2023 Fortune Island DIY Travel Guide

My heart was racing at the sight of the island from afar. I have known how it looks like as I’ve seen it countless times on photographs but there’s this familiar uncontainable glee in every inch of me; wondering how would it be to see it in flesh. The next thing I knew, I was seated at a camping chair on the boat. My eyes were glued to where we’re heading – a gem miles away cradled by the vast blue waters. As we approach, the waves became wilder and so was my spirit’s elation. As I see it, this abandoned island resort has a lot to offer. I haven’t even stepped into its glistening shore but I have claimed to myself and sworn to the skies above me that I belong in here. Indeed, Fortune Island has its own way of welcoming me home.

About Fortune Island

The trip wouldn’t be that easy. It is an hour of battling with or riding the waves. But off the west coast of Nasugbu, Batangas, you’ll find this slice of paradise – a stretch of beach with creamy white sand and a cliff with its iconic white-washed Acropolis standing atop. This is Fortune Island.

This island is said to be currently owned by the former governor of Batangas, Antonio Leviste. This used to be a luxurious Greek-inspired island resort until it was abandoned in 2006. The locals said that it was closed due to lack of fresh water source. The other side of the story has it that the island is prone to devastating typhoons. Keeping it up would mean so much fortune. Hence, abandoned. The remnants of its luxury, though, stood still amidst the tempest. Despite of its misfortunes, Fortune island remained naturally beguiling.

Come 2016, the island was opened once again but not only to the ‘upper class’ whom it was originally made for. Everyone who would like to unwind for a day or two could come visit the the once-a-luxurious island anytime.

Things to Do in Fortune Island

1. Swim and bask in the sun!
2. Jump off the cliff. There are two cliff diving spots in the island: the 10-feet and the 20-feet. They are located on the other side.
3. Do snorkeling or skin diving. I consider the island’s reef as one of the best dive spots in Batangas. So, don’t forget to bring your snorkeling and diving gear!
4. SCUBA diving. There are interesting diving spots around the island that you can explore through SCUBA diving. They are found at around 20 to 36 meters (65 to 120 ft). These include the Blue Hole, the Volkswagen wreck, Dutch Freighter wreck and the Fortune NW.
5. Take a lot of photos.
6. Camping. The best spots to camp is near the abandoned pool since it is near the toilet and there are lots of trees, too.
7. Trek to the ‘Acropolis’. There’s a staircase leading to the acropolis of the island. The best time to go there is at the morning during the sunrise and late in the afternoon before the sun sets.
8. Watch the sunrise or the sunset. If you are to stay overnight in the island, these are the things that you shouldn’t miss!

What to Expect

1. The island is surrounded with thriving reef and most of the time, it is blessed with a really good visibility
2. A stunning beach with a long stretch of grainy and creamy white sand
3. Good mobile network reception!
4. There is no electricity in the island
5. There is no source of fresh or tap water
6. There’s a toilet but bring toilet paper or wipes. They provide saltwater with drops of Chlorine for flushing
7. Waves tend to be rough in the afternoon especially beyond 1:00 PM
8. Sand fleas alert! We went home with really bad sand flea bites all over our bodies. If you can avoid sun bathing and lying around the sand (which we literally did), do so!
9. It gets really crowded on weekends and holidays
10. There are lots of trash around – some left by the tourists, some carried by the waves

Things to Bring

• Food and drinking water – there are no stores in the island
• Power banks – there is no electricity in the island
• Reef-friendly sunscreen – Take care of your skin and the ocean, too!
• Trash bags – while there are few trash bins around the island, the care takers would burn the trash that they collect. Instead, take your trash with you back to the mainland.
• Waterproof or dry bags – The waves tend to get rough and your stuff might get soaked especially your gadgets on your way to the island.
• Snorkeling gear – Fortune Island’s reef is something that you should explore and truly enjoy! However, they do not have such gear for rent at the island
• Umbrella, hats or any sun protection – There are not much of trees that will provide shade around the island. There are few at the campsite but be reminded that these are limited. Be mindful of this one especially if you’re visiting on a weekend when a lot of tourist would flock in the island.
• Picnic mats or beach towels. If you can’t resist lying on the sand to get some tan, bring at least a mat with you if you don’t want to go home with really bad sand flea bites.
• Cook set, portable stove and utensils (if staying overnight) – there are no kitchens nor makeshift cooking areas at the island. Hence, if you decide to cook in there, make sure that you bring these along with fuel, charcoal, grill, ice box and all the other stuff that you’ll need for cooking and eating.
• Toiletries – you can wash up only at the mainland since there is no source of fresh or tap water in the island

Fortune Island Fees and Rates

Entrance Fee

1. Day trip – Php 350.00
2. Overnight – Php 500.00

Open Cottage Rental Rates

1. Day Trip – Php 1,500.00
2. Overnight – Php 2,000

Tent Rental Rates

1. Day trip – Php 300.00
2. Overnight – Php 500.00

Boat Rental Rates

Day Trip Boat Rental Rates

• 2 to 3 persons – Php 4,000.00
• 4 to 7 persons – Php 4,500.00
• 8 to 12 persons – Php 5,000.00

Day Trip Boat Rental Rates

• 2 to 3 persons – Php 4,500.00
• 4 to 7 persons – Php 5,000.00
• 8 to 12 persons – Php 5,500.00
• 13 to 15 persons – Php 6,500.00
• 16 to 20 persons – Php 7,000.00

How to Get There

1. From Buendia or Pasay, take a bus to Nasugbu, Batangas. You can take either a DLTB Co. bus liner, Cavite-Batangas or San Agustin. Travel time is around 3 to 4 hours and fare may range from Php 190 to 200.00. Alight at Jollibee Nasugbu.
2. From Jolibee, take a tricycle to Fortune Island Resort in Wawa. This may take around five to ten minutes.
3. Take the boat from Fortune Island Resort to the island itself. The boat ride may take an hour or an hour and a half depending on the sea condition.

Note: There are boatmen outside the resort or around the town center who offer cheaper boat rates but you still need to pay for the island fees at Fortune Island Resort.

Sample Fortune Island DIY Itinerary

Day 1
3:00 AM – Departure from Manila
7:00 AM – ETA Jollibee Nasugbu
7:20 AM – ETA Fortune Island Resort
9:00 AM – Fortune Island/ set camp
11:00 AM – Cliff diving
12:00 NN – lunch
1:00 PM – beach bum, photo ops, snorkel
5:00 PM – sunset watching at the Acropolis
7:00 PM – dinner

Day 2
6:00 AM – Sunrise watching at the Acropolis
7:00 AM – breakfast
9:00 AM – swim, cliff diving, snorkel
11:00 AM – break camp
12:00 NN – Departure
1:30 PM – wash up at the resort
3:00 PM – Home Bound

Fortune Island DIY Sample Budget

Sample Budget for a Day Trip

• Bus fare (Manila to Batangas, v.v.) Php 400.00 (Php 200.00/ trip)
• Tricycle to the resort – Php 40.00 (Php 20.00/ trip)
• Entrance fee – Php 350.00
• Boat rental – Php 900.00 (per head for a group of five for an overnight trip)
• Food, drinks and snacks – Php 400.00/ per person
  Total budget: Php 2,090.00

Sample Budget for an Overnight Trip

• Bus fare (Manila to Batangas, v.v.) Php 400.00 (Php 200.00/ trip)
• Tricycle to the resort – Php 40.00 (Php 20.00/ trip)
• Entrance/ Camping fee – Php 500.00
• Boat rental – Php 1000.00 (per head for a group of five for an overnight trip)
• Food, drinks and snacks – Php 400.00/ per person
  Total budget: Php 2,340.00

Contacts

For a hassle-free trip to Fortune Island, you may contact a staff from the resort to arrange your boat trip for you prior to the trip.

Ms. Maricel Bermas (Fortune Island Resort) – +63 915 504 7166

COVID-19 Update

If you wish to visit the province anytime soon, make sure that you contact a tour guide or an official from their Tourism office. Expect check points at expressways and boundaries. During our visit, the management of Fortune Island Resort asked for a three-day valid medical certificate.

For more details about the requirements for local travel, click here.

Wake Up call

The amount of trash in the island is truly disheartening as they are literally everywhere. If its sight won’t bother you, I don’t know what will. While some of it were brought by the waves, it is quite evident that a lot of it were from the tourists who visited the island. The caretakers of the island have put up bins around but at times, they would opt to burn the trash. Thus, it would be better if we bring our own trash back to the mainland as we leave.