Fun Things To Do On Bantayan Island Philippines

Bantayan Island is located in the Visayan Sea in the Philippines. More specifically it is an island off the west of the northern end of Cebu island. Bantayan Island is blessed with beautiful white-sand beaches. The island has a population of over 120,000 people. What are the best things to do on Bantayan Island in the Philippines?

On Bantayan Island, you can relax on the beach or go scuba diving. There is also a couple of churches to visit as well as going for a walk in Omagieca Mangrove Garden. Bantayan Island is not as developed as other islands around the Philippines so be prepared for inconveniences like dirt roads and limited WiFi.

In this post, we will go through things to do on Bantayan Island Philippines. Let’s get started!

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What Is Bantayan Island Known For?

Bantayan Island is known as a beach destination while within the Philippines it is also a fishing community.

Where To Party On Bantayan Island?

Santa Fe is mainly where the nightlife is on Bantayan Island. It is busier at the weekends comparing it to the weekdays but you can visit restaurants and bars in MJ Square.

The Best Time To Travel To Bantayan Islands

Bantayan Island has an average temperature of between 28°C all year round. With the dry season between February to May. The wet season is from June to September.

The best time to visit the Bantayan Islands is from March to May as is the peak time to visit and is also the dry season.

Things To Do On Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island is located in the Visayan Sea in the Philippines off the coast of Cebu. It is blessed with beautiful white-sand beaches and a nice climate.

Here is our list of fun things to do on Bantayan Island.

Visit St. Peter And Paul Church

This is a beautiful church that is well-preserved and gives you a glimpse of the past. The church has a long history dating back to 1580. It is one of the oldest churches in the region.

Inside the church is peaceful and serene. There are side areas that offer opportunities for lighting candles and the chance to get a snack. Worth just being there for a while and enjoying the calmness.

Explore Omagieca Mangrove Garden

This is a place where you can relax and unwind. The bridges, piers, shelters, and towers have been built from bamboo and look amazing. You can walk along the bamboo bridges, which is in itself a great experience. There is also a small restaurant serving fresh seafood.

It is worth a visit especially if you are interested in photo opportunities. The entry fee is 50 pesos.

Go To Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is also known as Sandira Beach. The beach is pure unspoiled beauty off the beaten track. It is around a 30-minute walk from Santa Fe town or a few minutes by bike.

The beach is secluded and with clear blue water with white sand. There are no food vendors, no bar or there is anywhere that sells water or food so you will need to be prepared but this makes it a great place for a picnic.

There is an entrance fee of 50 pesos to enter the beach.

Visit Kota Park

Kota Park is a 45-minute ride from Santa Fe. It is in an isolated area on the northern tip of Bantayan Island. It was an old Spanish fort that is in serious need of some general reconstruction and maintenance.

There is a sign in front of the fort which explains the history of the fort. The fort is closed. Go if you are interested in watching the sunset, it is a going spot to see the sunset.

Island Hop To Virgin Island

Aside from Bantayan Island, there are other neighboring islands around Bantayan. You can spend half-day visiting the nearby islands like Virgin Island and Hilantagan Island.

Virgin Island is a privately owned island. There is an entrance fee of around 200 pesos per person.

The beach on Virgin Island is clear blue water with fine white sand with a mini-forest area. It is rich with marine life, where you can snorkel, free dive, or simply enjoy the white sand beaches.

Buying food on the island can be expensive, so you should bring your food!

Try Diving

The Bantayan Islands are a great spot to go diving. You will see corals and marine life found in these beautiful waters. If scuba diving is not your thing, then try snorkeling instead for around 100 pesos per day!

Go Skydiving

Skydive Cebu operates this service on the Bantayan Islands. The skydive itself has a unique feeling of free-falling from 10,000 feet plus there is the adrenaline rush.

The skydive offers incredible views of the ocean, coastline, and the neighboring islands of Cebu, Siquijor, and Dumaguete Islands. Skydive Cebu also offers videos and pictures included in your skydiving. There’s no better souvenir, especially for your first jump.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Bantayan Island is mainly a beach holiday. So you can relax on the beach or enjoy any of the go activities like snorkeling or scuba diving. There are also a couple of churches to visit as well as going to see Kota Park. Bantayan Island is not as developed as other islands so be prepared for inconveniences like dirt roads and limited WiFi.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on the fun things to do in Bantayan Islands Philippines has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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