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Places · Santa Fe

Santa Fe Lagoon (Balidbid / Baigad Lagoon).

Short answer: The Santa Fe Lagoon, also known as Balidbid or Baigad Lagoon, is a protected mangrove lagoon in barangay Balidbid on the north coast of Santa Fe. Motor boats are banned; Cebu Daily News reported in March 2026 that the town relaunched it for low-impact use such as kayaking and paddle boarding.

Lagoon access (report, unverified)
free
Private beach area (report)
₱200
Illustration: a calm green lagoon lined with mangroves and a single kayak on the water
AI illustration

At a glance

Municipality
Santa Fe, barangay Balidbid
Getting there
As a stop on island hopping (boat stays outside); land access still being checked – ask the Santa Fe tourism office
Entrance
No official 2026 fee confirmed; reports list the lagoon as free and a private beach area at ₱200 (unverified)
Best time
Around high tide for paddling – check the tide forecast
Rules
No engine-powered boats; protected area
Facilities
Facilities and parking not yet checked

What it is

A shallow lagoon where a creek meets the sea, lined with mangroves, on the north coast of Santa Fe in barangay Balidbid. OpenStreetMap places it at about 11.182 N, 123.788 E. It has several names: Balidbid Lagoon, Baigad Lagoon and, since 2026, Santa Fe Lagoon.

History and rules

  1. June 2023

    tourism boat trips inside the lagoon were stopped. The Coast Guard said DENR had banned all watercraft there under the Expanded NIPAS Act (RA 11038), because the lagoon is a protected area (Cebu Daily News).

  2. March 2026

    the mayor relaunched it as Santa Fe Lagoon. Engine-powered pump boats remain banned; low-impact activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming are planned (Cebu Daily News, 22 March 2026).

Fees

We found no official 2026 fee. Older figures (unverified): ₱20 day use (Sugbo.ph 2021); lagoon free, ₱200 for a private beach area (cebuinsider, April 2026).

Best time and tides

Illustration: Best time and tides – Santa Fe Lagoon (Balidbid / Baigad Lagoon)
AI illustration

Paddling is only possible when there is enough water – plan for high tide. Confirm paddling conditions locally before you go.

Nature

Mangroves protect the coast and are nurseries for fish. Do not cut branches, do not step on young plants, take all rubbish out.

FAQ

Can I take a boat into the lagoon?

No engine-powered boats. Kayaks and paddle boards are the planned way to explore.

Is Balidbid Lagoon the same as Santa Fe Lagoon?

According to Cebu Daily News (March 2026), the town relaunched Balidbid (Baigad) Lagoon as Santa Fe Lagoon; whether all restrictions were formally lifted is being checked.

When should I go?

Around high tide – check the tide forecast for your day.

Find it on the map

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Santa Fe is the port town of Bantayan Island. Mayor, barangays, population, history since 1872, beaches, fiesta and the official offices to contact.

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Island hopping from Santa Fe

How island hopping from Santa Fe works: usual stops, boat prices, island fees, best time and safety. Virgin Island, Hilantagaan, Santa Fe Lagoon, Kinatarkan.

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Mangroves and protected areas on Bantayan Island

Bantayan was declared a wilderness area in 1981 and has many small marine sanctuaries. Visit the Obo-ob mangrove boardwalk and learn the rules for reefs and lagoons.

Plan your trip.

Getting here

Cebu → Hagnaya → Santa Fe, step by step.

Ferry schedule

Both companies, both directions, fares.

Weather & tides

High tide at Hagnaya, typhoon warnings.

Money & ATMs

Bring cash – where ATMs are.

How this page was checked

Published Fact-checked by 2 AIs (Claude & OpenAI) · 8 Nov 2026Local guide check pendingSpot a mistake?
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