Looking for the best places to visit in Bantayan Island, Cebu? In this guide, we highlighted the must-visit Bantayan Island tourist spots that we think should be on your itinerary.
Bantayan Island is one of the go-to tourist destinations in North Cebu when it comes to holiday relaxation. Located 4 hours away from Cebu City, Bantayan Island is also a place of fun outdoor adventures in Cebu.
Gearing up for you trip to Bantayan Island? Read these useful guides:
- Bantayan Island Travel Guide 2023: Requirements, Getting There, Fares, Budget, Internet, and Itinerary
- Best Hotels in Bantayan Island, Cebu
- Things to Do in Bantayan Island
- Cebu to Bantayan Island: How to Get to Bantayan Island 2023
Top 10 Places to Visit in Bantayan Island, Cebu in 2023
From beaches to islands, here are the Top 10 Bantayan Island Tourist Spots that you should visit:
1. Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach is a secluded beach in Santa Fe accessible via a ragged dirt trail. Its open shore makes it the best place in Bantayan Island for sunbathing and chilling by the beach, while the calm water is perfect for a breezy snorkeling experience.
There’s a lot of confusion about Paradise Beach and its neighbor Sandira Beach, whether they are one or synonymous. Here’s the thing: they are different, but both beaches are on the same beach strip. Sandira Beach used to be part of Paradise Beach before a private entity leased the part that is now Sandira Beach, hence the change of name.
Paradise Beach still exists but is now left with a modest shore because of Sandira Beach’s existence. Locals still refer to this stretch of beach as Paradise Beach.
Access to both beaches is separate. Admission to Paradise Beach and Sandira Beach is 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) and 60 PHP (~1 USD), respectively. Either way, you are swimming in the same water and getting the same views.
2. Balidbid Lagoon
Balidbid Lagoon, also known as Baigad Lagoon, is a lagoon of mangrove forests that leads to the ocean, facing Virgin Island. It’s one of the stops of many Bantayan Island hopping tours, but you can go there on your own.
One way to enjoy Balidbid Lagoon is by taking a boat from the makeshift wharf (see map below) on the way to the beach area, which costs 100 PHP (~2 USD) for a 2-way transfer. The 10-minute journey cuts through a scenic mangrove forest.
Upon reaching the end where the lagoon meets the sea, you can choose to snorkel or relax at one of the sandbars for free or enter the beach area where a resort is under construction. Admission is 100 PHP (~2 USD). At the moment, some facilities are set up like tables and chairs, huts, swings, and a toilet at the beach.
Balidbid Lagoon is one of the best places to go in Bantayan Island if you want to avoid touristy spots.
3. The Ruins
The Ruins in Santa Fe is an abandoned house of a German ex-pat after Super Typhoon Yolanda ravaged his Bantayan home in November 2013. The remaining walls have become one of the most iconic Bantayan Island tourist attractions, sitting right next to a cliff popular for cliff diving among local kids. Don’t make the same mistake as me—make sure the water level is high enough before jumping. Admission is free.
4. Kota Beach
Due to its accessibility, Kota Beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island. Located right in front of Kota Beach Resort in Poblacion Santa Fe, Kota Beach draws hundreds of local and foreign visitors every day.
Besides its accessibility, its popularity isn’t unwarranted as Kota Beach has a white sand bar and clear water you may enjoy at any time of the day. But twilight at Kota Beach hits differently. I recommend bringing your beach mat, a bottle of beer, and some chips while watching a glorious sunrise or sunset by the beach. Admission is free.
5. Omagieca Mangrove Garden and Eco Park
More popularly known as Camp Sawi (“Camp Miserable”) where the broken-hearted get to ponder over their lost love, Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden and Eco-Park is a must-visit tourist spot in Bantayan Island if you want to meditate or be in touch with nature.
Omagieca Mangrove Garden is surrounded by a thick mangrove forest, accessible through a bamboo-made boardwalk elevated on concrete stilts. Along your walk, you will be greeted by welcome arches and quotes on boards (in Filipino) to somehow soothe your sorrowful heart. There are hut stations where you can stop for a rest since it’s a pretty long walk.
Climb up the Bamboo Tower to get a 360-degree view of the entire mangrove forest and the sea. Don’t miss it!
Omagieca Mangrove Garden has a restaurant serving Filipino food. Other activities you can do are fish feeding, mangrove planting, and if the tide permits, kayaking, scuba diving, freediving, and helmet diving. Just outside are small souvenir shops and snack stalls. Admission is 55 PHP (~1 USD).
6. Ogtong Cave
Ogtong Cave is a popular underwater cave pool located inside Ogtong Cave Resort. It used to be so popular among tourists, but in the last few years, the cave’s appeal has been on a decline due to a lack of maintenance. And for some, paying 200 PHP (~4 USD) is not worth it.
Despite that, you should visit Ogtong Cave to experience its small chamber of waist-deep crystal-clear blue water. It’s one of the few places to visit in Santa Fe if you are looking for a different experience outside of beaches.
7. Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Founded in 1580 under Spanish rule, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Bantayan is one of the oldest parishes in the Philippines. As part of the early tradition of Spanish priests, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish was used as a first stop for Spanish priests entering the country where they would learn the local language and culture.
The current coral-stone church is the renovated version that was started in 1839 and completed in 1863, which became a church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. The original structure was destroyed by rebels in 1600 and a series of raids by rebels on different occasions as well as natural disasters throughout the years.
8. Kota Park
Kota Park is one of the few tourist spots in Madridejos. There’s nothing special about the park at first glance, but its rich history makes it a distinctive treasure. Kota Park was built in the 1880s when the Spaniards constructed a water tower to protect them and the locals from Moro pirates. Then it became a public cemetery after the Spaniards left.
The perfect time to visit Kota Park is during sunsets as you get an imposing view of the boardwalk on the sea nearby with a glaring red sun in the background.
9. Virgin or Sillon Island
Virgin Island — also known as Sillon Island — is one of the must-visit tourist spots near Bantayan Island. It’s separate, but it’s part of Santa Fe and accessible only via boat transfers from the town.
There are many things you can do in Virgin Island, including playing beach volleyball, cliff-diving, snorkeling, standup paddleboarding, or kayaking. Book a boat transfer from Santa Fe Tourism Office. Admission is 200 PHP (~3.5 USD) and 1,200 PHP (~22 USD) for a boat transfer for 2 people.
10. Hilantagaan Island
Like Virgin Island, Hilantagaan Island is a separate island, but it’s under the jurisdiction of Santa Fe. Hilantagaan Island is a small fishing village that’s a 30-minute boat ride away from Bantayan Island. The surrounding water of Hilantagan Island is home to rich, diverse marine wildlife.
Often part of an island hopping tour in Bantayan Island, snorkeling in Hilantagaan Island is a must-do activity. You can dock and explore the island a little bit, but do note that the beaches here are not as good as those in Virgin Island.
Best Things to Do in Cebu, Philippines
Looking for things to do in Cebu? Check out CEBU INSIDER’s 35 Best Things to Do in Cebu!
That’s all we’ve got for you here. I hope this gives you something to complete your Cebu itinerary.
