White sandy beaches, crystal clear seas, great seafood and friendly locals make Bantayan Island a gem of a destination. If you want to step back in time to a quieter Filipino island experience then this is the place.
There are just three towns on the island, each with its own character and individual culture. Bantayan is the main town, where fishing is still the traditional way of life. A Spanish colonial church four centuries old complements the other remainders of Spanish architecture in this town.
Another excellent town is Santa Fe, home to some of the island’s finest beaches like Kota Beach and Sugar Beach, named for its ultra fine sand. There is an old Spanish fort here, along with ancient caves and stunning offshore islets. Ogtong Cave is the highlight, with its fresh water pools that open up right onto the beach.
Madridejos is the third town on the island, and mostly unremarkable. Apart from exploring the towns with their quiet charm, the only thing to do on Bantayan is enjoy the postcard-perfect beaches, take a swim in the relatively cool and very clean waters, and make a few excursions like island hopping or scuba diving.
Getting There & Away
You can reach Bantayan Island by plane from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, or by bus and minivan from North Cebu Bus Terminal. Flights are occasionally suspended, but when they do fly they take about 30 minutes to reach Bantayan’s tiny airstrip.