Tablas Island

Bunsoran Marine Protected Area at Ferrol, Tablas Island, Romblon

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We met members of the US PeaceCorps while having dinner at Romblon Deli in Romblon Island. They told us that they were doing different projects in the province of Romblon. We visited one of their projects, Mangrove and Bird Sanctuary, during our motorcycle tour around Romblon Island. The Bunsoran Marine Protected Area was told to us by Ian, one of the PeaceCorps, who was managing the project in Ferrol, Tablas Island.

Cove at Bunsoran Marine Protected Area at Ferrol, Tablas Island, Romblon

Cove at Bunsoran Marine Protected Area

When we arrived at Odiongan at Tablas Island, Romblon we visited a friend of Dazl’s which offered to accompany us to the municipality of Ferrol. So after half an hour on the road, finding Ian in the Municipal Hall and him pointing us to Brgy. Bunsoran and we finally arrived at the Marine Sanctuary.

Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary in Looc, Tablas Island, Romblon

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After our visit at Bunsoran Marine Protected Area in the municipality of Ferrol, Tablas Island, Romblon our next stop for the day would be the Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary. So we headed to Looc via a private vehicle and went straight to the Port of Looc. From there we had to register at the KOICA Office and tell them that we were going to their Protected Area and pay the entrance fee.

I’ve visited a lot of Marine Sanctuaries before my visit to Looc, usually a part of the Marine Sanctuary are land but for the one in Looc everything was in the sea. There are only rafts in the middle where visitors could relax and enjoy their time with the fishes.

After paying the entrance fee (100 Pesos per person) we boarded their pumpboat/bangka to take us to the rafts. When we found out that we could sit at the top we did not hesitate to go straight to the roof and have our little picnic while enroute to the rafts.

Boarding the boat

Dazl and Jessica doing roof picnics

 

It was a short 10 minute ride to the rafts. Inside the rafts are chairs so people could sit, a Comfort Room and a hole in the middle where the caretakers feed some fish to let visitors see them up close and personal. Visitors cannot feed the fish nor can they swim on the hole in the raft. Even without the feeds there were a lot of fishes swimming below the raft. Maybe their trying to hide from the sun to avoid getting skin cancer. 😛

Arrival at the rafts

The lighthouse near the rafts

On the side of the rafts we swam for a bit to get our daily dose of dipping on the waters of Romblon.

When we went up the raft again we tried talking to the Bantay Dagat who were assigned on the raft that day. They told us stories of them still guarding the place even at night and even during storms.

Dazl talking to the Bantay Dagat

The lighthouse is also a part of Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary. Other than it being an indicator of shallow water it is also an indicator that the boats should not trespass to the Marine Sanctuary.

After spending about 1 hour and 10 minutes on the rafts we decided to call it a day and head back to the port. Then drive back to Odiongan.

Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary Details

Location: Looc Bay, Tablas Island, Romblon

Operating hours: Daily from 8AM to 4PM.

Rates:
100 Pesos/person for Adults
50 Pesos/person for Children 4-7 years old
* This rates are inclusive of the boat to the rafts.
* Rates are minimum of 3 persons.

50 Pesos/set – Mask and Snorkel

How to get there

From the town of Looc, one can ride tricycles going to Looc Port for 10 Pesos per person.

There are jeepneys from San Agustin Port, Odiongan and Santa Fe going to Looc.

How to get out of there

Since there are not much tricycles in the Port of Looc when we visited there, one can walk out of the port until you find a tricycle that would take you to town.

Notes

  • You can buy some food and drinks from the KOICA Office when you register there.
  • There are boats going to Caticlan from Looc Pier. According to the staff at KOICA Office fare is 300 Pesos per person. Estimated Travel Time is 3 hours. Estimated Time to Leave is 8AM daily.

    Boat to Caticlan at the Port of Looc

Follow my Tablas Island, Romblon Series

Follow my Romblon Province Series

Boat from Banton Island to San Agustin, Tablas Island

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It was the hot night of May 2012. Dazl and Jessica could not sleep as there was no wind that would lessen the summer heat. But I had a good night sleep as I was sleeping on the cold floor with only a blanket as my cushion in the humble backpackerish A & A Lodging House. It was our last night in Banton Island in the Province of Romblon and tomorrow we will be departing for another adventure on Tablas Island.

