Bantayan Island Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary

Bantayan Island Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary

Philippines Travel Guides Team

Travel Diary for Day 3-4:

Our first two days in the Philippines (Day 1-2) were spent exploring Metro Manila, the country’s capital city. Watching the spectacular sunset in Manila Bay was remarkable. We shopped at the world's third-largest mall, and visited Fort Santiago in Intramuros and Rizal Park in Ermita. 

On the next two days (Day 3-4) of our Philippine Adventure Travel, we explored Bantayan Island in the Northwestern part of Cebu, where we  got to know stunning beaches in the Central Visayas area.

Day 3: How do we get from Cebu City to Bantayan Island?

23 February:

It was the third day (Day 3) of our Philippines Adventure trip. At 3 a.m, we left Cebu City at the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City, Central Visayas by a provincial bus. It took us about 4 hours of bumpy travel to reach the Port of Hagnaya in San Remigio Cebu, Central Visayas. The bus was loaded and transferred via RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) to Santa Fe Port on Bantayan Island, Central Visayas area.

It was raining heavily when we arrived at the port, so we hopped on a tricycle (a Filipino motorbike with a sidecar) to get accommodation on Bantayan Island. We had no idea about the best accommodations in Bantayan and just thought that Mayet Beach Resort, situated in Santa Fe Cebu, Central Visayas Area, was an ideal place to stay and wait for the rain to stop. The rooms were very standard without any luxury, but it was just fine.

After the rain, we went to Caffe del Mare Ristorante, an Italian restaurant located in the city center of Santa Fe, Central Visayas, and enjoyed a delectable dinner. The food was unbelievably good, with fresh tomatoes on the bruschetta and pizza from a wood-fired oven.

Sounds tempting, isn’t it?

Google My Maps Bantayan Island Travel Adventures: Day 3-4

If you are planning a visit to Bantayan Island, check out the Google My Maps below to experience activities and adventures and get to know different routes and directions, accommodations to stay, attractions to visit, and restaurants to dine in. Visit the Bantayan Island Travel Google My Map to learn more about our Philippines Travel routes and adventures.

Day 4: How Do We Explore the Beaches of Bantayan Island?


24 February:

It was the fourth day (Day 4) of our Philippines adventure trip. At 5:30 a.m., we headed to Sugar Beach in Bantayan Island to get a glimpse of the sunrise. The resort is located in Sta. Fe Bantayan Island, Central Visayas. After taking a few good photos of the beautiful view of the beach, we went back to the resort for breakfast, where we met Julia and Iwan. Julia is one of Zak's colleagues from Australia.

By Motorbike to Sandira Beach

Are you excited to know how we toured around the spectacular Bantayan Island? Well, listen up. We had some time left, so we rented two motorbikes (XRM) and went on a small tour to Sandira Beach with the others. The beach is top-notch but quite hard to find. But, with the help of a few locals, we managed to reach it after all.

You should know that Filipinos truly appreciate guests who can speak some of the useful Filipino words & phrases when coming to the Philippines?

Before we were allowed to get into the Sandira Beach, we had to pay an entrance fee, which is absolutely worth it. There weren't many people that time, so we enjoyed the beach’s crystal-clear water and white powdery sand. We relaxed on the seaside, took some fantastic shots, and flew the drone over the beautiful coast.

Back in Santa Fe, we went to the Italian restaurant once again for dinner. We just can’t get enough of the great- tasting foods that were served to us the night before. Visiting Bantayan Island was truly a remarkable experience.

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What are the Top Things to do in Bantayan Island?

As a must-visit eco-tourism spot, Bantayan Island is an adventure destination in the Philippines that boasts its pristine beaches, impressive natural formations, pleasurable nature views, and interesting heritage structures. It is situated in the northmost part of Cebu, Central Visayas.

If you want to know the top things to do in Bantayan Island, check this out.

  • A Bantayan Island adventure can never be complete without tasting its delectable delicacies. A few of these mouth-watering Bantayan Island delicacies are Panyang’s pizza and pancakes, sweet scallops, seafood, burritos, deep-fried chimichangas, and fruit shakes.

