Banton has beautiful and clean beaches with varying complexions. The townsfolk have made them nicer with the construction of huts and some facilities and by keeping them clean all the time.

Swimming is great especially during summer. During the rainy season, the waters may not be calm in all of the beaches. During habagat (southwesterly wind) season, it is calm in the following beaches: Togbongan, Nabalay, Sibay, Libtong and Nasunogan. During amihan (southeasterly wind), leisure swim is advisable in the beaches of Tabonan, Mainit, Macat-ang, Balogo, Togong and Tumalum.

The beaches are also endowed with rich marine life even in the shallows. Snorkelling and fishing is always a good option for leisure.

Take a look at the beaches below. They are not the only ones though. There are still a lot more!

  • Tabonan Beach
  • Tambak Beach
  • Recodo (Balogo) Beach
  • Macat-ang Beach
  • Mainit Beaches
  • Togbongan Rocky Beach
  • Togong Beach
  • Nasunogan Beach
  • Hipit (Tumalum) Beach

The West Side has areas of coral encrustation, hard and soft corals of all kinds everywhere with pennant butterflies, huge groupers, snappers and sweet lips darting in and out of holes and cracks in the reef. Several species of shark and ray are sometimes seen, as are dolphins…”

The Northwest Wall easily found by the graffiti ‘Class 93’ scrawled above it is simply awesome, one of the best wall dives you will find everywhere. On the East coast of Banton, the story is pretty much the same – white sand coves… fantastic, unspoiled diving in coral gardens which reach 20 meters. The slab, a block of rock in a few meters of water about a third of the way south of the west shoreline has an interesting cave that stretches into the darkness and penetrable for several meters.

Going around should be no problem. The town is relatively small. You’ll never get lost.

We actually advise you to walk, rather than take a ride, unless it is necessary for you to do so. Banton is consistently the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province and in the Southern Tagalog Region. You’ll enjoy walking.

To go to the barangays or remote places in the island, you have the following alternatives:

By Land: Practically all barangays are connected by the island’s circumferential road. The roads are relatively narrow but are cemented. There are lots of uphill and downhill drives as well as curves. Some parts of the road are cut off the mountainsides and hillsides and may be scary for one who is not used to such experience.

The motorbike / motorcycle (2-wheeled) is the dominant mode of land transportation in the island. Normally, three passengers, seated at the back of the driver, are allowed. For safer travel, especially if you are not used to such rides, you may ask the driver to drive you alone but for a higher fare.While riding, relax.

You may also take the multi-cab (4-wheeled vehicle). It operates basically like the jeepney. There are only a few units operating however and at peak seasons/hours, it may take a considerable waiting time.

By Sea: There are motorized outrigger canoes for hire.

You have a wide choice of routes going to Banton and back, as follows:

Manila–Batangas–Mindoro–Banton Route:

This is the fastest way to get to Banton. Catch an early-morning Batangas-to-Calapan trip. From Calapan take a shuttle (FX, bus) to Pinamalayan, then take a motorboat to Banton. Total travel time including waiting time could be between 12 – 18 hours. Batangas-Calapan travel is around 45 minutes if on board the fastcrafts while around 3 hours on board the Roll-On-Roll-Off vessels. From Calapan to Pinamalayan, it takes 1 to 2 hours and from Pinamalayan to Banton

Manila–Lucena–Banton Route:

Get to Lucena and catch a motor launch or boat to Banton. This is one of the easier ways. Total travel time including waiting time could be between 14 – 18 hours. The Lucena-to-Banton trip takes about eight (8) to twelve (12) hours.

Manila/Batangas–Romblon–Banton Route:

This is the most convenient route. Board a ship at the Manila Harbor bound for Romblon, Romblon then take a motorboat to Banton. Total travel time including waiting time could be between sixteen (16) to twenty-two (22) hours. Romblon – Banton trip takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Manila/Batangas–Odiongan–Calatrava–Banton Route:

This route is quite lengthy. From Manila or Batangas port, board a ship bound for Odiongan. From Odiongan, take an FX / Jeepney to Calatrava and then take a motorboat to Banton.

More pictures here

About the Author: WayPH

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