Good morning from our very first day on Bantayan Island! We’re currently based in Santa Fe, and the day started on a high note with Jessa whipping up a quick breakfast for us. It’s looking a bit mixed weather-wise—sunny in one direction and loaded with clouds in the other—so we’re playing it by ear for the next couple of hours to see what the sky decides to do.
After finishing my eggs and rice, I sat down at my workstation for a bit. I’ve always got projects on the go, even when we’re traveling, so getting an hour or two of work in before the day really starts is essential. While I was working, Jessa and I planned out the day. We decided to head to Chef Panyang for lunch. They have a bit of everything there—pizza, sandwiches, and local Filipino dishes—so it’s a safe bet for the whole family.
After lunch, our main mission was to find Sandira Beach, which is also known as Paradise Beach. I’ve seen pictures of it online, and it looked absolutely picturesque, so I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. The drive there was a bit of an adventure in itself. While we have the car, the roads leading to these more secluded spots aren't exactly ideal for a full-sized vehicle. To be honest, I think a motorbike would have been much easier for navigating these narrow, bumpy paths.
Finding the entrance was also a bit of a puzzle. We eventually found a parking area that felt like it was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bushes. From there, it’s a bit of a walk to actually reach the water. Along the way, we ran into some fans of the channel, which is always a nice surprise. It’s great to know that people are following along with our adventures as we explore these islands.
When we finally got our first glimpse of Sandira Beach, I have to say, it is stunning. Being a bit taller than Jessa, I could see over the rocks before she could, and the view of the turquoise water against the white sand was exactly what I’d hoped for. It’s a very clean beach, and the water is shallow for quite a distance, making it perfect for Liam to swim safely.
The beach area has these interesting green spaces with plenty of shade, which is perfect if you just want to bring a blanket and relax for the afternoon. I noticed some remnants of wooden parasols and sunbeds that looked like they might have been part of a pre-pandemic business. It’s a bit sad to see those things tucked away or weathered, but the natural beauty of the beach remains untouched. One thing to note for anyone visiting: there are different parking areas with different entrance fees. We paid about 25 pesos per adult where we parked, but there’s another spot closer to the beach that charges 60 pesos.
Liam had a blast with his beach toys, and I even managed to get him into the water for a proper swim. After a few hours of soaking up the sun and the "picturesque" views, we headed back toward Santa Fe. We made a quick stop at the local fish market to grab some supplies for dinner. Jessa really wanted fresh seafood, so we picked up a spread of clams, seaweed, scallops, and even some octopus.
Back at our place, Jessa took over the kitchen while I got back to work on my laptop. We ended the day with a massive seafood feast on the terrace. It was the perfect way to wind down after our first day of exploration. If the weather holds up tomorrow, we’re planning to take a boat out to Virgin Island for some snorkeling.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!
