Romblon is a province in the Philippines rich in both marble deposits and stunning tourist spots. Being an archipelago of 20 islands and islets, it is gifted with the country’s most pristine islands, beaches, sandbars and coves. The sea that surrounds it is teeming with marine life where numerous snorkeling and dive sites are recognized. For inland destinations, Romblon has a challenging mountain for hikers, waterfalls and the cleanest river in the country for adventure seekers.
The province of Romblon belongs to MIMAROPA Region of Luzon composed of 17 small islands and 3 major islands: Romblon, Sibuyan and Tablas Islands. The archipelago of Romblon lies in Sibuyan Sea bounded by the islands of Marinduque (north), Panay (south), Masbate (east) and Mindoro (west). The island of Romblon is its capital municipality. Over 292,000 residents of the province speak in Romblomanon, Asi, Onhan, Tagalog and English Languages.
The natural tourist spots of Romblon are slowly on its way to the limelight of the beautiful destinations of the country. If you want to experience its natural beauty and explore its hidden gems aside from marbles, below are the top tourist spots in Romblon you may want to visit this year.
1. Cresta de Gallo
Photo courtesy of Ken
Cresta de Gallo Island is one of the best tourist spots in Romblon situated off the east coasts of Sibuyan Island. The island has a very unique and interesting features. On one end is like a small island and on the other is a bigger island and they are being connected by a long strip of sandbar, then on both ends, there is another sandbar! This 5-hectare paradise island is best known for its powdery white sand, long stretch of sandbars, rock formations, picture-perfect views, turquoise and crystal clear waters. It is an unexploited island at its raw natural form without any developments. Beach camping is best here but visitors must bring everything.
Cresta de Gallo Island is located in San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
2. Carabao Island
Photo courtesy of Sandy Wadingan
Carabao Island is a famous island in Romblon lies in the southern tip of Tablas Island. It is politically named as San Jose but locally known as Hambil. The coastlines of the island are dotted with secluded coves and kilometer long stretch of fine white sand beaches which the famous one is Hambil Beach. It is a beautiful beach arrayed with some bent coconut trees, white sand and turquoise waters. It’s clear and calm waters are teeming with marine life perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It is considered as twin beach of the nearby 30-minute boat ride famous Boracay Beach.
Carabao Island is situated in San Jose, Tablas Island, Romblon.
3. Bonbon Beach
Photo courtesy of Todd Umpa
BonBon Beach is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Romblon. The beach features over a kilometer long stretch and vast expanse of fine white sand, rock formations, verdant greens lined-up on the shoreline and gradually sloping ocean floor with alluring clear turquoise waters. The best and unique feature of the Bonbon Beach is its beautiful sandbar that connects the beach to the nearby uninhabited Bang-ug Island. Due to these interesting features, it gained its reputation as the best beach in Romblon Island. The beach is a private property and it is just to respect it and leave nothing but footsteps.
BonBon Beach is located in Barangay Lonos, Romblon Island, Romblon.
4. Talipasak Beach Resort
Photo courtesy of Todd Umpa
Talipasak Beach Resort, also known as San Pedro Beach Resort, is one of the famous beach resorts in the island of Romblon perched in a serene and quite private cove. Talipasak Beach features a short stretch of creamy white sand shore, clear and calm waters perfect for swimming, shoreline arrayed with verdant trees and rock formations clad with greens on both ends. The beach resort has a restaurant that serves affordable and delicious meals and offers nipa hut cottages for overnight stay. This place may have basic amenities and accommodation but it’s designed that way for relaxation.
Talipasak Beach Resort is situated in Barangay Genablan, Romblon Island, Romblon.
5. Aglicay Beach Resort
Photo courtesy of Todd Umpa
Aglicay Beach Resort is one of the most-visited tourist spots in Romblon situated in a private cove on the east coasts of Tablas Island. Given its proximity to the airport, it’s a notable destination among foreign and local visitors. The resort has a privately owned long and wide stretch of white sand beach dotted with coconut trees and rolling hills as backdrop where guests can surely enjoy its sense of privacy. There are plenty of things to do in this 20-hectare property from exploring the rolling hills following an established trail to swimming, snorkeling, paddle-boat sailing to island hopping and more. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Aglicay Beach Resort is located in Barangay Comod-om, Alcantara, Tablas Island, Romblon.
6. Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary
Photo courtesy of Ron Cantada
Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Santuary is about 48-hectare marine sanctuary in Romblon. It is a home of diverse marine lifeforms including hard and soft corals, different species of fishes, giant clams, lobsters, turtles, octopus and eels among others. A floating kiosk amid the Looc Bay is where guests can enjoy feeding the fishes though a small opening at the center of the kiosk. This is the best site for swimming and snorkeling where fishes gather around the guests. The floating kiosk can be reached through a 10-minute boat ride from the pier. A beautiful old lighthouse nearby can also be spotted.
Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary is situated in Looc Bay, Looc, Tablas Island, Romblon.
7. Mount Guiting-Guiting
Photo courtesy of Leó Emnace
Mount Guiting-Guiting is one of the popular tourist spots in Romblon rising 2,058+ meters above sea level in the middle of Sibuyan Island. The mountain is covered with thick forests and a home of numerous endemic flora and fauna. For mountaineers, it is one of the most difficult and challenging to climb among several other Philippine mountains. The climb features a rocky trail passing through steep and jagged ridges which few are named Knife Ridge, Kiss the Wall and Peak of Deception were said to be impassable when slippery. A guide and a 3-day itinerary is advised.
Mount Guiting-Guiting is located in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
8. Saint Joseph Cathedral
Photo courtesy of Elala
Saint Joseph Cathedral is considered as the most famous and oldest 15th century Roman Catholic Church in Romblon. The church was built by the Recollect Fathers between 1640’s and 1726’s with a magnificent architecture made of coral bricks and stones. Major reconstructions have been done with its facade made of marbles and bell tower on its side. It also has a beautiful interior showcasing crafts, religious paintings and art designs by talented local artisans. The Santo Niño de Romblon is the patron saint of the town whose feast day (Biniray Festival) is celebrated every 2nd week of January.
Saint Joseph Cathedral is situated in Poblacion, Romblon Island, Romblon.
9. Cantingas River
Photo courtesy of Ian Familara
Cantingas River is one of the main tourist spots in Romblon which is recognized as one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines. The river has a clean and refreshing waters where-in visitors can enjoy the wide natural pool. It is a favorite hang-out destination for tourists and locals to quench the thirst of swimming in a freshwater pool. For thriller seekers, built on one side of the river is a concrete diving platforms on different high levels enough to pump some adrenaline rush. Cantingas River also supplies high percentage of electricity of the island though hydro-electric power plant built near the area.
Cantingas River is located in Barangay Taclob, San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
10. Dagubdub Falls
Photo courtesy of Sheena Estipona
Dagubdub Falls is an interesting destination in Romblon composed of 4 waterfalls on different levels with crystal clear freshwater plunge pool alluring for swimming and cliff diving. The falls are just few steps away from the other worth exploring being surrounded by or in between huge boulders. Though most people like swimming in 3rd level and cliff jumping on 2nd and 4th level. Going to the falls is a considerable adventure following a trail leading to the falls with a beautiful view of Mount Guiting-Guiting passing through an easy terrain, a small clear river and a bridge. A local guide is recommended.
Dagubdub Falls is situated in San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
You are probably working in the corporate world for quite some months now. Perhaps daily using timesheet calculator or working with your computer for how many hours make you forget the feeling of walking barefoot on a beautiful beach. Take some rest, go some places and enjoy the beauty of Romblon.
