The group of Romblon Islands is one of our favorite corners and one of the discoveries from our latest trips to the Philippines. The archipelago brings together not only paradises that still haven’t been exploited, but also people so welcoming that your arm might ache from greeting them as you travel around. If you want to know what to do in Romblon, keep reading and discover it with us.
The first clarification we need to make is that Romblon is just one of the islands in the group and the province of the same name. Although it isn’t even the largest of them all, it’s the one with the most beautiful beaches and the most attractions for visitors. Locals usually refer to it as Romblon Romblon. Plus, we’re sure you’ve already guessed the name of the capital of Romblon Romblon—Romblon!
Soon we’ll tell you about all the attractions of its sisters Tablas, Carabao and Sibuyan, as well as the famous and Instagrammable Cresta de Gallo island, but for now we’re going to tell you what to see and what to do in Romblon. In addition, we’ll also give you some practical information to make this trip around Romblon, Philippines easier.
How many days to spend in Romblon?
Getting to Romblon isn’t entirely simple. As it’s a very untouristy island, both transport and hotel infrastructure are still quite limited. That doesn’t mean Romblon isn’t fabulous—quite the opposite! You just need to consider that it’s still a destination to be explored and that it requires a little more time. In our opinion, we would stay in Romblon for at least 4 full days. That way you’ll have time to enjoy BonBon Beach and its neighboring beaches, travel around the island and discover new places, and take a trip to beautiful nearby islands like Cobrador Island.
We also think it’s essential to combine a visit to Romblon with Sibuyan and Cresta de Gallo. For all of this, it’s essential that you plan for at least 8–9 days. This will allow you to see all these places and, above all, have some slack for transfers between them. Boat schedules are often modified and they are not frequent. From our perspective, after several visits, the Romblon archipelago is still an unexplored area of the Philippines that deserves time.
If you have even more time, carve out a few days for Tablas and Carabao, islands that also have their charm and very beautiful beaches.
Things to do in Romblon
Without rambling much more, here we’re going to share the attractions of this island that won us over. Discover what to see in Romblon.
1. Go to Bon Bon Beach
It’s likely you came to this article about things to do in Romblon after seeing a photo of Bon Bon Beach (sometimes written as Bonbon Beach). We’re not surprised—Bonbon Beach is one of the most impressive beaches in the Philippines, and we dare say one of the most incredible sandbars in the world. Besides the indisputable beauty of the sand, the waters surrounding the beach are some of the cleanest and clearest we’ve seen in the country.
Located 3 kilometers from Romblon’s main town, it won’t take you even 10 minutes to reach this paradise, which looks even more spectacular when the tide is low. That’s when you can walk along the sandbar that links Romblon with the small uninhabited islet of Bang-og.
During high tide, the water can reach well above your waist and you can get trapped if you’ve decided to explore the neighboring island. For this reason, we encourage you to check a tide table and visit at the perfect time to see Bon Bon Beach in all its splendor.
To get there, you’ll have to leave your motorbike in the designated parking area and walk about 5 minutes to the sandbar. The access fee, as for almost all the island’s beaches under the new ordinance, is 50 pesos per person, and you won’t find any bar at Bonbon Beach. So we suggest bringing your own food and drinks to spend a good while enjoying one of the best things to do in Romblon: soaking up this paradise.
If you want to stay very close to here, take a look at this newly built hostel: Lonos Circle.
2. Enjoy the tranquility of Tiamban Beach
When we arrived at this Romblon beach, we couldn’t believe it. It quickly became one of our favorite beaches in the Philippines for several reasons: fine white sand, calm and clean waters, and the shade of palm trees for spending a great time enjoying the place. That’s why visiting Tiamban Beach is something you have to do in Romblon, no question.
Entry costs 50 pesos, as there’s a small restaurant that takes care of keeping the beach spotless. You can also order something cold or some snacks like fries or sandwiches.
3. Swim with turtles at the Agpanabat Marine Sanctuary
Although we arrived without great expectations, we left truly impressed! The coral at the Agpanabat sanctuary is in perfect condition and teems with marine life—so much so that we saw a turtle! The water was very calm and visibility reached 20 meters, so we spent more than an hour enjoying what is probably the best place to snorkel in Romblon.
Rose, from Reggae Vibes, a small hostel, manages the sanctuary. You’ll have to pay a modest 10‑peso fee for its conservation. Plus, if you don’t have your own mask and snorkel, she rents them.
