Masbate Island Travel Guide
Shaped like a primitive fish hook, Masbate Island has a rather unique atmosphere. Here, traditional scenes of fishermen tending to their nets are replaced by cowboys raising their cattle.
The name Masbate means to beat or mix in the Filipino language. According to local legend, the island mistakenly got its name when Spanish soldiers asked a women who was mixing and beating coca in her cooking pot what it was called and she offered the name of her action rather than the island itself.
Scuba diving is popular around Masbate Island and the waters teem with multitudes of colorful fish. The people of Masbate Island produce their own handicrafts to sell such as ceramics, furniture and garments, and the island is a good place to pick up a souvenir or two.
There are a number of good places to stay on Masbate Island as well as restaurants serving a wide range of culinary delights. While it is possible to spend several days on Masbate Island, its close proximity to the Masbate mainland also makes it a good place to visit on a daytrip.
Getting There & Away
Masbate Island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Masbate Port on the mainland. There are daily flights to Masbate from Manila, and the journey takes 1 hour.
Onward Travel
- Bagacay
- Masbate Town