Bantayan Island

Bantayan is a flat, easy-going island off the northwest tip of Cebu, known for powdery white sand, calm and shallow turquoise water and a slow island pace. It is split into three towns: Santa Fe, where most beach resorts are, Bantayan town with its old stone church and busy market, and Madridejos in the north. Rent a bike or a scooter, pick a beach and let the days slow down.

Why go to Bantayan

• White-sand beaches with shallow, calm water that is great for swimming and families.
• Island hopping to Virgin Island and other small islets with clear water for snorkelling.
• Heritage: one of the oldest parish churches in the Philippines, and old Spanish-era fort ruins in Madridejos.
• Flat roads that are easy to explore by bike, scooter or tricycle.

Beaches in Santa Fe

Most visitors base themselves in Santa Fe, on the southeast side of the island. The beaches here, such as Sugar Beach and Paradise Beach, have soft white sand and water that stays shallow far from shore. At low tide the sea pulls back a long way, so check the tide times if you want to swim, and come back in the afternoon for the sunset.

Island hopping and Virgin Island

Boats leave from Santa Fe and Bantayan town for half-day island-hopping trips. The best known stop is Virgin Island, a small island with a sandbar and clear water. Some trips add snorkel spots and other islets nearby. Entrance fees are charged on some islands, so ask what is included, and agree on the price and the stops before you leave.

Ogtong Cave

Ogtong Cave in Santa Fe is a small cave with a cool, clear freshwater pool inside, part of a beach resort. It is a nice break from the sun. An entrance fee applies, and you can usually also use the resort pool and beach.

Bantayan town and Madridejos

In Bantayan town, visit the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church, one of the oldest parishes in the country, and walk around the plaza and the market. The island is known for its dried fish and eggs, so the market is a good place to try local food. Further north in Madridejos, Kota Park has the ruins of an old Spanish-era watchtower and fort right by the sea.

How to get to Bantayan from Cebu City

1. Go to the Cebu North Bus Terminal.
2. Take a bus to Hagnaya port in San Remigio. The ride takes about 3-4 hours, depending on traffic.
3. At Hagnaya, take the ferry to Santa Fe port on Bantayan. The crossing takes about 1 hour. Pay the small terminal fee at the port.
4. From Santa Fe port, take a tricycle to your place. Most resorts are only a few minutes away.

Ferries run several times a day, more often in the morning. Leave Cebu City early, and check the latest schedule before you travel. Rough weather can delay or cancel trips. If you are heading to Malapascua next, ferry back to Hagnaya and travel north to Maya.

Getting around the island

Bantayan is flat, so it is easy to get around. Tricycles go almost everywhere, and many places rent out scooters and bikes by the day. A loop around the island takes a few hours by scooter, with stops at the beaches, the church and Kota Park.

Where to stay

Stay in Santa Fe for the beach resorts, restaurants and boats for island hopping. You will find simple guesthouses, beach cottages and bigger resorts. Bantayan town is better if you want local life and the market close by.

When to go

The dry season, from about December to May, usually brings sunny days and a calm sea. Holy Week is the busiest time of the year, when the island fills up with visitors, so book early if you go then. From around June to November there is more rain, and stormy weather can stop the ferries, so keep your plans flexible.

Tips for a good trip

• Bring enough cash. There are only a few ATMs, and many places don't take cards.
• Check the tide times. At low tide some beaches are too shallow to swim.
• Wear a helmet if you rent a scooter, and drive slowly on the narrow roads.
• Don't step on coral or take shells and starfish from the beach.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and take your trash back with you.

Planning more of North Cebu? See our 3-day northern island escape, or read our Malapascua Island guide.

Photo gallery

Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.

Watch before you go

Photo: "The white sand of bantayan island" by Dennisj73, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated October 15, 2026