Welcome to Bantayan
The northern tip of Cebu is endowed with rich waters and dotted with beautiful islands with white sand beaches, Bantayan Island is one.
Bantayan Island is made up of three municipalities of the province of Cebu – Bantayan, Madridejos and Santa Fe. The municipality of Bantayan takes the western and central areas known for its picturesque sunset and centuries old church. Madridejos is a fishing village and known for its rich history. While Santa Fe boasts of its beautiful sunrise its wide stretch of fine white sandy beaches.
There is no easy way of getting to here, but the journey to this slice of paradise will be rewarded by the charm of this tropical island. Bask in the sun, feel the sand and enjoy the sea of the paradise that is Bantayan Island!
How to Get to Bantayan Island
Bantayan Island has its own airfield that connects the island to Mactan Cebu International Airport. Currently, only Air Juan operates chartered and scheduled flights to the island.
Most tourists come here via Cebu City, where one can take a bus to Hagnaya Port from North Bus Terminal and a ferry to Bantayan Island. Alternatively, if you are coming from Masbate or Palompon (Leyte), you can ride a ferry to Bogo City, transfer to a bus to Hagnaya Port and to a ferry to Bantayan Island
1. Proceed to Hagnaya Port in Daanbantayan
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Cebu City to Hagnaya Port
Cebu City is the gateway to Bantayan Island. From Cebu City, catch a bus in Cebu North Terminal going to Hagnaya Port in the town of San Remigio. Travel time is three hours and fare is P165 for aircon bus (as of August 2018) and P140 for non-aircon bus (as of August 2018). There’s a bus that leave Cebu City as early as 4AM, with the last trip at around 5PM daily.
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Palompon (Leyte) to Bogo City to Hagnaya Port
If you are coming from Leyte, there are ferries from Palompon to Bogo City. Full fare is P260, travel time is 2.5 hours. There are also buses from San Ildefonso and Tacloban City to Bogo City that ross Camotes Sea via Ro-Ro barges in Palompon to Bogo.
From Bogo, Hagnaya Port is less than an hour ride by bus or jeep, fare is around P50.
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Masbate to Bogo City to Hagnaya Port
There are ferries from Masbate City to Bogo City. Full fare is P470, travel time is 5.5 hours.
From Bogo, Hagnaya Port is less than an hour ride by bus or jeep, fare is around P50.
2. Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island
In Hagnaya Port, catch a public ferry to Sta. Fe. The ferry ride is approximately one hour for P180 (as of August 2018). Ferry departs Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe as early as 7AM with the last trip at around 5PM daily
You can book your ferry tickets from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island and vice versa below.
Going Around and Away
Tricycle and motorbikes are the main mode of transportation around the island, minimum fare is P10. There are also jeepneys and multicabs that go from Sta. Fe to Bantayan and vice versa but the trips are limited. Motorbikes (P350/day) and bicycles (P150/day) are also available for rent in most resorts/hotels.
Going out of Bantayan Island, catch a ferry from Sta. Fe Port to Hagnaya. The earliest trip is at 6AM and the last is at 4:30PM daily. Fare is P180 (as of February 2014) and travel time is approximately one hour.
*Please note that the schedule mentioned above are subject to change without prior notice
Where to Stay in Bantayan Island
Most tourists stay in the beach area of Santa Fe where accommodation ranges from as low as P500.00 for a single fan room to by the thousands for fancy air-conditioned room on high end resorts.
For budget travelers, Kota Beach Resort, Althea White Beach Resort, Casa Isabel and Mayet’s Nordic Inn have budget fan and air-conditioned rooms for as low as P600 per night, both are strategically located along Sta. Fe Beach. Meanwhile Ogtong Cave Resort, Santa Fe Beach Club, Maia’s Beach Resort and Yooneek Beach Resort have facilities for high end tourists.
Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Bantayan Island
|
Althea White Beach Resort |
Casa Isabel |
|
Nordic Inn |
Kota Beach Resort (Camp Sawi) |
Top-Rated Hotels in Bantayan Island
Ogtong Cave Resort |
Maia’s Beach Resort |
List of Resorts in Bantayan
Kota Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4165013 [Cebu City Office] / +63-32-4389042 [Santa Fe]
Email: [email protected]
Mayet’s Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +639173107791 / +639063093166 / +639154320633
Email: [email protected]
CouCou Lodge (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389385 / +63918-4541960
Budyong Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4385700
Sta. Fe Beach Club
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389090 / +63-32-4389107 / +63918-9199101 / +63928-7787770
Email: [email protected]
Ogtong Cave Resort by Sta. Fe Beach Club
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +6332-4380165 / +6332-4389129 / +63920-8999456
Email: [email protected]
Yooneek Inn (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389124 / +63917-9993829
Email: [email protected]
Yooneek Beach Resort
Sugar Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63-32-4389124 / +63917-9993829
Email: [email protected]
Maia’s Beach Resort (Non-beachfront)
Basawon, Sulangan, Bantayan
Contact No: +63918-5714297 / +63917-6358612
Email: [email protected]
St. Bernard Resort
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63917-9636162
Email: [email protected]
Anika Island Resort
Alice Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63917-3284898 / +63922-8439517 / +63999-8864465 / +63-32-3188402
Email: [email protected]
White Beach Bungalows
Maricaban Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63946-1146510
Email: [email protected]
Heather and Aspen Inn (Non-beachfront)
Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Contact No: +63946-5686646 / +63923-5043554 / +63922-8311552
Email: [email protected]
Activities in Bantayan Island
- Enjoy the beaches of Santa Fe: Alice Beach (fronting east), Kota Beach or Camp Sawi (fronting south), Maricaban Beach and Paradise Beach
- Go scuba diving, free diving or snorkeling (no dive shop yet in Bantayan)
- Try sky diving or kite surfing
- Drop by at Dalton Pass Shrine
- Ride a boat to Virgin Island/Silion Island and Hilantagaan/Cabulauan Island
- Swim in the cold water of Ogtong Cave Pool
- Go biking around the island
- See the Kota Ruins in Kota Park, Baywalk and the fishing village of Madridejos
- Check out the centuries old Sts. Peter and Paul Church of Bantayan
- See the heritage houses and establishments in Bantayan
- Spend a day or two in Malapascua Island
Sample Bantayan Island Itinerary
Bantayan Island – Cebu City Itinerary
Budget: Less than P4,000 per person (group of four persons excluding airfare)
Day 1:
0600H: Arrival in Cebu City / Proceed to Cebu North Bus Terminal
0700H: Arrival in Cebu North Bus Terminal / Breakfast
0730H – 1130H: Bus: Cebu City to Hagnaya Port
1130H – 1200H: Snacks / Purchase ferry ticket to Santa Fe
1200H – 1300H: Ferry: Hagnaya Port to Santa Fe
1300H – 1400H: Arrival in Santa Fe / Register / Proceed to Hotel / Late Lunch
1400H – 1800H: Rent a bike or charter a tricycle to visit Alice Beach, Kota Beach, Maricaban Beach, Paradise Beach, Ogtong Cave, Kota Park, Kota Ruins, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, etc.
1800H onwards: Free time / Rest / Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 2:
0530H – 0700H: Call Time / Sunrise / Breakfast
0700H – 1100H: Island hopping: Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island
1100H – 1200H: Back at to hotel / wash-up / pack-up / check-out
1200H – 1300H: Lunch / Proceed to Port
1300H – 1430H: Ferry: Santa Fe to Hagnaya Port
1430H – 1500H: Snacks / wait for Bus
1500H – 2000H: Hagnaya Port to Cebu City
2000H – 2030H: Proceed to Hotel / Check-in / Proceed to La Vie
2020H onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 3:
0700H – 0800H: Call Time / Breakfast
0800H – 1100H: Tour: Temple of Leah + Sirao
1100H – 1200H: Back at hotel / wash-up / pack-up / check-out
1200H – 1400H: Lunch at Casa Verde
1400H – 1500H: Proceed to Airport
Expenses / Logistics
| Particulars | Cost |
| Bus: Cebu to Hagnaya | P165/person |
| Ferry: Hagnaya to Santa Fe | P180/person |
| Registration Fee | P30/person |
| Bike Rental | P100/day |
| Tricycle Tour (Four to five hours) | P700/trike (3-person sharing) |
| Boat Rental | P700/night (4-person sharing) |
| Accommodation in Santa Fe | P1,000/night (2-person sharing) |
| Budget for food for three days | ~P1,000/person |
| Optional: Miscellaneous Expenses (souvenirs, personal expenses, etc.) | ~P500/person |
| Ferry: Santa Fe to Hagnaya | P180/person |
| Bus: Hagnaya Port to Cebu | P165/person |
| Accommodation in Cebu | P1,000/night (2-person sharing) |
| Transportation expenses in and around Cebu City | ~P500/person |
Tips
- Best months to visit are from January to June
- Credit cards are accepted in some establishment
- There are ATM machines and banks in Bantayan town
- Globe, Talk and Text, Smart, Touch Mobile and Sun have mobile signals
- Trike tour costs P700 for four (4) hours good for three (3) persons
- Boat rate for Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island starts at P700 per boat good for maximum of (4) persons
*First publication: March 24, 2012; Updated: September 28, 2017; October 17, 2018; February 18, 2020; Oct 20, 2021
Hi Good day! We are planning to visit Bantayan Island this August. Ok lang po ba weather dyan and hindi ba sobrang maalon patawid sa Sta Fe. Thank you!
