An Island of Strange Beauty
The long and exhausted travel is worthless upon the first look in the island Few meter away before the boat dock the shore, you will see the residential area standing on top of white bright sand. Not far off is the green, the blue and white surrounding.
With the natural beauty, the island remain less crowded than other famous island, its perfect for those who quest island for relaxation.
The undeveloped state, made the place a very laid back. The mangrove forest are undisturbed and the shores is almost untouched. Great place for those seeking private retreats and solitary adventures.
Alibijaban island is a small paradise, located in San Andres, Southern part Quezon Province known as Bondoc Peninsula, commonly known as Bonpen. San Andres is one of the farthest municipality in all municipalities of Quezon from Manila.
The remoteness of the place, remain unknown to many, but worth to explore and preserve.
Under Water Activity
There is distinguished diving site of the island, unfortunately availability of gadget for diving, either for snorkeling is not available.
Since there’s no commercial tourism activity, you need to bring everything you need, or try to barrow from the locals.
Due to unavailability of the gadgets, we just settled in the big rocks, few meters away from the shores.
Underwater scenery got overwhelmed. The miniature corals formations is surprisingly inhabited by different types of fishes and corals. Great diving experience, beautiful underwater scenery.
The other side of the island
The other side is opposite from the front yard of the island, where boulders of rocks are found. During low tide, they can easily picked shell fish for their foods.
The Mangrove Forest
According to the locals, the best charcoal and firewood is the wood come from the mangrove tree.
Today, the local learned the importance of the mangrove, where it helps to reduce the impacts of severe typhoon, strong winds, floods, as well as cyclone and tsunamis, commonly hit not only their island, but also in other part of the country.
They also learned that mangroves provide a key nursery for fish, a homes to other animal species and other sea life.
Like coral reefs, mangrove forests are extremely productive ecosystem that provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and people.
Aside from the natural method of reproduction of mangrove, or called seed falls from the tree to the mud and grow it naturally, with the help of some environmental groups, the local learned not only the importance of conservation and restoration of mangrove forest , instead the initiative of the local to plant and protect mangrove properly.
Called as forest of the sea, or a green coastal breakwater, mangrove systems, like coral reef and white sand beach surprisingly attract tourist. The diverse place is good for snorkeling, around the mangrove, where marvelous variety of baby fish, jellyfish, urchins and other sea life can be found.
There are around 5 varieties of mangrove in the island, including one non aquatic mangrove.
This area is under the jurisdiction of DENR
Everyday, there are many locals, including young student passing the mangrove forest. May their school give them awareness and appreciation for mangroves so that they learn not only the academic knowledge but they also become a better stewards of this vital natural resources for the future.
Source of Income
Each member of the family are helping hands for their daily needs, where fishing is the daily source.
Way of Living
How to get there?
Manila to San Andres.
Superlines Transport have 3 daily direct trip to San Andres 4:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:30 PM. Schedule may change without notice. For some inquiries you may call 02-414-3119/02-4143321 and 09225225192. Fare Php.470.00
Manila to Lucena
There are some Bus lines from Cubao (EDSA-Kamuning-Kamias) to Lucena (Grand Terminal) like JAC Liner, Lucena Lines and DLTB, Tritran. Fare around Php. 220.00
Lucena to San Andres
Barney Auto Lines from Alabang terminal is passing the Lucena Grand Terminal to take passenger going to San Andres. Last trip is 12:00 midnight, then follow the next trip at 2:00 AM. Four to five hours travel. Fare Php.216.00 .
There are groups of Van operator in Lucena bound to San Andres. Van Terminal in Pacific Mall 0910-5863023, the schedule are 11:00AM, 1:00PM and last trip is 3:00 PM. There are also van terminal in SM Lucena, Van Fare is Php. 270.00 higher compare with the bus. The advantage of the van, it travel faster and non stop going to San Andres, while the bus is stationary.
San Andress to Alibjaban
From Bus terminal in San Andres, there are two options going to the island. 1.Proceed to the pier and hitch a ride for some motor boat going, or going back to the island. Fare is around Php. 20.00 – Php.50.00. Motor boat are frequent in the morning to transport their commodities, and buy their needs back to the island. Reminder: there no regular trip going to the island and vice verse.
2. Second option is to contact, Randy and or his wife Jinjin 0977-370-8487 and 0998-275-8413 to fetch you in the pier. Negotiation regarding his services must be agreed, before going to Alibijaban, specially the inclusion of his service. like guiding fee, snorkeling, and many others. Paying the “BAHALA NA PO KAYO” is one problem we encountered with them. Randy and the wife, as well as the locals are kind. Travel time:, around 15 minutes from pier to Alibijaban Island.
Hi! Ask ko lang po kung ok lang ba na may kasamang kids? Hindi po ba delikado?
Definitely ok lang po ang bata, as long that the kids willing to walk mula daungan ng bangka going sa magaganda sights. Di naman kalayuan ang mga sand bars at yung mangrove forest. Walang sasakyan duon, lakad lang lahat… Yung boat naman is around 15 minutes lang mula San Andres town proper going to island, at kung summer time naman kayo pupunta di naman malakas alon…
Another question po..is it safe there? I mean if we are going there with private car. Di kasi sanay mga bata ng commute. Wala po bang NPA? Sorry to ask this. Kasi before Quezon province is known for that. Planning to go there on holyweek. Gusto ko lang makasiguro na safe ung place para sa mga bata. Thanks for your reply!
Hi Kuya Albert,
We are planning po to go in Alibijaban, We would like to ask if there’s no jelly fish po ba in the beach? Medyo na trauma kasi kami sa Anawangin and Magalawa,
Thanks!
Hi Jane, wala ako nakita na Jelly Fish sa Alibijaban, at sa mga kakilala ko na nag punta duon wala ko nabalitaan.
Good day! Sir albert thank you sa post mo.. tanong ko lang sir, 12 hrs po ba talaga from alabang to san andres? Meron akoniba nakita.. 7hrs daw po.. alin po totoo para makapag plan kami ng iterinary. Thank you in advance
Hi Monty, may nakalagay sa blog from Lucena by bus, the travel time to San Andres is 4 -5 hours, There is also an option to travel with the Van which is faster than bus…dahil bus is stationary… There is also a bus schedule which you need to wait siguro if you cannot come exactly sa alis ng bus… The 7 hours is true kung dirediretso siguro ang byahe..in fact we left Manila at night, we arrive in San Andres at around 4:00am .. including bus transfer in Lucena, na nag hintay din kami for almost 2 hours
Hi po good day! :) Tanong ko lang po kung may bumabyahe pang bangka ng 7pm onwards po? Thank you :)
Hi Jen, I doubt kung meron pa, dahil maagang matulog ang mga tao sa isla.. at ang negosyo nila is isda, sarado narin ang palengke sa ganung oras… Pero kung group naman kayo, sila Randy at Jin (contact person na nasa blog) pwede kayo ipasundo kahit anong oras, mura lang sila sumingil, at mababait sila…
Hi sir albert, do you think safe po ang alibijaban for female solo traveller? Thanks :)
Definitely safe….
Hi were planning to go there wala n po bang ibang way yung mas mabilis ang byahe?
Hi Adelina, wala na talagang other way, kundi yung lang. Dulo na sya ng Quezon at nakahiwalay sya kaya tinawag syang (Bonpen) Bondoc Peninsula
nag day tour lang po ba kyo?anong oras kyo umalis if day tour lng?thanks :)
Hi April, we are a kind of travelers na walang sinasayang na oras, we arrive in Alibijaban at around 6am, then we left after our lunch at around 1pm… we roam around the island pagbaba na pagbaba ng bangka, no time wasted, including the underwater activities…at around 2pm naka balik na kami ng San Andres para naman pumunta ng Tigbi Falls sa San Francisco(Aurora)
Sir, good day! Existing pa po ba ang numbers nila mang randy at yung asawa? Balak po sana namin pumunta next next sunday. Thanks!
Yes Randy and Jinjin ang asawa, 0998-275-8413,and 0977-370-8487
Hi Albert, can i have your email address? would like to ask some questions sana regarding your trip. thanks you can send it to my mobile at 09151950435. thank you
Hi Marivic, email sent
sir/mam,
may pupunta po ba. pwede makisabay. 2 po kmi. salamat
Hi Lance, may mga facebook group na nag aayaan na magpunta sa ibat ibang lugar tulad sa Alibijaban, Siguro dapat mag join ka sa ganuon group, para makita mo kung may mga schedule sila… Pwede mo sila i visit tulad ng DIY (https://www.facebook.com/groups/diytravelphilippines/?fref=nf) Spice Adventure Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiceadventures/) PH Ultimate Adventure club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/666736976782977/) at marami pang iba….
hi lance, we are also planning to go there this week. Alis kmi ng Thursday night until mga Saturday ^_^ baka you could join us.. to lessen the expenses narin ^_^)
Hi marivic natuLoy ba kayo Last thursday ask ko Lang if its reaLLy safe there at kung may mga avaiLable na accomodation and a contact no. Na pwede namin makausap maraming saLamat
Hi sir keLan po ang punta nyo sa alibijaban kasi kame po nagbabalak pumunta by may 27 kayo po ba
Hi Sir, can I ask kung how much budget for 3D2N?? Not included the foof po.
email me at contrerasnikkiearllou@gmail.com if posible.
Thanks.
Hi Nikki, I dont have the idea for 3D2N budget that is depend on your travelling style, What I know from Manila to San Andress and vice versa is about 1K per head plus the boat rentals depende on how you divide it with your companion, which is not so expensive. Assuming accommodation of 100.00 per day per person… Maliban nalang if there something else your group want to do like island hoping, etc that an extra cost.Sorry my email in your email add failed.
Hi Sir, salamat po sa post nyo. ask lang po kung may sariling sasakyan. may pwede po kayang pagiwanan ng sasakyan sa port? Thanks po.
Hi Daryl, meron parking sa pier mismo, Sa first 1 hour Php.10.00 the succeeding hour is Php.4.00 so if you stay in Alibijaban for about 24 hours magbabayad ka nalang ng Php. 102.00
Hi Sir, I would like to ask about the time spent from/to Manila. Thank you! Btw, this post is really alluring.
By bus maybe around 10-12 hours, night travel where traffic along the way are less
hi sir.. ask ko lng kung ano tlga ang prefer na trip..?? by may 6 we are planning to take the 2:30pm trip..is it safe po ba kung anutin kme ng gabi makarating dun?? tnx..
Hi Ihala, the best time to travel talaga is night trip and safe naman.at wala itong time na ito na traffic. Marami narin ako kakilala na most of their travel time is at night, lalong lalo na the 12:00 midnight schedule
Hi Sir,
planning to go there this coming May. Would you think safe magsama nang bata? (around 8 years of age). Yung mga nakapost na pictures nang bangka, yun ba yung ginagamit from port to island?
thank you
Hi Jen, Yes as long the kids is willing to travel at di maiinipin…Travel time from San Andress to Alibijaban is around 15 minutes only, ang ginagamit nila na boat is depende sa dami ng sasakay..
Anyone po na may alam ng contact number / person po sa Alibijaban Island kasi po magkaconduct po kami ng Outreach much better po sana kung Barangay official. Thankyou po!
Hi Nerissa,
Di ko alam number nila Kapitan, but you can ask them through Jinjin 0977-370-8487 and 0998-275-8413
Hi, Miss Nerissa.
Kailan po kayo mag-conduct ng outreach? Pwede po kaya kamingmakijoin? Salamat po!
Hi! our team is planning to go there any suggestions or advice?
Hi Robin, Before yo go, better to contact Randy and Jinjin, if they can accommodate you.