Banton Island Port at night - Romblon, Philippines

Banton Island Port at night

Morning came, we ate breakfast at the nearby karinderya/canteen around 6AM. The lady that was serving our food of dried fish and eggs told us that we could still relax as the boat still has not arrived. After an hour of eating, waiting and checking our stuff the boat came and we went out with our packs. We passed by the jolly Tita Osing who owned the lodge. She always puts a smile on our faces when we see her and this morning was the same. She was singing while dancing in the middle of the street. We said our goodbyes and thanked her but she told us to wait for a little while she went inside a bakery and handed us some bread. It was her on-the-ride food for us. We thanked her again and started walking to the port.

How to get to Romblon Island, Romblon

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From Batangas Port

There sea transportations that leave from Batangas Port to Romblon Island. Below are your options

1. Montenegro Shipping Lines

The RORO Boat from Montenegro Shipping Lines is the popular sea transportation to Romblon Island from locals. The schedule of their boat is every 5PM every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Estimated Time of Arrival is 3AM the next day (10 hours).

Fare is

  • 954 Pesos/person – Economy
  • 1255 Pesos/person – Deluxe
  • 1446 Pesos/person – First class

Terminal fee of Batangas Port is 30 Pesos/person.

Going back to Batangas Port

The RORO Boat leaves the port in Romblon Island to Batangas Port at 2PM every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Estimate Time of Arrival is 12MN (10 hours).

Here’s the number of Montenegro lines (043) 723-6980, (043) 723-8294, 0917-597-1133 or 0922-889-1022

2. M/V Princess Annavell

The M/V Princess Annavell boat leaves Batangas port at 4PM every Thursday and Saturday. Estimated Travel Time TBA.

Fare is

  • 700 Pesos/person – Economy
  • 840 Pesos/person – Deluxe

Here’s the number of M/V Princess Annavell for updates and more information (02) 742-6148.

Author’s Note: It is best that you arrive at the port about 2 hours before the trip as you will still have to buy your tickets. Unfortunately, there are no online reservations for the ticket.

 

From Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

A RORO Boat from Montenegro Lines ferry people from Ambulong Port in Magdiwang to the Poblacion of Romblon Island. The boat leaves Ambulong Port at 10AM daily. Estimated time of arrival at Romblon Island is 1AM (3 hours travel). Fare is 228 Pesos/person.

There is a 10 Pesos/person Terminal Fee when going through Ambulong Port.

Going back to Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island

The same RORO Boat will be leaving the the port at Poblacion, Romblon Island to Ambulong Port of Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island at 7AM. Estimated Time of Arrival is 10AM (3 hours) at Ambulong Port. Fare is 228 Pesos/Person.

There is a 10 Pesos/person Terminal Fee when you enter the Port at the Poblacion of Romblon Island.

Author’s Note: Be at any of the ports at least 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier as you still have to buy your ticket to ride the boat. Also pay your terminal fee as soon as you arrive at the port.

 

From Cajidiocan/San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

How to get to Carabao Island, Romblon

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Boat from Caticlan, Aklan to Carabao Island, San Jose, Romblon

From Caticlan Airport, Aklan

From Caticlan Airport ride a tricycle by saying to bring you to the place where the boat to Carabao Island. Tricycle fare is 50 Pesos/tricycle. Travel Time is less than 10 minutes.

Locals populary call Carabao Island as Hambil, you might want to use this when asking around.

From here there will be boats leaving for Brgy. Poblacion or Brgy. Lanas in Carabao Island. All the boats here will be leaving around 8:30 AM daily. Only one trip per day. Fare is 80 Pesos/person. Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Going back to Caticlan Airport

From Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Lanas passenger boats will be leaving Carabao Island around 5:30AM daily. Fare is 80 Pesos/person. Travel Time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.

From Boracay Island, Aklan

There are many small boats that ferry residents of Carabao Island that work in Boracay Island daily. Locals popularly call Carabao Island as Hambil, you might want to use this when asking around.

These small boats can be found in Bulabog Beach and will be going to either Brgy. Poblacion or Brgy. Lanas of Carabao Island. Just ask around on where to find these boats when you arrive in Bulabog Beach. They leave around 2PM to 5PM. Just ask around the beach to find them. Fare is 50 Pesos/person. Travel Time is 30 minutes.

Going back to Boracay Island

From Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Lanas, the small boats ferry back people to Boracay Island around 5:30AM to 7AM. Though I advise your ride only until 6AM as after that there are very few boats leaving to Boracay Island. Fare is 50 Pesos/person. Travel Time is 30 minutes.

From Santa Fe, Tablas Island, Romblon