Caption This Adventure: Biking Around Olango Island

I am itching to venture in exploring Olango Island for quite some time now. And so, after numerous cancellations of our plan to visit - here we are pushing this time. 

Olango Island lies 5km east of Mactan Island and a major tourist destination in Cebu for its bird sanctuary and a haven to divers for its beautiful underwater ecosystem. Olango Island can be access through a public boat ride from a small port in Punta Inganio beside Movenpick Hotel or from Angasil port at the back of Mactan Newtown Center. I prefer the former. 

We commenced our excitement as early as 9am Sunday morning and we were just in time when the banca left the port when we arrived. We waited patiently for the next boat to arrived. The port beside Movenpick Hotel also serves as a docking area for boats that provide island hopping services. Many tourists, mostly Japanese and Koreans drive in to the port to explore nearby islands such as Nalusuan and Gilutongan Island. These islands are among six islets which form part of Olango Group of Islands. 

The next boat arrived; we hurriedly grab our seats in the banca after enjoying the group of Japanese tourist  doing 'kawaii' posing as they smile into the camera and next time we found ourselves sitting together with 50 other passengers going to Santa Rosa. Promise, a 20 minute boat ride from Punta Inganio will not make your butt sore. 

What we do in Olango Island...

Biking around the Island - We wanted to have an extra adventure, so we decided renting a bike. A tricycle took us to Candagsao from Santa Rosa port for 20 pesos each. We reached Candagsao around 11:00am and in an instant we chose our bike from the line of Japanese surplus bike. Biking around the island is an ideal way to explore the beauty of Olango for 10 pesos per hour. 

Lunch at Shalala Beach - Exactly at 12:30pm we arrived at Brgy. Suba with numerous instances asking the location of Shalala Beach. Yes you read it right, Shalala Beach. I'm not sure if the owner named it after the popular pop song during 90's. "...my heart goes shalala lala...shalala in the morning.." yeah sing it! LOL. It was a bit of a long ride from Candagsao passing Santa Rosa public market not to mention the intense heat of the sun; we turned left straight to Brgy. Suba and then we asked again for the direction going to Shalala Beach. The beach is quite hidden from the highway; we have to pedal our way in to the row of closely spaced coconut trees and few settlements before reaching the beach. 

We paid 20 pesos each as a walk-in guests and we prepared our lunch afterwards. 

After an hour or so, the hungry souls devoured the humble meal prepared. Burp!

We were grateful to the owner of the resort. She was very accommodating even offered us a table for our lunch for free which supposed to be a 100 pesos. Cheers Ate. Super thank you. :)

Butong for 10 pesos each - a bunch of kids invited us to buy butong (young coconut) freshly-picked and so we did for 10 pesos each - 15 pesos way cheaper than in the city. These kids was playful, they draw smile when they saw us teasing each other. Later on they engaged us to do 'tumbling tricks' which Bucks playfully agreed. After that they call him Master. Hahaha. 

A glance of Island Eco Park - on our way back to Candagsao, a 15-min break in the entrance of Island Eco Park. 

What we missed...

Bird Sanctuary - because of time constraints we missed the highlights of which Olango Island known for. We failed to visit the sanctuary because we were afraid no to catch the last trip going back to Mactan. Well, there's always a second chance. Next time we visit, bird sanctuary will be our first trip. 

Eating Sa-ang - we were fall shorts of steps when the Sa-ang vendor arrived in Shalala Beach. When Windyl asked for it, it was already out. 

I believe Olango Island offers more surprises for locals and tourist to marveled. Were back in the boat to Mactan at 5:30pm, our senses filled with amazement with the sheer power of sunset.

Don't forget to share this and do visit Olango Island soon. Cheers! Thanks for dropping by. 

photos credit to Orville "Bucks".