Depends on you if you want their accommodation or ok lang sa inyo mag tent. Theres a tent for rent but you can also bring your own. They have no gadget for snorkeling, ganun din bring your own. Regarding sa foods, meron naman duon mabibilihan na carenderia, or ask Jinjin to cook for your group. Ah, di ko masagot yung iba di ko kasi alam ang specific concern nyo…he he he sensya na..
Hi tanong ko lng po Sir Albert. meron po bang biyahe ng jeep or any tranportation from LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL to SAN ANDRES? ano pong mga oras ang biyahe? we are going to alibijaban island this coming may 7, 2016. Thanks a lot Sir Albert. God bless.
Hi Lawrence, The Barney Bus. The night schedule is 12:00 midnight , the at 2:00 am. Yung day time di ko alam, pero kapag day time may mga van available na.
every hour po ba ung sa van? from lucena grand terminal? thanks. God bless.
We prefer to travel at night, para pagdating namin sa Alibijaban is umaga at walang masayang na oras, sana. . Regarding sa Van, medyo pasensya na, di ko kabisado ang day schedule nila. What we recommend sana is magtravel kayo at night, para pagdating nyo sa San Andres hindi alanganing oras. Maalala ko din pala, if you are coming from Manila, meron direct na byahe sa Super lines 4:30 am, 2:30 pm at 6:00 pm Telephone numbers 414-3319/4116510/0925-6782400
mraming salamat sir albert! God bless you always. :)
God bless
Hi Albert,
Its me again, Andrei. Lol. I followed your itinerary. Thank you sobra! I really enjoyed the island! I was supposed to go there end-of-month pero di ko na kinaya! I packed my things and BOOM!
Thank you again!
http://whatsupdrei.blogspot.com/2016/04/alibijaban-island-san-andres-quezon.html
Hi Andrei thanks for appreciation. I read your blog and I miss the place tuloy. Lol..
We told Kuya Randy that we’ll be back para naman sa Sombrero Island (and we can’t wait!!) His kids are lovely! Sobrang bait ni Ate Jin! We had ginataang fresh na native pusit, ginisang munggo with native baboy and patatim!
Very welcoming community. Sulit ang 11hrs na byahe to get there and 12hrs pauwi ng bahay.
Thanks ulit sa blog na ‘to, Albert at nakarating ako sa Alibijaban! See you around!
Yes, Masbate is in my bucket list, sarap ng island hopping dyan, di lang maka move dahil walang long holidays, at medyo busy sa running ko.
Di ko kaya ang power mo na CAN’T WAIT” ha ha ha ha
Happy ako to hear na satisfy kayo sa service nila Randy and Jin, minsan may nag co complain mahal daw. (HAH?)
he he he
Hahaha! Sanay ako sa biglaang lakad. I don’t understand why people would complain na mahal sa kanila. 3 of us only spent 500 pesos each. Kasama na dun ang two way boat transfer, tour sa sandbars and mangrove forest, ovrnight stay (nilibre pa kami ng food!). Mas mahal pa nga yung pamasahe namin from Sta. Rosa (and Manila, dun sa nakilala ko sa byahe) to San Andres.
Bago lang ako sa blogworld and hindi ko alam kung okay ba yung ginawa ko (www.whatsupdrei.tk). Anyway, I’ve got lakads over the next few months.
Ingat on your next adventure! Thanks ulit sa itinerary mo.
PS: How much did you pay for a .com domain? I’m thinking of getting one. Ano ba magandang mag host?
God bless!
