Hidden Paradise: Sibale Island. It's More Fun in the Philippines

Last April 2011 my friend who works as  a Public Health Manager in Sibale, a remote island somewhere in Luzon invited me to his place.I did a little research about the Island and it got my attention. White sand beaches, crystal clear water, and wonderful people. The magnificent photos of the island are so enticing that saying no to my friend's  offer is not an option.

Sibale Island

The official name of this island is Concepcion, Romblon. Although it is in closer proximity to Mindoro than the main island of Romblon. It has a land area of about 2,330 hectares. The terrain is mountainous with plains along the shores. The major means of transportation in the island are bicycles and motorcycles. But majority prefers to do stuff on foot. Electricity is not available for 24 hours and the major source of living of the people here is fishing,some grow root crops. This small "U" shaped island is about 2 hours away (in good weather condition) from Pinamalayan Oriental Mindoro by motorized boat.

HOW TO GET THERE:


From Iloilo City
Iloilo City to Caticlan by BUS (Ceres Liner)- P 350 
Caticlan-Roxas, Mindoro (RORO- Montenegro Shipping Lines)- P400
Terminal fee- P20
Roxas Mindoro- Pinamalayan by Van -P 100
Pinamalayan- Sibale Island by Motorized Boat- P 120 


Total: P 990




From Manila
Manila to Batangas by BUS- P175
Batangas to Mindoro either by Supercat- P400 or roro-P 170
Calapan to Pinamalayan by Van P100
TOTAL: P675 (Supercat)/ P445 (Roro)


*Prices were rounded off and for adult rate.

-If you take the first trip of Ceres to Caticlan (around 3 am) you will reach Caticlan port around 8 to 9 am, and the trip to Roxas, Mindoro (RORO)  is at 10 am.The travel to Mindoro takes around 4-5 hours. From there it will take another hour to reach Pinamalayan. The earliest that you can arrive in Pinamalayan is at 3pm.

-Overnight stay in Pinamalayan is required because the Motorized boat leaves Pinamalayan around 9-10 am. 

-The travel time to Sibale Island takes around 1-2 hours in good weather condition.

This picture was taken on top of the mountain. The water is crystal clear that even from afar you  can see the corals.

Picture taken in Caticlan Port.  There was an imminent storm. Good thing the Roro Company pushed through with the trip to Roxas City. 

After several hours of sea and land travel we finally  arrived safely in Pinamalayan the gateway to Sibale Island.  

Rough waves welcomed us. The lighthouse is a famous landmark of Pinamalayan

The waves made my swimming experience more fun.

The motorized boat to the Island of Sibale

I hired a motorcycle to tour me around the Island. White sand beaches all over the Island.

It was 12 noon when I reached this spot. The water was so still and it's so relaxing. Perfect place to relax

I just love this place

Majority of the barangays are located near the shore. 

There is only a single trip from Sibale Island to the Mainland . The boat leaves Sibale around 6 am and will depart Pinamalayan at 10 am to go back to the Island. Because of this I had to stay overnight in Pinamalayan just to catch the trip to the Island.

This area of the island faces the open sea. My guide told me it was unsafe to swim here because of the strong current

Electricity is available only at certain times of the day. Some the houses are equipped with generators 

I would love to stay in this Island

The Nipa huts.

tried my luck in boating but was afraid to go further because of the strong current

After a day of sun exposure I got this.