PLANNING YOUR
TRIP
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| (A) Naga City; (B) Pasacao, CamSur; (C) San Pascual, Masbate |
I was an island girl for 2 years. After passing my board
exam, I immediately applied to the DTTB (Doctors to the Barrio) program. A
program under the Department of Health (DOH) where they send doctors to the
underserved municipalities in our country. I was idealistic (I still am) and I
wanted to make a difference so I braved the rough seas and set foot in an
island with electricity running from 5pm to 10pm only.
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| San Pascual |
Burias Island is one of the three major islands of the province of Masbate. It is comprised of 2 neighboring municipalities: Claveria where the entry point is through Albay, and San Pascual which can be reached through the town of Pasacao, Camarines Sur. I was assigned in San Pascual.
San Pascual may lack the facility to cater to tourists, but it was charming, beautiful and captured my heart. Weekends were spent frolicking in its numerous islets, armed with bottles of Emperador light, surrounded by good company who loved the island as much as I did.
This place is truly an undiscovered gem. Animasola Island, an island just a short boat ride away from the town of San Pascual, is stunning with its towering rock formations similar to the ones in Biri Island. If you prefer lounging on an island with powdery white sand and having an island all to yourself, you can pitch your tent in either Tinalisayan Islet or Sombrero Island. What’s great about San Pascual is its proximity to Naga City, Camarines Sur. You can explore the other tourist attractions that this emerging tourist hub can offer, such as wakeboarding in CWC, or island hopping in Caramoan.
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| Animasola Island |
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| Sombrero Island |
GETTING THERE:
1. From Manila to Naga City
By Bus
Bus companies: DLTB, Penafrancia Tours, Isarog Lines,
RSL, Philtranco, Raymond
Terminal: Cubao terminal is located in front of Shopwise;
Philtranco is the only bus company with terminal in Pasay
Travel time: 8-9 hours
Fare: 700-1100 (I prefer the single seater which cost
around 850-900)
2.
From Naga City to Pasacao port
- From the CBD terminal, you can either walk or ride a tryke to Pasacao Van Terminal (beside SM Naga)
- Take the Van to Pasacao town
- Once you reach Pasacao, tell the pedicab driver to drop you at the Port or Pantalan
Fare: 50
By plane
- Pili airport is a 20 minute drive from Naga City.
- You can either hire a taxi from the airport to Pasacao van terminal in Naga City which would cost around 200-300 or
- You can take a pedicab from the airport to the main highway. From the main highway, you can flag a bus to Naga City which would cost around 20. You will be dropped off at the CBD terminal, and from there you can either walk or ride a tryke to Pasacao van terminal (see By Bus instructions)
3. From Pasacao port to San Pascual, Masbate
- There are 3 boat companies servicing this route
- I usually take Maxim or SR San Pascual since departure of DF is very unpredictable
Boat Companies:
Pasacao to San Pascual
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San Pascual to Pasacao
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DF
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7:00am
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8:00am
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Maxim
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10:00am
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5:30am
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SR San Pascual
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2:00pm
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9:30am
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Travel time: 2 hours
Fare: 130
ACCOMMODATION:
Fuentes Lodging House – this is the only lodging house in
the town center
Sombrero island – they have 2 basic huts that can be
rented, costs around 300-700/hut (Caretaker/owner:
Dong 09216120604)
ITINERARY:
ITINERARY
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REMARKS
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Day 1
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1pm: ETA San Pascual
2pm – 5pm: Animasola island
5pm – 6pm: Travel to Sombrero island
6pm – onwards: Camp at Sombrero island
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Day 2
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5:30 – 6:30am: Travel to Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
6:30am – 8:30am: Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
8:30am – 9:00am – Travel back to San Pascual
9:30am – ETD San Pascual to Pasacao (Last trip of the
day)
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*You may choose to remove Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
from the itinerary
** Only 2 boats have regular trips going in and out of
San Pascual, be careful with the departure time of each trip
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SPECIALTY:
Dried squid – you can find this in the market near the
port area, costs around 450/kg.
HELPFUL LINKS:
hi. is there a ferry from Pasacao that brings you direct to Masbate City? thanks a lot. ;)
ReplyDeleteblessings
Hi, unfortunately, there is no ferry that goes directly to Masbate city from Pasacao. Burias island, although part of Masbate province is separated from the province. Based on what I can remember, for you to get to Masbate City from Manila, you can either take the plane direct to Masbate City; or from Legazpi City (Albay), you take a van to Pilar, Sorsogon, then ferry to Masbate City. Burias island on the other hand can be accessed through Naga City (Camarines Sur)
Deletethere is a ferry (barko) from Pio Duran Albay going to mAsbate CIty. the ferry's name is MV King Frederick or Jack Daniel. They are basically ROROs which cater to buses coming from Manila going to any of the towns in Masbate's main island.
DeleteHi, do we need to rent a boat to visit the other islands? Because you only mentioned about the fare to San Pascual. If yes, how much do we need to pay and do you have their contact number? And if you could also share the expenses (per head). Thanks! I'm really excited about this trip. :)
ReplyDeleteHi. Yes you have to rent a smaller boat to get around the different islands. We usually just rent out from the boats around the port area. When are you planning to travel? I will try to contact my friend who works in their tourism board to inquire about the current rate for boat rental.
DeleteHi. Okay lang ba magpunta ngayong July? Safe naman po ba magtravel? Baka po kasi malalakas ang waves. Thank you!
ReplyDeletehi is it safe for girls to travel here and stay overnight? we are only two. and how much is the current rate for boat rental for two persons? thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteHi, maybe you could help me find a private boat for island hopping in Burias? Please...
ReplyDeleteHelloo. Is there a boat that we can ride to san pascual to pasacao port in the afternoon?
ReplyDeleteHelloo. Is there a boat that we can ride to san pascual to pasacao port in the afternoon?
ReplyDeleteHi, magkano ang rent ng boat sa bawat island? We're planning to visit on December. Salamat
ReplyDeleteBeen there last May via organized tour, if you prefer DIY, you may contact boatman Sir Mike +63 910 253 8863.
ReplyDelete