Isla Verde Batangas [Ultimate 2023 Travel Guide]

Isla Verde, Batangas: Looking for an uncrowded beach with clear blue waters and creamy sand? Why not go to Isla Verde? You won’t regret it.

When it comes to beach camping, I always look at the beaches and islands in Batangas. For months I’ve wanted to go to Isla Verde and recently, I had the chance to visit. Yay! With its abundance in marine life and clear blue waters, I’ve had this place written in my bucket list for a few years now.

If you are thinking of going to Isla Verde, here’s a travel guide to help you plan the perfect camping trip!

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About Isla Verde

Isla Verde is one of those beaches in Batangas that’s not too crowded and hasn’t been developed yet. You will only find a few resorts here and there’s no supply of electricity. As a result, locals rely only on generators and solar panels.

For years, it has been frequented by divers because of its rich marine life. The location of the island is between the Luzon and Mindoro islands. It’s at the “center of the center” of the world’s marine biodiversity. I’ve heard you can even see dolphins here when you ride a boat.

Isla Verde is composed of six barangays. For this reason, you will find a lot of boats docked at Tabangao port. You have to know which barangay you are heading to. Make sure you contact your homestay or resort before going or you might end up someplace on the island.

Where To Stay On Isla Verde

Someday, I might list down all the accommodations found in Isla Verde just like what I did with Masasa. But for now, I’ll be recommending the place where we stayed for 2 nights – Sawang Dive Camp.

Places To Visit

There’s not much to do at Isla Verde aside from enjoying the turquoise waters and snorkeling. If you opt to go on a beach hopping/island hopping tour, here are some places you can visit.

Mahabang Buhangin Beach
Sawang Dive
Snorkeling Spots
Kuweba
Pulong Bato
Rock Formations

How To Get To Isla Verde

From Manila

Take a bus heading to Batangas Grand Terminal or Batangas Pier. Travel time is around 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic.
Ride a jeep going to Bagong Palengke and then another jeep going to Tabangao Port. If that’s too many rides for you or you don’t want to miss the boat, it’s best to ride a tricycle directly to Tabangao Port. Fare for the tricycle is at 300 pesos for the whole 30-minute ride.

Tip: Ask the tricycle driver to stop at a market if you haven’t bought any food yet. You can buy some meat, vegetable, rice or fish here and then cook them on the island. Don’t forget to buy water.

Ride boat to Isla Verde. The boats depart at exactly 9:00 AM. Travel time is 1 hour and fare is at P120.

From Laguna/Batangas

Ride a jeep to Lipa Grand Terminal beside SM Lipa. Get on the bus that’s heading to Batangas Grand Terminal.
From here, ride a jeep or a tricycle (as stated above). Then, get on the boat to Isla Verde.

How To Get Out of Isla Verde

It is important to note that the schedule going back to the main island is at 3:00 AM. That’s right! So you better wake up early. If not, you can coordinate with your resort so you can rent a private boat back to Batangas City.

Note: At Sawang Dive Camp where we stayed, often there are 11:00 AM trips back to the mainland. However, this is only during special cases where there are a lot of tourists on the island. It’s best to talk with your resort’s staff first and confirm if there is an 11:00 AM trip.

Sample Itinerary

2 Days, 1 Night Itinerary

4:30 AM – Depart from Manila
06:30 AM – Reach Batangas Grand Terminal
06:40 AM – Ride a tricycle to Tabangao Port
07:40 AM – Arrive at the port
08:00 AM – Board the boat to Isla Verde
9:00 AM – Depart from Tabangao Port
10:00 AM – Reach Isla Verde and check-in at resort/homestay
12:00 AM – Lunch
01:00 PM – Snorkeling/Beach hopping
04:00 PM – Freshen up and rest
05:30 PM – Watch the sunset
06:00 PM – Dinner
08:00 PM – Sleep
02:00 AM – Wake Up
03:00 AM – Ride boat back to Tabangao port
04:00 AM – Tricycle to Grand Terminal
04:30 PM – Ride bus to Manila

