2026 Daanbantayan Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

We had a fantastic stay at a location that feels warm and seamlessly integrated into its natural environment, fostering a genuinely authentic vibe. The food was superb, and the staff were exceptionally kind. The owners, who were present that week, were perfect hosts, making us feel completely at home and ensuring we had everything we needed. The diving was phenomenal—we were fortunate to spot several thresher sharks and turtles. With crystal-clear water and amazing visibility, every dive was truly memorable. Highly recommended for those seeking incredible diving, great food, and an authentic experience!

Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, Philippines is a popular destination for its pristine beauty, including its long, white sandbars and turquoise waters. It offers a serene and unspoiled escape, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. The white sand and clear water #beachlife #travel #naturalwonders

Malapascua Exotic Island Dive Beach Resort! Malepas Island located in Cebu. The specific address is Sitio Pasil, Logon, Daan Bantayan, Malepas Island, Cebu, Philippines 6013. It is about 160 kilometers from the city center and 180 kilometers from the airport. The resort offers a variety of room types such as deluxe air-conditioned rooms, air-conditioned standard rooms, and superior deluxe rooms. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, balcony/terrace, minibar, satellite channels/cable TV, shower facilities, etc. Leisure facilities: It has a private beach and provides snorkeling, diving, spa, massage and other leisure activities. The resort is located on the beach and has a beautiful environment, suitable for vacation and relaxation. You can enjoy leisurely time in the restaurant by the beach, order a drink and sit and watch the sea view. Its location makes it a paradise for divers, with a private beach and dive center. The room is spacious and comfortable, and welcome drinks are provided to give guests a warm experience.

We wanted our first trip to Cebu and the Philippines to be special and so we booked this resort right at the start of the summer holidays. We stayed in the garden room which overlooked the lush green of the surroundings. The main hotel area has a water feature and is open to the elements and nature. Every morning we had beautiful birdsong. The resort was quiet which made it feel like our own little paradise on the beach. The staff couldn’t be more attentive and obliging. Kusina restaurant did great room service and the karaoke and other performances were entertaining. Kandaya resort was just the getaway we needed! #summerincebu #philippines #Getaway #Lovethephilippines

The journey to Kalanggaman Island was an adventure in itself. The boat ride was smooth and enjoyable, allowing me to appreciate the stunning views of the crystal-clear turquoise waters and surrounding islands. As we approached the island, the sight of the long stretch of powdery white sand and vibrant coral reefs took my breath away. Once ashore, I was greeted by the warm and friendly locals who made me feel instantly welcome. The island is well-maintained, with clean facilities and shaded picnic areas. The clear, calm waters were perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Exploring the underwater world was like entering a vibrant aquarium, with an abundance of colorful coral reefs and a variety of marine life. One of the highlights of my visit was walking along the picturesque sandbar that stretches out into the ocean. It was like walking on a dream, with the crystal-clear waters on both sides and the gentle breeze soothing my soul. The sandbar is an ideal spot for photo opportunities and a perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. For those seeking adventure, there are various activities available on the island, such as paddleboarding, jet skiing, and even camping. I highly recommend staying overnight to witness the mesmerizing sunset and the starry night sky. The tranquility of the island at night is truly magical. The island is well-preserved and the locals take great pride in keeping it clean and pristine. There are designated trash bins and signs reminding visitors to be mindful of their waste. I applaud the efforts made to protect this natural wonder and urge everyone to do their part in preserving its beauty. Overall, Kalanggaman Island is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in nature's wonders. Its stunning landscapes, friendly locals, and abundant activities make it an ideal spot for solo travelers, couples, and families alike. Just make sure to bring sunscreen, a camera, and an open heart, as this island will steal it away. #trip #beachlife #campingglamping #island #islandtravel #islandlife #philippines #philippinestrip #philippinespride

#staycation One of the beautiful beaches in Cebu is in Malapascua Island. It is located in an island baranggay of Daanbantayan in the northern part of Cebu. We stayed in Hippocampus Beach Resort. Here, even this resort is in the beach front, we still got a very affordable room, good for 2 persons. Our stay there was very comfortable and staffs were accommodating and helpful. We were able to enjoy our stay there. The resort also has its own SCUBA diving shop that offers diving packages. #tripblazers #beachlife #cebudestination