Balitaan ko po kau. We’re on our way to cebu and bantayan on mo day…
Hi!. Is June still a good time to go to bantayan?
Thanks
What if from Bacolod ka? How can you go to Bantayan Islands? Then ang Seaview Apartelle may mga Bad Reviews but we already book there? Can I trust those review from Trip Advisor?
yes you can rent a tent on the beach, their is place call tent city. if you have your own tent 250 per night to put your tent, other wise 500 with their tent
Can i get ur number
Hi, can we use a tent there instead of booking a room?
Hi. How do I get from Bantayan Island to Malapascua? What are the options and how much? Thank you so much.
hi lakwatsero, is it possible to bring our car to bantayan island? can we ferry it there? planning to go there durīng the holy week. thanks.
Wow. Such a great post. I am looking forward to visit Bantayan Island. Last time I visited Cebu, I stayed at Radisson Blu and went to see Oslob. It was a wonderful experience, plus I rented a motorcycle at book2wheel.com, so I can roam and tour around without worrying about traffic. It was such an adventure!
My Girlfriend and I will go to Bantayan Island on February 26-28, where can i rent a motorcycle when we will be there on February 26-28? Does anyone have a XR (big bike) or XRM to be rented?
Thank you,
Hi. Does anyone know how to get to bantayan island from cadiz, negros? Please give complete info on what type of boat, fare, & schedules. Thank you.
Take a tricycle p45 to the ferry dock a 10 minute ride from ceres bus terminal. The ferry leaves at 9 am and there is only 1 trip per day. 2 1/2-3 hrs. Take food and water with you. Ferry goes to bantayan town. Sta Fe is a short 10 minute jeepney or tricycle ride and cost p25.
[…] The northern tip of Cebu is endowed with rich waters and dotted with beautiful Islands with white sand beaches, Bantayan Island is one. Read More […]
Very informative! Coolness!
yes it is really good information . also help full
[…] Travel Guide: Bantayan Island […]
What if we go on December? Does that make a difference? December is the only month I’ll have longer vacation. I have to work on summer. Any suggestion? Thanks!!!
Philippines has so good weather it does not meter which month you come. this place will always welcome you.
Hi. I’m planning to go to sta. fe bantayan island alone next week. Can anyone Provide me a step by step guide on how to go there from Fuente Cebu city to sta. fe. Bantayan island. Pls have mercy I’m a lonesome traveler.. Hahaha! I owe to anyone who could answer regarding this concern of mine. Thanks ahead! God bless
hi if you planing to take a bus you should take business from north terminal. and it will drive you all the way to hagyan port . take boat and go to island. then take trri cycle and get of the beach there are alot of cheap beach resort. you can go arround and look. you will find a good deal
All the beach resort have beach front and they are really cheap. And regarding the scooter you can rent for 500 I think on the island
salamat sa recommendations na cheapest resort na nasa taas…hakhak..now alam ko na kung saan ako mag stay..beach front o hindi…..nasa taas lahat….
meron din ata sky diving sa bantayan…
best…..
I’ll be traveling alone sa bantayan this june. Meron bang mga scooters na ma rerent doon?
Yes they have scooters or motorbikes called habal habal
How to get to Paradise Beach from sta fe port? 🙂
there are many cheap beach resort lie 900 paso a day. it was great , really nice place and had fun. i will recoment if you are going from cebu to bantayan bring you scooter or motorbike. its alot fun. by using scooter i put gas for only 120 paso. i went all over the island
Hi there,
Can you recommend accommodations that are affordable and clean, beach front? I’m planning to go there alone 3rd week of May. Thanks in advance!
Hi, what are the resorts that are beach front? Do you happen to have their contact numbers? Thanks!
how much did you pay for your motorbike from hagnaya port to bantayan?
I am planning to bring our motorbike from cebu to bantayan island, however I want to know how much would it cost. thank you.
hello dear, it wil cost you with gas arround 120 each way, Plus you have to pay for the boat, as i rember it was arround 700 to 800 with all the terminal fee. visit a book2wheel.com to get more about boat prices for motorbike. they got some good information on their blog post .