Sombrero Island - Batangas

Found off the coast of Anilao in Mabini, in the province of Batangas, Sombrero Island is a small island that is slowly making a name for itself.

Sombrero Island

Sombrero Island details

Sombrero Island got its name from the Filipino word sombrero which means hat. It is quite obvious that the island was named due to its unique shape, which according to locals, looks like a giant hat that sticks out from the sea.

Sombrero Island - Mabini, Batangas

Sombrero Island as seen from a distance

To reach Sombrero Island, it will take you 15 to 20 minutes by boat from the resorts in Anilao. (travel time varies depending on how rough the waves are)

We rented a boat to bring us to Sombrero Island

A gentlewoman is always needed in a group.

The boat rental usually costs around P2,500. I highly recommend that you bring in your friends when visiting Sombrero Island. A bigger group means a lesser amount of money that you would have to shell out. Aside from the boat rental fee, you also need to pay an entrance fee of P150 upon arrival to the island. In our case, we were 16 in the group so I only had to shell out P300 all in all.

The Backpack Adventures visits Sombrero Island

We originally planned to go to Sombrero Island early in the morning to avoid the intense heat of the sun. However, due to several setbacks, we arrived at the island at around 12 noon.

Sombrero Island as seen from Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Surprisingly, despite the close proximity of the island to the municipality of Mabini, the water remains pristine and free from oil spills. However, I found out later that Sombrero Island wasn't free from the trash. Several non-biodegradable trash washed up on the rocky part of the island.  (Carefully walking around this part of the island, there is plenty of broken glass that might injure you.)

The rocky part of the Sombrero Island

White sand beach anyone?

Join me explore Sombrero Island

Group shot

Some well-balanced rocks

Those yellow things are actually barnacles. Careful they're sharp

Despite these issues, Sombrero Island remains to be one of the best snorkeling sites that I've visited so far. You would surely enjoy your trip to the island because the waters surrounding it is literally crawling with life. Just be careful though, some areas have quite powerful undertows.

These huts are the only shelter on the island

What a view!

It's best if you bring along with you an underwater camera. In that way, you could bring your photo shoot to a whole new level. 

Check out some of our underwater shots:

Yeah!

Underwater photoshoot with the gang

Shhh! I saw a mermaid over there!

Sombrero Island Fees

The boat rental usually costs around P2,500. I highly recommend that you bring in your friends when visiting Sombrero Island. A bigger group means a lesser amount of money that you would have to shell out. Aside from the boat rental fee, you also need to pay an entrance fee of P150 upon arrival to the island. In our case, we were 16 in the group so I only had to shell out P300 all in all.

Why visit Sombrero Island?

Looking for an island in Batangas with clean pristine waters? Then Sombrero Island is for you! Enjoy the crystal clear water of the island that is teeming with marine life. Heads up, you need to rent a boat to get here and you also need to pay an entrance fee / environmental fee once you arrive. Regardless, Sombrero Island is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life

Getting to Sombrero Island: 


From Manila board a bus heading to Batangas bus terminal. Several jeepney drivers would offer to bring you to Anilao. From there, talk to the resort owners or caretakers and they would recommend a boatman for your trip. I suggest that if you really want to visit Sombrero Island, visit it as a group. In that way, you could easily budget your trip.

Ratings:
Crowd
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Overall Ratings


Comments

  1. Any Island with a name like that has to be very interesting. That small beach can be seen from the distance. Incredibly clear water. That group shot is set as a fashion shoot.

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    1. Thanks so much Eduardo. Hearing from a Pro like you makes me feel great. Thanks a lot bro!

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  2. I thought Sombrero Island is located in Bicol. Good to know that they actually have one in batangas. Thanks! nice info. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Razel! Good point there's an island in Masbate with the same name. Same goes with Crocodile island in Boracay, Aklan and Cagayan. =)

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    2. Atulayan island in bicol is a great beach also :)

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    3. I will check that out someday. Thank you for sharing =)

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    4. Kukuha muna ba ng reservation bago pumunta sa Island or anytime pwede ng pumunta?

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    5. Hi Shirnil. Wala walk in lang kami noong pumunta kami. =) Summer pa yun ha.

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  3. This makes me eager to visit this island anytime soon... still organizing the trip with my friends! Can't wait to explore Sombrero Island.

    Great post!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Reydan! Hope to see some pictures when you visit Sombrero Island!

      Delete
  4. Hi po, ask ko lang po magkano po naging entrance niyo sa island? 150 po ba talaga kahit na halfday lang ang stay?

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    1. Hi there! Nung nagpunta kami kasama na yung entrance fee sa boat ride plus yung kubo na pwede pagstayan. Yup full price po kahit 10 minutes lang kayo sa island. =)

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  5. pwede ba magovernight dito? like if we bring tents and stuff?

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  6. pwede ba magovernight sa island? like if we bring tents and stuff? thanks

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    Replies
    1. Ahoy! Kaibigang Mick di pwedeng magovernight sa Sombrero Island since maliit ang shore line nito. I suggest sa Anilao nalang kayo magovernight. Pero kung gusto niyo magtent sa Gulugod-Baboy nalang.

      Delete
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  9. Hello! pwede po bang mag overnight or 2-3days stay jan?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Replies
    1. Hi there Rusmian. Sad to say di po pwede magovernight sa isla. Pero maraming resorts sa jump off point papuntang Sombrero Island. :)

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  11. Tanong lang po hanggang anong oras ang limit sa island? Best budget sa gulugod baboy side trip sombrero island? Tnx in advance

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    1. Hey there. The boatman that we rented allowed us until 4:00 (baka may inaabangang laban sa PBA) pero I'm really not sure kung until anong oras. The budget depends on how many you are. The more the cheaper pero maintain a group of 5-10 para managable.

