Ultimate Guide to the Stunning Getaway That is Bantayan Island

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Bantayan Island is a jewel (among many) of the Philippines. This small island is home to one of the least developed beaches in the country (though this is changing thanks to a ghastly 7-storey, 5-star resort that is currently under construction). 

For such a small island, you will be surprised at just how many fun things to do in Bantayan there are – from the picture-postcard white sand beaches of Sante Fe, the stunning Virgin Island with its unbeatable snorkeling, to the Obo-obo mangrove and the recently restored St Peters & St Paul Church. You might even see a turtle or two!

You will need at least three days in Bantayan to see its main sites. I’ve been to Bantayan Island no fewer than five times, so you can trust me when I say that you will fall in love with the place and find yourself just wanting to stay another day.

So, if you are looking for that perfect island getaway then why not give Bantayan a try?

Before You Go: Key tips for Bantayan Island

Filipinos speak English very well, so you can communicate with just about everyone very easily. Please remember to be polite – even when you are frustrated by something – as Filipinos are incredibly respectful and friendly. It would be great if we could all do our bit to keep it that way. 

Cash

While the Philippines is developing quickly, it does still require a little extra planning to ensure you don’t get caught out. The perfect example of this is ATMs. 

Currently, there is just one ATM in Santa Fe town. This can easily get emptied out over the weekend when holidaying locals flock to the island for a weekend break. While the top-end resorts and some shops do take credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), the Philippines is still a cash economy. 

So, to make sure you don’t get caught out, I recommend carrying extra pesos for emergencies.  Alternatively, you can set up a GCash account and use the app to pay in most stores and hotels. 

Sunscreen

I advise bringing good quality sunscreen as the sun is intense on the island. Local shops do sell sunscreen but they are not the mainstream top-end brands like Nivea, etc. that you’ll recognize.

Wi-Fi

Finally, don’t expect super-fast Wi-Fi 24/7. Bantayan is a remote island and though, at the time of writing, I’m getting 32mb/s on Google’s speed tester, this is by no means something to set your watch by.

How to get to Bantayan

Bantayan Island will take you half a day to get to from Cebu City unless you happen to have the money for a private airplane. There were a couple of commercial flights from Cebu but they are no longer running at the time of writing.

Buses and minivans run from Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal, which is next to the Radisson Hotel (the most expensive in Cebu City). You will be heading to the port of Hagnaya.

As you might expect, the minivans are faster and have better air-conditioning (not so much the case if you are crammed right in the back). At the time of writing, the minivans cost PHP 600 (US$10) versus the bus at PHP 260 (US$4.50). I prefer the bus as I like traveling with the locals and they are often only half full whereas the minivan will not leave until it’s full.

Once at Hagnaya, you will need to pay the ferry fee (PHP 300-500 (US$5-9) depending on the company) and port tax which is currently PHP 25 (US$0.50).

While the minivan will drop you at the port, a few of the buses do go over on the ferry to drop passengers in Santa Fe as well as Bantayan town further up the coast. You can ask at the bus terminal the direction of travel. The ticket checker on the bus will offer to upgrade your ticket for around PHP 40 (US$0.70) on the bus as the ticket counter in the bus station doesn’t sell the thru-ticket for some reason. 

If you took the bus to Santa Fe then you will be within walking distance of your hotel. If you walk on / walk off the ferry then you can pay a trike (motorbike sidecar) around PHP 50-100 (US$0.90-$1.80) to take you to your hotel. 

Why visit Bantayan Island

If Bantayan Island’s beaches were in North America or Europe, they would be some of the most famous in the world. While the Santa Fe beaches do suffer from a very shallow incline (meaning you have to go out quite far to get deep) they are straight out of a postcard. 

The sand shift usually creates a small lagoon that allows you to relax in bath-temperature water; however, this year, for the first time, there is not one, presumably due to the way the sand has shifted in the storms this year. The ocean water temperature is pretty warm, too. In any case, most people prefer the ocean due to the high air temperatures. 

The island is a paradise with so much to do. There is a hundred reasons why you should add Bantayan to your list of places to visit on your next trip.

When to visit Bantayan

Most foreigners visit Bantayan during the dry season that runs from May until November. If you visit during the rainy season, it will be a lot less busy.

Where to stay in Bantayan

I have stayed at a number of places in Bantayan over the years. For those of you wanting the 5-star experience, you might have to wait a little while until they complete the new seaside resort. 

