Capitancillo Island

Capitancillo is a tiny, uninhabited coral islet in the Camotes Sea, about 6 km off the east coast of Bogo City in North Cebu. You can walk around it in a few minutes. A tall white lighthouse rises over a handful of palm trees, and all around it the water is clear, shallow and full of fish. The island and its reef are a protected marine sanctuary, which makes it one of the nicest snorkelling day trips in the north.

Why go to Capitancillo

• Clear, shallow water for swimming and snorkelling right off the rocks.
• A protected reef with healthy coral and lots of fish.
• The lighthouse, a white steel tower that is a famous landmark of the area.
• A quiet day trip, far from the crowds of the better-known islands.

The lighthouse

A lighthouse was first built on Capitancillo in 1905. The white steel tower you see today dates from the 1950s and is about 25 metres tall, still flashing at night to guide ships through the Camotes Sea. Next to it are the stone walls of older lighthouse buildings. Admire the tower from outside, and do not climb it unless a caretaker tells you it is allowed.

Snorkelling and diving

The best part of Capitancillo is under the water. The shallows around the islet are calm on good days, with corals and reef fish close to the surface. Further out, the reef drops off, and divers know the area for several dive sites. There is no dive shop on the island, so if you want to dive, arrange it in advance with a dive operator.

Because this is a sanctuary, fishing is not allowed. Do not stand on, touch or collect coral or shells, and do not feed the fish. Use reef-safe sunscreen, or better, a rash guard.

How to get to Capitancillo from Cebu City

1. Go to the Cebu North Bus Terminal and take a bus to Bogo City. The ride takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic.
2. In Bogo, take a tricycle to a jump-off point on the coast. Boats have left from Polambato port and from coastal spots such as Odlot.
3. Hire a pump boat for the round trip. The crossing takes about 15-45 minutes, depending on where you leave from and the sea.

Boat hire is the biggest cost of the trip, so it is best shared with a group. Agree on the price, how long the boatman will wait and the time you will head back before you leave. You may be asked to register or pay a small environmental fee; ask the Bogo City tourism office for the current rules before your trip.

What to expect on the island

There are no stores, no restaurants and no rooms on Capitancillo. There may be a few simple huts for shade, but you should bring everything you need for the day: food, plenty of drinking water, snorkel gear and sun protection. Take all your trash back to the mainland.

Where to stay and eat

Bogo City has hotels, pension houses and plenty of local eateries, so it is easy to spend the night and catch a boat early the next morning, when the sea is usually calmest. Buy your picnic supplies in Bogo before you head to the port.

When to go

Go when the sea is calm. March to May usually brings the flattest water, and the wider dry season from about December is also good on calm days. From around June to November there is more rain and stormy weather can cancel boats. Always check the forecast and ask the boatman if it is safe to cross.

Tips for a good trip

• Leave early: the morning sea is usually calmer and the light is better for snorkelling.
• Bring your own snorkel gear, food and more water than you think you need.
• Wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer, and watch for boats.
• Do not touch the coral or take shells. This is a protected sanctuary.
• Bring cash in small bills for the tricycle, boat and fees.

Exploring more of North Cebu? See our guides to Malapascua and Gibitngil Island.

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: "Capitancillo Island - Tower - Southwest Side 3" by Defenestrated Juan, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated October 15, 2026