Last weekend, my friends and I finally explored Alibijaban Island, situated in San Andres, Quezon. We had long been eyeing this island near the Bondoc Peninsula. We estimated the journey to take at least 8 hours by land, plus a 30-minute boat ride to reach the island, a protected area dedicated to biodiversity conservation and considered a key biodiversity site.

Our journey began in Sta. Elena, where we conducted a recon for our outreach group, Trails to Empower Kids. Departing Sta. Elena in the late afternoon, we opted for the Buenavista - San Narciso - San Andres Road. Despite the shorter distance, this decision proved challenging due to the rough roads. By midnight, we decided to halt our journey and spend the night in San Narciso.

Securing a hotel was somewhat difficult, as locals were hesitant about accommodating guests. Fortunately, we found lodging at Friends, paying 2,500 for two spacious rooms that comfortably housed our group of 9.

The next day, we resumed our journey from San Narciso, and before lunch, we reached San Andres. Proceeding directly to the port, we encountered locals who provided valuable information and assisted us in arranging a boat ride to Alibijaban.

We also decided to extend our stay from just an afternoon to an overnight experience, as we were all craving the simplicity of beach camping. Renting the boat cost us P 1,050.00, which included a guided tour of the island. 

Following the locals' recommendations, we purchased all our supplies in San Andres. Despite their warning about potential dangers for strangers, we took it with a grain of salt.

Back in Paradise

The lengthy travel hours suddenly became insignificant the moment we caught our first glimpse of the island. From a distance, we could see white sand, mangroves, and the stunning blue waters surrounding it.

Instead of pitching tents, we opted to take advantage of the good weather and slept directly on our ground sheets. The night was cloudless, adorned with countless stars, making it even more memorable. Despite getting bitten by dust mites, it was a good sleep.

The next day, during low tide, we had to walk to the boat. However, we didn't mind, as we were once again captivated by the beauty of the island.

The island had cellphone signals, allowing our friends to stay updated on our adventure. Mang Aguido, the caretaker, took excellent care of us, ensuring our comfort. He also guided us around the island and arranged for water to be brought to our camp for washing.

It was a perfect adventure, thanks to awesome friends, friendly locals, and great escapes like Alibijaban Island.

On our way back to Manila, we chose another route, passing through Mulanay, Pitogo, Agdangan, and Padre Burgos. The roads were much better, and we reached Manila before midnight.