CRESTA DE GALLO DIY Travel Guide 2024 (Budget + Itinerary)

Our journey to Cresta de Gallo began long before we set foot on its pristine shores. Upon our arrival at Batangas pier, we just learned that the scheduled trip to Sibuyan for that day had been canceled. Our only option was to embark on a circuitous route: from Batangas to Odiongan, then to Romblon, and finally to Sibuyan Island. This involved a grueling 17-hour trip involving sea and land travel (20 hours if you include the journey to the island itself), marked by interrupted sleep, hunger, and exhaustion. Yet, as we neared the stunning island of Cresta de Gallo, we realized that the trip was merely a small price to pay for the beauty we were about to witness. It wasn’t easy but we’d say, it’s all worth it. If you wish to be dazed by this island, too, here’s a detailed DIY Cresta de Gallo travel guide for you!

About Cresta de Gallo

Cresta de Gallo is a remote island off the coast of Sibuyan Island. Its name is a Spanish phrase that literally means rooster’s comb or crest. It was named as such due to its distinct shape, resembling a rooster’s comb if seen from afar or above. It is characterized by a long, stretch of pristine sandbar with a small hill on one side, all cradled by turquoise to cerulean waters. No wonder people call it as the “most amazing sandbar in the Philippines”. Though getting here may mean a long-haul sea travel, the scene that Cresta de Gallo promises is a true reward for the journey one has to brave.

The best time to visit is during the dry season in the Philippines (March to May). During these months, the waves aren’t rough, and the sun brings out the vibrant colors of the island and the waters.

How to Get There

Batangas City to Sibuyan Island

1. Make your way to Batangas Pier in Batangas City. From there, take the 4:00 PM trip of Starlite Ferries to Sibuyan Island. This ferry arrives at Magdiwang port at 4:00 AM the next day.
2. From Magdiwang port, take a van or jeep to San Fernando. Fare is at Php 300.00 per person (by van) and this may take an hour to an hour and a half.
3. From San Fernando, take a tricycle to Azagra port.
4. You may either depart from Azagra port right away or your local boatman may take you first to the registration area where you need to pay the environmental fees. The sea travel from Azagra port to Cresta de Gallo may take an hour or two depending on the waves.

Lucena City, Quezon to Sibuyan Island

1. From Lucena City, take the 4:00 PM trip of Starhorse Shipping Line to Sibuyan Island. This ferry arrives at Magdiwang port at 3:00 AM the next day.
2. From Magdiwang port, take a van or jeep to San Fernando. Fare is at Php 300.00 per person (by van), and this may take an hour to an hour and a half.
3. From San Fernando, take a tricycle to Azagra port.
4. You may either depart from Azagra port right away or your local boatman may take you first to the registration area where you need to pay the environmental fees. The sea travel from Azagra port to Cresta de Gallo may take an hour or two depending on the waves.

Odiongan/ Romblon to Sibuyan Island

1. From Odiongan, take a van or minibus to San Agustin. This may take 2.5 to 3 hours by land and the fare is at Php 250.00. Note: if you have big bags, they also charge an amount of Php 50.00 for it.
2. From San Agustin port, take the Starhorse or Montenegro Shipping Lines ferry to Magdiwang port. These ferries depart at 3:30 AM to 4:00 AM respectively. This may take 3 to 4 hours as it will lay over Romblon port.
3. From Magdiwang port, take a van or jeep to San Fernando. Fare is at Php 300.00 per person (by van) and this may take an hour to an hour and a half.
4. From San Fernando, take a tricycle to Azagra port.
5. You may either depart from Azagra port right away or your local boatman may take you first to the registration area where you need to pay the environmental fees. The sea travel from Azagra port to Cresta de Gallo may take an hour or two depending on the waves.

It is important to take note that there are no airports in the island of Sibuyan or anywhere near Cresta de Gallo. Hence, it is important to be mindful about the Romblon ferry and boat schedule for you to strategically plan for your trip to Cresta de Gallo especially if you’re going on a DIY travel.

What to Expect in Cresta de Gallo

• Long, unspoiled beach and stretch of sandbar on both sides of the island. The island welcomes you with its impossible perfect hues of the ocean that gradually shifts from deep blue to azure kissing the creamy white sand of its shores.
• Basic accommodation. No electricity, no stores, no fancy restaurants, no tap water, nada. Expect no luxury but a grandeur of nature.
• Teeming reef and marine life. If you get lucky, you may chance upon turtles, dolphins and more! Be sure however to dive safely with an able buddy as the currents and waves may get strong and rough.
• Sporadic data connection or mobile signal reception. Disconnect to connect, darling.
• A family maintaining the island. Yes, despite its remoteness, there’s a family that has been in the island who maintain the island.

While some would think that staying the entire day or extending one’s stay until the next day is boring, Cresta de Gallo will indeed leave you hearts broken as you leave its shores.

