Top Bantayan Island Tourist Spots [Cebu, Philippines]

LOOKING FOR A LIST OF BANTAYAN ISLAND TOURIST SPOTS?

If you’re planning a trip to Bantayan island, you’re in the right place.

Ryk and I have traveled to Bantayan island twice now, exploring everything it has to offer to uncover the best things to do.

Boasting of turquoise blue waters and white sand, Bantayan Island is one of the most frequently visited places in Cebu. It is one of the venues of the famous Filipino movie ‘Camp Sawi’. Asking one of the locals about Bantayan island, he said “if you’re looking for the best beaches in Cebu, we have it here.”

Whether you’re into a laid-back beach time or into outdoor adventures, Bantayan island has it all. From the famous Kota beach to the hidden gems in Kabangbang, I’ve compiled the best spots to help you plan the perfect itinerary!

Bantayan Island at a Glance

Bantayan Island is a must-visit if you love the sea, the beach, and the island life. The island has three different municipalities, Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan so don’t be confused when the locals will tell you “Ah, you’ll find that in Santa Fe not here in Bantayan”.

At first, I thought they were talking about the island, so I thought Santa Fe was another island, but then I learned that Bantayan is another municipality within Bantayan Island.

A few years back, Bantayan Island was just a fishing village. When people heard of the place, it became a go-to place for laid-back island life. Most often, people visiting Malapascua island would go to Bantayan island and vice versa.

Well, if you plan on doing a DIY trip. I suggest you check out both Malapascua island and Bantayan island.

Related Article: Malapascua Island: A Travel Guide For Non-Divers

Languages Spoken: Bantayanon, Tagalog, and English

ATMS on the island: There are only two ATMs on the island. Always have some cash with you before going to Bantayan Island because the ATMs run out of cash early during the day.

Transportation around Bantayan Island: There are only motorbikes, tricycles, and boats around Bantayan island to bring you from one place to another.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit is during the Habagat season (November to April) since the waters are clearer during these months. This is also the dry season.

Times to Avoid: Avoid traveling to Bantayan Island during the Holy Week as this is when most Filipinos go on a vacation.

Major Festivals in Bantayan Island:

• Palawod Festival – June 29
• Semana Santa (Holy Week) – the date varies every year but it’s usually around the last weeks of March or early weeks of April
• Isda Festival – December 8
• Kinhason Festival – January 15-16

How To Get There

You have 3 options when traveling to Bantayan island. From Cebu city, you can either ride a bus, a van or hire a private car to Hagnaya port. Then from Hagnaya port Cebu, ride a ferry to Bantayan Island.

Travel time from Cebu city to Hagnaya port is usually 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic. Ferry travel is around 2 hours.

We dive into what you need to know in our Cebu to Bantayan island guide.

Heading back to Cebu City is easy. Just catch the Ceres bus right next to the port; it goes directly to the city. First, purchase your ferry ticket at the ticketing office, then board the bus. The bus will be loaded onto the ferry, and that’s when you’ll need to disembark and find a seat on the ferry. Once you reach Hagnaya port in Cebu, you’ll reboard the bus for the final leg of your trip into Cebu City.

Travel Tip: Check schedules and availability of buses, ferries, taxis or flights to book online with 12Go Asia.

Bantayan Island Tourist Spots

When planning a trip to Bantayan Island, these are some must-see spots that you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Kota Beach

This place is a favorite among beach-goers.  During summer, it can get pretty crowded but it’s a place that you shouldn’t miss.

Known for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters, this beach offers a tranquil escape. Whether you’re looking to lounge under the sun, take a leisurely swim, or simply enjoy the stunning views, Kota Beach is the perfect spot. Its iconic sandbar and picturesque views make it ideal for those Instagram-worthy shots.

Love staying near the beach? Book your stay at Kota Beach Resort. t’s a budget-friendly option with a fantastic location on the island. And if you have the extra budget, choose the beachfront rooms to get the best beach view. They tend to get fully booked quickly, so it’s a good idea to book in advance.

The Ruins and The Cliff Diving Site

Just after Ogtong Cave is the famous ruins. It’s the perfect spot for some sweet and romantic photoshoots. The blue waters below also make it great for a cliff dive.

But honestly? The real gem of this place isn’t the ruins – it’s the incredible clear blue waters by the cliffs. There’s a set of stairs that take you right down to the water, so you can swim as much as you want. The place is especially lively with locals on weekends and holidays. And you’ve got to catch the sunset view – it’s absolutely unforgettable!

Sandira Beach

The first time we went there years back, it was known as Paradise Beach. There was some construction nearby and it was high tide, so we only had a little bit of sand to enjoy. But on our next visit, things had changed – the place was split into two: Sandira Beach and Paradise Campsite. We learned from the locals that 2 siblings divided the land, each taking a portion.

You can get to the beach through either Sandira or the campsite. Sandira charges a bit more for entry, but it’s super convenient because the parking lot is just a few meters from the beach. If you go through Paradise Campsite, be prepared for a bit of a walk to reach the beach.

The beach itself? It’s gorgeous! Fine, creamy white sand and clear turquoise-blue waters – perfect for swimming. You might even spot small fish darting around in the water. And don’t even get me started on the sunsets – they’re amazing!

Paradise Campsite

On our first day heading to Sandira Beach, we trusted Google Maps and, funny enough, got a bit lost and ended up at Paradise Campsite instead. It turned out to be a cheaper option for entry, so that was a win.

Paradise Campsite is really green and pastoral – you’ll see plenty of cows just chilling and grazing around. If you’re into the idea of camping near the beach, you can pitch a tent there. There’s even a staircase that leads straight down to the beach.

Just a tip: the road to the campsite is kind of rough, so if you’re driving, brace yourself for a bit of a bumpy ride.

Obo-ob Mangrove Garden

The Obo-ob Mangrove garden & eco-park is a place that promotes environmental conservation and awareness. There are bamboo walk paths built all over the place so be prepared to walk a lot.

Here, you can climb the bamboo tower for a great view of the garden, hop on a kayak, feed the fish, and try the delicious food from the in-house restaurant.

Ogtong Cave

This is a small cave that boasts a natural pool where you can dip all your worries away. Located within Santa Fe Beach Resort, you have to pay a P200 fee to access Ogtong Cave as well as the resort’s amenities.

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If you only want to see the cave and nothing more, I personally don’t think it’s worth it to pay that much.

Kabangbang Quarries

While planning our trip, I discovered the Kabangbang Quarries. On the third day, we decided to take a motorcycle loop around the island with our friends and made a stop at the quarries. This place is actually the result of limestone mining and extraction. At first, it looks like natural rock formations, but if you look closely, you can spot the marks from the backhoes. Also, a well-known landmark on the way there is a large white cross with a church right beneath it.

Top Things To Do

You’ll never run out of things to do and places to visit here on Bantayan Island. Here are our most recommended activities to do.

Island Hopping

Island hopping is a must-try! You can find a lot of boatmen offering island hopping tours around Bantayan Island or you can ask your accommodation and they’ll refer you to some boatmen. Here, you will be able to visit the Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island. Virgin Island collects an entrance fee for visitors.

Land Tour

As for the land tour, many tricycle drivers offer this. They’ll bring you to the Paradise Beach, Mangroves Garden, The Ruins and Cliff Diving Site, Ogtong Cave and Kota Beach. If you want to check out Kota Park and the St. Peter and Paul Church, be prepared to pay extra since these places are very far from the main town.

Food Trip

MJ Square is the most popular place on Bantayan Island when it comes to food and restaurants. Here, you will find a lot of restaurants ranging from those offering eat-all-you-can seafood (which is seasonal), pastries, Filipino dishes, and a whole lot more.

Sky Diving

If you want to try sky diving, check out Skydive Greater Cebu. You’ll have to pay around P15,000 to P18,000 (300 USD to 360 USD).

If you’re planning a trip around other parts of Cebu, here’s a list of the other crazy fun things to do in Cebu.

Getting Around

The only way to get around is by tricycle, motorcycle, or bike. You can rent a bike for as low as P150 (3 USD) good for 24 hours and a motorcycle for around P300 (6 USD).

Where to Stay

We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights in Bantayan and opted for two different places to stay in.

Where We Stayed

Kandugyap House By The Sea

The first place is Kandugyap House By The Sea. I created a separate blog post on the Kandugyap House by the Sea if you want to check it out. I’d definitely recommend this place if you love to experience hogging a resort to yourself. There is only 3 accommodation in this resort so book fast.

When we went there, there was only us and another couple. There’s a swimming pool here, as well as a private beach area.

BOOK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED RATES

Kota Beach Resort

For our second night, I reserved a room at Kota Beach Resort. If you’re on a budget, you can book the standard room which is what I booked.

The room couldn’t compare to what Kandugyap had to offer so I was a bit disappointed since their price is nearly the same. If you have a bit of cash to spare, definitely book the huts, especially the beachfront one. You won’t regret it. I was so mad at myself for not booking that one but oh well it was almost twice the price of the room we booked.

I have a separate blog post about our stay in Kota Beach Resort.

BOOK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED RATES

Related Article: Kota Beach Resort: Bantayan Island’s White Beach

Other Recommended Accommodations

Find Affordable Accommodations in Bantayan Island[

Here are other places I’d recommend to book:

Budget

• Jumema Apartment – Check Prices and Availability
• Sunshine Bantayan Garden Resort – Check Prices and Availability
• Carl‘s Island Inn – Check Prices and Availability

Mid-range

• Kandugyap House by the Sea – Check Prices and Availability
• Jelly’s Haven Resort – Check Prices and Availability
• Kota Beach Resort – Check Prices and Availability

Luxury

• Anika Island Resort – Check Prices and Availability
• Amihan Beach Cabanas Resort – Check Prices and Availability
• Pearl of Santa Fe – Check Prices and Availability

Airbnb Bantayan

Aside from hotels and resorts, you can also opt to stay at an Airbnb.

Get your P2,200 ($44) Airbnb discount here!

Responsible Travel Tips

When traveling to one place, make sure you practice responsible tourism. Here are some tips to do so.

1. Respect the environment

Don’t litter. Please hold onto your trash until you find a garbage can.

Related: 16 Eco-Friendly Travel Products for the Earth-Loving You

2. Avoid single-use plastic

Bring your eco bag and refuse single-use plastic.

3. Shop local

Keep the traditional crafts alive and support local artisans. Buy from them. And try not to haggle, P20 may seem small to you but it can mean a lot to them.

4. Always ask permission

Be sure to ask for permission first when taking photos or videos especially when it comes to children

What to Pack for Bantayan Island

• Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottle
• Light Rain Jacket (especially from June to November) 
• T-shirts, a nice top, and a long-sleeved shirt
• Aqua Shoes
• Day Bag
• Power Adapter
• Universal Waterproof Phone Case
• Packing Cubes
• Microfiber Towel
• Travel Insurance
• Money Belt
• sneakers, and some flats
• reusable straw and reusable bag (no to single-use plastic!)

Related Article: The Only Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need (Trust Me)

Our Camera Gear

• Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm XT3
• Lenses: Fujifilm Fujinon kit lens (18-55mm) | Fujinon 35mm f2 | Fujinon 50mm f2
• Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• GoPro: GoPro Hero Black 7
• Power Bank: Romoss Powerbank
• Camera Backpack: Case Logic Camera and Laptop Backpack
• Monopod: Ifootage Cobra 2 a180
• Mic: Rode VideoMicro
• Gimbal: Zhiyun Weebill-S

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