Bantayan Island: Do-it-Yourself Itinerary

Here's the itinerary of our recently concluded Bantayan Island trip.

Bantayan Island: Tristan's Pizza Fully Consumed by 2 People within 5 Minutes

Tristan's Bar and Restaurant 

After enjoying our time at Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort, we asked our service vehicle to drop us by Tristan's Resort because we wanted to sink our teeth into their much talked about pizza. This was the only must-try food on our list since we were on a tight budget, and since we have read that it is a 16-slice pizza, we planned to eat just half and save the other half for the next day's breakfast. Upon arrival, the staff asked for our order and left, and we took the time as an opportunity to roam in the resort and to take photos. After around 30 minutes, the staff was back with our order. A 16-slice pizza, combination of Tristan's Special and Hawaiian (8 slices each). Upon delivery of our order, it was "galit-galit muna" mode, and about our plan to save half for the next morning? Nah, the two of us finished eating the whole thing in a span of 5 minutes.

Bantayan Island: Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort

On our second day in Bantayan Island, we planned to consume half-day on island hopping and spend the whole afternoon in Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort. During my research for our itinerary, I found that Ogtong Cave was a usual part of a Bantayan Island tour but I read (from their facebook page) that the cave was closed for swimming for non-guests, as ordered by DENR. So I scrapped it from the original itinerary that I prepared. However, I came across accounts of tour in Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort and feedback that the place was good and there was even a bigger cave inside where you can swim - for the same amount charged by Ogtong Cave.

Bantayan Island: Island Hopping to Virgin Island and Hilantaga-an Island

On our second day in Bantayan, we were supposed to wake up at 5:30 am to catch the sunrise but since it had been raining since the afternoon until evening of the previous day, we did not make an effort to catch the sunrise at all (FAIL for the nth time). When we woke up, we had our breakfast and then set off for island hopping at 7:00 am. After an hour of sailing on super wavy sea (good thing we had life vests this time), we finally reached Virgin Island. The caretaker told us that the rate was P400 for the two of us, but Boots negotiated it to be P300 (maybe because it was an off-peak day - an unexpected rainy season in March).

Bantayan Island: Omagieca Mangrove Garden

I found out about Omagieca Mangrove Garden through a Bantayan itinerary that I researched over the internet. Omagieca Mangrove Garden is, well, a mangrove garden. No matter how relaxing the ambience is, there are two reasons why a trip here is also an adventure.

Bantayan Island: Bantayan Town and Madridejos via Motorbike

Before going to Bantayan, my Boots informed me that it is possible to go around town via motorbike, and so I researched and found out through the internet that there is actually an abundant provider of motorbikes for rent in Santa Fe.