If you’re passionate about snorkeling, you can ask at the Romblon tourism 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 appreciate it from above if you decide to climb the Apunan lighthouse.
It’s quite an adventure: you have to ask permission to enter the lighthouse keepers’ house and climb some very steep stairs, but we promise it’ll be worth it. Not only for the views of Romblon’s endless palm groves, but because you’ll go into the bowels of a working lighthouse.
To go up, you’ll be asked to sign the guest book and contribute whatever amount you feel like giving. We gave 50 pesos each.
Update 2024: it seems that as of today they don’t allow entry to the lighthouse. Even so, getting there is still a bit of an adventure, and it’s close to Agpanabat if you’re on a motorbike.
5. Discover history at Fuerza San Andrés
Did you know that another of the things to do in Romblon is to discover a 16th‑century Spanish fort? Although completely rehabilitated, we found it very interesting to walk along the walls of Fuerza San Andrés, the building the Spanish built to defend the town from pirate attacks.
In addition, the fort offers spectacular views of the town of Romblon and the neighboring islands and is a great place to end the day with a beautiful sunset.
The place is sometimes watched by a security guard who will open the doors after you pay a modest donation for its conservation.
6. Explore Romblon Town
Romblon’s small capital is a tiny but pleasant town for travelers. We suggest taking a walk that includes places like the San José Cathedral (St. Joseph Cathedral Parish) and its bell tower, which date back to the 15th century; the Belén fountain, also from the colonial era and with a sign completely in Spanish; or its more than 40 colonial buildings like the one you’ll find on the corner of MA Roxas Ave with Magsaysay St. or Municipal with MA Roxas Ave.
You’ll also find some bridges from the Spanish era still intact, most of them made of coral. The Rio Casalogan Bridge, the Romblon Bridge and the Belén Bridge 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 stadium next to the Municipal Plaza to play basketball, the national sport of the Philippines, and it’s very easy to get engrossed watching them.
7. Relax at Talipasak Beach or San Pedro Beach
We warned you 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 assure you you’ll never find it crowded. A little more hidden than the others, half an hour by motorbike from Romblon Town, this calm‑water beach has enough shade to devote a whole day to it and has a small resort (Robinson’s Cove) where you can order food and drinks. Plus, there are hammocks! The entrance fee is 50 pesos per person.
Don’t forget your snorkel mask, as this is where the San Pedro Marine Sanctuary is, and you can find some interesting things under the sea.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, here you’ll find simple huts with sea views for 800 pesos a night.
8. Go diving in Romblon
Did you know that Romblon is one of the meccas of macro diving or muck diving? That’s why one of the things to do in Romblon is to explore its seabed. Today, the island’s most important operator is The Three P, which also has accommodation. Other options are staying on the neighboring island of Alad with Romblon Fun Divers, located at this resort, or at the Romblon Beach and Dive Resort on Logbon Island.
In addition to the more than 15 dive sites in Romblon, dives are made from the island to nearby islands such as Logbon, Alad, Cobrador, Tablas (home to the famous Blue Hole), Sibuyan, Banton, or Simara. Dive prices are around 1,700 pesos.
Romblon is at the end of the so‑called Verde Island Passage, which is said to be the most diverse underwater ecosystem in the world. For this reason, it’s one of the best places to go diving in the Philippines. Conditions are good at any time of year, with visibility that can exceed 20 meters and temperatures between 26ºC and 30ºC. The ever‑trendy blackwater diving is also practiced here, a type of night dive focused on attracting the strangest creatures.
9. Look into Romblon’s marble industry
As soon as you arrive by boat in Romblon you’ll see a sign that proclaims: “the marble capital of the Philippines.” Planning 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 marble products are sold—from the most basic thing you can imagine to other, more unusual items like marble tableware or huge figures of dolphins and other sea animals.
Plus, if you’re up for exploring Romblon by motorbike, you’ll find plenty of quarries and artisans carving these works of art that are shipped all over the world.
10. Island hopping from Romblon
In case the list of things to do in Romblon wasn’t enough, here’s a must: island hopping to the neighboring islands. This was one of our most beautiful days in the Romblon archipelago, and we recommend following in our footsteps.
