It was two weeks ago when I got the invitation to visit Kinatarkan Island. When I got the message, I was like "where's that island?" and the geek on me started searching for an answer and got curious about what this place can offer. But it was last weekend when I got a chance to visit Kinatarkan Island, the forgotten Paradise in Northern Cebu!

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This is my true color.... Tan and dark! Summer is just my fave! #SUNParaNimoCebu #Summer

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Kinatarkan is the famous name of Guintacan island situated in northern Cebu and is part of the municipality of Sta. Fe with three barangays: Hagdan, Kinatarkan, and Langub.

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1. From where you are located or living in Cebu, go to North Bus Terminal to start.
2. From Mandaue City's North Bus Terminal, take a Ceres Bus going to Daanbantayan. The fare is PHP 205. You can get the first-hour ride, 12:00 Midnight. Important Note: If you are in doubt, ask the Ceres Bus Driver to drop you off at the corner going to DaanBantayan Pier/Port. 
3. From the mainland, take an available pumpboat docking in the port. You will get off the boat at Pasil Beach, Kinatarkan Island. Fare is PHP 50. But if you wish to rent an entire boat, you can have it in PHP 1000 or more.
4. Then get a motorcycle ride to where you're planning to set a camp or a resort to stay. The fare is PHP 30.

Check out this aerial view in Forest Beach Resort. Photo taken by Ian Limpangog of Freedomwall.net

Camping at the Beachfront. It is famous to set-up a tent at Willie’s Beach Resort. But what's the catch?

Advantages:

• It only cost PHP 200 per head for a tent set-up. 
• This includes the use of a bathroom which is public.
• Water for washing and electricity for charging are available.
• You can enjoy beachfront and the white sand

Disadvantages:

• You will be setting up your tent to a number of campers out there. Yes, it will be crowded most especially Summer is coming.
• The bathroom or CR is not that really nice but it's okay

*** These are just what I noticed when we inquired in the place.


Book A Resort. There's one famous resort on the island which gives a good beachfront view but when we booked Forest Beach Resort which is part of Bitoon, we got hooked!

Forest Beach Resort Accommodation. Photo taken by Ian Limpangog of Freendomwall.net

Why in Forest Resort?

In just PHP 250 per day, you will get a comfortable Bed to sleep, a towel for wash-up, a clean bathroom to change, a kitchen where you can cook and eat properly and most importantly, a safe shared room where you can leave your stuff after a long day on exploring the island.


The best thing we experienced in this place was Kuya Berlito is very accommodating! His family even managed to share some food and local dishes to us. I personally love the dried fish he gave to us on the last day.

Not to mention, Forest Resort got the best Sunset View of the island!

Here's my sunset view!

Who to contact in Forest Resort?
Name:  Sir Berlito Mantao
Mobile: +63 920 380 4640

You can check my friend Ian on his blog for TIPS and REMINDERS.

Yes! That's me!

So, Kinatarkan Island is a very big place. What are the Spots or destinations on this island that every Locals and tourist can visit and enjoy? Here's a quick list!


BYARING CLIFF. Our first destination is my favorite. I think we spent at least 2 hours for just exploring and taking some amazing photos in an instagrammable gifts of nature.

Photo by Ian Limpangog

Posing for Byaring Cliff!

So instagrammable!

LAAW LAGOON. This is second to my list as it gives an amazing and stunning lagoon view of the island. Important note, the place is not open to the public yet but try to ask your guide if there's a way to check the place out.

Here in the lagoon!

Another view but with a number of trash!!!

HAGDANAN BEACH. Situated in Barangay Hagdan, this beach is famous for its long stretch of white sand and clear water. Good place for quick dip guys!

Aerial view of Hagdanan Beach. Photo by Ian Limpangog

Going for a dip???

PASIL BEACH. It is where Kinatarkan Wellness Resort situated. This is where your pump boat docked when you come from the mainland. The best white sand of Kinatarkan so far.

This is where we docked from the main land.

Such a nice view in Pasil Island!

BLUE BEACH. My least favorite. Just beach and some not so white but good for taking pictures sands. A number of pump boats are parking in this area.

A little bit of portrait.

Situated in the northern tip of Cebu, Carnaza Island is another "Visayan Gem" less traveled. This turtle-shaped island deserves our attention especially this Summer. If you read blog articles about it and recommending you to stay at Eco-Park, then you should read this article further as Carnaza Island is not just about the said park. During the long weekend, I was able to visit and experience the amazing Carnaza island together with Cebu Bloggers Society Friends. I gained friends from the Local and explored the "Buhis buhay" tourist spots in the island.

Carnaza Island, Northern Cebu's Unsung Paradise

CBS Bloggers Mark Monta, Lloyd Chua and Etienne Chantal. Laid Back vacation!

Here's the complete vacationers!

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Special note, some photos were taken by Huawei P9 and Oppo F3 but not edited so that viewers cannot set a high expectation during their stay. But trust me when I said that these spots are amazingly instagrammable. Enjoy Carnaza guys!


1. Liog-Liog Beach

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

FaceCebu Blogger, Mark Monta at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Mark Harolds, IG User at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Lloyd Chua of LloydandBehold at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Etienne Chantal Codina at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

2. Donna's Cave - When we visit there, it has no name per the locals so we started  calling it Donna's Cove. Donna is the beautiful little girl who accompanied us to this amazing view which is part of Liog-Liog Beach.

Donna's Cave, Carnaza Island, Cebu

3. Angel's Pool (Mini-Lagoon) - Just like Donna's Cave, we call this Angel's Mini-Lagoon from our local guide, Angel.

Summer has just started at Carnaza! . . . . #FaceCebuTravels#GumagandaAngArawMo#Cebu#WhenInCebu#forumsession#pinoyhunk#pinoyhottie#asianhunk#pool#vscocam #halloween #Summer #asianboy #beach #likesforlikes #Follow4Follow #victorsguild #grammersph #grammerph #sicebu#vscodaily #igers#lifeofadventure #btsarmy#vscocam #vscophile#carnazaisland#angelpool

A post shared by Mark Monta (FaceCebu.net) (@mmonta) on Apr 9, 2018 at 1:49am PDT

Angel's Mini Lagoon, Liog-Liog, Carnaza Island

Come get me bebe. 😘 We christened this as #AngelPool at Liog-liog Cove #Carnaza #Lagoon

A post shared by iAn of Freedom Wall (@freedomwall) on Apr 9, 2018 at 4:21pm PDT

4. Liog-Liog Rock Formation

Panorama View : Liog-Liog Rock Formation, Carnaza Island, Cebu

5. Ka-Ilina Beach

This place deserves a selfie!

With my partner, Timex Chronograph.

6. Skull Cove/Beach

Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Panorama View: Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Cave: Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Shy pose!

Jump Shot!

Chill!

Ready!

7. La Manok Islet

Bloggers Summah feels!

Feeling grateful to experience one of the best islands I’ve ever been. To the destination with tons of destinations: CARNAZA “Carnasâ” ISLAND. #summer2018 #grammerph #cebu . 📸: @deeannjelly

A post shared by Lloyd Chua (@lloydandbehold) on Apr 8, 2018 at 8:44pm PDT

Hottie Etienne and Mark!

My usual Pose! Sorry!

Side view!

Itoma na nako wew. 📸: @lloydandbehold

A post shared by etienne chantal codina (@etiennechantal) on Apr 8, 2018 at 10:03pm PDT

8. Dakit-Dakit Islet

It was fun swimming in the beach and lying on the sand, but it was also another experience to just stand still, watch & listen to the waves crash. Alternate caption: Rly thinking bout that burger I’ve been craving for since yesterday :((( Hahaha. Carnaza, you’ve been nothing short of amazing. Til the next! 😌 pc: @lloydandbehold

A post shared by etienne chantal codina (@etiennechantal) on Apr 9, 2018 at 6:53pm PDT

Dakit-Dakit Islet

My Friend Dian in her pa-andar pose! LOL

Flex it beach!

Ready!

Splash!

One of the reasons that keeps me traveling are these spectacular sunsets. I already mentioned Carnaza Island is one of the best islands I’ve been in. This right here is the Dakit-dakit Island. . #Live2Wander #TrueWanderer #WranglerPh #summer2018 #grammerph #cebu

A post shared by Lloyd Chua (@lloydandbehold) on Apr 9, 2018 at 7:11pm PDT

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April 07 (Saturday)

05:30 AM : Take the first trip of Ceres Bus to Maya ( Fare: PHP 219) If you come from any part of Cebu, take a cab or jeep going to North Bus Terminal of Mandaue City.

10:00 AM : Arrival in Tapilon Port

10:30 AM : Boat to Carnaza Island ( Fare: PHP 200 )

2:00 PM :  Late Lunch (Contact Councilor Gigi Camino to get a cheap yet affordable Carenderia in the Island. Budget: PHP 100-150)

3:00 -5:00 PM : Tent set-up at Ka-Ilina Beach ( Space Payment : PHP 100/head)

5:00 -6:00 PM : Siesta time and Beaching.

First Day Expenses: PHP 619.00

Dakit-Dakit Islet, Carnaza Island, Cebu

April 08 (Sunday)

7:00 - 8:00 AM : Breakfast ( Go to Psalms Restaurant for a fast yet affordable breakfast. PHP 100.00)

10:00 - 12 Noon : Carnaza Island Tour ( Motorcycles are available everywhere with a fare of PHP 300, you can tour three different spots in the island which includes Liog-Liog Beach, Skull Cove and Ka-Ilina. But if you're staying at Ka-Ilina, then you can just pay PHP 250 for a motor ride. )

12:30 PM: Lunch at Psalms Restaurant (PHP 150)

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Island hopping ( Book a boat for a group of 6 (PHP 1, 700) and Hop to La Manok islet and Dakit-Dakit. This means PHP 285 each person)

Second Day Expenses : PHP 785.00

Barrio!

April 09 (Monday)

6:30 - 7:30 AM : Breakfast ( Go to Psalms Restaurant for a fast yet affordable breakfast. PHP 100.00)

08:00 AM  : Book a Boat for your group (6-7 people) to Tapilon Port ( Fare should be PHP 2000 which means 285-300 each person)

11:30 AM : Arrival in Tapilon Port

11:45 AM - 12 Noon : Take a Tricycle to Daan Bantayan Bus Terminal (Fare: 12.00)

12:15 PM : Lunch Time ( Go to Sto. Nino Carenderia. PHP 50-100)

1:00 PM : Bus to Cebu City ( Fare: PHP 219.00)

Third Day Expenses: PHP 681.00

TOTAL EXPENSES:   PHP 2,085.00

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CONTACT : For your needs such as where to stay, food, drinks, hot water, boat for island hopping and others, please contact our new found friend, Councilor Rego "Gigi" Camino at 0918-547-5143.

TIPS:

1. On your first day, take the first trip from North Bus Terminal To Maya (6:00 AM is the best and ideal time to travel)
2. If you travel alone, wait for more passengers at Tapilon Port for a cheaper fare. Also, while waiting, you can grab a lunch at any Carenderia in the area.
3. Ask for a big plastic bag from the Boat operator so that you can secure your personal belongings or bags inside it.
4. While taking the boat to Carnaza island, better choose the rare part (near the driver/operator) so that you will not/less wet your things or yourself. 
5. Upon Arrival, look for Councilor Gigi and asked to arrange a place at Ka-Ilina Beach. Note, it will just cost you PHP 100 per person for three days and two nights stay at beach front. 
6. For Breakfast and Lunch, you can go to Psalms Restaurant (across a non-Catholic Church and near Ka-Ilina Beach). Their menu is cheap and they can cook fast. 
7. For Dinner, contact Councilor Gigi and asked to arrange a dinner with his sister-in-law who has a mini-carenderia.
8. There is a solar electricity in the island so it is best for travelers to bring Power Bank and Flash lights during the stay. But in the morning, you can go to Psalms Restaurant to charge your electronics gadgets while eating. In addition, the owner who is a pastor is very friendly that you can take a shower in just PHP 25.00 and use their bathroom for free.
9. During your Motor Island Tour, do not include ka-Ilina in your itinerary and choose only Skull Cove and Liog-Liog Beach for just PHP 250. But if you have a partner, you will just pay PHP 125 each in one trip of motor ride.
10. During Motor Island tour, spend more time at Liog-Liog Beach as it has all the instagrammable spots that Carnaza Island can offer.
11. During your visit at Skull Cove, you can take a dip with friends there after visiting the famous Cave with skulls and other scary stuff.
12. During Island Hopping, look for Councilor Gigi or look for locals boaters who can give at least PHP 1,700 fare for La Manok and Dakit-Dakit Islets.
13. During your quick visit at La Manok, don't forget to take a swim and take a lot of shots. The islet is beautiful.
14. During your quick visit at Dakit-Dakit Islet, make sure to watch your steps because there is a number of "Walo-Walo" or Sea snakes which are dangerous. But the place is not scary. In fact, it is good for Pre-nup photoshoots.
15. For Sunset shots, you can stay at Ka-Ilina and grab your cameras.
16. Do not travel alone, better with partner or the more the merrier. And this means, cheaper expenses.
17. Lastly, do not book a tent at Eco-Park, not worth it. Most people who stayed at Eco-Park have expressed their "WOWs" at Ka-Ilina Beach. So, you know what to do.
18. For Data Connection, Smart and Sun are intermittent but during midnight and early morning, 4G is available at Ka-Ilina Beach.
19. Enjoy Carnaza Island!

It's a beautiful world. . . 📸@mmonta

A post shared by Dee Gelz (@deeannjelly) on Apr 8, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT