By Nathan Allen

Updated January 17, 2021

Masbate is the kind of place you discover and just want to keep to yourself…but then you realize how much tourism would help the province, so you write a blog about it…

So why are there so few tourists? In the past, Masbate had two things working against it: It was relatively inaccessible, and it had a reputation for being dangerous. *Update* – I’m happy to update that Cebu Pacific is now offering plenty of budget flights!

Those who make the effort to come here now (by flight or cheaper Roro bus) will be handsomely rewarded; for this is the time to experience pristine Masbate Beaches that tourism may change forever.

Is Masbate Dangerous? What About My Safety?

As for safety, Masbate was known for political violence in the past (this generally doesn’t affect tourists). Honestly, I felt just as safe there as anywhere else in the Philippines…perhaps even more so. I think these days it’s quite safe…just be street smart, as you should anywhere you travel. You can research and avoid election season if it makes you feel better.

The people I encountered in Masbate were some of the most humble and friendly in all of the Philippines – and their province is absolutely stunning.

Island Hopping – Porta Vega Beach

From Patio Milagros in Dimasalang (one hour bus or jeepney from Masbate City), we hired a boat to take us to Porta Vega Beach Resort. The “resort” is actually just some nipa huts on a stunning beach. This would be a great place to bring some food and have a picnic. There are no facilities, but there is a photogenic chapel tucked away behind the coconut trees.

Your Daily Dose of “Vitamin Sea”

I had seen some photos of Masbate beaches previously, but I had no idea they would be this incredible. My friend Edward told me that, after a friend visited Port Vega (above), she told him it was just as nice as Sugar Beach in Bantayan Island, Cebu. I laughed, thinking how impossible that is, but then our boat pulled up to the scene below. It really is true!

Deagan Island – Marcos Mansion?

Afterward, we stopped by Deagan Island, which reportedly was owned by Ferdinand Marcos at one time. After he was ousted, the locals took his mansion back…piece by piece. Now there are just a few scattered remnants near the fishing village. History buffs might want to come here, but from what I can tell, Porta Vega Beach is even nicer.

Catandayagan Falls & Halea Nature Park, Monreal

Day 2 of our island hopping adventure was just as rewarding! Catandayagan Falls plummets directly into the sea – one of very few waterfalls like it in the world! Summer (March – May) might be too dry to see a lot of water cascading down, and I also recommend going in the afternoon if possible. That way the sun will be behind you and not wash out your photos.

Halea Nature Park

You’ll be in awe from the minute your boat starts to pull into the cove!  There are also great places to picnic, though travelers can also spend the night in the resort or camp on the beach. You’ll see some dead coral here if you snorkel, but I believe it is growing back now. Don’t worry, because there are still a surprising number of colorful fish!

Here I met some local children cooling off…I would have given anything to have a playground like this when I was growing up! Below is “Ferdz” Bravo and family, who was kind to invite me along to both island hopping tours.

Burubancaso Rock Formation

Burubancaso (also spelled Borobancaso) was another unique stop on our trip. A great place to swim, climb, and take photos! If you were wondering, the main photo at the top of this page was also taken there.

Buntod Reef Sandbar

The sandbar at Buntod Reef was another nice surprise. It can be reached directly from Masbate City! Just tell the trike driver to bring you to the pier at Rendevouz Hotel.

Here you can rent kayaks and inner tubes, but also snorkeling gear…because the snorkeling is pretty good! As you can see in the photo below, I found Nemo (clownfish), but I also saw quite a few other sea creatures down there.

No More Dynamite Fishing

I became friends with the fishermen who manage the reef, and I listened to their fascinating stories. It turns out that they used to be dynamite fishermen (you can see some remnants of dead coral as you snorkel).

Instead of continuing down that path until there was nothing left, the province decided to start paying them to protect the reef. A few years later, local tourism is really starting to pick up…what a success story! You can book all your island hopping adventures through them.

(Click photos for more info)

Palani – One of the Best Masbate Beaches

Back in Masbate City, Governor and Vice Governor Vince and Kaye Revil were very kind to invite me to a football event right on beautiful Palani Beach. I’ve never seen anything like it! I’m not a huge sports fan, but I might be if all games were held on beaches like this!  Haha.

Palani beach is definitely one of Masbate’s gems, and a great place to watch the sunset.

It’s located in Balud, about an hour and a half away from Masbate City by jeepney, bus, or van. A trike must be taken down the dirt road before you reach Balud proper, so make sure you tell the driver you want to go to Palani Beach. You can also see Fazenda da Esperança and Sese Brahman’s Ranch nearby while you’re at it! More on that down below…

Ticao Island Beaches & Manta Bowl Diving

Ticao Island is famous for manta ray diving (though I have yet to try). However, it’s also home to some of the finest Masbate beaches. Apart from the Ticao Island Resort where the divers stay, there is still little tourism development on the island.

They have declared an area near San Fernando a marine sanctuary, but I think it may take some time to regrow before snorkeling is good. Honestly, I just loved wandering around the small fishing villages and meeting the friendly locals (I was with a guide).

I explored some virgin beaches, but also the beautiful Serrano Century House (pictured below). This historic building has been kept up very well by its colorful owner. Stop by for a visit!

Minalayo (Snake Island)

I heard tales about an island full of poisonous sea snakes, but I know how people like to tell stories. I didn’t take them too seriously. Well, I found out it really is true! This tiny island has a cave FULL of “banded sea kraits”. The local name for these snakes is “walo walo”. They are very poisonous, but not aggressive at all. In fact, you’d have to be very unlucky to step on one and get bit.

Well, I only see them in the water while I’m snorkeling, and they don’t seem to care about me at all. On this tiny island, however, they are crawling all over the rocks, and you really could step on one if you are not careful.

My heart really raced as I snuck up on the rocks and then jumped into the water to snorkel through this beautiful cave. How very surreal to be swimming among these beautiful snakes, with bats flying and screeching over my head!

If you want to snorkel here, be very careful where you step. I would recommend having the boat men drop you off in deep water where you can swim into the cave, so you don’t have to climb over the rocks to jump in. Just wear a life jacket and aqua shoes and you should be fine. There are some nice schools of fish and corals along the outside of the cave.

It was nice to return to the boat and see the beautiful rainbow and sunset above during the trip back to Ticao!

Fazenda da Esperança and Sese Brahman’s Ranch

Masbate is fascinating to me, because it has so many sides to it. Not only can you find these incredible beaches, but you can also find authentic cowboy culture…ranches, cattle, rolling hills and all! I will not spend any time talking about the Masbate Rodeo, because I will devote my next blog to it entirely.

Fazenda da Espeança is actually a drug and alcohol treatment center, but it is located in such a beautiful place – tourists love to visit it!

Also worth a visit is Sese Brahman’s Ranch. This beautiful property is full of grazing horses and cattle, and a really cool tree house! Next time I visit, I hope to ride a horse…

Masbate Hotels

Don’t expect a lot of tourism options here.  Masbate is slowly getting there:) The following links are to Agoda, but if you prefer booking.com, click  HERE

Ticao Island Resort – This is perfect for divers who want to explore the Manta Bowl, but also good for those willing to pay for a secluded, quality vacation experience. Ticao has some of the finest Masbate beaches, too. Food and service is top notch. Arrange the ferry at Sorsogon ports.  Explore options and/or book HERE

Francjoreen Beach Resort – This option is much more affordable, but quite far from most island hopping and rodeo activities.  Explore options or book your stay HERE

GV Hotel Masbate – This is a decent and very affordable option right in Masbate City. Staff was very friendly, but I don’t think they serve food. You can explore and book a room HERE (Agoda) or for booking.com, click HERE 

(I also hear good things about 7AR Resort in Masbate City)

More hotel options:

How To Get To Masbate (and Around)

You can *now* take affordable flights to Masbate City from Manila, or you can take a daily Roro bus from Cubao (Manila as well). The bus will board a ferry after 10+ hours of travel, then arrive on the island of Masbate. You can book Island hopping tours at Buntod Reef in Masbate City. You can also get to Ticao island by boat from Bulan, Sorsogon.

To travel around once you arrive, head to the Masbate jeepney and bus terminal and tell them where you need to go. For short trips, the trike drivers in Masbate were some of the most honest and friendly I’ve experienced anywhere in the country…I made friends with many of them!

Thanks so much to (then) Governor Vince and Kaye Revil, as well as to the Bravo family – Edward, Ferdz, Mayor Bong, and Marvi. Your assistance exploring this beautiful, up and coming province was much appreciated. I hope to come back again someday!

– Nathan

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Also, like my page to follow along with me:)  – Nathan

Related: Masbate Rodeo Blog & Photos

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