Balidbid Lagoon was the highlight of my trip during my adventures around Bantayan Island in Cebu. This unique saltwater lagoon and is a must-see destination and I highly recommend adding it to your Bantayan Itinerary!
Here is a complete guide to Balidbid Lagoon including where to find it, how much it costs and what to expect!
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WHERE IS THE BANTAYAN LAGOON & HOW TO GET THERE
Balidbid Lagoon can be found on the eastern coastline of Bantayan Island. Using Google Maps, simply type in Balidbid Lagoon and this will direct you to the exact pin location.
From the main hub of Sante Fe, it’s approximately a 15-minute drive or a 1-hour walk to Bantayan Lagoon.
There’s a couple of options on how to get around Bantayan Island and they are by scooter, habal habal, tricycle or jeepney.
You can rent a scooter in Bantayan for as little as 250 pesos per day and make your own way around the island at your own pace. The best place to rent a scooter is via your accommodation.
If you are not confident driving a scooter, the other option is to hail down a tricycle or habal habal (motorbike taxi) along the main road in Santa Fe and get a ride to Balidbid Lagoon. For a 15-minute drive, you can expect to pay around 50-100 pesos.
See More ∼ 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
Taking a dip at Balidbid Lagoon Bantayan
BALIDBID LAGOON ENTRANCE FEE
When you arrive at Balidbid Lagoon, one of the local landowners will make themselves known to you and you will have to pay them a small entrance fee of 20 pesos before continuing down to the lagoon.
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphones.
BANTAYAN ISLAND HOPPING TOUR
If you wish to do a Bantayan Island Hopping tour, you can do a day trip over to Virgin Island and it also includes a visit to Balidbid Lagoon on the tour.
You can read my other blog post of Bantayan Island Hopping HERE which includes everything you need to know about where to book and what’s included.
Island hopping to Virgin Island & Bantayan Lagoon
Bantayan Lagoon
BALIDBID LAGOON BANTAYAN
This insane location blew me away when I sent my drone up to capture some aerial shots of Balidbid Lagoon and it reminded me of the Whitsundays in Australia!
Balidbid features a saltwater lagoon with an ocean inlet that is surrounded by lush greenery and boasts glistening white sandbanks along the edges.
There was a slight current in the lagoon when we visited, so we walked upstream, jumped in the water and floated down towards the end of the inlet. We did this several times as it was lots of fun and also very relaxing!
Do note that the current can get quite strong so know your limits and listen to the locals if they advise against swimming in the lagoon.
We spent around 1 hour at Balidbid Lagoon enjoying the cool waters and it was a perfect way to end the Bantayan Island Hopping tour.
Must Read → 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
Saltwater lagoon at Balidbid Bantayan
Aerial shot of Balidbid Lagoon
Idyllic scenes at the Bantayan Lagoon
WHERE TO STAY NEAR BALIDBID LAGOON
Bantayan Island has dozens of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay near Balidbid Lagoon to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Coral Blue Oriental Beach Villas
Coral Blue Oriental is one of the best semi-luxury accommodations on Bantayan Island and centrally located in Santa Fe. Offering beachfront villas and suites with free wifi, private beach area, seaside restaurant and a bar. There are one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas available which air-conditioned and fitted with a flat-screen tv, dvd player, lock safe, fridge, and balcony with ocean views. Recommended for couples, families and friends!
Mid Range: Sf Cantina
I personally stayed at Sf Cantina, a small and cosy guesthouse located right on the beach in Sante Fe. The property features a beach bar and restaurant, free wifi, lounge chairs and oceanfront accommodation. The rooms have air conditioning and fitted with a flat-screen tv, large bed, wardrobe and private bathroom. Continental breakfast is also available at Sf Cantina. Affordable place to stay fro couples, friends and families.
Budget: Edsan Apartments
Edsan Apartment is the best budget accommodation in Bantayan Island. The property is centrally located in Santa Fe and features a garden, bbq facilities, shared kitchen area, terrace and free wifi. Enjoy your privacy in these budget apartments which can sleep 2 people and up to 6 people and fitted with air-conditioning/fan-cooled, large beds, private bathroom and a patio. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, friends and families!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY NEAR BANTAYAN LAGOON, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
PIN LOCATION OF BANTAYAN LAGOON
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AIRBNB NEAR BANTAYAN LAGOON
Another option for accommodation in Bantayan Island is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals.
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LONELY PLANET – PHILIPPINES
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Philippines Travel Guide!
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MORE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDES
- Philippines Guide: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
- Cebu: 15 Things To Do In Cebu
- Bohol: 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
- Siargao: 15 Things To Do In Siargao
- El Nido: El Nido Island Hopping
- Coron: Coron Island Hopping
- Boracay: 15 Things To Do In Boracay
- Siquijor: 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
- Bantayan: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
- Malapascua: 11 Things To Do In Malapascua
- Camiguin: 13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
- Romblon: 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
- Tablas: 10 Things To Do In Tablas
- Carabao: 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
- Dumaguete: Best Dumaguete Tourist Spots
- Sumilon Island: Sumilon Island Itinerary
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WHAT TO PACK FOR BANTAYAN ISLAND
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 year worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF BALIDBID LAGOON
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about the Bantayan Lagoon, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Travels!