Santa Rosa DeLima,Daanbantayan Cebu ,Philippines Santa Rosa DeLima Parish - Daanbantayan, Cebu A Catholic parish church in central Philippines has been declared as the country’s first archdiocesan shrine dedicated to St. Rose of Lima. Located in Daanbantayan town at the northern tip of the island province of Cebu, the parish was founded in 1858 and its stone church was inaugurated in 1886. It is one of the most preserved heritage churches in the province. It also added that a plenary indulgence is granted to every pilgrim after fulfilling the usual conditions during the traditional feast day of St. Rose of Lima. St. Rose of Lima is a Dominican tertiary from Peru who was the first canonized saint from the Americas on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement X. She is historically significant to the Philippines as she was declared as the secondary patroness of the Peru and by the Indies, which included the Philippines on August 11, 1670 through the papal bull “Sacrosancti apostolatus cura” by the same pontiff. #myfaithnews #saintsoftoday #familypilgrim TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY🙏

I knew I would love Kawit beach even before setting foot on it. If you are looking for a beautiful beach resort in Kawit, Medellin, Cebu (north), check out Paradizzo Beach Resort. This resort is probably the most popular beach destination in Medellin. Paradizzo has a lot to offer such as rooms for your overnight stay, tents and tables for day use and night use, kayak, paddle board, island hopping, restaurant, Sebu Cha, live music, etc. You will definitely love your stay there as you do not have to wait for the tide to go high to enjoy swimming. Gibitngit Island is just a few minutes away from the resort and you can tour the island from there and if you are planning to go to Bantayan Island, the nearby Kawit Port is just a walking distance. Play the video below to take a tour inside Paradizzo. Thank you to the very accommodating staff at Paradizzo, I did enjoy my stay. #tigeryear2022 #beachlife #summervacation #

Who else loves great view with Great food?? and large servings. … duh! ofcourse that’s what we all want! The place is so instagrammable , very quiet , cozy and soooo relaxing. bigger space for my “kiat and fun” kiddos. We’ve been there in Friday , yet the place is not crowded ; well organized. 👏 would always love to go back soon. 🥰 A very beautiful place, i felt secure and safe with their health protocols. Staff was so nice, polite and accommodating. Lots of activities like kayaking, biking, hiking and instagramable views of nature. Worth the trip from Cebu and i'd return again without hesitation. #cozy #relaxing #moonview #unforgettableexperiences #beachview

a great place to unwind and relax.#luxuryhotel

A secluded gem tuck right at the northern tip of Cebu Island. Architecture style is contemporary Bali style. Car parking is right at the entrance and a golf cart will take you to the reception. They have an inviting pool and a great all dining restaurant. We ordered the stir fried lobster and were surprised at the quantity for it's reasonable pricing. They are standard rooms and private individual villas for rent. Some sea sports were spotted at the lagoon area in front of the private villas. A great place to relax if you have the spending power! #beautifulsunset #summerdays #summervacation #summerdays #luxurystays #vacation

The first time we visit the place was during night time, the place is well lit and easy to locate. I love the choice of light they use in the bistro, and the huge Christmas tree with red chair- that's a highlight. The following morning the whole family went there for lunch. We tried 4 different dishes (tuna panga, tuna belly, sisig, spaghetti) everything is worth the wait. We did enjoy! ..and yeah, I had burger on my first visit! SUPAH YUMMY! the patty is tender, juicy, thick and real meat. Happy to have this place here in Daanbantayan! #cafe #restaurant #greatday #happytummy

SERVICE: 10/10. Staff members are polite, attentive, and knowledgeable on their assigned areas/tasks. AMENITIES: 9/10. RESTAURANT: 10/10. Love the ambiance and the scenery, facing the ocean. FOOD: 7/10. For a 5-star resort, food was not that much impressive. Shrimp during dinner was obviously not fresh. American breakfast and Filipino breakfast was good tho. ROOMS: 10/10. Very spacious, very clean, especially the bathrooms they're so spacious and looks so classy. POOL: Big, very clean and water is very clear. SEA: 8/10. Good for swimming but not that great. But I like the activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and biking. #beaches #sunset #besttravesldestination #staycations #beyondborders #luxury

I personally stayed at Neverland and can’t recommend this place enough! The staff are super friendly and will welcome you into their loving community. The rooms available are thatched bamboo huts that sleep up to two people and fitted with power sockets, a fan, comfortable beds, and a mosquito net. There is also a dormitory room with bunk beds if you don’t mind sharing a room with other guests. Neverland has an in-house vegan restaurant with delicious food and the wifi is solid! For all you budget travelers, I can highly recommend staying at Neverland during your visit. #urbanexplorer #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches #momentsmission

