Explore Bantayan Island like a local: from the pristine white sand beaches of Sta. Fe to the northernmost town of Madrilejos. Cruise around by scooter, drop by Bantayan Public Market for the fresh catch of the day, swim in the clear spring waters of the Ogtong Cave and enjoy happy hour at the floating bar, while saving some time to bask in the sun on the sandbar!

DAY 1 – FRIDAY EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE –Special seafood buffets are only during the weekend!

MANILA TO CEBU via Cebu Pacific (Lord managed to book unbelievable airline ticket rates of PHP 650 ($US 15.00) per person return)

3:30 AM Arrival at NAIA Terminal 3
4:45 AM Departure via Cebu Pacific
5:45 AM Arrive in Cebu Mactan International Airport

CEBU TO HAGNAYA PORT*

6:30 AM From Cebu Mactan International Airport take a Taxi to Hagnaya Port in Northern Cebu (Travel Time – 2 Hours 30 minutes) We managed to negotiate from an original asking price of PHP 2,500 ($US 60.00) to PHP 1,500 ($US 30.00)! Go Hour Philippines!

HAGNAYA PORT TO SANTA FE, BANTAYAN ISLAND

9:00 AM Arrive by Taxi at Hagnaya Port
9:15 AM Depart by Island Shipping Corporation for Sta. Fe , Bantayan Island. Tickets
cost PHP 135.00 ($US 3.75) plus PHP 5.00 port fee per person. (Travel Time – 1 Hour 15 minutes)
10:30 AM Arrive in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island (Make sure to get the return boat ticket already as this may be sold out on the day)
10:35 AM Marlin’s Beach Resort Van Pickup (Travel Time – 10 Minutes to Marlin’s Beach Resort)
10:50 AM Check in at Marlin’s Beach Resort / Rent a motorbike/scooter from Marlin’s best rate of PHP 250.00 ($US 6.00) per day, gas not included
11:00 AM Beach time at Marlin’s
12:30 PM Lunch at Marlin’s on the beach

2:00 PM Enjoy the Beach and Sandbar at Marlin’s beach front
3:45 PM Freshen up for Happy Hour (Starts @ 3PM at CouCou)
4:00 PM Happy Hour at Cou Cou – (Travel Time – 1 Minute Scooter drive away!) They have a new pool table for hourly rental at PHP 50.00 ($US 1.25).
7:00 PM Dinner at D’ Jungle (Same Belgian/French owner as the White Sand’s, the only fine dining restaurant on the island that has closed but will be reopening, no definite date yet.
9:00 PM Walk to the Santa Fe Public Market next to Cou Cou for snacks and refreshments to take back to hotel
9:15 PM Retire back at Marlin’s Beach Resort

*CEBU TO HAGNAYA PORT - AS AN OPTION YOU MAY OPT TO TAKE A LOCAL BUS TO HAGNAYA PORT, This will be cheaper but will add an extra hour to your travel time. Details may be found below:
6:30 AM From Cebu Mactan International Airport take a Taxi to Cebu City North Bus Terminal (20 minutes Travel Time – Taxi will cost from PHP 70-100 ($US 2.00))
6:50 AM Arrival at North Bus Terminal. Make sure to take the Ceres Bus Line with yellow and white colors to Hagnaya Port.
7:00AM Bus Departure to Hagnaya. If you are lucky you will have caught the Express but will probably only be 30 minutes faster. (Approximately 3-3.5 Hours Travel Time – Expect to pay PHP 60.00 ($US 1.20) One way per person)

Bantayan Market Clams - PHP 15.00 ($US 0.30) Per Kilo!!!

DAY 2 – SATURDAY – FRESH CATCH OF THE DAY / BANTAYAN NIGHTLIFE

Sta. Fe
8:00 AM Drive to Bantayan Public Market by scooter for fresh seafood (Travel time 20 Minute scenic drive on scooter) Have Marlin’s begin to prepare seafood for a grilled seafood lunch, clams need to be placed in water, prawns cleaned, fish marinated etc.
9:00 AM Breakfast at Marlin’s Beach Resort
10:00 AM Enjoy beach and sand bar at Marlin’s Beach Resort (Low tide is just beautiful)

12:30 PM Have Marlin’s cook the fresh seafood for lunch (Grilled/Steamed/Fried)
6:00 PM Dinner buffet at D’Jungle (Hour Philippines recommendation – Visayan Oysters and Scallops)

9:00 PM Live Band Entertainment @ Tickety Boo Resort – Rock Bottom (10 minute scooter ride from Marlin’s Beach Resort
11:00 PM Retire back at Marlin’s Beach Resort

In the next post we will continue the Itinerary.

For our personal experience on Bantayan Island, please click here.

Related Bantayan Island Posts:

Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Part 1/2)
Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Part 2/2)
Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Contact Information – Hotels, Restaurants and Shipping Lines)
Bantayan Island Day 1 – The Journey
Bantayan Island Day 2 : Part 1 – Fresh Catch of the Day
Bantayan Island Day 2 : Part 2 – Bantayan Nightlife
Bantayan Island Day 3 – Madrilejos | The Blue Ice
Bantayan Island Day 4 – The Secret of Ogtong Cave
Bantayan Island Day 5 – Just Another Day in Paradise

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
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