We rented a bike in Olango Island and roam around the island. We had the places all to ourselves or should I say there were little tourists around. If you're fast enough to run the bike, I'm sure you can go around the island within the day.
UPDATES: I visited Olango Island twice already. I added some few photos in the photo slides.
My birthday was fast approaching so I decided to have a pre-birthday celebration before our second semester starts by arranging this mini trip, that is a trip to Olango Island- an island that is known for its migrating birds of different species from different countries, and a place where some college students go for a day tour with rented bikes. We spent just a day there and spent less than what was expected which was totally awesome. I suggest that you bring your closest friends with you as well.
My birthday was fast approaching so I decided to have a pre-birthday celebration before our second semester starts by arranging this mini trip, that is a trip to Olango Island- an island that is known for its migrating birds of different species from different countries, and a place where some college students go for a day tour with rented bikes. We spent just a day there and spent less than what was expected which was totally awesome. I suggest that you bring your closest friends with you as well.
HOW TO GET THERE:
*Going to Parkmall: from South- ride any jeep going to SM Cebu City and ride a 01K jeep from Sun Gold(Near the crossing/traffic lights beside SM). Or ride 01K jeep at Emall.
from North- ride a 24/25 jeep that goes to Parkmall. Ask the driver or check their sign boards before riding the jeep because some jeepneys won't pass Parkmall.
Fare is usually P10, depending on the distance.
*Parkmall to Punta Engaño- From Parkmall terminal, get a jeep heading to Punta Engaño and drop off at Hiltons Hotel. We paid P18 each for the fare.
*Punta Engaño to Olango Island(Sta.Rosa Port)- Beside the Hiltons Hotel, there is a port where you could buy a boat ticket to Olango Island worth P15 and a terminal fee worth P5. We traveled by boat for 20min.
*Going to Parkmall: from South- ride any jeep going to SM Cebu City and ride a 01K jeep from Sun Gold(Near the crossing/traffic lights beside SM). Or ride 01K jeep at Emall.
from North- ride a 24/25 jeep that goes to Parkmall. Ask the driver or check their sign boards before riding the jeep because some jeepneys won't pass Parkmall.
Fare is usually P10, depending on the distance.
*Parkmall to Punta Engaño- From Parkmall terminal, get a jeep heading to Punta Engaño and drop off at Hiltons Hotel. We paid P18 each for the fare.
*Punta Engaño to Olango Island(Sta.Rosa Port)- Beside the Hiltons Hotel, there is a port where you could buy a boat ticket to Olango Island worth P15 and a terminal fee worth P5. We traveled by boat for 20min.
Once you arrive in Sta. Rosa Port, you'll see plenty of tricycles and motorcycles waiting for passengers to arrive. We hired a tricycle because we were four travelling together but if you go with motorcycles then that would be fine. The cost per person will be the same any way.
RENTING A BIKE: We told the driver to bring us to Candagsao Elementary School. Our ride to Candagsao costs P20 per person. Just behind the school, there is a house surrounded with bamboo fences and has a mini store. There were motorcycles and tricycles beside it. We went to their mini store and asked for the bikes. We were welcomed with smiles and yes, they were expecting a lot of costumers because they already knew what we were there for, Bikes! The lady, who is the owner asked for an ID before we could get a hold of the bikes. The renting rate was P10/hr which was so affordable that we could tour around the island all day long! We only left one ID which was mine as a representative for the 4 bikes we rented and the payment was to be paid after we return the bikes to them. Well, if you own a bike at home, it is possible to bring them with you to the island but you got to pay additional P10 to load it on the boat.
From there, you can finally start your journey. I suggest that you start pedalling your bikes heading South of Olango Island, specifically to Barangay San Vicente, because that's where you can find the Marine Sanctuary and the Bird Sanctuary. In addition to this, the route to San Vicente is picture perfect for the gram! The locals are very friendly, so don't worry about getting lost.
If riding a bike isn't you're thing, you may hire the drivers you see from the port to tour you around the island for a fixed price. If you're going to negotiate the price, it shouldn't be more than P500.
From there, you can finally start your journey. I suggest that you start pedalling your bikes heading South of Olango Island, specifically to Barangay San Vicente, because that's where you can find the Marine Sanctuary and the Bird Sanctuary. In addition to this, the route to San Vicente is picture perfect for the gram! The locals are very friendly, so don't worry about getting lost.
If riding a bike isn't you're thing, you may hire the drivers you see from the port to tour you around the island for a fixed price. If you're going to negotiate the price, it shouldn't be more than P500.
