Something almost everyone enjoys is readily available in the Philippines and that is Island Hopping. One of my first outings in the Philippines was with a group of expats I had met online. I was amazed with the beauty. It was my first time out on the waters of the Philippines and it was captivating.
I think that was back in April of 2008. I remember really two things. One of the first times Jessie yelled “Hey, were are you going?” I heard it many times in the early days. Now, she knows if I see something new, something where there are not many others, that’s where I’m headed.
Before we were done even she was impressed with the scenes we saw. I heard her say wow when we came upon an old home. It was not abandoned. It was up on stilts and sitting in the water. It was in pretty bad shape but some how there was still something rather beautiful about the scene.
Soon we encounter a group of kids playing in the water. They looked as if they could out swim some of 
the fish. Their skin was darkened from all of their play outside. They were all around 10 years old or younger. There was not much on this island. Just a few homes on stilts over the water. There was a row of them. Likely the homes of fishermen. Probably the workers for whoever lived in that home in days gone by. I didn’t stumble upon any young women while there and I did look. They had to be around, where they in their homes. There were no adults at all. The only people local to that island that we saw were the kids. I enjoyed my time with them.
I joined them in the water and went for a walk in the sea. They followed me, swimming around me. Walking besides me. Trying to speak as much English as they could. I think they were quite taken by this strange American that ventured out to the more remote areas of this tiny islet.
We eventually did return to the debates and noise of the group we came with. Jessie and I went swimming in the sea. I remember ingesting a bit of that salt water and it made me somewhat ill later that night. I didn’t know I drank it but I had the taste of salt in my mouth so I guess I did.
This is a video that Jessie and I captured during that island hopping adventure.
I’ve have several island hoping adventures since that time. I don’t get to go as much as I like too. I’m hoping to go to Capitancillo Islet just outside of Bogo this month. I hope we get to go next weekend. Though island hoping is not expensive, its not free either. The reason I have not yet been to this islet is that the cost are really too high. Boats usually want P2500 to take someone out there. I know they can be had for as little as p1000 but usually the best price you can get is p1500. Then I’ll spend around p1000 for food probably. Could do it cheaper but I wont.
There is nothing on the Island as far as I know. There are some picnic tables and a lighthouse. I’ve seen a guy walking around dangling a sea snake in his hand. I know that pinoy and have spent some time with him.
My last island hoping trip was to Bantayan Island. That was back in August or September. We spent about a week there. While there we took a side trip to Virgin Beach. Jessie even wore a two piece bathing suit. Somewhat shocking me!
To enjoy the real beauty of the Philippines, take an island hopping trip. Try to go to an island that is not an expat hotspot. Interact with local Filipino as best you can. That’s where you’ll discover what the Philippines is like. It is not in the malls, its out in the island. There’s over 7100 of them. If you enjoy taking pictures, you’ll have a hard time finding a better setting.
Tagged with: Cebu • Island Hopping • Philippines • Video
Filed under: Living In The Philippines
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Hello Rusty,
Thanks for sharing your stories. I enjoy reading them. I will go to Philippines at least two years. I want to set up my website first and see how it goes, before I take off there. Island hopping to see new places sound fun. Be sure to take a metal detector with you. Never know what you might find. You may come across gold or silver or else. More pictures and videos really make the big difference in your website. One main question I would like to ask you, are there so many sharks around Philippines? They freak me out, cuz ever since I was little, I watched Jaw part one. It still bothers me. Few days ago, I watched a movie called “Soul Surfer” and it is about the girl whose arm got bitten off by a shark. So she never give up surfing and became famous for becoming professional surfer in the USA. Her name is Bethany Hamilton. It is a true story. Her story was published all over the world and a movie was made, too. Anyway, my point is I hate sharks. I would have to swim in the swimming pool ha ha. Keep writing, taking pictures, and videos.
Richie from Ohio (USA)
Yeah, I’ve seen many stories on her. I thought she was in Oz though. Memory fusing together. Cute kid but going to be a beautiful woman soon if not there already. 🙂 Blond last time I saw her.
Not many sharks around. The Philippines has an amazing low rate of shark attacks here. Or they just go unreported. i researched that. You can find a shark incidence report site out on the net. I saw only two or three over t0 years. Maybe we don’t have many bull sharks. They are the most aggressive, those scare me but most will leave human alone. Well, if they understand what you are. 🙂 Or if they are really hunger. LOL There are not many, I’ve never seen one.
Jessie was worried the last time I was in the water, I asked her had she ever seen a shark, she had not. I asked her anyone she knew had seen one. Again the answer was no. I asked her if she had ever heard of an attack in the Philippines, and she said no. Then I started humming the jaws theme and watched her and her friend freak out. I noticed something sticking out of the water a good piece off and pointed and said “SHARK!” LOL Jessie wouldn’t take her eyes off it. I think it might have been a coconut. I don’t know, it looked like a shark fin but it was moving WAY too slow
There is an island near to me, Malapascua that is famous for the thresher shark because they are so shy and hard to see. With much effort and a really good guide,one has a small chance of seeing them there if you dive. Divers from all over the world go there. They have been on the discovery, nat geo and the travel channel. I think all three.
There are a few more whale sharks. You can swim with those and people often do. They can be found in South Cebu. There are great whites here but I never hear about them. Just that there are some here. When I told my mother that they almost never attack here she said “Maybe they prefer white meat.” lol
I’d say shark attack is one of the least likely things to happen to you. I don’t really believe in the witch doctor stuff, but they may be more of a danger. I don’t completely not believe either.
Hey again Richie,
I just uploaded some more island hopping trips. These come from my trip to Bantayan Island in August of 2011. There are more than 100 of them there.
I think you have to register for the forum to see them. You can see them here if you like: Bantayan Island Hopping
Thanks for you kind words about the pics!
I plan to , next time. Cant wait to get rid of all my stuff here in Panama & get back to Bogo.
Cool Frederick, hope you are able to get home soon. Maybe I'll see you at Capitancillo!
are u now in bogo????
Hi Ella, yes I'm in Bogo. 🙂