The Philippines: BANTAYAN IS., Cebu Summer Fun

Cebu is an island in the Central Visayas.  It is dubbed as the "Queen City of the South", being in the southern part of the archipelago.  But why queen? See for yourself...

Cebu Summer Fun Part 2:  Camotes Island

Cebu Summer Fun Part 3:  Tabuelan
Cebu Summer Fun Part 4: Barili and Mantayupan Falls
Cebu Summer Fun Part 5: Moalboal 

Bantayan Island

Northern Cebu

Bantayan Island is Cebu's beach paradise in the north.  The island is very picturesque, from sunrise to sunsets, sea, sand and island life.

map courtesy of philippinemaps.ph

From Cebu City, one can take a bus at the North Bus Terminal near SM City Mall and travel 3 hours to Hagnaya Wharf in Daanbantayan, Cebu.  From the wharf, ride a ferry to Bantayan Island. Starting March 1, 2011, Mid-Sea Express flies to the island 4x a week.  When you reach the island, your resort service vehicle or a tricycle ride can take you where you want to go.  The water at the pier is clean, clear and blue with the sandy shores underneath; one could actually swim there.

The island has three towns: Bantayan, Madridejos and Santa Fe.  

Part of Madridejos faces the west and has the best sunset.  It is 20-30 minutes away from the resorts in Sta. Fe.  

Perfect sunset at Madridejos, Bantayan, Cebu

Bantayan town is the trading place of the island, it is where the famous dried fish and squid can be bought at low prices.  It is also where the island's cathedral and local government centers are. 

The beaches in Sta. Fe boast of fine sandy shorelines, peaceful and simple life.  If you want quiet, peace, relaxed nightlife, this place is the best respite away from the city.  If Madridejos has the sunset, Sta. Fe has the sunrise... beautiful sight that greets you in the morning! It's breathtaking and something you don't see in the city.

Breathtaking sunrise in Sta. Fe, Bantayan

that's the sand i'm talking about!

What can I say? They love the SUN!

It's a holiday! Sun, sand and sea!

Pearly shells

Sugar Beach - so called because of its powdery white sands
Bantayan, Cebu

And to cap off our day (or night!), the moon rose out of the horizon...amazing!  How cool is that!  You don't get to see the moon rise that often...

"MOONRISE"
Photo courtesy of good friend H.Port

To make the most of your vacation, catch the earliest bus out from Cebu City at 530am to Hagnaya Wharf, sail out at 830am on board the ferry boat from Hagnaya to Bantayan Island, and you'll be in paradise at 10am!

Relax in Cebu's Bantayan Island... it's like a muted Boracay.  

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How much does an affordable Bantayan Island get-away cost? A two-day vacation will cost only around USD130 (no airfare, all land trips).
1. Plane fare to Cebu - depends on place of origin
2. Land transportation (USD11 one-way or USD22 round trip)
    a.  Taxi from airport to North Bus Terminal near SM (USD5)
    b.  Aircon (comfortable) bus from terminal to Hagnaya wharf in Daanbantayan (USD2.50) runs every
         hour starting 530am until 230pm (except 930am)
    c.  Hagnaya to Bantayan island, onboard ferry boat (USD3.50) sails starting 5am
3. Hotel/resort accommodation (aircon) - USD30- USD50/night
4. Meals - an average meal would cost USD4.5 so a full day's meal will be around USD13.50
5. Land transportation within the island - motorcyle/motorcycle with sidecar/public transportation (USD10/day); however most resorts have their own service vans for guests, which may be arranged.