Sample Cresta de Gallo Day Trip Itinerary

Day 0: Departing from Manila for Magdiwang Port, Sibuyan Island
12:00 PM – Depart from Manila
3:00 PM – ETA in Batangas pier
4:00 PM – ETD for Sibuyan Island

Day 1: Cresta de Gallo Day Trip
4:00 AM – ETA at Magdiwang port, Sibuyan Island
4:30 AM – ETD for San Fernando
6:00 AM – ETA at San Fernando/ Buy food/ light breakfast
7:00 AM – Register and go to Azagra Port
7:15 AM – Depart from Azagra port for Cresta de Gallo
8:00 AM – ETA Cresta de Gallo
8:00 AM onwards – Explore Cresta de Gallo, eat, swim repeat
4:30 PM – Depart from Cresta de Gallo (depending on the waves)
5:30 PM – ETA Azagra Port, San Fernando

Sample Cresta de Gallo Day Trip Budget

Fare from Manila to Batangas	Php 250.00
Batangas Terminal fee	Php 30.00
Fare (Ferry to Sibuyan Island)	Php 2,500.00/ person (cabin accommodation)
Van/ jeep from Magdiwang port to San Fernando	Php 300.00
Cresta de Gallo Environmental fee	Php 70.00
Food	Php 150.00
Boat rental to Cresta de Gallo	Php 2,500.00/4 = Php 625.00
Cottage rental in Cresta de Gallo	Php 300.00/4 = Php 75.00
Accommodation in San Fernando	Php 1,200.00/4 = Php 300.00
TOTAL	Php 4,300.00 less the Day 0 (fares from Manila to Magdiwang Port): Php 1,520.00

Important Fees

• Boat rental (day trip, 1 to 4 persons) – Php 2,500.00
• Boat rental (day trip, 5 to 8 persons) – Php 3,500.00
• Overnight Boat rental (1 to 4 persons) – Php 3,000.00
• Day trip entrance fee (adults)- Php 70.00
• Overnight entrance fee (adults) – Php 100.00
• Day trip entrance fee for 12 years old and below – Php 60.00
• Overnight entrance fee for 12 years old and below – Php 90.00
• Enclosed picnic area – Php 350.00/ day
• Big umbrella with 6 chairs and table – Php 200.00/ day
• Table rental – Php 50.00
• Big umbrella rental – Php 50.00
• Chairs – Php 10.00/ piece/ a day
• Picnic Tent – Php 250.00/ a day
• Motorboat (roundtrip) – Php 500.00
• Life jacket – Php 20.00
• Reclining chair – Php 100.00/ day

Where to Stay in San Fernando

There are various budget-friendly lodging, inns and homestays in San Fernando. You may ask your boatman for places to stay for the night as they know a lot in the area. Among the places to stay in San Fernando town are the following:

• MC town Centre
• Seabreeze Inn
• R-Hub Inn

There are also unnamed but decent and affordable inns and lodging around Azagra. Room rates range from Php 500.00 to Php 1,700.00.

Important Contacts from this Cresta de Gallo Travel Guide

Our Cresta de Gallo experience was smooth and hassle-free. All thanks to Kuya Boy (Pasik Suicon) and Kuya Brons (Bronson Rico Angala). We contacted Kuya Boy for the boat and he referred us to Kuya Brons for our transfers around Sibuyan. Kuya Brons even brought us to Cantingas River and to a spot with the best view of Mt. Guiting-Guiting on our way back to Magdiwang port.

You may reach them through Facebook or through their mobile.

• Kuya Boy (Pasik) – +63 926 456 0588
• Kuya Brons – +63 965 250 5778

Practical Tips and Reminders from this Cresta de Gallo Travel Guide

• Secure your valuables in waterproof/ dry bags on your way to Cresta de Gallo. The waves may get rough as you’ll pass by an open sea.
• Spend a night San Fernando before or after your Cresta de Gallo trip to make the most out of the island especially if you’re only staying for a day.
• Establish contact with boatman and for van transfer prior to the trip for a seamless travel to the island. You may also ask them if they can prepare or at least help you prepare the food beforehand as there are no restaurants nor stores in the island.
• Bring more than enough cash with you. There are no ATMs around Azagra nor the island and Romblomanons in the area prefer cash payment than online transfers.
• If you intend to go on a backpacking trip around Romblon province and Cresta de Gallo is included in your itinerary, it is best to start with it especially if coming from Manila or Batangas.
• Globe Telecom has good to sporadic reception in the island.
• There is no electricity but there is bathroom without tap water in the island. If you intend to stay overnight, make sure you bring flashlight, power banks, cooking and eating utensils and enough water for showering, for your food and drinking.
• There are no tent rentals in the island. Make sure you coordinate with your boatman about it.
• Bring a little something to the family residing and taking care of the island 🙂

Other Places to visit in Romblon Province:

• 2024 Romblon Island DIY Travel Guide
• Tablas Island DIY Travel Guide
• 2024 Complete Romblon Ferry and Boat Schedule