Baka gusto nila libre, he he he
Anyway, nabasa ko na lahat ng blogs mo at ok naman. Blogs is all about personal opinions, experience, objective etc. May kanya kanya tayong style, and or attack on how we present and create the story. Sa akin naman travel is no longer a fashion, but this is an advocacy to help local community as alternative income nila ang tourism. Napakahirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas, kung hindi, El Nino or tagtuyot, ay grabeng bagyo naman, wala mapuntahan ang ating mga kababayan, kundi kahirapan.Kahit sinong Presidente ang maupo, kung lagi naman tayo binabagyo, nililindol at may tagtuyot, idagdag pa ang ang imported na gulay, bigas, isda, mahihirapan talaga ang ating kababayan na mamuhay ng sagana. A create a fb page 3 years ago na Pro-Poor Philippines pero nahihirapan ako ipublish, parang kahirap gawin o i apply kung walang suporta sa gobyerno. May tinulungan akong studyante sa thesis nya na tourism kinukuha at pag tu tourist guide ang nagpapaaral sa kanya, nang i present nya ang pro poor tiourism ni reject agad ng teacher, dahil marami daw tatamaan… eh simple lang naman ang pro-poor, just to empower the local, at sustainable development at environment impact. Pero masaya ako, nung nasa Eastern Samar ako may mga nakikita na ako ngayon na CBRM a Community-based resource management program, this is not only helping the community but to empower them and recognize their rights to manage and receive benefits in sustainable use of their own natural resources. Sana kumalat pa itong mga community based management program, para hindi lang mga kapitalistang mayayaman ang yumaman.
About website, maraming nagsasabing maganda, maraming may nagkakaproblema. Suggestion ko lang, better to find sa mga close friend mo, at malapit lang sayo mga tao na mag mamanage ng site mo…mahirap kapag nawawalan ng communication pag mayproblema.
Pahabol, napataba mo daw ang puso ni Randy at Jin sa thank you text mo, sana daw mga guest nila, lagi tulad mo.
God bless, goodluck sa mga byahe…
Hi,
We’re planning to visit here. Is there any place to stay in the island for 2nights stay? What are the activities that the place can offer?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, theres a place to stay. But dont expect much of amenities in your accommodation. the island remained unspoiled and no commercial tourism activities so far. You can contact Randy and or his wife Jinjin 0977-370-8487 and 0998-275-8413 for reservation. During summer, tourists are coming in and out. If room run out there a tent for rent… and or you can bring your own tent to lessen your expenses. About the activities, its all about beauty and nature.
Hi Albert!
Excellent post! I just learned about this Island a few days ago and am now itching to visit this paradise! I’m surprised as there are just a few blogs/websites that has information about Alibijaban Island.
I already called Kuya Randy this morning and spoke with his wife, Jin-Jin (or Jing-Jing, not sure). Hopefully, I’d get to visit this place before this month ends!
Hope to see you on your next adventure!
PS: I just started a personal-slash-travel-kuno blog. Will definitely add you on my blogroll once I get home! (I’m at work atm) wwww.whatsupdrei.tk
Hi Andrei, Theres no exaggeration in my post about Alibijaban. The island is definitely one of the best destination that remain unspoiled from commercial tourism. Thanks for adding me to your blogroll.I will add you too. Let’s support our countrymen lacking in comfort that trough tourism, it will provide them with a livelihood as their alternative income. .
For several times I had been in Bocaray but according to my friends Alibijaban Island is great and much more beautiful than of Boracay, so I am planning to visit the island the soonest once my leave of absence was approved with my friends & his family from Cavity.
Rolando, Alibijaban is one of the best destination in the country that remain unspoiled.
Thank you, we are planning to see this beautiful place, thanks for the tips. :)
Hello Sir,
Ask lang po about dito,
–
Lucena to San Andres
Barney Auto Lines from Alabang terminal is passing the Lucena Grand Terminal to take passenger going to San Andres. Last trip is 12:00 midnight, then follow the next trip at 2:00 AM. Four to five hours travel. Fare Php.216.00 .
—
Yung last trip ng 12 midnight is from Alabang to Lucena or Lucena to San Andres?
Thank you.
Hi Ken, The last trip is from Lucena to San Andress. Maybe you wonder why not ride in Alabang nalang sana, kesa magpunta pa ng Lucena. The Barney Bus is an ordinary bus, and uncomfortable. Its difficult to travel from Alabang to Lucena to San Andress for more than 10 hours with ordinary bus. Then be aware that their schedule may also be change or delayed.
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