The group of Romblon islands is one of our favorite corners of the world and one of the places we discovered on our recent trips to the Philippines. This island archipelago is home not only to slices of paradise that are still untouched, but also to people so welcoming that your arm might start to ache from waving to them as you explore. If you want to know what to do in Romblon, keep reading and discover them with us.
The first thing to clarify is that Romblon is just one of the islands in the island group and the province of the same name. Although it isn’t even the largest of them all, it’s the one with the greatest number of beautiful beaches and the most attractions for visitors. Locals usually refer to it as Romblon Romblon. And we’re sure you’ve already guessed the name of Romblon Romblon’s capital: Romblon!
We’ll soon be telling you about all the attractions of its sister islands, Tablas, Carabao and Sibuyan, as well as the famous and Instagrammable Cresta de Gallo Island, but for now, let’s talk about what to see and what to do in Romblon. We’ll also share some practical information to make your trip around Romblon, Philippines, easier.
How many days should you spend in Romblon?
Getting to Romblon isn’t entirely straightforward. Since the island sees very few tourists, both transportation and accommodation options are still quite limited. That doesn’t mean Romblon isn’t fabulous—quite the opposite! You just need to bear in mind that it’s still a destination waiting to be explored and that it takes a little more time. Personally, we’d stay in Romblon for at least 4 full days. That would give you time to enjoy BonBon Beach and its neighboring beaches, explore the island and discover new places, and take a trip to beautiful nearby islands such as Cobrador Island.
We also think combining your visit to Romblon with visits to Sibuyan and Cresta de Gallo is a must. To do all of this, it’s essential to allow at least 8-9 days. This will let you explore all these places and, above all, leave plenty of time for travel between the islands. Boat schedules often change, and services are infrequent. Having visited several times, we feel that the Romblon archipelago is still an unexplored part of the Philippines that you need to give plenty of time to.
If you have even more time, squeeze in a few days for Tablas and Carabao, islands with their own charm and some very beautiful beaches.
What to do in Romblon
Without rambling on any longer, let’s get into the attractions of this island that won us over. Discover what to see in Romblon.
1. Visit Bon Bon Beach
Chances are you found this guide to things to do in Romblon after seeing a photo of Bon Bon Beach (sometimes also spelled Bonbon Beach). We’re not surprised: Bonbon Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in the Philippines, and we’d go so far as to call it one of the most incredible sandbars in the world. Beyond the undeniable beauty of the sand, the waters surrounding the beach are among the cleanest and clearest we’ve seen in the country.
Located 3 kilometers from Romblon’s main town, this slice of paradise is less than 10 minutes away and looks even more spectacular at low tide. That’s when you can walk along the sandbar that connects Romblon to the small, uninhabited islet of Bang-og.
At high tide, the water can reach well above your hips, and you could get stranded if you’ve decided to explore the neighboring island. That’s why we encourage you to check a tide chart and time your visit to see Bon Bon Beach in all its glory.
To get there, you’ll need to leave your motorcycle in the designated parking area and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the sandbar. Under a new local ordinance, admission costs 50 pesos per person, as it does at almost all the island’s beaches, and you won’t find any bars at Bonbon Beach. So we recommend bringing your own food and drinks to spend some time doing one of the best things to do in Romblon: enjoying this paradise.
If you want to stay very close by, take a look at this newly built guesthouse: Lonos Circle.
2. Enjoy the peace and quiet of Tiamban Beach
When we arrived at this beach in Romblon, we couldn’t believe our eyes. It quickly became one of our favorite beaches in the Philippines for several reasons: fine white sand, calm, clean water, and the shade of palm trees where you can spend some time enjoying the setting. That’s why visiting Tiamban Beach is something you simply have to do in Romblon, without fail.
Admission costs 50 pesos, as there’s a small restaurant that takes care of keeping the beach spotless. You can also order a cold drink or some snacks such as fries or sandwiches.
3. Swim with turtles at Agpanabat Marine Sanctuary
Although we came to this marine sanctuary without particularly high expectations, we left seriously impressed! The coral at Agpanabat sanctuary is in perfect condition and teeming with marine life—so much so that we even saw a turtle! The water was incredibly calm, and visibility reached 20 meters, so we spent over an hour enjoying what is probably the best place to snorkel in Romblon.
Rose, from Reggae Vibes, a small guesthouse, manages the sanctuary. You’ll need to pay a modest fee of 10 pesos for its conservation. If you don’t have your own mask and snorkel, she rents them out, too.
If you’re passionate about snorkeling, you can ask at the Romblon tourist office, as there are 17 marine sanctuaries around the island.
4. Apunan Lighthouse
Romblon is full of surprises, and one of them is that you can admire it from above if you’re up for climbing Apunan Lighthouse.
