Sibuyan Guide
They say Sibuyan is the “Galapagos of Asia”. Comparisons are odious and, while it is true that the epicness level doesn’t quite reach that of the Ecuadorian archipelago, Sibuyan can boast of having the greatest biodiversity in the Philippines. Moreover, it is the gateway to our beloved Cresta de Gallo island, which is probably one of the most beautiful in the country and one we can’t stop talking about. On the other hand, if you like hiking, you should know that climbing Mt. Guiting-Guiting is one of the essential things to do in Sibuyan, gifting you an extraordinary experience. This island in the Romblon archipelago is also a very non-touristy place, so it will be perfect if you are looking for unexplored corners. Sound good? In this Sibuyan Guide, you will find everything you need to make the most of it.
Do you have an adventurous streak? Then you should put it to the test by exploring Sibuyan. This is one of the least touristy islands in the Philippines, so it is difficult to find it within traditional itineraries. With hardly any restaurants or accommodations, it is still a pristine corner that is gaining popularity for being the base to visit the fabulous island of Cresta de Gallo. Unlike the latter, with white sand beaches, Sibuyan doesn’t have such stunning sandy areas, but it does have waterfalls, mountains, rivers and, best of all, motorbike rides where you won’t get tired of waving at people.
If, like us, you like to get off the beaten track, keep reading this Sibuyan Guide and discover this little piece of the Romblon archipelago.
THINGS TO DO IN SIBUYAN
The “Galapagos of Asia” awaits you with exotic nature in the form of forests, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Sibuyan has a volcanic past that you’ll easily appreciate as soon as you spot it from the boat. Here are some of the activities you can do there:
- Mt. Guiting-Guiting: conquering this mountain is only for those accustomed to hiking, as it is said that this is where Filipino mountaineers come to train to climb higher peaks. If you can, don’t hesitate because you will be able to enjoy the biodiversity of Sibuyan and some incredible views. In case you rule out this option, from Magdiwang there are other easier hikes where you can see the flora and fauna that has given it this nickname.
- Catingas River: they say this river is the cleanest in the Philippines, so you’ll surely want to take a dip in it. In the south of the island, they have set up a recreational area where there are even several diving boards and from which you can enjoy a very beautiful scene with Mt. Guiting-Guiting in the background.
- Sibuyan Waterfalls: you won’t lack options! Due to the island’s topography, there are a ton. Our favorites are Bila-bila Waterfalls and Busay Falls.
- Get lost on the island’s roads: this is, without a doubt, the best part. Being such a non-touristy island, you will find your own hidden corners. As a curiosity, in Azagra is the Virgin Mary of Candelaria Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, from the 17th century.
- Cresta de Gallo: Sibuyan is the starting point to hop over to this spectacular island that we will talk about next.
In this Sibuyan Guide we only give you a taste, you can find much more in:
CRESTA DE GALLO
Okay, Sibuyan has beautiful waterfalls and its landscapes are very pretty, but our main reason for visiting it was none other than jumping over to Cresta de Gallo. This uninhabited island is one of the most beautiful in the Philippines. With several sandbars, transparent water, white sand and, of course, almost exclusivity, it would be a real crime not to include it in this Sibuyan Guide.
You can get to Cresta de Gallo from Azagra, in the south of the island. From here you can take a small bangka (local boats) and in an hour you will be in paradise. If you want to feel like a castaway, you can stay to sleep on Cresta de Gallo in a tent. Need to know more? Check it all out at:
HOW TO GET TO SIBUYAN
One of the reasons why you won’t see too much tourism in Sibuyan is because it is relatively difficult to get there. The island does not have an airport, so the only way to access it is by boat. You can do it easily from Romblon, as there is at least one boat a day, which takes about 3 hours. There are also occasional bangkas from Roxas, on the island of Panay. If you are in Manila, you could choose to fly to Tablas and from there take a boat to Sibuyan or you could also hop on one of the ferries that leave for the island from the port of Batangas, 2 hours from the capital.
As you can see, there are multiple options, but keep in mind that this journey will take you almost a day or even more. In this Sibuyan Guide we only give you a glimpse, you can find everything updated and detailed at:
WHERE TO STAY IN SIBUYAN
The hotel offer in Sibuyan is really minuscule. In fact, it is probably the one with the fewest hotels on our website. Added to this is the fact that the state of the roads is not the best, so it pays to choose your base carefully. If your main goal is to jump to Cresta de Gallo, it is most advisable that you stay in the south. However, if you are going to dare to conquer Mt. Guiting Guiting, it is better to opt for the north, where the main port is also located.
Curiously, in Sibuyan there is a community of Germans who have decided to retire here and open their homes to host tourists, complementing the scarce accommodation offer. You can find our personal recommendations here:
TIPS FOR VISITING SIBUYAN
- WHEN TO VISIT SIBUYAN: the best time is from January to May, which is the dry season.
- HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN SIBUYAN: if you want to explore the island well, our advice is not to give it less than 2 days. Since you are surely going to go to Cresta de Gallo, dedicate at least one more to it.
- HOW TO GET AROUND SIBUYAN: being a non-touristy and sparsely populated island, it’s not exactly teeming with transport, but it won’t be too difficult. The easiest way to do it is with a motorbike, which the accommodation owners will help you rent for about 400-500 pesos a day. In case you don’t drive, the cheapest thing is to use the jeepneys, which run from Magdiwang to San Fernando and from Magdiwang to Cajidiocan and vice versa once or twice a day. For shorter journeys, tricycles are best. You can take them as a “regular” ride or private.
- MONEY IN SIBUYAN: come with plenty of money because we only saw one ATM and it wasn’t working. In Romblon, you do have more chances to withdraw cash.
- INTERNET IN SIBUYAN: don’t expect a great internet connection. In fact, in many cases, you won’t even have a phone signal. Depending on the area where you stay, the signal from one company or another will be better. From experience, in the south and east, Smart had better coverage.
- HEALTH IN SIBUYAN: you have already seen that the island does not have much infrastructure and, although there is a clinic, in case something happens to you, you will have to be transferred to Manila or Roxas. Therefore, we recommend that you do not travel without good travel insurance for the Philippines.