Slow Travel Done Right: Discovering Bantayan's Most Relaxing Beach

Hello, travelers! We have come farther already in my Bantayan travel narratives, and we have had many experiences about the island so far through my blogs. You see, through reading, I have let you get immersed in the beauty of this island, and it makes me more excited to share another beautiful thing about Bantayan with you. From my voyage towards the island to the Kaongkod Watchtower and Ruins, we have now arrived at Kota Beach, a beach in Sta. Fe Bantayan that is known for its stunning and perfect natural sandbar. Ever heard of it? If not, let's find it out together.

When doing travels, it is not always a 24/7 trip and running to different destinations. Sometimes, we need to take some rest before continuing the journey, gain some energy, or do things in a lesser energy-loss way. During my two-day travel on Bantayan Island, I sometimes found myself and my boyfriend in the inn we rented, outfits unclothed, and bodies resting like smashed pork, tired from the trips and turns we took. After our second day of roaming the island, we rested in our room and watched TV. Shower done and plans pushed through. Just a little slower and calm bonding together to regain energy. By morning of the next day, we searched for the nearest karenderya to eat a light breakfast and found one where we ordered chicken nuggets, tocino, rice, and a pitcher of water. Many things happened on the third day, but I'll jump to the afternoon part where we visited Kota Beach.

By the third day, which was also our last day, we spent the afternoon slower and calmer. Instead of rushing to far destinations and increasing the possibility of missing the trip to San Remigio, we decided to just stay at the inn and by afternoon walked our way to Kota Beach, which was just a 10-minute walk from the inn. Perhaps, this is the beauty of traveling; there comes a day when rush no longer bothers you and you'll take the slower yet most beautiful path before leaving traces in the place. We heard the sandbar in Kota Beach was still visible by that time, so we decided to stroll around and love what we would see there.

Kota Beach is not a beach in Kota Park or Kota Fort. It is entirely different, geographically speaking. But locals labeled it Kota Beach for an unknown reason, and since then, they call the beach Kota, despite being unofficial. On our way to this beach, many bars, pizza shops, restaurants, food hubs, and merchandise stores can be seen, and many enterprising individuals outside each store would greet you with a smile and then hit you with a "Hello, Sir! Would you like...". The human interaction is alive in this corner of Sta. Fe, and many sounds in different genres occupy the roads. It might be chaotic for some, but for me, it was nice to hear island rhythms as I walked to the water.

The sandbar of Kota Beach when we arrived was not completely visible, but a part of it still was. From the first hit of sea breeze to every little human interaction with the local folks strolling around like us, the experience I had in Kota Beach was memorable and intimate. The powdery feature of the sand on the shore, the blue water that is illuminated by the great blue sky, the sound of local folks and restaurant discos, and the natural serene scenes have made it more immersive and welcoming. It was a great comfort to experience these things again before leaving, and I am forever keeping it.

When you are told to go in these directions towards Kota Beach, you'll always find yourself standing in between Blue Marlin Resort and Amihan Beach Resort. We could not walk past the resorts, but walking through the shore would let you see the beauty of these beach resorts free of any charges. In fact, many expensive, elegant, or simple resorts are found along the stretch of Kota shoreline, and we have found many of them. They vary in entrance fees, accommodation charges, quality, service, and above all, experience. But I believe none of them will let you think you are scammed.

We walked through the shoreline, enjoyed the serene ocean view, while waves rolled gently on our feet. Many coconut trees, resort benches and huts, swimmers, tourists, campers, and boats can be seen in the view, and each of them contributes to the aesthetic dynamics of the beach. We even had the chance to enter Blue Marlin Beach and spent time there, which was free of charge, as the staff knew we were visitors and allowed us to sit for once inside their vicinity.

The beaches of Sta. Fe have their own quiet magic, a kind that does not need to shout just to be seen. From the soft white sands to the calm, clear waters that stretch endlessly to the horizon, each shoreline feels like a gentle invitation to slow down and simply exist. There is something about the way the wind brushes your skin and the waves meet your feet that makes everything feel lighter, even just for a while.

As our journey in Bantayan comes close to its end, I find myself holding onto these small yet meaningful moments we gathered along the way. Not just the places we visited, but the stillness, the laughter, and the simple days we chose to take slow. Kota Beach became more than just a destination but also a quiet appreciation of everything that came before the place.