It’s quite a little adventure: you have to ask permission to enter the lighthouse keepers’ house and climb some seriously steep stairs, but we promise it’ll be worth it. Not just for the views of Romblon’s endless palm groves, but also because you’ll get to explore the inside of a working lighthouse.
To climb up, you’ll be asked to sign the guest book and contribute whatever amount you’d like. We gave 50 pesos each.
2024 update: it seems visitors are no longer allowed inside the lighthouse. Still, getting there is a little adventure, and it’s close to Agpanabat if you’re exploring by motorcycle.
5. Discover the history of Fuerte de San Andres
Did you know that another of the things to do in Romblon is to explore a 16th-century Spanish fort? Although it has been completely restored, we found it really interesting to walk along the walls of Fuerte de San Andres, which the Spanish built to defend the town against pirate attacks.
The fort also offers spectacular views of Romblon town and the neighboring islands, and it’s a wonderful spot to end the day with a gorgeous sunset.
Sometimes there’s a security guard on-site who will open the gates for you after you make a small donation toward its upkeep.
6. Explore Romblon Town
Romblon’s small capital is a tiny but pleasant town for travelers. We recommend taking a walk that includes places such as St. Joseph Cathedral (St. Joseph Cathedral Parish) and its bell tower, which date back to the 15th century; the Belen Fountain, also from the colonial era and with a sign entirely in Spanish; or some of its more than 40 colonial buildings, such as the one at the corner of MA Roxas Ave and Magsaysay St. or the one at Municipal and MA Roxas Ave.
You’ll also find some bridges from the Spanish colonial era that are still intact, most of them built from coral. Puente de Rio Casalogan, Puente de Romblon, and Puente de Belen are recognized as Important Cultural Properties by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Although Romblon doesn’t have much nightlife, many locals gather at the basketball court next to Plaza Municipal to play basketball, the national sport of the Philippines, and it’s easy to get completely absorbed in watching them.
7. Relax at Talipasak Beach or San Pedro Beach
We did mention that one of the best things to do in Romblon is to enjoy its beaches, right? Well, one of the best is San Pedro, and we promise you’ll never find it crowded. A little more tucked away than the others, half an hour by motorcycle from Romblon Town, this beach with calm waters has enough shade to spend a whole day there and has a small resort (Robinson’s Cove) where you can order food and drinks. Plus, there are hammocks! Admission costs 50 pesos per person.
Don’t forget your snorkeling mask, as this is home to San Pedro Marine Sanctuary and you can find some interesting little things underwater.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, you’ll find some simple cabins here with sea views for 800 pesos a night.
8. Go scuba diving in Romblon
Did you know that Romblon is one of the world’s meccas for macro diving or muck diving? That’s why one of the things to do in Romblon is to explore its underwater world. The island’s main operator at the moment is The Three P, which also offers accommodation. Other options include staying on the neighboring island of Alad with Romblon Fun Divers, based at this resort, or at Romblon Beach and Dive Resort, on the island of Logbon.
Besides the more than 15 dive sites in Romblon, dive trips also run from the island to nearby islands such as Logbon, Alad, Cobrador, Tablas (home to the famous Blue Hole), Sibuyan, Banton, and Simara. Dive prices are around 1,700 pesos.
Romblon lies at the end of what’s known as the Verde Island Passage, said to be the most diverse underwater ecosystem in the world. That makes it one of the best places to go diving in the Philippines. Conditions are also good at any time of year, with visibility that can exceed 20 meters and temperatures between 26°C and 30°C. You can also try the very popular blackwater diving here, a type of night diving focused on attracting some truly strange creatures.
9. Learn about Romblon’s marble industry
As soon as you arrive in Romblon by boat, you’ll see a sign announcing: “the marble capital of the Philippines”. Want to find out why? Just a few steps from the port, next to Freedom Park, you’ll find an entire street where all kinds of products made from marble are sold. From the most basic things you can imagine to more unusual items such as marble household items or huge figures of dolphins and other marine animals.
If you’re up for exploring Romblon by motorcycle, you’ll also find lots of quarries and artisans carving these works of art that are shipped all over the world.
10. Island hopping from Romblon
As if this list of things to do in Romblon weren’t enough, here’s another must: island hopping around the neighboring islands. This was one of our most wonderful days in the Romblon archipelago, and we recommend following in our footsteps.
Island hopping literally means hopping from island to island, and that’s exactly what we did in our bangka that day. For 1,500 pesos, we spent a whole day discovering spectacular places on the islands of Cobrador (also called Naguso), Alad, and Lugbung. Head to the port to negotiate; the price is for an entire boat, which usually holds up to 6 people. Bring food and drinks with you, too, as you won’t find anywhere to buy anything.
