Daanbantayan is now known globally because of its pristine powdery white sand beaches – one of which is the famous Malapascua Island. With its vast and rich marine resources, there are also dive sites that offer unique marine life and beauty. It is only in Daanbantayan where one sees big Manta Rays and the Thresher Shark which is the only kind in the world.
As a tourist destination, Daanbantayan is also keen on staging Haladaya Festival every year as an added attraction to tourist and balikbayans from all over the world who come to visit the place.
The municipal government is always exerting its best efforts to make sure that the tourist will never get disappointed. Here are some of the town’s proudest attractions:
1. The Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish of Daanbantayan, which was once part of Bantayan Island, was founded in 1852. The church was built during the Spanish times and it is made of brick stones. It is still in a very good condition although there are interior portions that have already been renovated and the original design was already changed. But the façade is still intact and in its original design.
2. The historical Town Plaza and Sanpedro River denote the Daanbantayanons existence and the role they played in history. Today, these two landmarks are now one of the tourist attractions of the town.
3. Right within Tapilon Point stood the watchtower of Kandaya. It served as the advance lookout and a warning post against incoming Moro vintas carrying Moro pirates who were harassing the inhabitants of Kandaya. Thus, it was referred to as “bantayanan”. Gradually the watchtower at Tapilon Point (also known as Punta Sampero) was locally called “daang bantayanan”. It was from this name that Daanbantayan got its official name, meaning “old watchtower”.
4. For about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) long and 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide, and has eight hamlets, Malapascua Island is discovered as a diving destination only in the early 90s. Known as Bounty Beach, the island was first known for its wide white sand beach and for its beautiful coral gardens and excellent local dive spots, as well as further-out sites including Gato Island, Monad Shoal, and Kemod Shoal.
5. Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can be sighted on a regular basis. Located about 20 minutes from the island, the shoal is a natural cleaning station for fish. The site is best known as the only place in the world where thresher sharks can be seen regularly before sunrise. They use the seamount as a cleaning station for wrasse to remove parasites from their skin and clean their gills and mouths. The shoal also attracts other pelagic such as devil rays and eagle rays. Manta rays and hammerheads are seasonal. Monad Shoal is suitable for Nitrox. Because of the depth, it is recommended only for advanced scuba divers.
6. Gato Island is a big rock in the middle of the Visayan Sea. It’s a short, sharp, rocky island rising from what seems like the middle of nowhere in the Visayan Sea. It’s a 50-minute boat ride from Malapascua. Nesting seabirds scoot around the island and a colony of flying foxes camps in rainforest trees high on its cliffy shore. Kingfishers flit in and out of its sea caves. Gato Island is constantly bathed in current, giving life to its soft coral canyons and myriad of rare and unusual nudibranchs. Many rare and unusual nudibranchs can be seen at Gato Island.
Road to Daanbantayan
From Manila, there is a daily flight going to Cebu city. From the airport, you can ride a multicab, jeepney, or taxi. Simply ask around for which route to take. They are available 24 hr and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city. Just be sure you know what part of the city the jeepney will take you to. Ceres Liner, D'Rough Riders and Cebu Autobus are among the bus companies with regular trips to and from Daanbantayan. Jeepneys, tricycles, and trisikads are the main modes of transportation in the town.
Accommodations
Virgin Beach Resort - Suba, Malbago, Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines 6013