One of the most prominent tourist spots in Bantayan Island (which is a tourist spot itself) is the Virgin Island. This post covers info on how to get there, the associated expenses, and other tips.

This post is part of a two-part Bantayan Series. To read about Ogtong Cave, Bantayan, go here.




Getting There

1. Bus: Cebu City to Hagnaya
• Ride bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal
• Fare: 150.00php, one way
• Travel time: 2-3H
• Stop: Hagnaya Port, San Remegio, Cebu
• Schedule: Hourly
2. Barge or Ferry: Hagnaya to Sta. Fe, Bantayan
• Board from Hagnaya Port
• Fare: 170.00php, one way + 10.00php terminal fee
• Travel time: 1-1.5H
• Stop: Sta. Fe Port, Bantayan
• Schedule: see photo below



Ferry to Bantayan Schedule



3. Pump Boat: Sta. Fe, Bantayan to Virgin Island
• Pickup point: To be discussed with boatman
• Fee: 1,200.00php*
• Travel time: 1H 
• Stop: Virgin Island, Bantayan
• Schedule: To be discussed with boatman
• *For the above rate, contact Reynold at 0905-1237871

Virgin Island Expenses

• Entrance Fees
• 500php for the first two persons (500 still if you're travelling solo)
• 100php for extra persons

Virgin Island "Entrance Fee"
(I'm scared of the scare quotes)

What happens in Virgin Island, stays in Virgin Island

• Food
• Buy fish/seafood and rice at Bantayan Island first before heading to Virgin Island. The boatman can cook for you.
• Fee: 250-300php
• There is no corkage fee if you bring your own food. 
• There is no restaurant there; only a sari-sari (convenience store) where you can buy drinks and snacks.
• Huts
• Rate: Starts at 300php.
• You can also opt to spread a picnic blanket there to save, or you can eat at the pump boat.
• Accommodation
• No room accommodation at the island, but you can bring your own tent and camp there.
• Camping fee: NONE

One of the picture-worthy "decorations" in Virgin Island

Last month, my friend* and I fortunately got a discounted voucher for an extreme watersports package at Serena Watersports for 3,000php with lunch (70% off!). 

Serena Watersports is based in Tambuli Beach Resorts, Pag-utlan, Maribago Lapu-Lapu City Cebu. For some reason, they don't have a website or Facebook page, so I think it makes sense to blog about it (for you know, marketing). Also, Serena Watersports is not to be confused with the Serena Beach Resort in Moalboal, Cebu. :-)

Voucher for 3,000php/pax with lunch

Last weekend, my best friend, his fiancée, his dad, and I went to swim with the whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu.

I'm blogging about it, because a friend told me of an urban legend about Oslob. That whale sharks are instinctively attracted to people who are heartbroken, in an attempt to comfort them, and that is the reason whale sharks are becoming semi-permanent dwellers on the shores of Oslob: Because there are many unfortunate souls in Oslob, nursing a broken heart.

And I can attest to that. Because the whale sharks just can't seem to stay away from me. They like to stay really close!

So here's a guide on how to get to Oslob, details on the whale shark watching, tips, and a sample itinerary.

Last year, Kria and I went to Vigan. Two soul searchers, travelling on a budget. After a year of putting off chronicling our trip, it's only now I realized that a blog post is indeed necessary, given the many inquiries I received from friends and family.

So here it goes. This post will be in two parts: (1) the itinerary and budget, and (2) a list of things you can do per tourist attraction.

Calle Crisologo

I opted to exclude our photos, because hell, you can just Google tourist photos in Vigan, hehe!

On a humid and sleepy Saturday morning sometime in March, I realized that my two-year relationship with my then boyfriend had come to an end, much to my chagrin. The second thing I did after crying out ugly was to call one of my best friends and plan an out-of-town trip. Our destination? Vigan.