Virgin Island, Bantayan
About Virgin Island, Bantayan
Virgin Island is a small privately managed island off the coast of Bantayan, reached by boat from Santa Fe in about twenty to thirty minutes and one of the standard stops on any Bantayan island-hopping trip. It is known for very fine white sand, water that stays shallow and clear a long way out, and a sandbar that emerges at lower tides — conditions better suited to wading, swimming and photographs than to deep-water snorkeling. Facilities are deliberately limited: there are cottages and huts for shade, but the appeal is the shoreline rather than developed amenities, so most visitors bring what they need for the day. An entrance fee is collected on arrival, typically a few hundred pesos and often charged per small group rather than strictly per head; reported rates vary between operators, so confirm the current amount when arranging the boat. Trips are usually booked through accommodations or tour desks in Santa Fe and commonly combine Virgin Island with Hilantagaan and Baigad Lagoon, and sharing a boat with a small group keeps the cost down considerably. Virgin Island is one of the best island-hopping stops in Northern Cebu for travelers seeking powdery sand, calm shallow water, and an easy half-day on the water from Bantayan.
What to expect
Virgin Island is a small, low-lying sandbar island off Santa Fe, about 20 to 30 minutes out by boat and one of the fixed stops on a Bantayan island-hopping trip. The sand is very fine and pale, the water stays shallow and clear a long way from shore, and at lower tides a bright sandbar surfaces — conditions built for wading, floating and photographs rather than deep snorkelling.
It is deliberately undeveloped: a few huts for shade, and not much else. That is the appeal, but it means you bring your own water, food and sun cover. Half a day here, shared on a boat with Hilantagaan and Baigad Lagoon, is the usual way to do it.
Editorial review
There are plenty of fish along the beach, the water is clear, and it’s a great place to enjoy the sun and spend a relaxing day by the sea.
—
getReallyCebu
Know before you go
An entrance fee is collected on arrival — usually a few hundred pesos, and often charged per small group rather than strictly per head; rates differ between operators, so confirm when you arrange the boat. Trips are booked through Santa Fe accommodations and tour desks, and sharing the boat with a few other people brings the per-person cost down a lot. Morning to early afternoon, on a calm day in the roughly December-to-May dry season, is the window; the island has no shelter from rough weather. There is no overnight stay.
Virgin Island, Bantayan Island, Cebu
Bantayan
·
103 km from Cebu City (straight-line)
Last checked
⚠️ Travel & safety
Conditions, access, hours, and prices can change, and some places involve remote travel or activities with inherent risks. Verify important details locally and use your own judgment when visiting.
See our
Terms
for important safety and liability information.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Virgin Island, Bantayan?
🚗 Car / 🏍️ Motorcycle + 🚤 Boat — Recommended
From Cebu City, travel north to Bantayan Island. Drive or ride to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio and take the ferry to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.
From Santa Fe, arrange an island-hopping boat to Virgin Island. The island is accessible only by boat, so an organized island-hopping trip or private boat is the easiest option.
🚤 Boat: Typically accessed from Santa Fe through local island-hopping operators.
When is the best time to visit Virgin Island, Bantayan?
Morning to early afternoon is ideal for island hopping, especially when the sea is calm and visibility is good.
🌅 8:00–10:00 AM — good time to arrive
☀️ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM — best for swimming and enjoying the beach
🌊 Dry season (roughly December–May) — generally preferable for calmer conditions
🌧️ Avoid visiting during rough seas or unfavorable weather
Where is Virgin Island, Bantayan located?
Virgin Island, Bantayan is at Virgin Island, Bantayan Island, Cebu. That puts it in Bantayan Island. It is roughly 103 km from Cebu City.
How much does it cost to visit Virgin Island in Bantayan?
An entrance fee of a few hundred pesos is collected on arrival, often charged per small group rather than strictly per head. Sharing a boat from Santa Fe brings the per-person cost down a lot.
Can you stay overnight on Virgin Island?
No. It is a deliberately undeveloped sandbar island with only a few shade huts, visited for half a day as part of a Bantayan island-hopping trip.
What else is there to see near Virgin Island, Bantayan?
Baigad Lagoon, Bantayan, Anika Island Resort, and Kota Beach, Bantayan are the closest places on the Cebuzone map to Virgin Island, Bantayan, and are all linked below.