Summer In Mid February- Explore the Island of Guimaras
This is Alobijod Cove Beach Resort located at Nueva Valencia.
It seems like any other beaches in the Philippines with it's brown colored sand, blue sea deep waters and well it's coconut palm trees. But it's calm waters and salty wind made me feel relaxed, away from the city's congested traffic and polluted air.
I really like going to the beach during its non-peak season because it's less crowded and felt like we have the beach all to ourselves! No scrutinizing eyes from people because you're wearing two-piece bikini and a lot of skin shows and it's a beach! (Admit it, sometimes you're shy to wear bikini even on a beach)
Travel Guide to Alibojod Cove
Via Bacolod-Iloilo
1. Take a ferry from the Bacolod Bredco Seaport going to Iloilo. It will take 1 hour and a half to get to Iloilo. We took the 11:30AM schedule of Weesam Express. The one-way Economy sit costs for about 335.00. For other ferry schedules please check and contact the Bredco Port Terminal.
2. From Iloilo Seaport you can ride a taxi or Grab. You can also ride a motorcycle going to Ortiz Wharf for 250.00 (if you find it too expensive you can negotiate with the drivers. We got it for 120.00 only for the three of us.) Jeepneys are also available waiting at the port. For a secure and safe travel if you're unfamiliar with Iloilo use Google Map or Waze.
3. From Ortiz Wharf you need to ride a small boat or "bangka" going to Guimaras Island. Ticket price at 22.00 for regulars and 19.00 for students (bring I.D). It will take about 15 minutes to get to the island.
4. Upon arriving at Jordan Port. You can take a motorcycle going to Alibojod Cove or ask assistance from their tourism office. Note that it will be a long travel probably an hour or so. I recommend you make a reservation at the resort if you plan on staying overnight to check the room availability.
5. Island hopping available! Price ranges from 600.00 an hour and an additional of 200.00 for the next hour. The tour covers 5 islets and beaches around Guimaras. Our first stop was the Ave Maria Islet because the Pawikan or Turtle Island was closed.
Then went to Baras Cave. The Cave was a little scary if you asked me. I did not dare swim inside the cave, just took some photos.
After that we explored the Natago Beach. You can actually rent the whole beach house for only 5,000 pesos! How cool is that? It's like having the whole island to yourselves! And the last island we went to was some sort of sandbar. We just rested there and did some snorkeling then went back to the resort after 3 hours.
6. Check out was at 11:30am. We ate lunch at their pavilion. Their food is quite delicious as well. Prices ranges from 250.00 and above. We ordered some buttered chicken and soup. After bidding our goodbyes to the water, we're on our way to explore the rest of the tourist destinations in Guimaras.
7. It took us around 45 minutes to an hour before reaching the Guisi Lighthouse. It is an 18th century Spanish-colonial lighthouse that was built beside the beach. Don't visit the site if you're not fond of hiking. Just kidding! It's only a 10 minutes hike. Souvenirs are also available!
8. Speaking of souvenirs you can also buy at the Trappist Monastery. The monks there earn a living by selling delicacies such as jams, candies, mango piaya and more!
9. Guimaras is well known for its main product Mango. Too bad the mango plantation was closed on a Sunday!
10. And I was finally able to cross out seeing a windmill off my bucket list. I'd love to visit Ilocos just for the windmill but Guimaras would do! It was a little hot up on the hill so bring umbrellas or wear hats if you're gonna visit. The view was very promising!
11. The half day land tour was a little exhausting already considering that we woke up at 5am for the island hopping we settled to go home at around 3:00 in the afternoon and arrived around 4:00 at Iloilo. It was Dinagyang Festival, in honor of Senior Sto. Nino, one of the city's main celebration every year. It was my first time to go and see Dinagyang Festival. It was a very quick stop over since we need to head to the seaport before 8:00pm to catch the last trip to Bacolod.
12. For most people, the last trip is only until 5:00pm but if you're gonna take the Iloilo-Bacolod via Banago port, they still have the last trip at 8:00pm via FastCat. It will take 2 hours to arrive in Bacolod.
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For more information on Guimaras Island's Tourism visit the Province of Guimaras official page.
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