Daanbantayan is dubbed as the “tourist haven in the north”. Mostly coastal, it boasts only the best of what the nature has to offer. It has unsullied powdery-white sandy beaches especially in the “Pacific Island Dream”, the world-renowned Malapascua Island, rich garden of underwater flora and fauna, teeming with different kinds of hard and soft corals, fishes, sea snakes, unusual nudibranch or sea slugs, sponges and many more.
Those who experienced the serenity of the place rush back to forget the fusses of the city life. It is one of the best places in Cebu to unwind, reflect and be one with nature. It is also best for those who are looking for a streak of adventure. The mystery of the unknown and the thrill of discovering them is enough to visit Daanbantayan.
Here are some of renowned attractions of Daanbantayan:
The “Pacific Island Dream” is the best offer of Daanbantayan for its unblemished sea waters, protected coral gardens and exhilarating diving spots. It is rated as among the best beaches and diving spots in the world.
It is located 8 kilometers away from the main island of Cebu and measures only 3 kilometers. One can encircle the island in a day. The name means “Malas Sa Pasko” or Unfortunate Christmas. But what exudes is nothing unfortunate.
Aside from the one-of-the-kind corals found underneath, one may spot manta rays and thresher sharks in regular basis. Many are attracted to visit this heavenly domicile and keep on going back. Some are overwhelmed and decided to call it their home.
It is a big rock surfaced at the middle of the Visayan Sea. It is just a 40-minute ride from Malaspacua Island. Though small, it offers stunning dive sites where different corals, colorful fishes, sharks and sea snakes are abundant.
One of the best sightings is the Sea Snake and Marine Life Sanctuary. It is one of the three islands in the Philippines where sea snakes breed. There is a big cave with an underwater cave. It is full of surprises. One can dive and snorkel and be amazed on the abundance of diversity of marine life in this sanctuary.
Monad Shoal
This is the particular dive sites that launched Malapascua into a global diving destination. It is an underwater island with a flattish pinnacle at aroufn20 to 24 meters below the water.
Many tourists both foreign and local keep visiting the place for the excitement of exploring the underwater world. It offers only sightings of the rare white-tip sharks and thresher sharks and manta rays on daily basis. The sightings of hammerheads are seasonal.
Though these sharks are truly deep-water sharks but they can be observed in less than 20 meters drop-off. For unknown reason, they consider Monad Shoal as a “cleaning station” to remove parasites in their skins, clean their gills and mouths. For whatever reason, it is there for certain.
Tapilon Point
It is the location of the old watchtower or “daang bantayan” where the name of the place originated. The watchtower was built as a look-out station for prompt warning when the Moro pirates attacked Kandaya. It was an effective way of thwarting the plans of the Moros and never came back. The Tapilon is an excellent vantage point in spotting the vessels of the Moros.
Years later, Moro raiders attacked the nearby island of Bantayan and a new watchtower was erected with the same purpose. So the watchtower at Tapilon Point was considered as the old watchtower or daang bantayan in native dialect.
Tapilon Wreck
It is a wreckage of the World War II Japanese cargo ship hit by torpedoes. It is now one of the popular dive spots, covered with beautiful corals. Another abundant species are the barracudas that are seen encircling the place. The place is worth of a dive for barracuda alone. There are also marine species found like nudibranchs, moray eel, cuttlefish, scorpion fish, squid, fire sea urchins, urchin crabs, marble rays and many others.
Doña Marilyn Wreck
It is the remains of the Filipino passenger ferry which measures 98 meters long. It sunk on October 23 1988 due to typhoon Ruby. The ship remained intact and served its purpose as an artificial reef.
It is now enveloped with a healthy array of soft and hard corals. Fishes that lived there grow in large sizes. Only experienced divers can penetrate inside where tons of marine denizens are waiting to be discovered.
Beaches
Daanbantayan’s coasts are covered with powdery-white sand and pristine waters. It is an ideal place for sunbathing, swimming and other water activities especially during summer. Malapascua as well offers excellent beaches plus fascinating marine resources.
Haladaya Festival
Daanbantayan hosts Haladaya Festival in honor of the legendary Datu Daya. It is one of the reasons why “balikbayans” kept on going back. It is celebrated annually, every 29th and 30th day of August as a major highlight of the town fiesta.
