Do you ever want to escape to an island with endless stretches of powdery white sand and pure crystal waters just like in paintings?
Bantayan Island is your destination. Being in Bantayan reminds you how beautiful life is when you live it sweet and simple. There is an untouched purity in this serene island paradise.
Bantayan Island is situated at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu, Philippines. It is politically part of the Cebu province and is composed of three municipalities, namely Bantayan, Madridejos and Santa Fe.
The must-see attractions include the 405-year-old church, the one-and-a-half century house of Anun Escario, the Ogtong Cave and other ancient caves you can explore.
Bantayan has picture-perfect sunrises and sunsets. With a wide and long stretch of sand fronting the waters, you can see the glowing sunset amid a magnificent sky. The people in Bantayan are friendly, warm and smiling. Indeed, living in a sweet paradise of an island, who wouldn’t be? Since the island is naturally a fishing island-group, the seafood selections will just blow your mind. You will love the fresh, meaty fish straight from the sea,especially when grilled by the beach. You can almost taste the seawater in the moist, soft, juicy, white, plump meat. Shrimps, crabs and lobsters are abundantly available in the market. Aside from Filipino cuisine, there are restaurants on the island serving Thai, Japanese and European cuisine. For dessert, you can have a taste of the island’s refreshing fruits and shakes.
The people of Bantayan are mostly Christians. A lot of people from Cebu and other provinces go to Bantayan for the Holy Week to witness the Holy Week procession of the Passion of Christ. The Lenten season attracts a lot of visitors and the resorts in Bantayan Island are usually fully-booked this time of the year. That is why it is best to book your accommodations at least 6 months to one year before this peak season.
How to Get There
From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, take a taxi to the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City, where you can then catch a bus that will take you to Hagnaya. The bus ride takes approximately three hours. Upon arriving in Hagnaya port, you can take the Island Express Ferry Boat to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island. The ferry boat ride will last for about an hour. There are also ro-ro boats that can take you from Hagnaya to Sta. Fe.
(Update 7/21/11) If you wish to know more about Bantayan Island, go to bantayan.gov.ph