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  12. sir, thanks sa blog nyo. excellent read!. ask ko lang kung pwede po ba makapunta sa sombrero island sakay ng public boat transpo? balak kasi namin na 2 lang kami. may nabasa kasi ako na 2k ung rent sa boat. thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there ian. Yes pwede makapunta sa sombrero island sakay ng bangka. Kaso kung dalawa lang kayo mapapamahal kayo ng renta. Pwede naman na sumabay kayo sa ibang magpupunta in that way makakatapid kayo plus magkakaroon kayo ng bagong kaibigan.

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  13. Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
  15. Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there! When we went there hiwalay ang bayad pero we contested. I hope ngayon kasama na sa rental. Lumalabas kasi environmental fee ung extra fee. While bayad sa bangka ung 2500.

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  16. meron po ba kyong pwedeng boatman na irefer sa mga taong pupunta dyan sa sombrero at kung meron contact number para sa pag inquire sa lugar?

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    1. Hi wala eh walk in lang kami. Marami namang mga bangkero na willing maghatid sa inyo sa isla.

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  17. Question:Meron po bang pwedeng tawagan o itext man lang sa nasabing lugar para makapag inquire?

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  18. Question:Meron po bang pwedeng tawagan o itext man lang sa nasabing lugar para makapag inquire?

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    Replies
    1. Good day Ed. Sorry wala akong contacts sa Mabini, Batangas. Pero i-Try mong tawagan ang Mabini Tourism Office and inquire about the availability of the boatmen. Eto ang number nila 410-0607

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  19. Hi Sir! Can I grab one of your pictures? Will use it for an article and magbibigay din po ng credits. Thanks! Hintayin ko po reply niyo :) - Jessica

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jessica. Sure you can use one of my pictures in this blog. You're welcome. =)

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  20. Hi Neil, Can I repost your photos of Sombrero? WIll make sure to credit your full name also. Great article! Very detailed and helpful :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure Coleen you may repost a picture from my blog.
      Thanks for the positive feedback!

      Delete
  21. Hi sir, do you know if they allow overnight stay? thanks a lot!

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    Replies
    1. Good evening Emrizel. Sorry overnights are not allowed in Sombrero Island

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  22. Hi guys! We are planning to be here on Sunday after the half-day hike of Mt. Gulugod-Baboy

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  23. Okay lang ba 14 persons kada bangka? Hindi ba overcapacity? 28 kasi participants namin. May contact ako nakuha sabi hanggang 8-10 lang daw kasi yun daw sabi sa barangay so bali magtatatlong bangka kami. Pero nung tinanong ko kung pwede 14 kada bangka sabi may additional daw na 150 kada tao na sobra bali magiging 3100 isang boat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John!
      May mga bangkero na pumapayag na may 14 per boat lalo na kung lagpas sa sampu ang bangka pero less than 15. Manghihinayang kasi ang mga yun. Pero tingnan niyo ang bangka nila. Mayroon kasing malalaki gaya ng sa amin. Kaya nun ang 14. Expect extra fees per pax na lalagpas sa 10.

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  24. good afternoon may parking lot ba para sa private car bago umakyat ng bundok thanks in advance

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  25. Hi. Magkano cottage? Pwede din bang wag na lang mag cottage?

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  26. Magkano cottage? Pwede bang hindi na mag cottage?

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    Replies
    1. Hi! Last time we visited parang nasa 300 ata ang binayad namin. May ibang grupo na di nagcottage, pero sa init ng lugar mapapacottage ka talaga.

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  27. Ask ko lang po. May shower room po ba dito?

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  28. Hello.. ask ko lang po.. may shower room po ba sa island ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there! Sorry po, walang shower room sa isla. Meron sa bayan. =) P10 per ligo ata un. =)

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  29. HELLO PO =) Madami bang pumupunta sa island ? kasi tatlo lang kami . ang mahal kung rerenta kami ng isang bangka. .

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi there! Don't bank on luck. May mga times na halos walang pumupunta sa island kahit maraming umaakyat ng bundok. F you're lucky enough you can join other groups.

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  30. hi! sino po kinontak nyo before pumunta dyan? kelangan po ba isched muna?

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    1. Walk in lang kami. =) Nagkataon medyo marami kami so hindi problem ang pagrent ng bangka.
      Nope di po kami nagpaschedule.

      Delete
  31. Hi tanong ko lang po if pano pumunta jan simula sa bauan ? Thankyou

    ReplyDelete
  32. Tanong ko lang po kung pano pumunta jan galing sa bauan? Ano po mga sasakyan ?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tanong ko lang po kung pano pumunta jan galing sa bauan? Ano po mga sasakyan ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mula sa Bauan (Mabini Jeep Terminal) sakay ka ng Jeep to Anilao. You could ask the drivers to be sure. =)

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  34. hello po, just wanted to ask if may contact pa po ba kayo sa boat na sinakyan nyo? hoping for your reply po. thanks

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    1. Hi there Rizza, sorry, walk in lang kami and nagkataon na marami kami so di na kami nagpareserve ng boat. If aabot naman kayo ng 10 maraming bangka na pwedeng marenta dun. =)

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  35. Hi, tanung lang po, all in all magkano po expense nyu ? please give some breakdown of your expenses. thank you

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, since it was a group trip (10 kami) going to Gulugod Baboy I only had to shell out 1K kasama na yung Sombrero Island trip.

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  36. Hi, may I ask how much is the entrance fee or registration at the Sombrero Island? Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Last visit we had to pay a sum of 100 pesos. lahat lahat na yun

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  37. paano po mag commute papunta dyan from manila?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there! Please do check out the Getting there portion of my blog article. =) Thank you!

      Delete

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