Dinagat Islands: Pangabangan Island and its Blue Lagoon

Pangabangan Island

It was one splashy ride. We’re midway through hour 2-hour journey along Surigao strait for our first island hopping stop in Dinagat Islands, the Pangabangan Island. I knew the weather would be intermittent in a September but my birthday was coming up and I wanted to go to a place I haven’t been before. I’m fascinated about Dinagat Islands after seeing photos from friends who went there. The natural wonders looks raw and beautiful. The province is curiously wrapped in a mysterious culture and religion.

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A Quick Side-trip to Cobrador Island

Beach at Sitio Cabugaan

Aside from Bonbon Beach, the main island of Romblon has some island hopping activities too with its fair share of equally stunning islands and beaches. Since we’re covering the Biniray Festival and Tonton ng Sto Niño that day, we only have the morning to visit one of the three islands on the northwestern side of Romblon Island, the Cobrador Island. The island is the farthest of the three and a 45-minute boat ride away from the poblacion.

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Cresta de Gallo: Sibuyan Island Sandbar Paradise

Sandbar stretch at Cresta de Gallo

Found at the southern tip of Sibuyan Island is one of Romblon’s raw gems worth daring the often tempestuous waters of Sibuyan seas for. Cresta de Gallo, named after its shape resembling a rooster’s comb, is an island with a fine white sand beach and a stunning sandbar. No commercial establishments or structures. Just a pure tropical island paradise.

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Sun Setting at Bonbon Beach Romblon

Bonbon beach sandbar aerial view

There is no shortage of spectacular beaches in Romblon. While “good beaches” vary in taste on a personal level, for me the qualifications come down to the sand quality, the surrounding environment, the waters, and the awe factor. Strip off any establishments or fancy gimmicks, it always comes down to the bare nature of it all. That’s why I’m loving Bonbon Beach (sometimes spelled as Bon Bon) in Romblon. About 5km from Romblon Island, Poblacion. Privately owned, but open to the public. Stretches of gorgeous coastal white sand beaches lead up to a panoramic sandbar. Oh boy, I envy Romblon …

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Seco Island: Sandbar Bliss in Tibiao

Seco Island sea patterns

Setting off to a distant island across rough seas and under intermittent weather in the wee hours of the morning aboard a large fishing vessel may sound like a romanticized adventure. But that’s exactly how our journey to Seco Island began. Well not exactly, it’s actually a clumsy ride on a flat boat that held everyone’s breath as we grope for balance to transfer from the shore to the big boat. I’ve only seen flat boats used here heavily in Antique, but these outrigger-less, flat surfaced geometrical boat is a challenge to balance on water especially with a number of people inside. But it did wake us up under the starry night sky and kept us alert as we boarded the shipping vessel for a 2-3 hour ride.

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Mararison Island: Antique’s Sandbar and Rolling Hills Island

Mararison Island aerial view

Like the Isla Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo, Mararison Island, got under the tourist radar after Typhoon Haiyan. This little known island just 15 minutes off the mainland of Culasi, Antique used to be enjoyed exclusively by the locals and a few tourist. But soon, word got out, or simply, photos of picturesque hills and an alluring sandbar found in just one island went viral across the net. Being highly accessible from the mainland, the once quiet fishing community now welcomes visitors at their tropical island home.

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Top Adventures in Coron

Coron entrance to Kayangan lake

Coron has been declared one of the most beautiful islands, not just in the Philippines but the whole world. So, if Coron is not on your bucket list, then it is time you did so, or you would be missioning out on a whole lot of fun and excitement. It is a haven for the adventure lovers who simply love the breathtaking scenery, the pure nature, and the clearest waters.

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