Virgin Island (Silion) – island hopping from Santa Fe.

At a glance

Municipality

Santa Fe (sitio of barangay Hilantagaan – see note below)

Getting there

Hired outrigger boat (bangka) from Santa Fe, about 20–30 minutes

Entrance

Sources quote different models: about ₱200–350 per person, or a group rate (e.g. ₱500 for two plus ₱100 per extra person), sometimes plus a docking fee (unverified, 2026 sources)

Best time

Calm morning sea, dry season; avoid strong wind days

Facilities

Restaurant, hammocks, beach games reported; no mains power or water reported in 2013

Where it is

Virgin Island is a small islet north of Santa Fe port, off the east coast of Bantayan Island and west of Hilantagaan Island. Locals call it Silion or Sillon; it is also listed as Hilantagaan Diot (“little Hilantagaan”). On OpenStreetMap the islet sits at about 11.217 N, 123.793 E.

Which town? Wikipedia and a Wikimedia Commons photo description place it in Santa Fe as a sitio of barangay Hilantagaan, and our local guide says the same. The municipal border on OpenStreetMap draws it inside Bantayan town. We follow Santa Fe until the tourism office confirms.

Getting there

• Boats leave from the Santa Fe beach area. You can arrange a boat through the Santa Fe Tourism Office or with a boatman directly.
• Most trips combine Virgin Island with Hilantagaan and the Santa Fe Lagoon. Boat prices quoted in 2026 guides are about ₱1,000–2,500 per boat (₱1,000 for up to five people, more for a bigger private charter), depending on stops and group size (unverified, as of 2026).
• Santa Fe also charges visitors a small eco fee on arrival at the port and, according to travel guides, an extra island hopping fee (unverified).

Entrance fee

Sources do not agree (all unverified):

• ₱200 per person – whycebu, 2026
• ₱350 entrance plus ₱200 docking per boat – cebuinsider, April 2026
• ₱500 for the first two people plus ₱100 for each extra person – lakbaypinas, May 2026

Ask the boatman for the current price before you leave and ask for a receipt on the island.

Best time and tides

Mornings are usually calmer. The beach and shallow areas change a lot with the tide, so check a tide table for Bantayan before you go. Small boats can be stopped in strong wind in any month – in our records especially from November to February and on some windy days in July.

Rules and nature

• The island is privately managed; follow the staff’s rules.
• Take all rubbish back with you. Do not stand on coral or take shells.
• Bantayan Island lies in the Bantayan Island Wilderness Area, a protected area under national law; whether every islet is included is not confirmed.
• Diving in Santa Fe is regulated by a town ordinance (accredited guides, diver’s fee, filming only with a permit).

Safety

• Wear a life vest on the boat. Do not go out when the Coast Guard stops small boats.
• Cliff-jump platforms are reported – check the water depth first, never jump at low tide.
• Bring sun protection and drinking water.

After the 2025 earthquake

After the earthquake on 30 September 2025 the Department of Tourism listed Virgin Island as closed for a while because of minor damage. By late October 2025 DOT said Bantayan Island destinations were open again. We have no newer report for Virgin Island itself.

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