Island hopping literally means jumping from island to island, and that’s exactly what we did with our bangka that day. For 1,500 pesos we spent a full 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 a whole boat, which usually fits up to 6 people. Also, bring food and drinks with you, as you won’t find anywhere to buy anything.
It’s also possible to do this route over several days and in a much more economical way on public boats that go to these islands, but keep in mind that, as they’re not very touristy places, schedules are somewhat erratic.
By the way, if you want to get away from it all and spend a few days in total relaxation, there’s a resort on Alad, Tinaoog Beach Resort, with a beautiful marine sanctuary.
11. Get lost on a motorbike around Romblon
In short, although we’ve told you about lots of things to see and do in Romblon, what we liked most about this island is that all the places we visited were just for us. We enjoyed the spots we’ve mentioned, but we also got wonderfully lost around the island on a motorbike and discovered places that didn’t appear in any guide or even on Google Maps—and satisfied our explorer itch.
For example, if you’re missing a freshwater dip, try to find the Kipot River (we’ve marked it below; they ask for 30 pesos to cross someone’s property) or the Libtong Falls, Inuquit Falls, or Myugab‑I Falls. If you want more adventure, try to reach Lintian Beach. Although the route isn’t entirely easy, leave the motorbike when the path ends and ask about the descent to reach it. The reward is arriving at this incredible, deserted beach where there are only a couple of small local houses whose residents will look at you in surprise. Bring your mask and snorkel—there are tons of starfish!
Renting a motorbike in Romblon costs 500 pesos per day. Opposite Jd & G restaurant there’s a clothing store where they also rent out scooters and larger‑displacement motorbikes. Still, we recommend asking at your accommodation because they’re almost always willing to help you find one.
Practical information about Romblon
To help you plan your visit, here are some details that will surely come in handy.
Where to stay in Romblon
If you’re looking for information about hotels and resorts in Romblon, don’t miss this article where we detail the best hotels to stay in Romblon.
But so you can get an idea, here are two:
- Romblon Transient House: if you’re looking for something cheap in Romblon “town”, this is your place. Little apartments even with a small kitchen. See more information here.
- Sea U Inn: just a few steps from Bon Bon Beach, this newly built hotel has some rooms with sea views from $30. Book from this link.
- Coco Cabana Romblon: although a bit farther from town, it’s a good option if you want relaxation and a snorkeling area. There are rooms of all kinds, but they all share lovely owners, an infinity‑style pool, and a restaurant with good value for money. Take a look here.
How to get to Romblon
Find out in this article how to get to Romblon from different places in the Philippines. We’ll tell you upfront that the island doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll need to invest some time to get there.
Where to eat in Romblon
Romblon isn’t an island with a huge variety of cuisine, but in the capital you’ll find many inexpensive carinderias and a few restaurants that are pretty good. If we had to highlight a few, they would 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 spectacular.
- Island Bistro: located next to the port, a nice place to eat with good fruit shakes and tasty lasagna.
- Joe-Ra Cafe: possibly the best restaurant on the island, with sea views and refined Filipino cuisine. Don’t miss the kare-kare.
- Romblon Deli: very close to the previous one, another nice seafront restaurant with pasta, pizza, and a few Filipino and Asian specialties.
Tips for visiting Romblon
Here are some pointers to make the most of everything there is to do in Romblon:
- Although you can go all year, the best time to visit Romblon is from November to May. Even better April and May, which are the driest months.
- We recommend dedicating at least 3 full days to Romblon and combining your visit with Sibuyan and Cresta de Gallo. Even better if you devote a couple of days to Tablas.
- The best way to make the most of Romblon is by motorbike, as the coastal roads are beautiful. Interestingly, it’s one of the few islands in the Philippines where you’ll find electric motorbikes with a battery charging point. Even so, if you don’t drive, you can always negotiate with tricycles.
- There are a few ATMs in Romblon Romblon, but we advise carrying cash because they sometimes run out of money.
- There are some inexpensive laundries 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.
- Due to a small issue, we found that medical infrastructure in Romblon is limited—even in neighboring, larger Tablas. So, in case you need to go to a hospital for an emergency, you’ll have to be transferred to Manila. Because of this, it’s very important to travel with a good travel insurance for the Philippines like the one we use. Here you have a 5% discount on your policy.
Romblon map
Have we convinced you with this heap of things to do in Romblon? Here’s a Romblon map you can view on your mobile phone to orient yourself with us when 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!
