Sipaway Island, is Geographically known as Refugio Island, a favorite destination both of local and foreign tourists. It is just 10 to 15 minutes away from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental by pumpboat. The island measures about 7 kilometers from tip-to-tip, you can cover the whole area in less than a day.
The island offers white sand beaches, cliffs and clear water. Its natural resources is abundant wherein you can taste the fresh, healthy and straight from catch marine foods. The people are very friendly as well, they love tourist and they love to help in case you have inquiries.
Places to visit when you are in the island are: Whispering Palm, Lawis (Pitogo), Pang-Pang in english (cliff), Dap-dap, Ermita and the famous Balite tree in San Juan.
The island offers white sand beaches, cliffs and clear water. Its natural resources is abundant wherein you can taste the fresh, healthy and straight from catch marine foods. The people are very friendly as well, they love tourist and they love to help in case you have inquiries.
Places to visit when you are in the island are: Whispering Palm, Lawis (Pitogo), Pang-Pang in english (cliff), Dap-dap, Ermita and the famous Balite tree in San Juan.
Sipaway Island’s white sand beaches are comparable to that of Guimaras Island. Although it’s not as powdery white as Boracay sand, it’s still beautiful and unspoiled. And there are areas where you can picnic for free.
How to get to Sipaway
Sipaway is accessible from both Negros Island and Cebu Island. If your jumpoff point is Bacolod City, Ceres Bus service two routes, via the coastal highway or via Don Salvador. The coastal highway will take you 3 hours and a half by bus. I highly recommend the Don Salvador Benedicto route. This is the fastest route which will only take you more or less two hours from Bacolod to San Carlos at a little over P130. You will also enjoy the view and cooler climate of Don Salvador.
If you’re traveling from Cebu, Ceres Bus Lines services the route between Cebu and San Carlos on an air-conditioned bus, for about P200, using the Lite ferry. The trip will take you a total of about 3 hours, 1.5 hours by bus and the 1.5 hours on regular ferry. A more faster sea travel from Toledo to San Carlos is by fastcraft which will take about 35 minutes.
From San Carlos pier you ride a pumpboat for about 15 minutes for P10 fare. Just inform the boat man where you want to stay in Sipaway and they’ll dock at the nearest wharf. There are several small resorts in Sipaway but the more modern one with their own electric power is Whispering Palms Island Resort. Room rates are from P1,350 – P3,500. Smaller resorts charge around P400-P500 for a non-aircon room for two.
Travel Tip
If you’re traveling on a budget, you stay in smaller resorts. Although you will not have 24-hour electricity, this will make your Sipaway trip truly an adventure. You can ask the resort staff to cook for you but still bring extra food and bottled water. A budget trip to Sipaway will cost you P1,500-P2,000 for a two-day and one-night stay including your travel expenses from Bacolod City and a habal-habal ride around Sipaway Island.
Some Fun Things To Do:
Some Fun Things To Do: