Pungtud Island
Pungtud Island
4
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Best nearby
Restaurants
37 within 5 kms
Attractions
14 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,134 reviews
Excellent
454
Very good
309
Average
224
Poor
91
Terrible
56
Pam F
14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We went in a sea tour group tour. We were told to meet at a location at 0600 but was not picked up until close to 6:20. When we got to Alona beach there were hundreds of tourist waiting for the tour to start. We went looking for dolphins but with the weather being a bit cloudy we were told that it would be hard to find one. Fair enough...not really their fault. We got to Balicasag Island to start out snorkelling tour but again was struck by how unorganized it was. Boat offloading to another small boat. We had 16 people with one tour guide in our group which was alot but would be fine if they were organized. The tour guide left with 7 people and we were told that he already spoke to someone about getting us another guide and a small boat. We preordered a meal for when we got back. Lots of meal choice at a suitable price. We waited close to 20 minutes just watching as they load and offload people on the little boat. Finally it was our turn, they fit 5 adults and 1 child. I remember saying out-loud “is this safe?” The guy just ignored me and said “This boat was the available now” They took us by the drop off which was a cool site. We didn’t see any turtle but I was just happy to be in the water. The guide started paddling across the black water and we were told to swim after the boat. I didn’t really see the point of moving away from a great spot but I think it’s to make room for another boat. After snorkelling for 40 minutes, we got back in the boat and back to the island. Our meal that we preordered was waiting for us when we got back to our table. It was BBQ meats which was delicious. After our meal, the guide told us to get back to the boat which we gladly followed but of course when we got there they realized we were missing a family of 3. The guide looked for almost 40 minutes for this family. Our main tour guide didn’t even bother coming with us to Virgin Island probably to avoid confrontation from the other angry passengers. We got to Virgin Island close to noon so the sand bar was slowly depleting. We were told to stay there for 30 minutes only. We then made our way back to Alona Beach. Would i recommend this tour? probably not unless it was a private tour. They need to be more organize. If you have 16 people a boat have 2 guide and 2 small boats available designated for the group. People invest on coming to the Philippines to enjoy the island and not be sucked into a tourist trap.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco
2 contributions
Jan 2020
after my balicasag trip we stop here i was expecting a lot to see but i only see those vendors on the sand bar. . .. will it life they have to live also. . i hope they clean the place and doesn't leave any single pieces of garbage . .love the nature!!
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandB1805
Cairns, Australia248 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Great place to go see. A little sand bar with a wooden sign. Go see get a photo. Nothing else to do here. A must do to say you have been for sure. We had 1 hour to spend here but only spent about 15mins.
Written December 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Almariza M
10 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful place to be white sands and blue waters but...
I came here 10 years ago and the island was spotless with a visitor center, information about the island and wildlife.
I went yesterday and it was overpriced for the boat and extra for snorkeling which was not really worth it, when we got to the island it was stunning but lots of rubbish and quite dilapidated, no staff or visitor info there anymore and the toilets were in a disgusting state.
Such a same that its not been maintained as it really was a little paradise a few years ago.
I came here 10 years ago and the island was spotless with a visitor center, information about the island and wildlife.
I went yesterday and it was overpriced for the boat and extra for snorkeling which was not really worth it, when we got to the island it was stunning but lots of rubbish and quite dilapidated, no staff or visitor info there anymore and the toilets were in a disgusting state.
Such a same that its not been maintained as it really was a little paradise a few years ago.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kuan T
3 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Rude tourist guide please do not take advantage of all the tourist visiting the island . Mag iniwan Ito Ng Di magandang image sa MGA kababayan ntin sa Bohol. Saging 900 peso
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vic Mayor
Baguio, Philippines1,724 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
I first Visited this Island in 2008, it was at that time still "Virgin" there was nothing except the Beach and the Sun. Fast forward to 2021, the island is anything but "Virgin". The presence of Numerous Boats, Vendors Cooking Food has made the surrounding waters of the Island dirty. Sad to say that Panglao's Virgin Island has fell.Victim to Development and Tourism.
Written October 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita
Budapest, Hungary22 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
It was the final stop of our private island hopping tour. There is nothing to do here, but you can buy a lot of fake jewerelly, sellers don’t leave you alone. We said several times no, but after 2 meter walk, another seller came to us. It was an awful experience. Unfortunatelly the weather was wrong too so we didn’t enjoy it at all.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wandering Wheatleys
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1,731 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Nothing really "virgin" about this sandbar. It's covered in food stalls. Still it makes for pretty pictures and good eating. Try the Sea Cucumber and Sea Urchin!
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger W
Siebnen, Switzerland1,884 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Virgin Island is one of the island, where is included when you on a group tour with the boat. It's also a stop for most of the people who just rent a boat for themself. Because we did go there already a little late the sandbank to the island was already under water. So if you still wanna see the sandbank without water go there earlier. There also have some local people there who selling drinks and food. It's for sure a nice stop and a nice experience.
