Island Paradise Discovered: Gibitngil Island Medellin Cebu

Snorkel!

Dive!

Jump!

High jumps!

… and more jumps of Fun!

Funtastic Island! @ Medellin’s Gitbitngil Island~♪

For people that might have been to Palawan… would definitely say that this island is unexpectedly this close… so close and similar with the features of what you can also see in Palawan!

Ought to be discovered yet… those amazing rock formations

white sand beach

blue crystal clear water and amazingly visible school of flying fishes jumping together over water whenever a boat comes in their way…　a full of life marine sanctuary!

We got a paradise here! Cebu’s mini-palawan, coral-island, Gibitngil Island!

What fascinated me most is actually the entire boat ride on the way to the island. I saw birds soaring over the sea waters. And it is said that if you take an early morning ride, you might also able to see the dolphins jumping over the waters too! And as the island was becoming more visible, I was awed by its rock formations.

At low-tide, the entire island would look like an umbrella they say or a “top” (which was a famous native toy in our country before), a rock “top” rather… because the island is really like a whole huge rock placed in between the Cebu and Leyte channel.

Among the rock formations are tiny caves, and have you ever seen birds flying from cave to cave. If only I was able to get closer, I would definitely take a peek and find if there are any bird’s nests rested among these caves! 😀

Gibitngil Marine Sanctuary Station 1

The boat ride takes you to see the façade of the island and then takes you to a little detour to the west side of the island, a really good opportunity for people to get a picture on what this island is made of. At the west side part of the island is where the beach area is located. The beach area is cove-like, and a white sand beach spot in the middle.

Imagine…
You’re standing at the main island’s white sand beach and fronting this?

Wow isn’t that a spectacular view of a rock resort isn’t it? Truly Gibitngil Island is not just an island BUT its comes with beautiful and naturally formed Rock Islets!

That’s why for me it’s similar with Palawan but in mini form! 😀

And here you go standing on one of the rock islets facing the main island beach..

Imagine…
This is the western side of the cove…

and then the eastern part is this! Amazingly beautiful!

It’s like you’re in Atlantis, lost as if you are but enveloped in a paradise as beautiful as this! 🙂

And now the fun is all yours with your family and friends! 😉

cottage selling drinks

It’s really great for picnics with friends and family bonding here.

Plus there’s NO Corkage Fee if you’re planning on bringing food from outside… which is for me really advisable to bring something ahead since that it’s a newly developed resort yet… there are no restaurants or small eateries here so be cautious if ever you want a great food party here 😀

Only that I’ve noticed only one (1) Sari-sari store and a cottage of selling highly-priced drinks (considerably paying the price of importing drinks in such remote island).

Tourists arriving~

The tide is great here, high jumps is what most people enjoyed~! From the diving board down to the sea is about 10~12 meters in height! (O.o)

And the cool crystal clean waters, most loved especially by people who loves to go for snorkeling. And the fishes are visible here even without those gears on. You can see the fishes even if you’re above the water! 🙂

Bantay Dagat Headquarters

Gibitngil Island is a well-protected Marine sanctuary by the residents and the Sea patrol. And really a safe place, the Sea patrol headquarters is just nearby the resort area.

Solar-panel powered resident's private cottage

Solar-panel powered resort cottage

I can see that this resort is really well supported and well-protected by the local government, because as you can see… that even a simple privately-owned by an island resident got a solar-panel(!?) how cool is that! (O.o) And yeah there are also some resort cottages here that are solar-paneled equipped! 😀

Want to see something cooler? Well, here’s the Mayor approaching the resort on a speed boat.

Everyone make way for the Mayor… wow truly it was like a grand entrance “I thought..” XD

The mayor, Mayor Ramirez, must be really nice to take a visit, and greeted the visitors here. And yeah, swimming also ofcourse! :p And yet he really does find time to chat with the visitors here. That he even also visited our cottage. Too bad that I was not there, I was busy strolling around the resort taking these pictures 😦

I would have shook his hand and says… “I’m going to blog about this Sire” Lol… XD

But when he was about to leave the resort , surely did I’m glad that he waved his final goodbye right at me! hehe :p

How to get here:

Medellin Docksides

Alpine Pantalan

Mayor Sea Patrol Boat

Manong Jonathan's Pumpboat

• If you start-up your trip in Cebu City, take a bus ride for Medellin via Kawit at the North Bus Terminal.

Note: There are two routes in getting to Medellin.

1) “via Kawit” & 2) “via Maya-Bagay”.

But if one wants to go to Gibitngil Island Medellin, they should take the bus that takes the “via Kawit” route. “via Maya-Bagay” route passes at a different area in Medellin which brings you until to the northern end of Cebu which is “Maya”. Maya is where the dock site for Malaspascua Island and Bantayan Islands is located by the way.

It takes about 3-4 hours ride by bus. For starters, inform ahead the in-charge to drop you off at Medellin Poblacion or at the Medellin Docksides. Bus fare rate ranges to 150~170 Pesos.

Note: Medellin Docksides is an ongoing project promoting Medellin’s Eco-tourism.

• From Medellin Poblacion or Medellin Docksides, take a tricycle ride for “Alpine Pantalan”. It is where you will find boat rides for Gibitngil Island. “Alpine Pantalan” is located in Sitio Balintawak, Kawit, Medellin, Cebu. Minimum tricycle fare in Medellin is at 10 Pesos per person (rates subject to changes depending on distance range).

• From Alpine Pantalan, take a 20~30 minute boat ride for Gibitngil Island. Round-trip rate per boat ranges from 1000~1500 Pesos. There are boats provided by the Medellin government’s Bantay Dagat unit AKA “Mayor Sea Patrol” is at a fixed rate of 2000 Pesos (maximum of 20 persons, including free resort cottage use). For Medellin residents, rate is at a discounted rate of 1500 Pesos. Private boats are also available at a rate that starts at 1000 Pesos (negotiable). During peak seasons and holidays, reservations on these boats are recommended. For Bantay Dagat boats, contact 4362031 or 09176234925. You may also want to make a reservation with a private boat owned by Jonathan at contact number 09325052945 (boat maximum of 10 persons, 1000 Pesos, Round-trip).

So if you’re planning for a great escape for the Summer, make part for a Funtastic Island fun now in the itinerary. And head off to Gibitngil Island 🙂

NAME: Funtastic Island
LOCATION: Sitio Baring, Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Cebu
For Reservations, CONTACT: 4362031 / 09176234925

RATES:
Entrance Fee – PHP10
Small Cottages A – PHP50
Small Cottages B – PHP75
Small Cottages C – PHP150
Medium Kiosk with diving board– PHP200
Medium cottages with grill area – PHP200
Big kiosk on top – PHP250
Pump Boat / Mayor Sea Patrol boat – PHP1500~PHP2000 (maximum of 20 persons)

*Gibitngil residents are free to use on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays except holidays.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY IN MEDELLIN?
ROOM AVAILABLE FOR RENT at 2500PHP
Amenities
-Airconditioned
-TV with Movies and Karaoke facility
-Bathroom
-can be occupied up to 4-6 persons
-2 bedrooms, Extra Mattresses can be requested
-room with balcony
-garage
JUST 100 METERS AWAY FROM MEDELLIN HIDEAWAY RESORT
CONTACT NO.# 09285078107

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