2018 • 06 • 28

See full details and sample itineraries here: ISLA VERDE BATANGAS ON A BUDGET 2018: Travel Guide & Itineraries

Batangas would be the top choice for every weekend getaway for a group that doesn’t want to really break the bank. Why not? It’s close to Manila and it won’t need grueling long hours on the road to be able to get to touch the sand and crystal clear blue waters that everyone is craving. This beautiful province is also home to different beaches that would cater to whatever you or your group need.

Verde Island, or Isla Verde as it’s popularly known, is among these beautiful spots in Batangas. It is safely tucked 45 minutes to an hour away from the port in Batangas. Its beaches are carpeted with coarse beige sand, mixed with corals pieces and seashells. It may not have fine white sand beaches, but this island is also a paradise for a healthy marine environment. Isla Verde is in “the center of the center of marine biodiversity” which is the Coral Triangle—the Verde Island Passage.

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How to Get There

Nearest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)

By Land

There are several ports that moor boats going to Isla Verde; there are ports in Tabangao, Ilijan, and Dela Paz. Depending on the waves, the boatmen usually decide where to moor the passenger boats. It also depends on you; the public/passenger boats are docked at Tabangao, while private boats are usually docked at Barangay Ilijan.

VIA TABANGAO PORT (Passenger Boat)

1. Take any bus that would go to Batangas Grand Terminal; fare is P157. JAM Liner and DLTB have daily trips coming from Taft, Buendia, and Cubao. Travel time is a maximum of three hours depending on the traffic.
2. Once at Batangas Grand Terminal, take the jeepney going to Batangas Bayan/Bagong Palengke (P12) and have the driver drop you off where you can take another jeepney going to Tabangao Port (P17). Travel time is approximately 35 minutes.
3. Once at Tabangao Port, take the MB Super Mario that will take you to two stops — first at Mahabang Buhangin, then at Sampalukan. You will have to ride a small paddle boat (P10) to the much bigger MB Super Mario (P120).
4. Alight at either Mahabang BUhangin where island hopping boats and most homestays can be found or at Sampalukan where most resorts are located.

VIA ILIJAN or DELA PAZ PORT (Private Boat)

1. From Batangas Grand Terminal, take the jeepney going to Batangas Bayan and have the driver drop you off where you can take another jeepney going to SM Batangas; jeepney fares are at P12 each.
2. Go to the parking lot at the back of SM where the jeepneys going to Dela Paz are parked. These pass by Ilijan before reaching Dela Paz, so you may be dropped off at Ilijan if the boats are there. The drivers usually also know where the passenger boats are. The fare is P40 for Ilijan and P45 for Dela Paz; travel time is 30 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the waves.
3. Charter a private boat to Verde Island.

Note: Passenger boats to Verde Island leaves at 9 AM, at least around that time. That’s the only trip to the island for the day. The boat going back to the mainland is scheduled at around 4 AM the next day.

 

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Entrance Fee and Other Charges

• Entrance Fee: It depends on where you choose to go and stay on the island. Some areas have no entrance fee. Resort entrance fees range from P25 to P100.
• Camping Fee: It depends on the resort. Some of them allow camping, some don’t. Usual rate is around P100 – P200. If you have no tent, rental rates range from P200 to P600, depending on the tent capacity.
• Cottage Rental Fee: Rates vary from one resort to another but usually start at P300/head per night in a fan room accommodation or if per room basis, P1500 to P2000 (good for four people).
• Private Boat to/from Verde Island: P2000 – P2500 (depending on the size/capacity)
• Island Hopping Rate: P1500
• Habal-habal Inland Transportation: P50/ride
• Tabangao Port Parking Fee: P100 (overnight)

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Don’t Miss

• Many divers have flocked to this place, but it still remains unspoiled and looking almost untouched. The shores are clean except for the residue of tree logs washed off-shore by the waves.
• Underneath its waterbed is a whole new world that keeps all divers giddy for every trip.
• Explore the island (island hopping). It has six barangays namely Liponpon, San Agapito, San Agustin East, San Agustin West, San Andres, and San Antonio. Here are some of the places to see: Mahabang Buhangin, Cueva Sitio, the lighthouse, San Antonio Beach, Mt. Liponpon, and Mt. Dagit Dagit.

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Don’t Forget

• There is only one schedule going to and from the island for the passenger boats. Passenger boat costs P120 per way. They leave at around 9 AM and sometimes earlier if the boat is already full. This is to avoid strong currents along the way.
• Going back to the mainland, boats leave at 4 AM. You have to let the resort know if you are planning to leave at this time because the boatmen fetch the passengers from their resorts.
• Since there is only one trip, try to leave Manila as early as 3 AM to be able to get to the port on time, travel time from Manila to the ports will be around 4 hours.
• If you’re going in groups, it’s best to ask the resort if they allow guests who cook their own food. It will be cheaper if you buy supplies from the market in Batangas and then just bring it to the resort. Some will only charge the use of gas.
• Bring your own tent if you want to save some bucks. Bonfires are not allowed.
• Bring sun protection like a hat, scarf, or coral-friendly sunscreen (those without oxybenzone, parabens, and benzophenone). Bring also insect or mosquito repellant lotion.
• If you are chartering a private boat going to Verde Island and back to the mainland, be prepared to get wet, especially when the boat is small.

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If You Have More Time and Budget

• Seen from a part of the island is Puerto Galera in Mindoro, and according to the locals, it is reachable by boat in less than an hour. Tourists from Puerto Galera also come to Isla Verde to dive.

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Where to Stay

Isla Verde has no luxury resort, but there are decent accommodations from homestays to resorts. Resorts are usually located at Sitio Sampalukan, while the guesthouses and homestays are mostly at Mahabang Buhangin. If you are planning to explore Batangas City or are only planning a day trip on Verde Island, here are some of the recommended hotels in Batangas City according to Agoda users, in no particular order.

• Pontefino Hotels. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Days Hotel Batangas. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Batangas Country Club. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• SM Travelodge. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more options, search here: Batangas Hotels