However, there are plenty of places that I think offer a much better and more authentic experience. I will start with the top end. 

Top-end resort

Anika Island Resort is the resort that everyone wants to stay at. It is located right next to the ferry so you will see its pristine private beach when you arrive. The resort is located in a very quiet area and has all the mod cons that you will need for a comfortable stay. 

Mid-range beachside

I really like Jelly’s Haven Resort. It is really the best value for money place as it is clean, has good facilities and is right on the beach. 

If you want to save a little more money and don’t mind walking to the beach, I recommend Adelaida Pensionne Hotel. It has incredibly spacious rooms that feature a table and chair area and balcony. The staff here went out of their way to get me medicine when I fell ill with a small fever while staying here a few years ago. 

Budget

My last stay was in Edsan Apartment. I chose Edsan because the owner Jeanne is about the friendliest Filipina on the island and is actually almost in tears each time I leave. It offers basic fan rooms or larger, as well as more expensive air-conditioned ones.

It is a basic stay but has some cool spots to chill that feature seashells, hammocks, etc. Jeanne loves dogs and has no less than nine very, very friendly and well-behaved dogs. For those seeking the authentic Filipino experience, I can’t recommend staying here more highly. 

The best of the things to do on Bantayan Island

1. Santa Fe Beaches

The beaches are littered with small bars and restaurants where you can get cool local beers and excellent seafood while relaxing in the peace of the place. 

2. St Peters & St Paul Church 

St Peters & St Paul Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The original was destroyed and rebuilt several times (the current one dates to 1839). This beautiful church is a sight in itself to see, and has become a bit of a selfie mecca.

Outside, its 15th-century façade and bell tower are a sight to behold. However, it is the inside that holds the biggest surprise. In 2019, the church had new murals that tell the story of the Creation, the Fall of Man, and Redemption painted on the ceiling by local artists. I won’t ruin the surprise except to say that this church ceiling has to be one of the most magnificent in the Philippines. 

3. Ogtong Cave Pool

Just up the coast is Ogtong Cave Pool, wherein visitors can jump in and take a break from the mid-day heat in its cool waters. You walk down some slightly slippery steps into an opening and the cave scratches out about 20 meters inside. It is very safe and suitable for children.

4. Omagieca mangroves at Obo-obo

Just a bit further down the coast is my favorite attraction on Bantayan Island, the Omagieca mangroves at Obo-obo. 

This is a big mangrove park that has been built into high walkways so that visitors can literally walk out over the ocean in the mangroves. At high tide, you will see lots of fish, while at low tide there are crabs and lots of birds. 

5. Visit Virgin Island

If you love beaches, the right choice is to book a boat to Virgin Island. There is an entry fee on top of the tour price. When I went there it was PHP 250 (US$4.30) but worth every penny. The coral around the island makes for amazing snorkeling, so definitely head there for an afternoon or more.

6. Eat local food

I love to wander up and down the beach and just pick a restaurant. The food in all of them is fresh from the market that morning so tastes great. I’ve eaten at most of them and the food is pretty good. If you are nervous about your stomach then you might be better off going to the more upmarket restaurants on the main street.

7. Watch the sunset from Northern Bantayan (only in dry season)

Head to the northern tip of the island to watch the breathtaking sunsets. You will get some stunning pictures if you are lucky with the weather. 

8. Visit my secret beach

If you continue along the coast road from the caves, you will discover my secret beach. There is an old, abandoned house which is a Filipino selfie spot so just look out for loads of people taking selfies. Here you can climb down and find a secret beach that no one goes to. It is only tiny but you will be alone. Enjoy! But please keep it a secret.

9. Ride around the island

I recommend biking around the whole island. The west side gives you all the sea views, while on the north you will get to pass through Filipino villages that are untouched by tourism. Expect lots of people shouting hello and waving at you. 

And some others…

A few other activities I really enjoyed were visiting Balibad Lagoon, getting a massage in Santa Fe, sampling some fresh food, and playing billiards in a local pool hall. You can snorkel, dive, windsurf, and skydive here (though I’m not that crazy). 

That’s it! If you’re considering adding Bantayan Island to your Philippines travel itinerary, consider this your sign – from someone who knows the island inside out. As an added bonus, it is only a short island hop away from Malapasqua Island where you can dive with thresher sharks.

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