Nestled on a white sandy beach amidst the northern tropical landscape in the island of Cebu is a haven, where land, sea and sky meet and blend seamlessly to form the postcard-perfect backdrop of KANDAYA Resort, an idyllic, luxury destination located in the coastal heart of historic Daanbantayan. Named in homage to Datu Daya, an ancient brave tribal chieftain whom once stood as protector of old Bantayan, this piece of paradise located north of Cebu, offers an enviable mix of serenity, adventure, relaxation, and tradition to reinvigorate the body, refresh the mind, and uplift the spirit. Our team of chefs and cooks prepare specialty Asian and Western cuisines at Kusina Restaurant, with a focus on regional favorites, Filipino comfort food, and beloved Cantonese recipes. As well, a variety of nutritious dietary menus, including vegetarian selections with some farm-to-table greens, are available daily#scenicspotguide #decembertravel #summervacation #travelinspiration #beaches

A hidden, unspoiled and undiscovered island between Cebu and Masbate. The islands are located in the Visayan sea, in between Masbate and Cebu. It serves as a temporary shelter for tired fishermen and migratory birds. It's about 35 minutes from Carnaza, Daanbantayan, Cebu. #beachvacation

It was literally a " hard way" to get to the island. There were small boats available for rental and big waves. Getting almost half towards the island, waves were bouncing back and forth to the extent that the boat was barely moving. Not to exaggerate but all the stuffs and passengers were seriously wet. It wasn't really easy being on a 3-hour boat transfer, wet and hungry. We were expecting a carenderia at the resort but there were none. We were informed that we have to buy meat and etc and the staffs on the resort will cook it (of course there a service charge to it). Hungry and sleepy after almost 8 hours of travel from Cebu, we looked for a market only to find out that there is no market available on the island. We looked for a meat and there is none. We searched for fish and the locals told us that we have to wait for the fisherman to get back from fishing! This is unexpected but I found it super amazing and truly unbelievable as to how the locals have survived to this type of living. Locals are living near the sea and the primary source of income of the people is fishing. They are beyond hospitable and very welcoming! God, you'll never find people like these in the city. The sea is so amazing, it has captured our hearts. The wind is fresh and clean. Everything is almost perfect. Given the chance, i will definitely go back here. Compared to other tourist destinations, Carnaza Island is cheaper for beginners and the island is not crowded. By the way, we were able to buy something for dinner which is a live chicken. The seller had it cleaned before passing it us though. The place is ideal for group of friends who are looking for an adventure and wanting to unwind or escape from the city air. After all, you should not be "arte" if you want to enjoy the island because you will not survive. 😂 #maydaytrip #urbanexplorer

A beautiful sunset #unedited #awesomepic #teacherventure

Waking up before sunrise was totally worth it for this. 🌅 Malapascua is famous for one very special reason — the chance to encounter thresher sharks underwater. We headed out while it was still dark, watched the sunrise on the way to the dive site, coffee in hand, and around 40 minutes later… it was time to dive. Seeing a thresher shark glide past underwater is completely different from watching it on a screen. Quiet, graceful and absolutely unforgettable. 🦈💙 📍 Malapascua, Philippines 🤿 Best for: Thresher shark encounters 🌊 Recommended for certified divers 📸 Definitely bring your underwater camera! One of those dives that makes the early wake-up completely worth it. #malapascua #philippines #scubadiving #underwaterworld

If I could give Devocean Divers seven stars, I sincerely would. I just had a three-dive day at Gato Island with this amazing crew, and I’m truly grateful for the experience they provided from start to finish. Everything was flawlessly organised: briefings were crystal clear, schedules were tightly maintained, and the operation ran with a level of efficiency that's rare to find in dive setups, especially on a small island. The on-board service was outstanding. The sandwiches offered as mid-trip snacks became a highlight in themselves—fresh, generous, and showing a genuine care for guests beyond just their diving experience. What truly elevates Devocean is their incredible team. Warm, professional, highly skilled, and deeply passionate about what they do. Having dived extensively across the region, I can confidently say this is the best crew I’ve encountered on Malapascua.

The bed was nice and comfortable, the staff were friendly, and the food in the restaurant was good with a lovely sea view. However, there were a couple of issues: the restaurant/bar staff gave away our beachside table, so we had to move to the upper deck, and they forgot to pass our sandwich order to the kitchen before our early morning dive at Kimud Shoal. Thankfully, the sandwiches were made just in time due to a 15-minute departure delay. The safe was broken, but the staff provided the key as a workable solution. Late-night singing during the Fluvial Festival next door was a bit disruptive.

The early morning dives with thresher sharks were truly amazing and unforgettable. The guides were professional, approachable, and ensured I felt safe throughout the experience. Thank you for an incredible diving adventure in Malapascua. I look forward to returning someday!

