Where to Stay in Bantayan Island: From Beachfront Bliss to Quiet Hideaways.

Choosing where to stay in Bantayan Island shapes how you experience this northern Cebu gem. Once a quiet fishing community, Bantayan has become one of the Visayas’ most beloved escapes — a blend of soft white beaches, calm turquoise water, and the slow rhythm of island life.

Unlike larger resort islands, Bantayan remains intimate. Life here unfolds simply — bicycles instead of taxis, beachfront cafés instead of clubs, and mornings that begin with sunrise over Santa Fe’s shore. Whether you’re here for swimming, seafood, or stillness, the right base helps you find your pace.

From the lively stretch of Santa Fe to the peaceful coves near Pooc and the local charm of Bantayan Town, each area offers a distinct way to experience the island. Here’s our curated guide to where to stay in Bantayan Island — from beachside favorites to secluded villas that capture the island’s understated beauty.

Key Takeaways
  • For beachfront cafés and easy nightlife, stay in Santa Fe — the island’s social and travel hub.
  • For calm and seclusion, Pooc and Alice Beach offer quiet sands and boutique resorts ideal for unwinding.
  • For culture and local flavor, Bantayan Town features charming stays near the public market and old church.
  • For space and natural views, Ogtong and surrounding coves are home to villas and nature resorts away from crowds.
  • Each area reflects a side of Bantayan — lively, serene, or rooted in tradition. This guide helps you find where to stay based on your rhythm and style.

Where to Stay in Bantayan for Beachfront and Nightlife

If you want to be close to Bantayan’s cafés, restaurants, and bars, Santa Fe is where the island’s energy gathers. It’s lively without being loud — with easy access to bike rentals, beach strolls, and the island’s famous sandbars.

1. Anika Island Resort

Spacious beachfront cottages shaded by tall coconut palms at Anika Island Resort, capturing the relaxed tropical vibe — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

A Bantayan favorite, Anika Island Resort offers native-inspired cottages just steps from the beach. Bright, airy interiors and a casual atmosphere make it perfect for relaxed stays. The on-site restaurant serves Filipino comfort food, and sunsets are best enjoyed right from the sand.

Book Your Stay
Book your beachfront cottage and start each day with the sea just steps from your door — barefoot mornings, easy afternoons, and island calm throughout.
Book on ExpediaBook on Booking.com

2. Kota Beach Resort

Wide sandbar and turquoise shallows in front of Kota Beach Resort, a classic beachfront spot for swimming and sunsets — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

Set along one of the island’s most photographed sandbars, Kota Beach Resort blends simplicity and comfort. The thatched cottages open directly onto white sand, with the calm, swimmable water that makes Bantayan famous.

Book Your Stay
Reserve a beach hut along Bantayan’s iconic sandbar and watch the tides change from your porch — the perfect blend of quiet and coastal life.
Book on TripadvisorBook Online

Where to Stay in Bantayan for Calm and Seclusion

Just beyond Santa Fe, the villages of Pooc and Alice Beach offer peace and privacy. Here, resorts are smaller, the beaches quieter, and mornings slower — perfect for travelers seeking stillness and connection to nature.

1. Amihan Beach Cabanas

Native-style bamboo cabana with thatched roof surrounded by palm trees and golden sand at Amihan Beach Cabanas — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

Tucked along a tranquil stretch of coast, Amihan Beach Cabanas combines rustic cabana design with modern comfort. Each cabana opens to sea views framed by palms and sand, creating an effortlessly peaceful setting.

Book Your Stay
Book your private cabana and wake to ocean light filtering through palm trees — a peaceful hideaway made for slow mornings and sunset swims.
Book on Booking.comBook on Tripadvisor

2. Kandugyap House by the Sea

Aerial view of Kandugyap House by the Sea, a white cliffside villa overlooking crystal-clear blue waters and lush coastal greenery — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

A boutique hideaway with Balinese-inspired design, Kandugyap House by the Sea offers just a few suites in a lush, coastal garden. Personalized service and intimate surroundings make it one of Bantayan’s most romantic retreats.

Book Your Stay
Reserve a suite surrounded by gardens and sea breeze — a quiet, design-forward escape where time slows with the rhythm of the waves.
Book on ExpediaBook on Tripadvisor

Where to Stay in Bantayan for Nature and Local Charm

For travelers who want more space, local scenery, and easy access to cultural sites, Bantayan Town and nearby Ogtong offer stays surrounded by gardens, cliffs, and community life.

1. Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort

Rustic beachfront restaurant with wooden tables under a thatched roof at Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort, glowing in the late afternoon sun — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

Perched on a hillside overlooking the sea, Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort combines natural beauty with local warmth. It features a cave pool, wide open grounds, and simple cottages that invite you to disconnect and slow down.

Book Your Stay
Book your stay amid lush gardens and coastal cliffs — unwind in nature, explore the cave pool, and reconnect with the island’s serene simplicity.
Book on ExpediaBook on Tripadvisor

2. Hoyohoy Villas

Tropical garden villas lit warmly at night with a lagoon-style pool and tall coconut trees at Hoyohoy Villas — Where to Stay in Bantayan Island.

Located near Ogtong, Hoyohoy Villas offers spacious, contemporary villas within a quiet beachfront compound. The architecture mixes Filipino style with modern touches, and the atmosphere feels relaxed and refined.

Book Your Stay
Reserve a beachfront villa framed by coconut palms — spacious, serene, and perfectly placed for long walks and soft sunsets by the shore.
Book on ExpediaBook on Booking.com

Final Thoughts

Bantayan Island moves at its own pace — unhurried, welcoming, and effortlessly beautiful. Stay in Santa Fe for lively evenings and beachfront walks, or venture to Pooc and Ogtong for calm seclusion. Every stay, from a simple cabana to a private villa, shares the same island rhythm — one that reminds you to slow down, breathe deeply, and let the sea set your schedule.

Goes along

You might also like

01 Chumbe Island Coral Park

Chumbe Island Coral Park: The World’s Premier Eco-Luxury Marine Sanctuary

Chumbe Island Coral Park, a private nature reserve off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania, is a pioneer…
378
01 Coqui Coqui Papholchac Coba Residence Spa

Coqui Coqui Residencies: Perfume, Culture, and Heritage in Mexico

Discover the immersive world of Coqui Coqui, a unique collection of boutique residencies and perfume…
337
08 Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island: Sensitive Luxury and Marine Conservation

Song Saa is a sanctuary in the Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia, pioneering sensitive luxury on two di…
476
04 Delek Tulum

Delek Tulum: Beachfront Luxury and Sustainable Design

Welcome to Delek Tulum, an incredible 21-room boutique hotel and beach club situated directly on the…
398
06 Misool Eco Resort

Misool Eco Resort: Dive Into the Heart of Raja Ampat’s Marine Sanctuary

Misool is a private island resort located in the remote Raja Ampat, Indonesia, just south of the equ…
503
01 Halekulani Okinawa

Halekulani Okinawa: Understated Luxury on Japan's Emerald Coast

Halekulani Okinawa introduces legendary, understated elegance to a mile of pristine coastline in Onn…
366