After an exciting first day exploring the northern towns of Cebu, we were all excited about what Bantayan Island had in store. Our second day began with a relaxed breakfast at the resort in San Remigio, around 7 AM. The best part about the stay? Free breakfast! It was a simple yet satisfying meal that energized us for the day ahead.
Once we were ready, we made our way to Hagnaya Port to catch a ferry to Bantayan Island. Luck was on our side, as we only had to wait for about 10 minutes before the RORO ferry departed. The ride was smooth, and by noon, we arrived at Santa Fe port. By this time, we were all quite famished, and the free pickup we had arranged from our resort saved us a lot of hassle. On our way to the resort, we asked the driver to stop at MJ Square, a popular spot filled with food stalls and restaurants. There were plenty of options to choose from, and we quickly settled in for a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we headed straight to our resort. The villa we had booked was cozy, and it didn’t take long for us to settle in. Rather than rushing into more activities, we decided to take it easy and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the beach. Some of us enjoyed swimming, while others chilled by the pool. As the sun started to set, we had the perfect opportunity to savor the island’s tranquility.
For dinner, we were treated to some freshly cooked seafood by a local we had met during lunch. We dined right on the beachfront, enjoying the soothing sound of the waves. It was a beautiful, laid-back evening, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to wind down. To prepare for the next day’s adventure, we rented a van for a DIY island tour and even took it for a quick spin around the town proper of Santa Fe after dinner. During the drive, we also scouted a different resort for our second night’s stay. Once that was settled, we returned to the resort and had a well-deserved rest.
The next day, we left early to start our island tour. Our first destination was Madridejos, famous for Kota Park. The park was peaceful and offered a nice view of the sea. Along the way, we stopped briefly at a few tourist spots before heading to Bantayan town proper. There, we visited the historic church and took a moment to enjoy a serenade by a local man at the town park. Afterward, we headed to the well-known Dried Fish (Bulad) Market, a must-visit for any trip to Bantayan Island.
Next on the list was the Mangrove Eco Park, where we explored the mangrove forest and checked out the popular Camp Sawi and Camp Wagi spots. After strolling through the park, we made a quick stop at the Bantayan Ruins. While there wasn’t much to see at the ruins, we snapped a few photos before heading back to MJ Square for refreshments and a little chitchat.
In the late afternoon, we returned to our resort along Kota Beach, where everyone had time to rest. Some of us, including my son and his dad, took advantage of the resort’s kayaks and enjoyed a peaceful ride on the water.
For dinner, we headed back to the area near MJ Square, opting for a BBQ place where we enjoyed freshly grilled seafood. The evening ended perfectly—some of us lingered at the beach for a few drinks, while others were so exhausted they headed straight to bed. It was the perfect conclusion to an adventurous day on Bantayan Island.
Check our Day 1 here: Exploring North of Cebu: A Family Road Trip Adventure