My group and I spent 5 days diving with MBI, and we’re incredibly grateful to the whole team. They showed us the stunning thresher sharks, tiger sharks, Gato Island's underwater topography, and the beautiful reefs of Malapascua. The MBI team went above and beyond to ensure our trip's success, accommodating our large group by providing plenty of guides for small group ratios. They even prepared a BBQ feast for us! Special thanks to our amazing guide, the handsome RJ. Highly recommend diving with MBI for an authentic local experience!

I recently finished 22 dives with Thresher Shark Divers, including 16 dives at Kimud Shoal where I had fantastic Thresher encounters on every single dive. I also tried 2 dives in search of Tiger sharks—no luck, but the ocean isn’t a zoo! Additionally, I enjoyed 2 excellent dives at Gato Island and 2 macro dives at North Point where we spotted Pygmy Seahorses and other fascinating creatures. After reading a review by 'Dan' criticizing the dive guides and safety, I feel compelled to clarify. I was on the same boat, diving at the same time, and yes, there was a mild current—but it was extremely slight. Despite hauling a full-sized camera rig and being 70 years old, I found these dives exceptionally easy. The dive guides provided thorough briefings, and by simply listening and following instructions, the dives were entirely stress-free. With thousands of dives under my belt, I can confidently say this was one of the easiest dive locations I’ve experienced. As for the short walk to the boat before diving, this was only because the tide was out, making the water near TSD too shallow for the tender to reach. In my 40+ years of diving, I’ve yet to find a dive operator that can control the tides! All in all, this was an incredible experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to dive with TSD again.

Patrick and his team, especially Belle, are some of the best hospitality operators I've encountered during my extensive travels in Asia. The room was spotlessly clean, included all necessary amenities, had a comfortable bed, and featured a clean bathroom with toiletries. The hotel is conveniently located near everything, including the main restaurant area and just a 5-minute walk from local dive shops for daily departures. I can't recommend this hotel and its staff enough. I even extended my stay after an initial 2-night booking for an additional 3 nights! Great job, Patrick and team. Do yourself a favor and book this hotel—you won't regret it!

Great management and welcoming staff. I had an incredible shark experience with my guide Tam, who added a sense of adventure by taking us away from the crowded areas to search for sharks ourselves. If we had stayed at the platform, we might have seen just one or two threshers at best. Instead, we ventured around the outskirts and were thrilled to spot six or more!

Had an absolutely amazing experience at Evolution Dive Resort, and it’s clear why they’re so highly recommended. Even before arriving, their email responses were prompt and thorough. Diving organization: The dive guides were outstanding—special thanks to Ryan, both Kevins, and Kikoy! Congratulations also to Viv for completing her course! The gear provided was top quality and always prepared for us. While we always checked before each dive, nothing was ever missing. The guides ensured our safety and showed immense respect for marine life, particularly the threshers—unlike some liveaboards! Diving itself: The thresher sharks were even more majestic, curious, and breathtaking than expected. When quiet and still, they would approach closely. The macro life was equally fascinating, with seahorses, frogfish, a mantis shrimp, numerous crabs, eels, and octopus. Accommodation: The air conditioning was a lifesaver after warm days on the boat. The beds were extremely comfortable, and the bathrooms spacious. Housekeeping was excellent, with fresh drinking water replenished each morning. Food: Resort food was good, offering a nice variety, though not heavily traditional. It was very affordable with outstanding service. Drinks were also budget-friendly, including delicious juices and smoothies. Overall, I’d recommend Evolution to absolutely everyone and can’t wait to return!

I attended a 5-day Tec diving course (Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures) at Evolution. The online theory portion with TDI can be completed beforehand, and I found the interface, quizzes, and final exams to be well-designed and comprehensive. On-site, I trained intensively for 5 days with Tamara, an experienced Tec instructor. She was a perfect balance of being kind yet meticulous and serious. During the training, there were memorable underwater "incidents" (like being out of gas at depth, replacing a broken mask, and sharing deco gas while managing the SMB 🤣🤣🤣😜). These definitely added excitement to the course. The mistakes I made during training taught me lessons I won't forget (hopefully 😅). It was undoubtedly a tough challenge for me as a trainee and likely just as demanding for the instructor 😂. Overall, it was an incredible experience. I've gained a real understanding of the gap between recreational and technical diving, and I approach Tec dives now with a mix of excitement and respect. I'm glad I chose Evolution; some things in life are best entrusted to professionals at the top of their game.