Location: San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines
Note: Links of the four islands, namely: Alibijaban, Animasola, Tinalisayan and Sombrero are provided here in the order that they are narrated.
Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate province in the Philippines. It is separated from the Bicol Peninsula by the Burias Pass. The other two major islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual. In this post, Burias islands are islands and islets of the major island of Burias of Masbate province. The province is not only noted for high-grade marbles but also with an aggregate of long white beach coasts attracting not only local but foreign tourists as well.
Our actual tour package was Burias group of islands tour with an inclusion partly of a round trip van transport from Manila to San Andres Port where San Andres is a part of the province of Quezon and it is on the southern part mainland of Luzon Island. The road travel was indeed a long trip as it was 6 1/2 hours for a distance of 316 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26.
If one opts to have a DIY trip, there is an alternative to take a bus from Manila to Lucena Grand Terminal. From that terminal, you have an option to board either a van or bus with a signboard of San Andres (Quezon). From San Andres bus terminal, you may opt to walk or ride a pedicab to San Andres Port where there is a tourism office which will assist for a boat package of Burias islands hopping. Since there are no markets and stores in the destination islands, tourists can buy their food supplies in San Andres.
Alibijaban Island is just a jumping board to Burias Island. From there, a boat can take you to the inviting and enchanting islands of Burias. What happened to our group was disappointing since our tour operator had damped us overnight in Alibijaban when we can do a lot of activities from the Burias islands and islets. We were idle the whole day and we spent a night though it was a peaceful one. As a consolation, our tent accommodation was upgraded to comfortable cottages.
The following day, our call time was 6:00 A.M. and we had our breakfast as another inclusion of the tour package. Well, our accommodation has a good water provision. The target for the whole day is to visit the islands of Animasola, Sombrero, Dapa, Tinalisayan and Snake. While our tour package is 2-day 1-night arrangement, we have no choice but to have these islands toured in one day or 8 hours only. If only we had visited the other ones in our Day 1, it was better so we can enjoy an ample time from each island. Our Day 2 first destination was the Animasola Island which took us 2 hours boat ride. The islet has its charm of towering rock formations, blue and clear waters and a white beach patch on its other tip.
We really wanted to stay in the island for a swim but we all agreed to shorten our stay for we still need to visit four other islands and so we left with a heavy heart. Besides, it is so difficult to get a private moment on its famous rock formation because tourists are crowding on it. On the other hand, the islet has no cottage or similar structure but only one comfort room.
Our next destination was the Tinalisayan Island. The island in itself was so enchanting. Its white sand beach coasts and long sandbar gave us so much excitement. We were not able to resist its inviting clear waters. There are no cottages there but there was one food vendor selling his food stuff under the shady coconut trees.
Only the high tide had stopped us for a swim in the sand bar of Tinalisayan island since it was completely submerged by waters already. Our boatman told us to pack up so that we can head to Snake island. However, halfway from Tinalisayan heading to this island, our boatman told us that we better not proceed to it for according to him, the island has no beach to swim with for they are all deep looking like a continental shelf. Our boat navigated instead to another direction going to another island destination.
For less than an hour, we reached Sombrero Island. This is so far the most developed island for it has cottages and a restaurant. The waters were inviting. However, the sun had a searing heat almost burning our skin. Thus, we decided to have a refuge in the comforting shade of the cottages while we were having our ordered lunch for our own account. On my part, I obliged myself to have a 10-minute swim. Others followed. I just thought, they might regret if they will miss a swim in this island.
Our boat man again manipulated us. That instead of pushing to Dapa Island, we headed to the lush mangrove forest sanctuary of Alibijaban. Well, we did not regret to be there since aside from its sandbar, we were able to swim on the shallow patches of water with super fine sand. It sent us the feeling of experiencing of being massaged at the sole of our feet. Since it was already passed five in the afternoon, we went back to our accommodation for clean-up and left Alibijaban for another 30-minute boat ride to San Andres Port where our chartered van awaited to take us back to Manila.
HOW TO GO THERE:
First option (By plane or bus):
Avail of a tour package online.
The remaining options are for a DIY package.
Second option: (via San Andres By bus)
Take a Superlines Bus in Cubao (southbound terminal) with a destination to San Andres (Quezon Province) with a fare around P600 for regular passengers. It will drop you to San Andres bus terminal and you have the option either to walk or take trike to San Andres Port Terminal. From there, seek the assistance of the tourism office for you to get a boat package for an island hopping to Burias islands. For cheaper accommodation, guests are booked in Alibijaban Island before proceeding for an island hopping.
Third option: (via Lucena City to San Andres by bus)
Take this bus options: Victory Liner Terminal, Jac Liner in Buendia Bus Terminal; Araneta Center Bus Port; Philtranco Terminal Pasay; Genesis Pasay Terminal; Joy Bus Cubao Terminal bound to Lucena City Grand Terminal.
From Lucena Grand Terminal, take a van or bus going to San Andres, Quezon. It will drop you to San Andres bus terminal and you have the option either to walk or take trike to San Andres Port Terminal. From there, seek the assistance of the tourism office for you to get a boat package for an island hopping to Burias islands. For cheaper accommodation, guests are booked in Alibijaban Island before proceeding for an island hopping.
Fourth Option: (via Naga City, Camarines Sur by plane)
Book a flight for Naga which will be for one hour. From the airport, take either a van or jeepney to Pasacao terminal for 1 hour drive. Then, have a short walk going to Pasacao port to get a passenger boat to San Pascaul which will be good for 2 - 3 hours sea travel.
Fifth Option: (via Naga City, Camarines Sur by bus)
You can have an option of the following buses: Bicol Isarog Bus, Penafrancia Bus, DLTB Bus, Philtranco Bus going to Naga City for a travel duration of 8 - 9 hours. From the bus terminal, take either a van or jeepney to Pasacao terminal for 1 hour drive. Then, have a short walk going to Pasacao port to get a passenger boat to San Pascaul which will be good for 2 - 3 hours sea travel.
Sixth Option: (via Masbate by plane)
Book a flight for Masbate City which will be good for one hour. From Masbate Airport, take trike going to the Fish Port for around 5 minutes. Then from the Fish Port, board a passenger boat to San Pascual which will be from 8-9 hours sea travel duration.
