Location: San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
