Badian Island
by 
BADIAN ISLAND CEBU
Badian, this southern town got its name from a plant called, “badyang”, which was once abundant in the area. In the early years of this town, under Spanish regime, it was believed that the Spaniards were having difficulty pronouncing the word so they drop the “g” and the “y” for easy pronunciation. Badian Island is 98 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded to the north by Moalboal, to the south by Alegria, to the east by Dalaguete and Argao, and to the west by the Tañon Strait.
The main barangay of Badian is Poblacion, located in the center of the town. It is the only urban and the most populous barangay of Badian.
Badian’s Tourist Attractions
In areas of great beauty and nature, Badian is now in the early development stage for nice tourist accommodations and resorts. There are some amazing beach front and sea view locations available. There is this magnificent Kawasan Falls near by where the three-layered waterfall is one of the popular tourist destinations in the province of Cebu today. The town also has one of Cebu’s inimitable hotel, the Badian Island Beach Resort and Spa. The hotel is exquisitely located at Zaragosa Badian Island.
In Badian Island you can enjoy the white sandy beach. There are some activities in Badian where you can enjoy snorkeling and diving or you can have a short boat ride away in Pescador Island which offers fantastic corals and marine life for divers. Another tourist destination of Badian is the Cebu International Golf and Resort located in Barangay Lambug. It’s the only 18 hole par 72 course golf course located in the area. About a five minute ride from the golf course are the beautifully trimmed gardens of Terra manna beach and camping resort where they have their own organic vegetable garden. If you just want to relax on the beach and enjoy a sunset then there is Lambug Beach, a ten minute ride from town, or just a minute from town. Another exciting activity to enjoy in Bandian is crab hunting on the Mangroves. It is just about 10km away the neighboring municipal of Moalboal.
How to get to Badian Island
From Cebu City to Badian
If you’re going to Badian Island without any booking from a resort, you can take public buses or V-Hires (vans) from the Cebu South Terminal in Cebu City with an estimated travel time of about 3 hour. From Cebu South Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Badian via Barili. Fare is around Php120.00 for air-conditioned buses and Php75.oo for non-air-conditioned ones. Once you’re already in Badian, tell the dispatcher to drop you off at Badian town center or if you want to go directly to Kawasan, tell them to drop you off in front of Matutinao Chapel.
From Mactan Cebu International Airport to Badian
If you’re coming from Mactan Cebu International Airport, head to Cebu South Bus Terminal. From Mactan Cebu International Airport, you can take a taxi to bring you there. Expect a fare ranging from Php150.00 to Php250.00. However, if you’re not in a hurry and you’re in a tight budget, the best option is to ride public jeepneys.
Here’s how to do it:
Take a yellow cab from Mactan Cebu International Airport. You can ask any airport employee for the yellow cab loading area. Fare: Php70.00. Disembark at Savemore in Marina Mall or in front of Islands Hotel. From there you can take PUJ’s (public utility vehicles) going to parkmall in Mandaue City. Fare is Php10.00. From Parkmall, there are waiting PUJs in the terminal that can take you to Cebu South Bus Terminal. Tell the driver to drop you at Caltex Gasoline Station in Urgello, a few meters away from Elizabeth Mall. There is a 7-Eleven store there, take a walk going there and you will see Cebu South Bus Terminal when you look across to it.
Then from Cebu South Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Badian via Barili. Fare is around Php120.00 for air-conditioned buses and Php75.oo for non-air-conditioned ones. Tell the driver or the dispatcher to drop you off at Badian town center or if you want to go directly to Kawasan, tell them to drop you off in front of Matutinao Chapel.
Places and activities to enjoy in Badian Island
Kawasan Falls
The enchanted landscape of Kawasan Falls is very cool and refreshing, your ideal paradise to fall in love with and to get intimate with nature. Enjoy and swim in the fresh, crystal clear cold spring water of Kawasan Falls.
Pescador Island
If you are a fan of scuba diving or snorkeling, you can visit the Badian Dive Center located at the beachfront of Badian Island Resort and Spa offer diving courses for beginners and other specialty courses. They operate all year round and are equipped with high standard equipment.
Cebu International Golf Course
The course sits about a five minute ride away from the national highway and extends an area of about 8 hectares right down to Lambug beach. The main attraction is the golf course which an 18 hole par 72 course with very well maintained greens and beautifully manicured grasses and of course golf carts are there for rent.
Lambug Beach
Lambug Beach is the best place to hang-out and watch the sunset, the place is open to public. Few small tents for rent are available in the area for your shelter. You can also bring some of your outdoor equips and enjoy the place at no extra cost.
The Mangroves
Just behind Poblician on the shore overlooking Badian Island you can find the mangroves growing out of the sea water. At low tide it is said to be possible to walk the shallow waters to the Island. You can walk around the shallow ankle deep waters at dusk and capture some great sunset shots. At dusk just as the sun is going down the crabs and crab hunters gather on the shallow waters.
Terra manna beach and camping resort
With a lavish space that will treat you to a breathless view of the four-hectare resort nature garden. The tropical year-round weather that every camper will surely enjoy every moment of their stay at Terra Manna – from snorkeling to trekking, to taking photos, to painting, to stargazing, or just simply, to find a place to be alone and enjoy the serenity.
Where to stay?
There are a number of inns and pensions houses that are scattered around Badian town, especially in Barangay Matutinao.
Here are some of the inns and pension houses:
In Barangay Poblacion:
Librando’s Residence (Contact #: 09232982759/09282666869)
Near Lambug Beach:
- Cebu International Golf Course (Contact #: (032) 345-3339)
- Terra Manna Beach and Camping Resort (Contact #: (032) 475-0296/09165297014)
- Grandeur Beach House (Contact #: 09262789880)
- Magic Beach Resort (Contact #: 09223225168/09063077210/09261205042)
In Barangay Matutinao:
- La Playa De Asuncion (Contact #: (032) 319-7932/09278080972/09152889280)
- Matutinao Beach Resort (Contact #: 09068420949)
- Stella Matutinao Homestay (Contact #: (032) 475-9118/09264552298)
Within Kawasan Falls area:
- Willy’s Place (Contact #: 09275456061)
- Kawasan Cooperative (Contact #: (032) 516-1781)
In Badian Island:
In Badian Island there is only one hotel and that is Badian Island Wellness Resort. For enquiries and booking you can contact them at these numbers (032) 401-3303 to 05/ 475-0010) and for online booking you can visit their website at www.badianhotel.com or www.badianhotel.com the resort
