Bantayan Island is located on the northern part of the Island of Cebu. Although it was my first time in Cebu, it was not the City which I aimed to see first but the Island of Bantayan. It didn't bother me that the Island is about 139 kms from Cebu City and need to endure a long sitting hours ride because I knew it will be worth it. Maybe you'll wonder why I chose Bantayan. It was becuse I am on that age where peaceful nights and less crowded Islands are more appealing to me than the lights and sounds of the Cities. But it has been like that even when I was younger. Swear! :)
Here we come Bantayan!
1 | Going to Bantanyan Island
We arrived early in the morning at Mactan International Airport, Mactan Cebu and from there, we ride a taxi going to North Bus Terminal at Cebu City near SM Mall. It will take you a 30 mins ride to the Terminal. There was an alternative way going to the Bus Terminal from the airport if you didn't want to use a taxi by riding a multi cabs from the airport going to the city but I don't think it will directly bring you to the terminal. So just to avoid the hassle and since we were carrying a luggage, we just choose the easier way.
From the North Bus Terminal, you need to find a Ceres air-conditioned or regular bus going to Hagnaya Port. We came in the terminal without a bus yet in line going Hagnaya but there were already line of people waiting for the bus so we just fall in line and so a few minutes after, the bus came. Make sure you will find a comfy seat because the ride will last for three (3) hours.
After that 3 hours bus ride, we came almost noon at Hagnaya Port. We pay and wait for the Ferry to disembarked. Although a little hungry ,we saved our stomach for Bantayan. The ferry has an air conditioned room and an open area. We chose the air-conditioned room that came with a TV and it was actually the same price with the regular seat on the open area. Although we had avoided the heat outside, the disadvantage was the room had a loud noise due to some mechanical machine located outside the room. We didn't got a glimpse of the ocean also which I regret most. So I told myself that we will sit on the open area on our way back.
Waiting area at Hagnaya Port
2 | Arrival at Bantayan Island
At last after an hour of ferry ride, the clear turquoise water welcomed us. I was amazed because considering that most of the docked area I saw were already polluted with dirt and oil, the Sta. Fe Port was clean, the water seems unaffected. It even looked like a big swimming pool. From the Port, you can already have a view of the white sand and numbers of resorts. Once you landed on the Port, there will be pedicabs and tricycles waiting to bring you to your destination.
We stayed at Anika Island Resort. You can check my resort's photos and review Here.
3 | Around Sta. Fe Beach/Alice Beach
Our resort is part of the Sta. Fe Municipality, the eastern part of Bantayan Island. The shore was opposite of the setting sun, so you cannot have a sunset view by the beach but the best thing was the beach has a large shore especially during low tide. All the resorts have a good distance from the beach and I want to applaud the Municipality for that. Bantayan was also not crowded. Sometimes it felt like you have the beach all by yourself.
The view of Sta. Fe Port from the front of our Resort
4 | Getting Around Bantayan
There's a lot to do and see at Bantayan. But there comes a time that you just want to sit and just let the time pass doing nothing but enjoying the view. And probably that was what happened to us. The shore of Sta. Fe, those white sand bar and the clear water has been more than enough. Although we went out of our resort, we failed to visit some of the famous spots like Ogtong Cave and do snorkeling to other parts of the Island. But I intend to do it on the next visit (hopefully soon). The only Island we visited was the Virgin Island which is worth of a separate post (i'll work on that).
We went out of the resort to try other places where we can have a meal and have a look of the community around. Bantayan has three kinds of public transport. The pedicab, tricycle and a multicab. If you will just go around Sta. Fe, the most available transport is the pedicab with a minimum fare of P10 each person. Most of the time, they were just waiting outside the resorts. It took around 10 to 15 minutes going to Sta. Fe Town. There were few restaurants and hotel/transient house around the area. And please take note that the town has no fast food which I found good although the down grade was the lack of big groceries and medicine stores. Even at Bantayan Town, there was no Mercury drug or 7/11. So better pack a complete medicines because their stores offer ordinary/regular medicines only.
The Town usually builds a crowd of tourists at night since the Sta. Fe beach sleeps early. The shore was quiet and dark as early as 7 PM unless your resort has their own entertainment. And the streets were also dark, there were no street lights at that time and since most of the houses were scattered apart, there was no other source of light but the moon. I remember having our dinner at Town and went home at 8 PM riding a pedicab which happened to be unlighted also. It was really dark and it got even darker when we reached the street that intersects the Port area. There was a long stretch of empty lot. We didn't see any light and it was only us on the street. Ha ha. I am just laughing now but during that time, I was really nervous. Thankfully we were back to the resort safe and I think Bantayan is a harmless community. What I was worried about was a possible accident in the road. I don't know if the absence of street lights was because of the typhoon Yolanda which hit the Island a few months before we came. Hopefully they can do something about it.
Roaming around, this Coucou Bar Hotel and Restaurant caught my attention. To view my post about it, click Here.
The day before we left, we visited the Bantayan Town to buy danggit and other dried seafood since they said it was cheaper there than in the City. The Town was 30 to 40 minutes from our resort riding a multicab. And considering that you are in a rustic province where there was actually no traffic, you can imagine how far it was. From our multicab, we saw a glimpse of Bantayan. The simplicity of the Town, the silence in which I remember the place I grown up where street was usually empty. The street was clean of garbage and plants of green were everywhere. Oh, that laid back life!
I was impressed when I see the center of Bantayan Town. There was no garbage. The town was unbelievably clean. You can't even find a single candy wrapper scattered around. I salute the people of Bantayan and it's government. Everything is possible if everyone is willing to do their share. The cleanest Town that I have seen yet in my life.
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
There was an on-going development on the Church when we came.
5 | Leaving Bantayan
Sta. Fe Port
I will always remember Bantayan in three words. Simple, clean and quiet. And I hope they stay like that despite the changes that tomorrow brings. Being there was a breath of fresh air. There was no night life like Boracay and no extreme activities like the Southern Cebu part offers so you will surely be rejuvenated after your visit. Because what they offer is a fresh, relaxing vacation in which everyone deserves once in a while.
x o x o
Faith
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