Fall in love with this small island located in San Andres, Quezon Province. Alibijaban or Alibihaban pronounced as a-li-bi-ha-ban Island...it actually took us a while before we able to pronounce or spell it correctly. Alibibjnjnjnjn...alibluulajna, alibadbaran...alibijujuj...as I remembered when we are talking about it thru text...hahahaha
During long weekend or summer break almost everyone is thinking for a quick summer getaway that's why mostly were already crowded and expect heavy traffic along the way. This might turn your supposedly relaxation into nightmare. That is one thing I also consider, a place that is not so popular but worth it. Then I came across some write up about this island with a good reviews. I wasn't even aware about the place and this is the first time Ive heard about it and didn't even know it exists.
Upon checking in the internet, Alibijaban is now emerging as travel destination for camping, island hopping, boating and snorkeling in Quezon Province because of its white sand beach and a sea Forest of mangrove trees.
Let me share you now our 2 days 1 night in the island.
Travel time via private car took us almost 9 hours from Manila - San Andres Port, Quezon. Best time to depart is in the evening to avoid traffic. In our case we departed at 9:00PM and had a few minutes stop over for CR break and a short nap around 2am for almost 30 minutes.
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| We're ready to go. |
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| First stop over |
Be sure to have enough fuel before heading coz most of Gas stations are close at that time.
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| We reached San Andres road around 5:00 am |
We thought that would just few minutes away to our destination but it still took us almost 2 hours drive from San Narciso- San Andres Road to San Andres Port. It was a little bit hard for my husband to drive at that time because he was already sleepy after almost 8 hour drive. Thank God we arrived safe!
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| We reached San Andres around 6:30 am |
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We bought our breakfast in the nearby carenderia so we can just eat upon reaching the island. Dishes cost P40.00 per order with additional P5.00 for the plastic container for take out. Plastic is prohibited there especially in the Island.
San Andres Public Market is few steps away where you can buy raw meat, vegetables and other necessities in the island. Though mostly are available in the Island like ice, mineral water, charcoal, snacks, drinks and toiletries for almost same price unlike in some island that really cost much.
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Parking
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There's a spacious parking area in the port where you can leave your car. There were only few private car and van parked when we arrived, that means there were only few guest in the island, that was good. Our guide is already waiting for us since I told him that we expected to be there at 6:00 am but since we went to the market we arrived at around 7:30am.
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| Port Office |
You need to register and pay P4.00 each for environmental fee and P20.00 for parking fee then additional P4.00 per hour in the parking upon exit.
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| Port Area |
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| Our service was "Mark Stevens Boat #2" with Kuya Stephens as our guide |
Our boat is spacious enough for us which I think can accommodate maximum of 10pax. Travel from port to Alibijaban is only around 20 minutes.
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| Approaching the Island |
Woah... You can already see the white sand from a far. It seems that there were also few visitors in the beach area, perfect! as what I was hoping.
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| TelloKitty drone shot in front of Aromajan resort |
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| Nipa hut is surrounded with trees. |
Aromajan resort has 2 small nipa hut but spacious campsite where you can pitch your tent. With entrance fee of P100.00 per head kids are free.
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| Small Nipa hut for our accommodation. |
Accommodation in the Island usually ranges from P500.00 w/o Fan- P1000.00 w/ Fan. The kubo is enough for 3-4 pax. By the way, don't expect an aircondition room or TV in the island because the only source of electricity there is solar power just enough to supply lights, electric fan and charging of gadgets at night. Better to bring your own portable fan because it's hot at night particularly inside the tent.
It is better to contact and reserve your kubo before going there to ensure that there will be available for you. Though you can also rent a tent for only P100.00 or bring your own tent. They have 2 common CR for their guests, water for bathing and others is P10.00 per pail or P150.00 per drum.
Upon arriving somebody will assist you for your needs. They also have stove, grill, basic cookware and utensils that you can borrow from them. You may also request them to cook for you if you want to for a minimal fee.
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| We also brought our own tent for a real camping experience. |
After we settled are things and tent, we started our island tour at the cave while it was still high tide and only few visitors were in the area. We decided to bring and have our breakfast inside the cave which only be possible if there is only few visitors there.
