Day Trip to San Vicente Marine Sanctuary, Olango Island

*Taking a short trip back to a beautiful place is never a sin. You can always pamper yourself anywhere you like, whenever you want.

Let me take you to San Vicente Marine Sanctuary in Olango Island this time.

This trip was actually an on the spot day trip with friends. We just thought of going somewhere then poof! Let’s go to Olango! We decided to meet in Parkmall and took a quick breakfast there before heading to our next stop over. After eating we took a jeepney ride going to Mactan Newtown and from there, we hire a tricycle to take us to Angasil port where we can ride a boat bound to Olango Island. Actually, you can choose between a fastcraft boat or a regular boat going to the island. We weren't aware of the fastcraft until our way home that day. Maybe next time, we'll try it. The regular boat takes 12 minute-travel to arrive in the island. I'm just not sure on how many minutes does a fastcraft takes going to Olango.

Here's the boat that will take you to the island in just 12 minutes.

We decided to buy some food before heading to our destination for our lunch and snacks. If you happen to travel here without preparing a food, you need not to worry because there are a lot of stores where you can buy food however, please don’t expect for a fast-food store here. After buying some food, we headed next to our destination, San Vicente Boardwalk or just commonly known by the locals here as the Boardwalk.

You will know you're there if you see this welcome entrance of the place. Just take a few steps to arrive at their receiving area and pay for an entrance fee.

Here's a list of other activities you can try and enjoy in this place:

Camping
You can bring your own tent and set it up there to stay overnight and pay a minimal fee.

Cycling
Riding a bicycle is a good exercise right? In this island you can also enjoy the flat terrain here while riding your bicycle. You can travel here and bring your own or rent a bicycle in the area.

Snorkeling
You can also have the opportunity to swim and see closely the marine life here. If you don't have the gears, no worries, they can offer you theirs for rent.

Fish-feeding
Fishes are everywhere in this area. You can also have fun by feeding them. You just have to pay the amount they set for fish feeding.

Island Hopping
Yes, indeed. They can also offer and arrange you an Island Hopping. If you've read the facts in this island. It has satellite islets you can visit. They have set a certain package but if you wish to visit more islands, you can have an deal with the boatmen. The package depends on the number of person and destination.

Upon arriving here, you need to pay an entrance fee. The fee depends on what you are going to do in the place. You can do snorkeling, swimming, island hopping and more. Let me drop a photo of their different rates here for your reference.

Before you get see the wide ocean you need to walk about 500 meter pathway made with bamboos and wood. While taking that path, you can also see mangroves that adds color to this place. There were also locals here selling seafood such as sea urchin and saang or known in English Spider-shells or Scorpion Conch for an affordable price. There were also small stores here selling junk foods, drinks, ice and the like so will never get hungry in this place.

Here's the bamboo pathway and the view of the mangroves

Few meters to go and we'll reach the cottages set in the place.

Closer look of the cottages here. They also have dressing rooms and separate comfort room for men and women.

We haven’t tried eating sea urchin so we tried some and we also bought some saang. It was also my first time holding and seeing a sea urchin in person. I thought the spines was hard but no, it’s not. It was really soft and when they move, it’s really tingling. And for the taste, hmmm, it a nah for me. The vendor there told us to put some vinegar on it then scrape the yellowish content of the sea urchin with a spoon and never to directly put it in our mouth because it's very itchy. I didn’t really tasted something aside from the vinegar when I tried one. On the other hand,the saang, well, you can really say that those were really fresh. Its tastes great. Yummmyyyy.. It was cooked perfectly. Oh by they way, we paid 200php for the sea urchin for 8 pieces, it was a set though and 40php each for the big saang. When you buy the saang, you get to choose from their net and then they will cook it for you.

What we did first was to prepare the food. Put them on the paper plates that we bought beforehand. We waited for our fresh seafood and took our time eating. After few hours of sitting, chilling and eating, we decided to get ready for swimming.

Lechon manok from Mr. Liempo, cooked pusit bought from one of the eateries there and sweet mangoes and bananas. There were actually more but did not able to take a photo of it maybe because we were already hungry. HAHAHA

We were served with two plates of these edible Sea Urchin. They just have to clean and cut it into half before being served.

And there you go... the Saang. Fresh and delicious.

We were hoping the water will go up but nope, it remains in knee-level so while swimming we just pretended like it was deep enough for swimming and just enjoyed the water. The water was very clear you can see the fishes swimming with you. There were also few colorful and big starfishes there you can clearly see from the surface.

The low tide didn't stopped us from enjoying our beach moment.

See how clear the water? You can definitely see what you will be stepping at if you plan to take a dip there.

Another beautiful view you can enjoy in this area.

We stayed there until six in the evening swimming, eating, and waiting for the sunset. The cool breeze of the sea was as always, very relaxing. It was so peaceful and quiet definitely good for those people who needs to get away from the busy hustle and bustle of city life.

Then we head home with a bit of tan lines and smiles on our faces feeling satisfied and refreshed. Another beautiful day spent with beautiful people and beautiful place.

'til my next blog, see you!