Written May 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jose luis G
Tenerife, Spain39 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
A really expensive trip fit what they offer you, a snorkel place where after you paid so much for the trip you have pay again for everything, absolutely an abuse . After the tour you are left with an incredible ridiculous face ..
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi can i just go to virgin island without other islands? because im not that into Snorkeling. and i will go to other islands to do so. thank you.
Written October 5, 2019
Dennis Ong
Singapore, Singapore
I went on a half day island hopping tour which includes virgin island. But after getting back and checking the location I realised the boat actually drop us at a sand bank with stalls a distance away from the island instead of the long narrow sand strip that we hope to go. It seems all the boat stop here instead of the narrow sand strip of the island. Can anyone explain why? As we saw recent reviews where people did landed on that narrow sand strip itself. We were really looking forward to set foot on that narrow sand strip but was disappointed that the boat did not bring us there
Written May 9, 2019
Dennis Ong
Singapore, Singapore
The area we landed was not on the narrow sand strip of virgin island but on a shallow reef that is about a few hundred metres west from virgin island.
Written May 9, 2019
Hello. When is it high and low tide on virgin island ?
Written August 29, 2018
how to get to virgin island? me and my friends will be in bohol on november, can we get a boat from panglao beach going to virgin island? do you have any idea about the rates? and do we need the whole day for that tour??tia😊
Written August 22, 2018
There are literally hundreds of boats travelling from Alona Beach (southern Panglao) on a daily basis for island hopping.
You will most likely have a Virgin Island visit incorporated in a Balicasag Island trip (recommended for diving and snorkelling) or something along these lines.
Do NOT take your first offer, shop around for best price. There are many shonky ‘salesmen’. From memory we paid 400PHP each (trip fee only). Some vendors will offer lunch and charge more. You can purchase food on Balicasag although the food is basic and quality varies. Also, if you can, check out the boat you will be travelling on. It may not be what you expect! Again, it may not be the boat you end up going on!!
There is not a great deal to see at Virgin Island (largely a sandbar) and is not always accessible either so best to book on the morning of your trip or the night before to help confirm this. Ensure you take sun protection and water as there is little shade there (unless you purchase an overpriced coconut when the vendors will allow you to sit under their canvas).
Written August 22, 2018
Bonjour Jean-Michel, vous avez pris le bateau depuis quelle ville (ou port)? et sans indiscrétion combien de temps a duré l'excursion et combien vous avez payé ? Merci
Written April 30, 2017
El barco lo cogimos desde Alona Beach en Plangao, a unos pescadores de la zona, el precio no lo recuerdo porque eramos 4, pero al cambio serían unos 15-20 euros
Written May 2, 2017
Hi,
If I may ask. did you went straight to Virgin Island or availed the 3 island hopping tour?
Thanks,
Aena
Written May 30, 2016
3 islands, I think! We saw sea turtles on a small boat which was great.
Virgin Island was a sand bar though, not so much fun.....
Written August 25, 2016
joyce! hi we are on our way to bohol next week. one of the things i want to do the most is the balicasag and virgin island tour. moreso vrigin island.. What time is the best time to get to vrigin island? thanks
Written January 22, 2016
Visit Virgin Island early morning or maybe late afternoon. Just avoid noontime if you really wanna see the sandbar. It's high tide at noon. You can ask for suggestions from your tour provider though, we were just running out of time so we went there at noon.
Written May 31, 2016
Hi! I'm going there next week! :)
Is it required to rent a boat and hire a tour guide? :) Just to confirm, environmental fee is 250php?
Written July 3, 2015
Hi Tricia T,
I know this answer is quite late but still answering for the sake of future travellers. :) When we went there November 2015, we did not pay any environmental fee upon entering the island. Yes, it is required to rent a boat but I don't think that a guide is necessary. For the boat rental fee, we just have contacted a boat person which packaged the dolphin watching, boat ride to Balicasag Island and boat ride to Virgin Island. The package costs P1,800.00 ($38.14) for 3 persons.
Hope this helps and hope that you had fun in Bohol!
Chad
Written November 18, 2015
If traveling alone and wants to save costs on the boat I would suggest you go to the tourism center in Tawala (it's beside the Biergarten restaurant) they arrange island hopping tours for tourists. So you can share the boat rates with others, (i.e. 400 each for three people on a small boat). This includes dolphin watching, Balisag island stopover (pay extra when snorkeling in the marine sanctuary) and Virgin Island (Isola de Francisco). Apart from that you shouldn't pay anything else.
I visited Virgin Island last month and there were constructions on going, but it is still free to visit at the moment.
Written June 6, 2016
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