WHERE TO EAT: Finding food here is a bit challenging because when we asked the staff from the Marine Sanctuary, he said their restaurant caters to those who were booked on a trip. They couldn't cater to walk-in costumers because they had no stocks of food since they have to order supplies from the mainland, but if they had they would be open for us. I wouldn't argue about it, but if you're up to eating saang or spider shells, they do sell them there. There's no restaurant in the Bird Sanctuary, but they sell coconuts. So your only options is to eat in carenderias found near in Sta. Rosa port; go to some beach resorts where they have restaurants; or bring your own food and eat it under the tree, but make sure you don't leave any rubbish around.
THINGS TO DO
After having our lunch in Sta. Rosa port, we hit our bikes to the road! We took the route to San Vicente. Along the way we met a lot of children greeting us in Korean language. Koreans must have visited this island a lot of times. My cousin, Alvi, really enjoyed responding to the children in simple Korean greetings. She had the time of her life! The scenery was awesome as the road we biked on was near the beach and near the mangrove forests as well. There were plenty of green grasses too that we stopped by sometimes for a break. We laid down on the grasses under the coconut trees and enjoyed the fresh air from the sea filtered by the by mangrove trees. It was Amazing! We even saw a plant that had fruits that looked like butts! We had a little walk around the mangrove forest beside the roads too.
You should check out this iconic place which we called “Putlay.” Putol na tulay which means, broken/ unfinished bridge. The bridge was far from the road where we were one. One can go close to it if it is low tide. Luckily, it was low tide so we were able to run our bikes near the unfinished bridge. When we noticed that the water was rising, we head back to the road to San Vicente, Wild Life Bird Sanctuary because we want to see the flock of birds. It’s impossible to see most of the birds during the high tides because hunting for food would be impossible for them.
Before we arrived at the Bird's Sanctuary we passed on this place called Maribagini, one of the most stunning places I have ever seen in Olango Island. I must say it’s a manmade forest because of the tree alignments.
A few meters away from the forest, you’ll see the entrance to the Marine Sanctuary. You get to eat saang or spider shells here, pass on the board walk and swim with the fishes. The entrance is P50.
Further from the Marine Sanctuary is the entrance to the Wildlife Bird Sanctuary where we actually entered and spent hours wandering around! Entrance fee was P30 for locals and P100 for foreigners. Luckily we paid P20 because we were students. Just bring your school IDs to avail the student discount. As we entered into the sanctuary, we were surprised by the landscapes. The waters were like a mirror reflecting the blue skies. It was low tide so we were able to walk around. There were definitely lots of mangrove trees around too. Be careful when walking near the mangroves because you might get your foot stuck from the mud. The tide was perfect! We were able to see the birds. I really had a bad camera so I didn't quiet have a good shot of them from afar. P.S. I heard they charge P500 if you bring cameras with lens beyond 200mm. If you'd like to have a closer look at them, you may hire a tour guide from their office. They provide you special binoculars but then again, you have to pay for them. I don't know how much because I haven't tried it but according to one of the blogs I read, it'll cost another P30.
Other things you can do is to check out the beaches in Shalala Beach Resort in Sabang and in Asinan Eco Park. In Asinan Eco Park, they offer different activities like camping and kayaking.
GOING HOME. After returning and paying for the bikes we rented, we head back to Sta. Rosa Port. There are motorcycle and tricycle drivers willing to take you back to the port or you could ask an assistance from the owner to take you back to the port. The fare is the same, P20 per person. Tickets to Port of Punta Engaño is P15 and the terminal fee is P1. The last boat to Punta Engaño is 6pm, so you should be there before that time. We decided to leave at 4pm because we don't want to get caught up by the heavy traffic in the city. From Punta Engaño port to Parkmall, you ride the same jeepney on the opposite side of the road(wait under the waiting shed) or take other jeepneys that would pass in Highway, Mandaue.
TIP AND WHAT TO BRING:
*If you have no plans staying there more than 24 hrs and would just want to bike, then travel light.
*Don’t forget to bring your school IDs to avail discounts on entrance fees.
*Make sure you visit the Bird Sanctuary because Olango is known for its migrating birds.
*Travel early in the morning to avoid traffic.
*Bring some food or snacks to eat along the way and WATER
*Bring first aid kit, cap/scarf/shades and sunblock
*Bring your swimsuits if you're into swimming!
*Bring your snorkeling gear on your visit to the Marine Sanctuary
*Download "WAZE" and get your phone loaded up
TIP AND WHAT TO BRING:
*If you have no plans staying there more than 24 hrs and would just want to bike, then travel light.
*Don’t forget to bring your school IDs to avail discounts on entrance fees.
*Make sure you visit the Bird Sanctuary because Olango is known for its migrating birds.
*Travel early in the morning to avoid traffic.
*Bring some food or snacks to eat along the way and WATER
*Bring first aid kit, cap/scarf/shades and sunblock
*Bring your swimsuits if you're into swimming!
*Bring your snorkeling gear on your visit to the Marine Sanctuary
*Download "WAZE" and get your phone loaded up
LEAVE NO TRACE BUT MEMORIES!