Tablas Island, Romblon

7-10 March 2017

Tablas Island is the largest among the islands in the province of Romblon that is little-known as a tourist destination but is starting to see accidental and adventurous visitors. It is divided into several municipalities namely, Alcantara, Calatrava, Ferrol, Looc, Odiongan, San Agustin, San Andres, Santa Fe, and Santa Maria, all of which offer their own natural attractions, varying from isolated beaches, to hidden waterfalls, and to hiking trails. The island hosts the airport for the province of Romblon and is accessible via different carriers by air and by sea.


Leaving from Batangas port aboard Montenegro Shipping Lines at 5pm (Php762 for economy, Php991 for air-con, leaves everyday at 5pm), passengers are automatically rewarded with a sun setting behind Tingloy Island while being pursued by the ship. Side by side bunk beds offer a comfortable enough rest for those who don't mind while instant noodles and chips are available for those who rather munch the 10-hr trip away.


Binucot Bay (which means "hidden bay") in the municipality of Ferrol features several coves with isolated and long stretches of white sand beach. The area is good for snorkeling, diving, sunset watching, or just having a beer. It also hosts a pawikan (sea turtle) hatchery that both protects from poachers and educates visitors. Binucot Bay is accessible from Looc (20min, Php150) and Odiongan (30min, Php200) via a motorcycle ride (locally called habal-habal).


A few minute's walk from the resorts in Binucot Bay, past a tiny area of mangroves, is a small cove that hides between forested hills and hosts its own beach. The hidden cove offers private views of the sunset and a short hiking trail around the hillside. A couple of fishing boats use its shore as a jump-off point while a lone white house [not seen in picture] takes advantage of its seclusion to create a relaxing home.

At one end of Looc town is Looc port which connects the province to Boracay.

Sibuyan Island, Romblon

Cantingas River Resort: a popular R&R destination among locals

Kids normally jump from the three-story high platform

We walked on dried up river beds to get to a site with cascading waterfalls which is again popular withe locals

This is one of seven (?) pools that you can swim in as you go up and further the waterfall trail

Funny kid climbing on and playing around the rocks as her sisters munch on their green mango lunch

Biked 20kms across dusty and rough roads with some views of the ocean or of the forest

Poblacion Map of San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

Maybe it was the noontime heat, maybe it was the hunger, but the first time I ventured out around the town of San Fernando in Sibuyan Island, I found it rather difficult to look for the things I need. It was just a small town and I imagine would easy to be familiar with. But for a starving first-time visitor, I figured a map of the municipality center would help a lot.

The streets have no names and there are no signs pointing to anywhere. But buildings are visibly labeled and serve as good landmarks. There are at least three eateries in town but they don't have reliable opening hours: (1) Kainan sa Audi in front of the plaza, (2) Smiley Eatery just past the market center, and (3) Some unnamed carinderias directly in front of the Market building.

Below is a map of San Fernando, Sibuyan Island in Romblon for general reference.