Visiting Virgin Island, Bantayan

Location : Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

Boat Dilemma
One of the main attractions in Bantayan Island is a boat tour to Virgin Island where snorkeling can be enjoyed. For a lone traveler, it was difficult getting there as there is no regular passenger boat that goes there. I had to charter an entire boat or tag along a bigger group as a joiner. Luckily, the group in my hotel allowed me to join them.

Virgin Island
Virgin Island is a well-staffed privately owned island. But you don't go around the entire island. They have a manicured area where sand and grass are groomed with ample picnic huts, lounge chairs and hammocks. The hammocks and lounge chairs are free. The beach area has fine white sand much like the Bantayan beaches. They have a swim section for fish-feeding, and another section for 'snorkeling in the marine sanctuary'. You are allowed to bring food. I am not sure if they sell anything on the island. The entire area is well-maintained.

Entrance Fee
I asked the staff and even the general manager why the odd fee of P250/head for the first 2, then P100/pax for the 3rd and subsequent people in the group. Why not just charge a flat fee for every visitor like the conventional practice? No one knew why. They just said that's how the owner wanted it.

Fish Feeding
I went to the fish feeding area expecting to see a coral reef teeming with tropical marine fishes of every color. All I saw was a sandy bottom with coral rubble and a few fishes. There was really nothing there.

Marine Santuary
Again, I thought maybe this is where I see the coral reef and a vibrant marine biodiversity. Again, I was disappointed. It was just a grassy sandy bottom with sea urchin colonies and a few star fishes. That was it! All the snorkeling hype at the mainland was unfounded.

fine white sand and clear blue waters at Virgin Island

2 Singaporeans
Singaporeans have money and are willing to spend. But they are quick to complain when they feel they are being taken advantaged of. The 2 ladies I met paid P1000 for a boat, P500 entrance fee and P600 for a shaded picnic table. They were not impressed at the pricing system.

Mask and Snorkel
The system at Bantayan isn't that streamlined or professional yet in some areas. The 2 Singaporean ladies I talked to had such a dilapidated set of mask/snorkel that they rented out from a high-end resort! A worn-out interior strap was used on a rusty mask! The one I rented out had prescription lenses and a leaky snorkel! Things seem left to chance. You'd been warned.

Ending Thoughts
Virgin Island is beautiful, BUT! There is nothing there in the way of snorkeling unless you want to see a sandy bottom with 2-ft high grass and a few star fish and sea urchins. Also, the cost for 2 people is unreasonably high - P500 entrance fee for both? P600 for a shed? Additionally, without the snorkeling activity, it doesn't offer anything unique you can't get in your resort at Bantayan.

However, for a big group making a day tour without checking-in to any of the Bantayan resorts, it does make sense - more people to split the boat fee, entrance fee is averaged lower, and even a P600 shed comes out cheap if 12 people chip-in. They are allowed to bring food so the cost is averaged down.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Next Traveling story:

Exploring Bogo City, Cebu

(January 10-12, 2017) I had to leave Bantayan Island as soon as the ferry resumed operations or risk being stranded again due to Typhoon Auring. Malapascua was no longer appealing, given the weather. Where to go? From the map, I saw a blip, not too far away from the San Remigio mainland port...Bogo City. Not knowing what's there, I defaulted to it....more »»

Virgin Island Info

Bantayan Island Info

Google Map: Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

tourist attractions

• Virgin Island - island with marine sanctuary, P250/pax entrance fee for first 2 pax, then P100/pax
• St. Peter and Paul Church - built in June 11, 1580, it is claimed to be the first and oldest parish established in Cebu
• Paradise Beach - stretch of white sand beach on the south east of Bantayan Island
• Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden - mangrove forest, P25 entrance
• Fort of Kota Park - fort built in 1790 with limestone, coral and eggs!

beach resorts

• North Ville Beach Resort - beach front bungalows
  Talisay, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu
  0943.478.7080 | 11°09'40.0"N 123°48'21.8"E

Cebu Province Info

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