It is around 10-15 minutes boat ride going to the cave. That would cost additional pay if you want to avail the alibijaban island tour including mangrove, floating cottage and sand bar tour.
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| A fee of P20.00 per head will be collected in the cave |
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| Picture picture and swimming time |
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| Water there is clear. |
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Inside the rock cave there's wooded tables
and chairs where you can take pictures and eat. |
After we ate and had few minutes of swimming, we went to the Mangrove area.
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| a small sandbar near mangrove area. |
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| View is perfect for your "awrahan" pose. |
You will be amazed with the array of mangroves in the area. Looks like a forest in the middle of the sea.
Along our way to the sand bar it was already high tide and almost knee high. But we really enjoyed walking on our way there because of the clear water and nice view of the mangrove trees along the way.
It was already hot at that time. When we reached the sandbar we were surprised to see boatman selling ice candy and ice buko for P10.00 each. Who would have thought that somebody will be selling it in the middle of the sea. Perfect timing to refresh!
Don't be surprised to see a lot of starfish in the water of different colors and sizes. There's also lots of it near the shore especially during low tide. If you happen to find one just return them immediately in the water for I read an article saying that they can only survive for few seconds out of the water.
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| Dead starfish |
Then we headed our way back to the resort.
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| You may also play volleyball |
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| A wide stretch of fine white sand |
After we had our lunch, we took a short nap. When we woke up it was already low tide in the afternoon, making it not advisable to swim.
Best thing to do is to take picture, enjoy the view and walk along the shore. Better to prepare dinner earlier before it is dark. Then after dinner you may set a campfire near the shore but ask permission first.
Take also the opportunity to enjoy star gazing. Feel hypnotized with the serene view in the sky with the soul refreshing air outside until you fall asleep ( that is if you are brave enough to stay outside) but not advisable for overnight for you might be joined with unexpected companion of insects and animals. Though there were no mosquitoes when we stayed there except for big antik ants near the trees.
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| Feel free to lie down in the sand and enjoy the view in the sky. |
Early in the morning we decided to visit the sand bar, best time to go there is around 5:30 am-7:00 am or late afternoon. You can reach it for about 20 minutes walk if you want to exercise or ride a boat for a fee. Best part of the island aside from the mangrove forest is the sandbar.
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| Just arrived on time to witness the sand bar. |
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| After few minutes you will notice that the water goes up a little bit. |
There's also some other area where you can find sand bar. Making you looks like walking in the middle of the sea.That morning was cloudy and looks its already raining in other area. We took the opportunity to enjoy swimming while its not too hot!
Then after staying about an hour or more i think, we went to one of the floating cottage. You can rent it for P200.00/hour or just drop by for few minutes to take pictures for free or for others for just P20.00 per head..
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| The cottage has a portion where you can swim directly in the water while inside the cottage. |
We didn't enjoy snorkeling there maybe we didn't get the perfect spot where the corals and fish is located. We just spent an hour in swimming because we are planning to leave early in the island to have some side trip along our way home. We leave the island at 9am.
Overall, our experience is worth it, we able to visit and discover new place again. It may not as awesome and luxurious as other popular resorts but one thing I like in the place is its being raw, not too commercialized and uncrowded for now. Perfect place to unwind and escape the busy mode in the city...and the people their are very kind and accommodating..and never took advantage of over pricing unlike others where almost everything is equivalent with a fee.
I am looking forward to comeback there again but planning to avail the BURIAS ISLAND HOPPING next time... something that I am really excited and looking forward to.
Alibijaban Island, San Andres Quezon
Entrance Fee: P100/head
Nipa hut: P500-P1000
Tent: P100.00
Contact Person
Kuya Ronnel Lirasan
09454531495
09995733706
Boat Ride
Round trip San Andres Port - Alibijaban Island
P1200.00/6 pax ( price may vary depending no. of pax)
Additional
P200 - Sandbar and Mangrove Forest Tour, Floating Cottage
P500 - Sandbar and Mangrove Forest Tour, Floating Cottage and Cave Tour
P20 - Cave Entrance
P200 - Floating Cottage rental
How to get there?
We just rely on WAZE App
Check on other blogs on how to get there via Bus
