Location: Monreal and San Jacinto, Ticao Island (one of the 3 islands of Masbate Province)
How to get there?
Select the spots that you want to visit because trips to Monreal are limited; it will take you time, effort and money if you made a mistake in your decision.
There are 2 entry points if you are from Masbate City:
1. From Masbate City Port, take a tricycle and ask the driver to drop you at Monreal’s Boat terminal. It will take you 5 minutes. Or you can walk for 10-15 minutes from Masbate City Port. The boat leaves around 12PM for the 1st trip and 1PM for the last trip if there are many passengers in a day. From Masbate City to Monreal (is the last Barangay if you are coming from Masbate City), it will take you 3-4 hours depending on the waves’ calmness.
Note: This was the entry point that we took in our trip to Ticao Island.
2. In Masbate City Port, ride a boat going to Batuan. Trips start at 5am and is continuous every hour. Last trip is 4PM. It will take you 1-2 hours depending on the waves’ calmness.
If you will come from Pilar or Bulan Sorsogon, take a 2 hour ferry boat. Sorry but I forgot to ask for the trip schedules and fare.
When to go?
Best time to go here is during summer months (February-May) to avoid the big waves that will make your travel rough and will consume long hours.
What to do?
Ticao Island has 4 Barangays namely: Batuan (the nearest in Masbate City), San Fernando, San Jacinto and Monreal.
If you are in Masbate City and you would like to do a day trip island hopping SAMAPUSI of Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary is offering tour package . Just contact the persons on the link and ask them about the rates and destinations.
If you would like to Do It Yourself (DIY) like we did, we asked people from Masbate City and Google about the famous and beautiful tourist spots in the area and here is the list:
Monreal:
1. Matang Tubig Natural Spring – before, maybe this spring gives people crystal clear water, one can clearly discern the floor of the spring but due to human’s abuse to nature – the water lose it clarity and maybe the number of fish swimming decreased. I was disappointed seeing people taking a bath, shampooing their hair and using bath soap while they were in the spring because many lives that use the water from the spring are affected by this wrong behavior. I am not encouraging you to go here because it is not that beautiful.
2. Monreal Port – if the sky is clear, one can clearly see the beauty of Mt. Mayon standing proudly. The volcano is located in another island but it’s perfect cone is seen from the port’s docking area.
3. San Miguel Light House – unfortunately we were not able to reach the top of the light house because it was restricted to human due to stealing of battery. But upon reaching about a quarter of the stairs, one can see the Mc Arthur Island and the beauty of San Miguel Island’s shore. Be careful with the steps because some of it were damaged by the typhoon.
4. Mababoy Islet and Monreal Tourism Office – a good site for cliff diving and playground for the children of Mababoy Island.
5. Lapus Lapus Islet – a small community that has fine white sand and crystal clear waters. Try to snorkel and find the riches of the sea.
6. Halea Nature Park – once a beautiful park but was damaged by typhoon and has not yet been restored until now.
7. Bird Sanctuary – we saw an eagle soaring and flying in one of the islets. Shoot them only with your camera’s lens.
8. Burobangkaso Island – I will describe it as “piled up dominoes or sandwiches” but actually it is a big rock formation. According to the Tourism Officer of Monreal, the other side continuously sinks every year.
San Jacinto
9. Catandayagan Falls – is more or less 100ft in height. The falls pours the water directly into the sea.
Where to stay?
Vice Mayor Grona’s Lodge have aircon (P1,000.00) and non aircon rooms (P500.00) both good for 2 persons. From Monreal Port, you can ride a pedicab (bike with a trike) or walk for around 10 minutes, just ask the locals for the directions.
Budget (as of this writing):
P8.00/head Tricycle from Masbate City Port – Masbate City Fish Port
P140.00/head Boat from Masbate Fish Port Terminal – Monreal Port
P550.00/night good for 3 persons Non air conditioned room + mattress
P1500.00 good for 3 persons – Island hopping tour
P100.00/head Van from Monreal – Lagundi
P80.00/head Boat from Lagundi – Masbate City Port
Evidence:
i need to reminisce 