THE BURIAS GROUP OF ISLANDS TRIP PACKAGE

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.

A tropical island paradise of Sombrero

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 tent accommodation at Alibijaban Island

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.

Just arrived in Alibijaban Island

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 has a fishing village community

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.

Rock formations in Animasola Island

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.

Animasola Islet at a distance

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.

A sandbar in the Tinalisayan Island

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.

Snake Island at a distance

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.

The completely fascinating Sombrero Island

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.

Enjoying the mangrove sanctuary of Alibijaban 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.

TINALISAYAN ISLAND

Location: San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines

The adjoining sandbar of Tinalisayan Islet

This is just a part of my 2D1N Burias Islands tour where this islet is the second destination we visited on our Day 2. Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate province in the Philippines. The other two major islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual. (Wikipedia)

Approaching Tinalisayan Islet

Even just before we landed the islet, my heart was racing with excitement on enjoying the place the most. Besides, by this time, it was just around passed 9 in the morning and the sun was not that hot yet.

Feeling like I was in another planet

The first time I did when we landed the islet was to capture a wide angle shot of the place with the sandbar at the background. Since it was still early, we were only consist of the whole group of our tour package and no other group was there.

Coconut trees were of great relief in providing shade

The islet actually is different from Animasola with rock formations and a massive hill or cliff but this one was mainly flat with its main part grown with shady coconut trees.

Improvised rock bench

There were no cottages in the islet but a couple of shanties were there for food vendors which includes selling fresh buco fruit. In the middle part of the islet is an improvised comfort room with no water supply.

A splendid beauty of mother nature waiting to be unlocked

Looking at a distance, we saw a long sandbar and it was extremely enticing to set foot on it. How can you resist the white beach sand and its clear waters on the side where one can easily have a dip with reckless abandon.

The deafening silent invitation of the sandbar had put us in motion to cross it

Each one answered the silent invitation of the sandbar. And without us knowing, our feet had been wading to cross towards it. It was indeed an intimate union with nature. All of us were just speechless witnessing how amazing our experience was.

Chasing the path of the sandbar

The soft sand was like massaging the sole of our feet as we spike through it. Soft waves caressed our feet as it glides over the water on the side. The clouds were playful enough to move in decadence of our location.

The water level is gradually rising

We really had ample time enjoying our moment. I tried to collect colorful shells. Some had just buried themselves from the sandbar and waited to be washed out by waves of the high tide gradually invading the sandbar.

Had completely strutted towards the tip of the sandbar

I tried to imagine time does not fly because I still wanted to stay and commune with alluring sandbar but high tide was unstoppable. It is slowly claiming its territory and the sandbar has no choice but to give in.

The varying hues of sea water

As compared with our stay in Animasola, we stayed longer here in Tinalisayan and the only things we did were to wade, splash, swim, snorkel and leisurely stay idle trying to stop the moment of time.

An endless swim is the major price for this awesome place

Finally, the sandbar submerged and we need to go

And the moment of truth was to leave the place. After all, the sandbar, which served to be our best friend has been eaten up by the high tide. Yes, we left with a heavy heart.

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.

SOMBRERO ISLAND

Location: San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines

Part of the white beach island of Sombrero

This is just a part of my 2D1N Burias Islands tour package where this island was our third destination that we visited on our Day 2. Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate province in the Philippines. The other two major islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual. (Wikipedia)

Simply a tropical beach paradise

Sombrero Island is the most developed islands of the three islands we visited of the Burias group of islands. It has cottages for rent and a restaurant with a bar where in some occasions when visitors are many, there is a live band that performs in the evening. It is being managed well as a commitment to provide good services to the guests of the island.

Arrived in the island at almost high noon

In our original itinerary, we are supposed to be spending our night here. Unfortunately, our tour provider informed us when we were in Alibijaban Island that we need to stay there for a night because spending a night in Sombrero is very risky and told us further that it was closed for overnight stay. However, when we were there, we asked to validate if it was true but the staff told us that it was never closed for an overnight stay, much to our dismay that the night before, it had live band performing and the island was filled with guests.

Not even the heat of the sun can stop me to have pictorials

The island is blessed to have longer and wider white beach sand. We stayed under the shade of the cottages to avoid the burning heat of the sun. Since it was already lunch time, we ordered our food charged to our personal account. It was not a part of the tour package.

The cottages standing brave from intense heat of the sun and strong winds

A good number of cottages to accommodate guests

A wider white sand beach to bask with for guests

Cottages are supported by being anchored to the ground against strong winds

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.

ANIMASOLA ISLAND

Location: San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines

Amazing rock formations at Animasola Island

My trip to Animasola Island is just a part of my Burias group of islands trip package. Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate province in the Philippines. The other two major islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual. (Wikipedia)

The iconic rock formation of the island and its vicinity rock formations

Animasola Island was our first island destination on our Day 2 of this tour package. That is, we had an overnight stay in Alibijaban Island of San Andres, Quezon province. From there, our boat took us almost 2 hours to reach this destination.

Captured nearer without the crowd having pictorials on its crown head

The rock formation shown in the picture may look small but it is massive and high. It took me so much time to wait to capture it without photobombers. One by one or by groups, excited tourists are alternating taking their picture on its crown head.

The island's name marker

This island's name marker is found at the opposite end of the rock formation shown on the first three pictures. On this part of the island has a narrow white sand patch to enjoy a clear water swim.

Captured from the iconic rock formation

Near the iconic rock formation is like a basin filled with clear sea water where one can enjoy a swim. Actually, Animasola is just an islet. It is just small. However, you will be amazed of its beauty. There are no structures built in the islet except with a comfort room near the island's name marker. By that time we were there, I have not seen any vendor. No wonder, it is so hot there and there is no part where one can have a refreshing shade from the searing heat of the sun.

The massive rock walls

I was really enticed to scale the island's massive rock walls but our boatmen advised us not to do so because some of the rocks are slippery and unstable to hold on.

One last glimpse of the crown head rock formation

The beach front where the crown head rock formation erects has no white sand patches. However, the clean water is still very inviting to swim. You can clearly sea the sea bed as you swim on it.

The total stretch of Animasola Islet

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.

ALIBIJABAN ISLAND

Location: San Andres, Quezon Province, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 2D1N Burias Islands Tour package.

The lush mangrove forest sanctuary at Alibijaban Island

As seen from its map below, Alibijaban Island is shaped like a penis. Its area is measured at more than 400 hectares of which the 140 hectares is a protected mangrove forest sanctuary. Its coasts are dotted with white sand beaches of unspoiled clear waters wherein looking from the surface of the water, seabed can be transparently seen inhabited with sea grass and coral reefs. According to the locals its surrounding seas are observed to have been visited by whale sharks and mantra rays.

Vicinity map of Alibijaban Island (Google Map)

Visiting the island was not really our purpose because we had a tour package to Burias Islands. Part of our package was the round trip van transport from Manila to San Andres (Quezon Province) and vice versa. It was such a long road trip. It is in San Andres that there is a port where our boat package awaited us. 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. We left Manila at 12:30 midnight and arrived in San Andres at 7:00 A.M. Since, it was a chartered van transport, we did not have stopover except when we request the driver to stop in a gasoline station to urinate.The place itself relies it economy from the populace inhabiting the surrounding islands where they buy their goods and commodities. The port has a tourism office which regulates its tourism activities for island hopping.

Low tide invade the shores of the island starting high noon

San Andres is a tourist-friendly place with lots of stores to buy food supplies. The place has some houses at the port offering shower services with a fee of P10 per head. Vendors selling fruits and their local sweets delicacies abounds the port.

The cottage we stayed overnight

In the morning, when we arrived after a 30-minute boat travel crossing from San Andres Port to Alibijaban was a high tide. However, as early as 10:00 A.M. sea level gradually go down resulting to a low tide at mid noon. The beach line extends to more than kilometer to the sea. Thus, afternoon trips are not advisable, unless tourists had to walk far to board the boat.

The island's fishing villages community

There was confusion with our tour then because the driver of the van just do the instructions from the tour operator and he was left at the port and even the boat operators do not know what to do with us. Our group was composed of joiners coming from different groups where with me was my best friend Teresa Corpuz, my long time travel buddy. The boatmen just dropped us to cottage in Alibijaban and has no plans to tour us around for an island hopping the whole day. We were trapped there idle overnight.

Typical islanders' houses

Since we had nothing to do from the morning till evening, I toured around the island and had some interaction with the locals. No wonder, that there are two elementary schools in the island since as per 2015 National Census, it has a population of 1,643. Alibijaban as an island is barangay in itself, considered the smallest of seven barangays of San Andres.

A barangay basketball court

A barangay basketball court secured with a concrete fence

I was alone in touring around the island. Fortunately, there is a network signal in the signal to get in touch from the rest of the world. As i walked further in the island, I discovered that there are white sand beaches and mangrove forests.

A boat docked due to low tide

Returning to the cottage before the sun sets

However, I witnessed more beauty of its mangrove protected area the following day after having our island hopping in Burias islands, namely: Animasola, Tinalisayan and Sombrero. This part of the island is quite far from our cottage and we boarded a boat to get there. The following pictures can tell more of what I have seen and experienced.





























To view about the whole tour package, this is the link Burias Group of Islands Tour Package.

HOW TO GO THERE:

Take a bus from Cubao or Pasay for a Lucena City route. From Lucena's Grand Terminal, take a van or jeepney to San Andres (Quezon). From the San Andres Port Terminal, seek the assistance of the local tourism office for boat arrangement going to Alibijaban Island.