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Buyayao Island

A 206-hectare forest reserve, Buyayao Island is endowed with alluring beaches, impressive limestone formations, and is home to hundreds of floras and faunas.

Suguicay Island

Arguably the most popular among the islands of Bulalacao, Suguicay Island is an oblong-shaped island with thriving mangrove swamps and coconut trees along both ends of its coastlines.

Tambaron Island

The remarkable rocky mountainous island of Tambaron Island makes it easily one of the best islands of Bulalacao. It is also relatively more developed for tourists compared to its other counterparts.

Bulalacao Islands Travel Guide: Exploring the Beauty of the Precious Gems of Oriental Mindoro

Tucked away in the southernmost tip of the province of Oriental Mindoro, Bulalacao is a secluded gem worth exploring. As an emerging tourist destination, Bulalacao boasts a naturally scenic view and a laid back atmosphere. And, while the town is overshadowed by nearby famous destinations including Mount Malasimbo and Puerto Galera, Bulalacao is definitely a paradise in its own right.

Read on to learn more about the unspoiled beauty of Bulalacao, discover its beautiful islands, and get useful tips on how you can get to this piece of paradise in Oriental Mindoro, as well as some insights on the activities you can indulge yourself with during your stay in the islands.

Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro - An Overview

Bulalacao is one of the 15 municipalities of Oriental Mindoro. It is found in the tip of the island of Mindoro, about 176 kilometers (an estimated 3 to 4-hour drive) away from Calapan City, the capital city of the province of Oriental Mindoro. This coastal municipality has a land area of 321.86 square kilometers, constituting 7.59% of the total area of Oriental Mindoro.

Formerly known as San Pedro, Bulalacao is comprised of 15 barangays and is a promising getaway with its numerous white sandy islands, spectacular coves, forests and parks that are great for hiking and trekking, waterfalls, hidden caves, and lakes, among other surprises that will surely satisfy the wanderlusts seeking for both nature and adventure.

Island Hopping in Bulalacao

Having an area with the longest coastline in the province of Oriental Mindoro, it’s not surprising that island hopping is the main draw of the town of Bulalacao.

Bulalacao’s islands are primarily divided into two - the Eastern Islands and the Western Islands. Subsequently, island hopping in Bulalacao is generally categorized as East Tour and West Tour.

Bulalacao Islands West Tour (Buyayao Island, Suguicay Island, and Tambaron Island)

From Manila, the journey takes only about 3-4 hours. You can either take the bus or your private car or cab to the port of Batangas and then take the ferry. Alternatively, there is also the possibility to fly directly by seaplane to Puerto Galera. This is a little more expensive but very fast and comfortable.
 

Buyayao Island

Address: Brgy. San Roque, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

A 206-hectare forest reserve, Buyayao Island is endowed with alluring beaches, impressive limestone formations, and is home to hundreds of floras and faunas. The island is lined with towering coconut trees, and its remoteness means you will have the freedom to enjoy the island and its majestic views with tranquility and away from the crowd.


Buyayao Island Activities and Attractions

  • An excellent spot for snorkeling although you need to be mindful of the strong currents
  • Scuba Diving
  • Spelunking in Buyayao Cave
  • Beach Camping
  • Beach Hopping
  • Explore the Forest Reserves

Suguicay Island

Address: Brgy. San Juan, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Arguably the most popular among the islands of Bulalacao, Suguicay Island is an oblong-shaped island with thriving mangrove swamps and coconut trees along both ends of its coastlines. Here you can find beach cottages, including floating ones, as well as other beach items for rent, and the island’s surrounding waters are teeming with marine life and corals.


Suguicay Island Activities and Attractions:

  • Go Banana Boating
  • Get Your Adrenaline Pumping by Riding on a Flyfish Boat
  • Parasailing
  • Kayaking and Jet Skiing
  • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
  • Beach Camping

Tambaron Island

Address: Brgy. Balatasan, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

The remarkable rocky mountainous island of Tambaron Island makes it easily one of the best islands of Bulalacao. It is also relatively more developed for tourists compared to its other counterparts. The island features Bali-inspired beach cabanas and rooms where visitors can spend the night with. It’s also well-loved because of its fine, white sand, calm and beautiful beach and coves, abundant marine biodiversity, and verdant forests.


Tambaron Island Activities and Attractions:

  • Snorkeling
  • An idyllic spot for beach bumming or beach camping
  • Swim or dive in its rich waters
  • Trekking to get into the island’s coves
  • Bird-watching
  • Witness a mesmerizing sunset view

Bulalacao Islands East Tour (Target Island, Silad Island, and Aslom Island)

Target Island

Address: Brgy. Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Target Island, also known as Alibatan Island, is a 5-hectare island that boasts a white beach, limestone cliffs, a spectacular lake found in the middle of the island, and cemented footpaths that loop the island. The island got its name because historically, bombing practices are made by the Americans in this place during World War II. This is evident in the bomb sites and jagged rocks you’ll come across when you explore the island. While getting to this stingray-shaped island might be a bit difficult due to rough sea even with fair weather, the paradise-like beauty of the island makes the entire journey worth undertaking.