    If you have a sweet tooth, try Biko, Cebu’s most famous recipes especially during Holy Week. It is a sticky rice cake made from caramelized coconut cream or latik, sweetened coco milk, a few bits of ginger, and sugar. Another promising Filipino dessert is Binignit, a sweet soup of combined tapioca pearls, jackfruit, taro, sweet potato or kamote, coconut milk, and bananas.

    For a perfect pasalubong (anything that is brought home after a trip), grab Masareal. It is a sweet Filipino delicacy made from sugar and finely-ground boiled peanuts.

  • Level up your Bantayan Island experience by a motorbike tour. For around PHP 350 or USD 7 per day, you can go on adventures in this fun-filled tourist destination and discover less-traveled locations that will wow you for sure.

    Some of the toughest challenges when exploring Bantayan Island by motorbike are the lack of road signages, unpaved roads, and unfamiliarity with the area. Although Google destination maps can be helpful when traveling around Bantayan, self-guided adventure travelers find poor internet signal as a huge challenge. Fortunately, locals in the Philippines are helpful and hospitable to guests who ask for directions.

  • Ogtong Cave is located in Pooc, Sta. Fe Bantayan Island in Central Visayas. In particular, you can see the cave inside the Ogtong Cave Resort. Paired with the island’s tropical temperature, seeing tourists taking a refreshing swim in its cool and clean waters is a usual sight.

    To protect the cave from being overused as a result of mass tourism, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines takes control of its operation to the public, which is why it is temporarily closed sometimes.

  • Bantayan Island is known for its breathtaking sunrise and sunset. So, pull up a chair at the eastern side of the island’s beachfront and start the day with a beautiful sunrise view. Set the alarm at 5 a.m. to catch Bantayan Island’s breathtaking sunrise.

    When the sun goes down at around 6 p.m. tourists can get to experience the beauty of Bantayan island at dusk. Madridejos and Santa Fe make the best sunrise view spots in Bantayan. Meanwhile, Bontay Baywalk and Kota Beach are worth-a-visit for its magnificent sunset.

  • If you are on Bantayan Island, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish is a must-see attraction. Built during the Spanish era, this centuries-old parish can be seen in Bantayan City, Central Visayas, and served as the first stop for Spanish priests upon reaching the Philippines in 1580.

    Isn’t it fascinating to know that although this historic church was destroyed by Muslim rebels and some natural disasters in 1600, it stood against all odds up to this time? After approximately two decades of reconstruction, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish was restored using coral stones from Bantayan Island.

    Inside the parish lies a tiny museum containing significant pieces of the Philippines’ rich culture and remains of the Spanish era. During Holy Week and festivities, around 20,000 tourists crowd inside it. However, to be allowed to go inside the parish, you need to have a confirmed appointment from its staff.

What are the Best Accommodations in Bantayan Island?

Being one of the most-loved adventure destinations in the Philippines, accommodations in Bantayan are made available to ensure a convenient and pleasurable stay for all its guests. 


Beachfront hotels are ideal for a more relaxing stay; while, privately-owned homes used as vacation rentals are ideal for group travelers. Budget-friendly accommodations with basic amenities make a good pick too. No matter what type of accommodation you have in mind, Bantayan Island has a handful of accommodations in-store for you.  

  • How much do Backpacker Hostels in Bantayan Island Cost?

    Backpacker hostels in Bantayan Island make a good choice for budget-travelers. You can see dormitory-style transient hostels, inns, lodges, studio-type rooms, apartments, and family rooms in almost every corner of the island. No doubt why backpacker hostels are popular among adventure-seekers and tourists to the Philippines.

    The approximate average cost of these accommodations ranges from PHP 1100 or USD 22 to PHP 1600 or USD 32 per night. Fortunately, some backpacker hostels in Bantayan Island provide lockable storage for your luggage, Wi-Fi connection, shared garden, lounge, bar, washers, and kitchen or barbecue facilities.

  • What is the average cost of budget hotels on Bantayan Island?

    Are you wondering how much a beachfront budget hotel room costs? Here’s the catch. For as low as PHP 700 or USD 14 per night, you can enjoy a wonderful stay in any of the budget hotels in Bantayan Island that offers free internet access, a parking space, and a shared kitchen. But travelers who do not want to prepare their own meals can order food at the hotel’s in-house restaurant or pay an additional of approximately PHP 200 or USD 4 per person for breakfast.

