A view you could just stare at forever
© CEBU navi SAKURA ｜ vol.1 Jan.-Feb.2016
Table of contents
Across the sea you can see the mountains of Cebu Island, with its vast sugarcane fields. The gradation of blues between shallow and deep waters is a sight to behold.
A Beach of Freedom
A beach you will want to go back to again and again.
As you draw near to the Santa Fe port, a white line as far as the eye can see greets you. The coast is filled with pristine, almost snowy sand. When you arrive at the port, you can see glittering fish swimming around your boat. You will certainly want to tread the beach as soon as you have checked into your hotel. Around the port there are the port, there are about ten hotels, all located near the beach. You can see joggers early in the morning, as well as local children riding their bicycles to school. There are no guards and no staff taking an entrance fee. Just the sounds of the gentle waves on the beach.
The pure white sand stretches out for as far as the eye can see, and the wind runs through your whole body. It is as though you have it all to yourself, and your body and mind thank you for coming to this place. There are banca boats ready to go fishing or island hopping, a perfect balance of living and sightseeing.
It takes about 20 minutes to traverse the main road connecting Santa Fe and Bantayan by tricycle. If you turn left towards the sea as you cruise along, you will see a scenic, waveless bay with fishermen and their nets. It is as though you have been drawn into a portrait where time has stopped, completely different from the hustle of the city.
You will want to visit the beaches and bays of Bantayan Island time and time again.
'Open the door, and there's the sea.' You will find plenty of hotels like this in Santa Fe!
The morning sun rising from behind Cebu. There is nothing more divine than the sight of the ferry heading towards the morning sun.
The dazzling sea and a fishing banca. Far off on the horizon, we can make out the ferry heading for Hagnaya Port.
The bay in the area between Santa Fe and Bantayan. It is quiet, completely untouched by tourism.
Two sisters waiting for their parents to cast off to go fishing.
The bay is shallow and peaceful, almost like a lake, perfect for watching the reflection of the setting sun.
A young couple repairing their fishing nets.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, a developing tourist town
Perhaps because it was a weekday, there were hardly any tourists on the beach. That is not to say, however, that Santa Fe doesn't have energy: there were many locals having a lunch party at the hotel and singing karaoke in the evening. You get a sense of their daily lives, surrounded by the beautiful sea with its majestic waves sliding across the beach. In downtown Cebu you will find many people saying that they would like to visit this beautiful island.
As the sun goes down the restaurant area of Santa Fe begins to light up, and many Westerners seem to appear out of thin air. Perhaps they have been absorbing the scenery from their windows during the day, and have come to dine on the nightlife of this quaint town and its cool island breeze. Day by day, it is growing as a tourist town.
Unlike some parts of Cebu, there is not a lot of litter on the streets or at the port and the beach. Whether or not it will get worse depends in part on the visiting tourists; let's hope this island will remain as picturesque as it is now.
A mangrove and flowers politely wishing you a good day.
The public beach, which stretches out all the way to the Santa Fe port.
Your heart will feel liberated by the sky and the beach!
You have the expansive beach and the glittering waves all to yourself!
The ferry departing before dawn.
The main road connecting the towns of Santa Fe and Bantayan.
An Italian café in Santa Fe.
The beach right at your doorstep!
Café staff waiting for customers.
Western guests coming out
after it cools down
A newly built restaurant
and bar area
Bantayan
An amiable smile and a delicious aroma
It is about 30 minutes from Santa Fe to Bantayan, with transport limited to motorcycle or tricycle taxi. The Bantayan port has a longer pier than that of Santa Fe, and there are many fish products for sale at the public market. You can sense the town's history just by looking at the plaza or the church. They give us an idea of what Cebu must have looked like not too long ago.
The famous dried fish market in Bantayan Town is the only one on the island. Just the scent of the dried squid can make those who like Japanese cuisine wish they had brought their sake. It's an experience you cannot miss, but if fish is not your bag, there are Philippine BBQ stands just minutes away.
The clean atmosphere, the youth playing on the basketball court, the elderly chatting under the trees, and the beautiful hymns coming from the church give you an impression of Bantayan's coziness.
Three students singing as they walk home from school.
A mother and child riding home by bike.
The carefree smile of a tricycle driver.
A wonderful smile spotted at the market.
The road from Santa Fe ends at this square.
Beyond this gate is Bantayan Town.
The lovely scent of dried squid and fish.
The church next to the plaza, where beautiful hymns can be heard.
Called 'yellow bell' by the locals, this flower is commonly seen on Bantayan Island.
A guidepost at the market.
'CR' means 'restroom'.
Gasoline sold
on the side of the road
A tricycle for ten
Road To Bantayan Island
Back To Metro Cebu
Total transportation cost: 677 php
10 php for entry to the North Bus Terminal
(not necessary when on foot)
132 php for the bus to Hagnaya
(no air conditioner)
170 php for the ferry to Santa Fe
(+ 10 php clearance fee)
170 php for the ferry to Hagnaya
(+ 5 php clearance fee)
180 php for the bus to Cebu City
(direct connection with air conditioner)
During the bus ride a conductor will be available. Please ask him for assistance in case of any problems. Bus and ferry fares may differ depending on bus and ferry operators and the season.
Room: 1,000~5,000 php per person
Depending on the hotel, rooms may have up to four beds; 1,500 php rooms with no meals included are also available.
