Off the coasts of Masbate City lies one of its amazing destinations, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar. It is a unique beach destination in the city that tourists and locals love to visit.
Masbate City is the capital of the island province of Masbate in the Philippines. It is politically part of Bicol Region in Luzon but has stronger connection in Visayas.
The Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar actually occupies 20 hectares of core zone and 100 hectares of buffer zone. It is teeming with different kinds of marine life and vibrant corals. It’s one of the reasons why its a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling.
But this place is actually more of a quick weekend get-away destination for local families and foreign tourists. The main attraction of this protected sanctuary is the long stretch of white sandbar surrounded with turquoise crystal clear waters!
At one end of the sandbar, you’ll find verdant mangroves. Some part of the waters here are cold while some areas are warm. Most visitors also loves to explore these areas.
In Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar, you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and have some quality time with your loved one’s. The gentle sea breeze and a perfect view of the nearby mainland gives this place a “quick-escape” ambiance away from the busy life.
To make your visit more enjoyable, you can go kayaking and boating!
Tourists and locals just love to have some picnics in Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar. There’s a ranger station on the sandbar with several tables you can use to eat your lunch. You can also rent cabanas and cottages for a more comfortable visit.
You can bring your own food on your way to the sandbar. However, you can also make arrangements for your meal beforehand and coordinate with a staff or someone in the place (paluto).
You can arrange an overnight stay but usually, people leave the sandbar in the afternoon and prefer to stay at the mainland.
How to Get to Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar
- First off, take a flight bound to Masbate City.
- From Masbate City, take a tricycle to Rendezvous Hotel, the jump-off point to the sandbar. The fare is just 10 Pesos per person.
- From the wharf in Rendezvous Hotel, aboard a boat that takes you to Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar. The boat ride costs 500 Pesos good for 1 to 4 persons while 800 Pesos for 5 to 14 persons back and forth (two-way trip).
Price Lists
| Entrance for Children | PHP 10 |
|---|---|
| Entrance for Adults | PHP 20 |
| Boat Rental (1 – 4 Persons) | PHP 500 |
| Boat Rental (5 – 14 Persons) | PHP 800 |
| Table Rental (Small) | PHP 50 |
| Table Rental (Big) | PHP 100 |
| Kayaking | PHP 200 per hour |
| Pedal Boat | PHP 300 per hour |
| Scuba Diving (set) | PHP 1,500 |
| Snorkeling (set) | PHP 100 |
| Reef Guide (per person) | PHP 100 per hour |
| Paluto | PHP 50 |
| Island Hopping | PHP 8,000 |
Contact the Tourism Office of Masbate City to arrange your trip in Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar.
