice pics bai!
Hi Ley!
Nindot gyud ang Bantayan Is. I was there long time ago in the late 80’s.
I really miss the fresh seafoods, super lami-ahhh…uhhhm!
Naibog gyud ko. Beautiful shots too.
thanks mam mae! 🙂
oink! love it jud! wen paman ko ka lag aning lugara oi.. :((
as in super lingaw ko sa inyo pics 🙂
Hi Ley,
It’s almost 1 am here in Singapore. Sus ginoo, kanindot sa imong mga pics 🙂 Nagpasalamat jud ko nga nakita ni nako imong blog.
I need ur suggestions about camera. Im not a professional photographer, unsa nga brand ug model sa camera nga akong paliton. kay gusto ko ma kat-on og capture nga mga pics ingon ani hehhee Unya kanang camera nga naay SLR sayon rana siya gamiton?
Paki email nalang sa ako ang imong response if naa kay time.
Mao ni ako email add. dennislupez@ymail.com
Thanks daan Ley. 🙂
“Bantayan Island is awesome!!!” I couldn’t agree more. 😉
Kanindot ba oi! Will definitely use this post of yours for future itinerary. Hehe. Unta naa kay widgets diri so I can share directly sa Facebook or Twitter kay para daghan ko maibimbita nga mga miga dinhi sa abroad nga muadto dinha =)
You have the most fun blog ever!
super kalami ang inyu mga food, makatulo sa laway, labi na ang sinugbang isda sus kalami…ibug au ku dah, ganahan namanjud hinoon ku muanha uy…as in this weekend!! thanks ley..
WOW! Ive been staying here in Cebu for three years but I haven’t gone to Bantayan yet. Im from Davao and there are also lovely resorts and islands that you can visit, but I think the Cebu island and its surrounding islands are just unique and world-class.
i love your blog! i’m from laguna and i’ve been to cebu thrice and in bantayan once… i love cebu so much, i even want to settle there. 🙂
WOW, hope I can visit this lovely island….
i like that jump shot! = D
hahaha. masil!
My family are from Bantayan Island. I missed the island so bad, thank you for posting all those wonderful pictures. I didn’t get to visit the island when I visit Cebu. It has been over 30 years since I saw Bantayan. thank you again leylander.
hello pwde mo ask ug details padong xa virgin island? coz i’ve been in sugar beach every holy week think not on this year but never been in virgin…. thanks
didto sa port sa santa fe, ask around lang ka especially ug makakita ka ug mga fishermen. kana sila, pwede na pakyawon. kamo na sabot2x pila ang prize. the island is just 15 mins from santa fe.
Meron kang idea how much kung mag dala ng motor sa bantayan. How much ang ferry fee?
i wanna visit bantayan ds summer.. wa pa jd ko nasaag dha dapita.. nice pic!
nice jud ang bantayan! 🙂
I was born in Madridejos we left and moved in Zamboanga City when I was 7..I may didn’t grew up there most of my life but it has always been the place where I was born and dream to go back and live there for good..Thanks guys for this awesome pics you are sharing for everyone to see…Tagay mga bai kay bantayan is always an awesome place to visit..
so nice santa fe, bantayan.,,…
Nathan,London, uk.
Just visiting the site of cebu,What a wonderful island to see.Luvly,breathtaking falls, beautiful beaches and sorroundings..wow.definitely i am going to visit soon.Thanks for your blog of pictures.wondeful guys..
wow ka nice like to visit there!
whats the rate in sugar beach? thanks
mark marlou ni, naa na d i ka cebu.. naa na laghe ka blog… well I’m one of your follower na… hahaha.. wui kita ta some time… nice shots….nice photos.. lav it..
Hello! I’m Ninay from Manila. I am planning to go back at Bantayan this November. My friends and I just visit that place a year ago but unfortunately, we aren’t able to go to the Virgin Island. Can you help me with regards to my inquiry? Can we stay overnight at the Virgin Island? We plan to pitch a tent if possible. Thanks a lot!
I still not made to visit Bantayan @ Camotes Is. Oh! folks when jud kaha no?
They said Bantayan Is. is like a Boracay in Cebu.
Leylander,
When you have a chance could you please revisit Bantayan Island post Yolanda?
I was curious if the island has recovered since then. I read that there was some beach erosion. I hope not too much. I’d love to visit there soon.
Queenie
Yeah will try to visit this year. 🙂