  • What are the Most Luxurious Hotels in Bantayan Island?

    As Bantayan Island continues to dig its way to eco-adventure travels, accommodation partners take on the challenge to offer a taste of luxury to its guests. Get pampered with the best accommodation you can get in the luxurious 3-star hotels in Bantayan.

  • How is Airbnb in Bantayan Island?

    While having a vacation in the less-trafficked but equally enchanting island of Bantayan, Western Cebu, a wide array of Airbnb rentals and accommodation awaits you. So, feel free to choose one based on your needs, preferences, and budget.

    Enjoying the astonishing gift of nature does not have to be troublesome because you can see many seafront vacation rentals and summer houses in Bantayan Island. Local and international tourists prefer Airbnb accommodations for its suitability for group travels.

    Isn’t it amazing to find a comfortable accommodation that can house around 16 guests? Another marvelous thing about Airbnb accommodations is its facilities and services offered like kitchen and dining area, living room, and terrace overseeing the stunning sea view. If you are a solo traveler, you’ll find a studio Airbnb accommodation ideal because of its cool and light ambiance.

How Do We Get Back from Bantayan Island to Cebu City?

The public ride was the main mode of transportation for our entire Philippines Travel Adventure. This means that getting back from Bantayan Island to Cebu City requires you to catch the bus and RoRo (Roll on, Roll off) ferry on time. You will be excited to know that public transportation in the Philippines is a thrilling but pretty challenging adventure. Deciding on the mode of transportation to use when moving around the Philippines all depends on your budget and convenience. 

The drive was quite an adventure because the driver wanted to get back to Cebu as quickly as possible. We could feel that very strongly. Upon arrival, we retrieved our luggage from the hood on the side of the bus. We saw a load of sea mussels placed next to our bags, and with the driver's fast and adventurous driving style, the buckets lost some of their liquid contents and soaked our luggage. It made everything inside it smell ocean-like. 

Back in Cebu City, we checked into the Anri Pensionhouse in Villa Amores Street, Cebu City (Central Visayas Region). We initially planned to have dinner there, but we never made it to the restaurant because we were too tired to grab something to eat.

Note: Be prepared to take time to travel by public road vehicles as traffic jams, roads under construction, and other unexpected challenges are normal travel scenarios.

Why Did We Create the Philippines Travel Guide?


Zak and Dani created the Philippines Travel Guide while on 51 days Philippines travel adventure in 2017. Focused on the idea to explore travel routes and documenting location information by using the Google Maps application in the Philippines.

We created a detailed Philippines travel diary each day about our Philippines eco-adventure traveling experiences, including the production of pictures and videos of our trip through the Philippine archipelago.

Philippines Travel Guide is passionate about helping other self-minded adventure travel lovers, to make the best out of the trip to the Philippines by providing real information that passionate travelers and enthusiasts need to know about the archipelago.

Philippines Travel Guide is an ongoing process to work out public shared and detailed Google MyMaps of the entire Philippines to provide easy navigation for travelers.

This website also contains a collection of interesting authentic insights and travel tips and tricks and destinations in the Philippines.

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SUMMARY: Bantayan Island Adventure Tours


Bantayan Island, one of Cebu Province’s top tourist attractions, offers an experience of beautiful beaches, caves, historic churches, and simple island life for adventure travelers in the Philippines. The island, lacking ultramodern buildings, is an ideal escape from the hustle of the city and reconnect with nature.

Our Bantayan Island adventures in the Visayas area brought us to powdery white-sanded beaches and delectable foods-serving restaurants. We enjoyed watching the spectacular sunrise view at Sugar Beach and took postcard-perfect shots of the beach’s turquoise waters. The entire Bantayan experience was made more remarkable by touring around the island by a rented motorbike where we came to know friendly and helpful locals.

Check out our Bantayan travel guide blog to get more extensive insider tips and must-visit destinations on Bantayan Island.

For the next two days in the Philippines adventure diary (Day 5-6), we continued to explore the beautiful city of Cebu, in the Central Visayas Region.

Cebu City and South Cebu Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary

Cebu City and South Cebu Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary
Manila Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary

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