3 Days, 2 Nights Itinerary

4:30 AM – Depart from Manila
06:30 AM – Reach Batangas Grand Terminal
06:40 AM – Ride a tricycle to Tabangao Port
07:40 AM – Arrive at the port
08:00 AM – Board the boat to Isla Verde
9:00 AM – Depart from Tabangao Port
10:00 AM – Reach Isla Verde and check-in at resort/homestay
12:00 AM – Lunch
01:00 PM – Explore the island/resort and swim on the beach
04:00 PM – Freshen up and rest
05:30 PM – Watch the sunset
06:00 PM – Dinner
08:00 PM – Sleep
07:30 AM – Breakfast
08:00 AM – Snorkeling/Beach hopping
12:00 AM – Lunch
01:00 PM – Enjoy the beach
04:00 PM – Freshen up and rest
05:30 PM – Watch the sunset
06:00 PM – Dinner
08:00 PM – Sleep
02:00 AM – Wake Up
03:00 AM – Ride boat back to Tabangao port
04:00 AM – Tricycle to Grand Terminal
04:30 PM – Ride bus to Manila

Day Tour Itinerary

4:30 AM – Depart from Manila
06:30 AM – Reach Batangas Grand Terminal
06:40 AM – Ride a tricycle to Tabangao Port
07:40 AM – Arrive at the port
08:00 AM – Board the boat to Isla Verde
9:00 AM – Depart from Tabangao Port
10:00 AM – Reach Isla Verde
10:30 AM – Eat early lunch
11:30 AM – Start Snorkeling/Beach Hopping
02:00 PM – Rent a private boat back to mainland
03:00 PM – Ride a jeepney to Batangas City (or you can just ride a tricycle directly to Batangas Grand Terminal)
04:00 PM – Ride a jeepney to Grand Terminal
04:30 PM – Ride a bus back to Manila

Travel Tips and Important Things To Know

From the itinerary, you may have noticed that you have to start your trip early. That’s because there is only one trip going to the Isla Verde and that’s scheduled at 9:00 AM. You can charter a private boat if you want. Rates are usually at P1,500 for small boats that are good for 3 persons. However, these boats may not opt to travel if the waves are too strong. According to the locals, a bigger boat may cost you P4,000 to P8,000 depending on the size.
The only trip back to the mainland from Isla Verde is at 3:00 AM.
Electricity only runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the island.
There are no ATMS at Isla Verde so bring enough cash.
Smart and Globe have strong signal and mobile data connection at the island.
The best time to visit the island is from January to May when the waves are much calmer.
Avoid sunscreen that can damage the corals. Check if your sunscreen is reef-friendly before buying.
Make sure you take care of your trash properly and don’t litter on the beach. Help preserve the magnificent reefs near the island.
If you are planning on bringing your own car, there’s a parking space in Tabangao port.
It’s best to bring your own food to the island since there are only a few supplies on the island.
Please refrain from being too loud or noisy especially at night. Be considerate.

Where To Next?

Batangas Resorts

If you want to stay a bit longer in Batangas after Isla Verde, you can check out some of the best resorts and hotels in the province.

Find Affordable Batangas Resorts

Puerto Galera Resorts

On the other hand, did you know that Isla Verde is just 20 to 30 minutes away from Puerto Galera? You can rent a boat for only P2,000 to get there. So if you want to extend your adventure, feel free to go check out Puerto Galera. Here are some resorts to book.

Find Affordable Resorts In Puerto Galera

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. Don’t bring home the sand or any seashell. Leave them where they belong. Missing seashells can have potential detrimental environmental impacts.

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 Isla Verde

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
Swimsuit
Dry Bag
Power Adapter
Universal Waterproof Phone Case
Packing Cubes
Microfiber Towel
Travel Insurance
Money Belt
Sneakers, Hiking Shoes (if you’re planning to hike) and Some Flats
Reusable Straw and Reusable Bag (no to single-use plastic!)

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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Isla Verde Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

About Isla Verde

Where To Stay On Isla Verde

Places To Visit