Target Island Activities and Attractions:

  • Cliff Diving
  • Try scuba diving or snorkeling for an up-close view of the island’s underwater environment
  • An exceptional site where you can enjoy frolicking on the beach without worrying about photobombers.
  • With the island’s remote location it’s almost like you are renting the entire island to yourself

Silad Island

Address: Brgy. Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Located in the northwest of Alibatan Island, Silad Island takes pride in its gorgeous beach with crystal clear turquoise waters, creamy white sand, and a number of rock formations. This is complemented by the island’s striking underwater surroundings abundant with colorful reefs and marine life.

A bone-shaped tiny island, Silad has two corally beaches with white sandy shores. It is worth noting that the island has no other facilities since it’s deserted, has no potable water, and has no electricity. Due to its windy location and jagged terrains, the island is also not ideal for overnight stays. Still, overall, the Instagram-worthy view of the island makes it an excellent destination for island hopping together with Aslom Island and Target Island.

Silad Island Activities and Attractions:

  • Fantastic spot for both Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
  • A trek on one of the hills in the island will reward you a stunning panoramic view of the island and the whole Bulalacao Bay

Aslom Island

Address: Brgy. Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Aslom Island is famed for its captivating crescent-shaped 500-meter sandbars of powdery white sands surrounded with pristine waters. Derived from the Cebuano word “aslom,” which translates into sour in English, due to the abundance of tamarind trees that bear the sour fruits on the island, the 12-hectare privately-owned Aslom Island is one of the major destinations when it comes to island hopping activities in Bulalacao. The island has three beaches and the beautiful curving sandbar, in my opinion, is its best attraction. Also, found in the southeastern part of  this enchanting island is a big cave. Moreover, Aslom Island is among the islands closest to the Mindoro mainland, and since this is a private island, staying overnight on the island is not allowed.

Aslom Island Activities and Attractions:

  • Snorkeling
  • Great site for diving
  • Sandbars are perfect for those who simply want to bask under the sun or laze off by the beach to destress

Other Attractions Not to be Missed

Besides the lovely and inviting islands that Bulalacao has to offer, visitors in the municipality are in for awesome sights and attractions, including the following:

Bankal Port

The jump-off port going to Saguicy Island offers a great scenery itself. Featuring a long wooden boardwalk and vast mangrove forest, this footbridge makes for a picture-perfect spot.

Pocanil Rock Formation

This unique rock formation is found in the mainland of Brgy. San Roque is being developed as a potential site for rock climbing, rappelling, and spelunking.

Bagong Sikat Falls

This approximately one-storey high waterfall features a wide catch and deep basin that flows through a river in Brgy. Bagong Sikat. To reach the falls you will need to endure an hour-long trek and two river crossings, but on the way, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of rice fields and thick vegetations.

Milagrosa Hilltop View Deck

An elevated platform along the highway of Brgy. Milagrosa, the Milagrosa Hilltop View Deck offers the best sunrise view in town and a picturesque panoramic view of the islands of Aslom, Silad, and Target.

Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro - How to Get There

By Air

The closest airport to the town of Bulalacao is San Jose Airport in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Flight time takes only 45 minutes. From the airport, you can ride a van that will take you directly to Bulalacao, which would take around one hour of travel time.

By Land and Sea

From Cubao, you can take a RORO Bus which goes directly to Bulalacao via Batangas Port. Travel time takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. Alighting in Calapan Port, Oriental Mindoro, from there you can ride a van or a bus that will take you directly to Bulalacao.

Visit Bulalacao, the Hidden Gem of Oriental Mindoro!

With its glowing trail of awe-inspiring untouched islands, Bulalacao is undoubtedly one of the best destinations in Oriental Mindoro waiting to be explored. If you’re into an ultimate beach bumming experience minus the crowd, or you simply want to unwind and commune with nature, traveling this remote municipality of Bulalacao offers you just that, and more.

Other than its beautiful islands, rich marine life, and breathtaking sceneries, this is the place where you can experience genuine hospitality, thanks to the amazing locals who are kind, welcoming, and are always ready to help.

Photos of Bulalacao Islands, Philippines

See Photos of the Best Destinations and Attractions in Bulalacao Islands, Philippines.
  • Bulalacao Island, Mindoro, Philippines
  • Bulalacao Island, Mindoro, Philippines
  • Bulalacao Island, Mindoro, Philippines
  • Bulalacao Island, Mindoro, Philippines
  • Bulalacao Island, Mindoro, Philippines

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