A Lovely Place, That is... ISLA VERDE, Batangas

According to  Wikipedia, Verde Island is situated  along the bodies of Verde Island Passage between the islands of Luzon and Mindoro,  Philippines.  "Center of the Center" Of  World's Marine Biodiversity. I've been wanting to visit ISLA VERDE,  specially when it was featured in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho of GMA-7and G-Diaries of  ABS-CBN 2. It has a pristine view of nature and a crystal clear water. I can say, this is one of the best places I've been to. 

If you're looking for a beach near Manila na hindi crowded. Imagine Palawan-like white sand and blue waters lalo na kapag morning, but only a few hours away from Manila,  we'll, that's ISLA VERDE. Best for swimming. Pet allowed. White Sand. At nakadagdag ganda ang Pebbles and Shells.

I travelled with my friends named Pam, Rhealyn and Wheng on April 7-9, 2018. We left in Caloocan at around 1am and arrived JAM Liner in Kamuning, Cubao around 2am. Since, it was long weekend (April 9 kase is Araw ng Kagitingan) marami ang nagtake-advantage para magbakasyon-- wherein I believe most of tehm will go to Masasa Beach. Kaya nga, mga besh.. blockbuster ang pila. Medyo nagtagal lang kme sa pila, dahil di daw magising mga drivers dahil 24hrs daw nagbiyahe. Lol. 

And finally, we were able to ride the bus around  3am. We arrived at the Batangas Grand Terminal at 5am. Then we looked for the jeepney going to Bayan. Medjo matagal din kame naghintay para mapuno ang jeep. Almost an hour din siguro. ('Yung papuntang Masasa, nakalimang alis na ng jeep).  But you can hire naman the jeep for 700 directly going to Tabangao port. Pero syempre, budget traveller kaya waiting galore kame. Lol. We were instructed by our contact, Kuya Arnold, na bumili na ng mga kailangan namin sa Bayan. Like foods for 2 days, fruits (na mangga lang naman), water and others. After mamili, we waited for a jeepney going to Tabangao port. Medjo matagal lang, kaya nung may makita kameng tricycle nakipagnegotiate kame. Tapos nun pasakay na kme, ayun dumating 'yung jeep kaya nagbago isip namin. Lol. Sorry po kay manong driver, nagtitipid lang po. 

It took  30mins jeepney travel going to Tabangao Port, medjo malau din pala. Kaya naisip namin na tama lang din yung price nun tricycle (Sorry po ulet!). At the port, we finally met Kuya Arnold of Sawang Dive Camp and itinuro samen kung 'sang boat kame. Sumakay kame ng baby boat going to the Mother boat  (Pero kung carry mo lumangoy, pde naman. Lol.). At naabutan pa namin dun 'yun mga nakasabay namin sa jeep papuntang bayan. Almost an hour din, bago tuluyang naglayag ang Mother Boat (going to Sawang and Surface Interval). 

We pitched Tent  for 2 days and 2 nights. When you go upstair, makikita mo kung gaano kaganda ang view ng buong lugar.  And also, they have veranda na pde mong tambayan para magmoment lalo na kapag sunset na. :)

Beside Sawang Dive Camp is an abandoned resort wherein there's a lagoon that made us appreciate the beauty of ISLA VERDE. (Akala kase namin kung ano lang'yung pinupuntahan ng mga tao dun and meyo creepy kase. lol.). We were not able to ask, why it was abandoned. 

How to get there?

☘️ Ride a bus from Cubao bound to Batangas Grand Terminal (Jam Transit, DLTB, Alphs, etc.) 2-3hrs travel time

☘️ Upon arrival at Batangas Terminal, ride a jeep going to Bayan (Php. 12.00) and from there you can ride a jeepney going to Tabangao (Php. 16.00) . (15-20mins). 

☘️ From the Tabangao Aplaya Fort ride a boat going to Isla Verde,  travel time is about 1.5hrs

- You can ride a public boat that will only cost you Php.100 to 120 depending on your destination. On our part, we stayed at Sawang Dive Camp. 

- The boat will leave at 9am but if you arrive later than 9am you have to rent a private boat that will cost Php.2,000 above. Then the departure of public boat from the island is 3am the other day. It has only one trip per day.