You can also make this trip over several days and much more cheaply on public boats that travel to these islands, but bear in mind that, since these places aren’t very touristy, schedules can be somewhat erratic.
By the way, if you want to get away from it all and spend a few days completely relaxing, there’s a resort on Alad, Tinaoog Beach Resort, with a beautiful marine sanctuary.
11. Get lost exploring Romblon by motorcycle
Ultimately, although we’ve shared plenty of things to see and do in Romblon, what we loved most about this island was that we had every place we visited all to ourselves. We enjoyed all the spots we’ve mentioned, but we also spent plenty of time getting lost around the island on our motorcycle, discovering places that weren’t in any guidebook or even on Google Maps and satisfying our urge to explore.
For example, if you’re craving a freshwater dip, try finding the Kipot River (we’ve marked it below; there’s a 30-peso fee to walk through someone’s house) or the Libtong, Inuquit, or Myugab-I waterfalls. If you want more adventure, try making your way to Lintian Beach. Although getting there isn’t entirely straightforward, leave your motorcycle when the road ends and ask for directions down to the beach. Your reward will be arriving at this incredible, deserted beach, where there are only a couple of little houses whose local residents will look at you in surprise. Bring your snorkeling mask—there are loads of starfish!
Renting a motorcycle in Romblon costs 500 pesos a day. Across from the Jd & G restaurant, there’s a clothing store that also rents out scooters and larger-engine motorcycles. Still, we recommend asking at your accommodation, because they’re almost always happy to help you find one.
Practical information about Romblon
To help you plan your visit, here are a few details that are sure to come in handy.
Where to stay in Romblon
If you’re looking for information on hotels and resorts in Romblon, don’t miss our detailed guide to where to stay in Romblon.
But to give you an idea, here are three:
- Romblon Transient House: if you’re looking for somewhere cheap in Romblon “town,” this is your spot. Little apartments that even come with a kitchenette. Find more information here.
- Sea U Inn: just a few steps from Bon Bon Beach, this newly built hotel has some rooms with sea views starting at $40. Book through this link.
- Coco Cabana Romblon: although it’s a little farther from town, it’s an option if you want to relax and have a place to snorkel. There are all kinds of rooms, but whichever you choose, you can expect lovely owners, an infinity-style pool, and a restaurant that offers good value for money. Take a look here.
How to get to Romblon
This guide explains how to get to Romblon from different places in the Philippines. Just bear in mind that the island doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll need to allow some time to get there.
Where to eat in Romblon
Romblon isn’t an island with a huge variety of food, but in the capital you’ll find plenty of inexpensive carenderias and a few pretty good restaurants. If we had to pick a few standouts, they’d be these:
- JD & G Italian Foods & Real Italian Pizza: it’s a bit pricey compared with the rest of the island, but you won’t regret it because both the pizza and the pasta are fantastic.
- Island Bistro: next to the port, a nice spot for a meal with good fruit shakes and delicious lasagna.
- Joe-Ra Cafe: possibly the best restaurant on the island, with sea views and thoughtfully prepared Filipino cuisine. Don’t miss the kare-kare.
- Romblon Deli: very close to the previous restaurant, this is another lovely place overlooking the sea, with pasta dishes, pizza, and a few Filipino and Asian specialties.
Tips for visiting Romblon
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of everything there is to do in Romblon:
- Although you can visit year-round, the best time to visit Romblon is from November to May. April and May are even better, as they’re the driest months.
- We recommend spending at least 4 full days in Romblon and combining your visit with visits to Sibuyan and Cresta de Gallo. Even better if you spend a couple of days on Tablas, too.
- The best way to make the most of Romblon is on a motorcycle, as the coastal roads are gorgeous. Interestingly, it’s one of the few islands in the Philippines where you’ll find electric motorcycles, with a battery charging point. Still, if you don’t ride, you can always negotiate with tricycle drivers.
- There are a few ATMs in Romblon Romblon, but we recommend bringing cash, as they sometimes run out of money.
- There are a few inexpensive laundry services in Romblon Romblon; we’ve marked the one we used on the map below.
- Romblon’s beaches look prettier at high tide, but if you want to see Bon Bon Beach, try to visit at low tide.
- A minor issue taught us that medical facilities in Romblon are limited, even on the larger neighboring island of Tablas. So if you need emergency hospital care, you’ll have to be transferred to Manila. That’s why it’s very important to travel with good travel insurance for the Philippines like the policy we use. Here’s 5% off your policy.
Map of Romblon
Have we convinced you with all these things to do in Romblon? Here’s a map of Romblon that you can view on your phone and use to find your way around with us once you’re there.
If you have any questions about your trip to the Philippines or your visit to Romblon, leave them in the comments and we’ll try to help!
