Tucked Away In Bantayan: The Unexpected Beauty Of Baigad Lagoon // Part IV

Hello everyone! It was a really long journey in my Bantayan Island travel, and until now the enthusiasm lingers. From my ship voyage to Bantayan Island to visiting Blue House by the Cliff, we have now come to my next destination that amazed me unexpectedly with the beauty of Bantayan. This island really carries hidden gems waiting to be explored, and this one I have visited is known as Baigad Lagoon, a lagoon and a beach nestled in Sta. Fe, Bantayan. This lagoon was magnificent and stunning; I have never seen one like this, and probably it has set my standards of stunning lagoons. It was then that I knew this island is really deserving of what we call rich in tourism because it truly is, and I’ll let you experience this island through this blog.

Baigad Lagoon was an entrance-free, accessible lagoon in Baigad, Daanbantayan, right on the eastern coastline of the island. It was then before that this place was not commercialized, but time came when the owner of the lagoon decided to commercialize it and enhance its quality through tourism. When we used Maps to navigate the island and search for the lagoon, we stumbled upon a road where coconut trees are alive, and it was where the Maps said the lagoon is hidden. When we were on our way, an old man stopped us and asked what intent we carried to enter such a place. When he heard the word lagoon, he then redirected us to another road where the lagoon can be accessed.

As we entered the fence where a small hut is installed, we then learned the lagoon is still in the same spot, but we needed to take a pumpboat to access it since the only way to reach it is through the shore, which is impossible because the tide is always high in this part; hence, a pumpboat is needed. We paid 150 Php for the pumpboat fare, good for back and forth, and 250 Php for the entrance to Baigad Lagoon, which included beach huts, life vests, and access to all amenities except the pool, which is exclusive only for tourists who have room accommodation.

Our first step on the shore meant witnessing this façade of the lagoon: a stretch of coconut trees, a pool, a two-storey building full of rooms for accommodation, another pool, and a restobar. Jetskis are also displayed in front and can be rented whenever tourists are interested. The sand was really white and fine; it was so white that it reminded me of Boracay, and it was clean and green. Pumpboats are also floating on the water, on standby for tourists or visitors who want to go home. I heard the pumpboats are only available until 5 in the afternoon, so visitors who are bound to go home and not stay at the lagoon should exit before this hour, or else they have two choices: swim or stay.

We immediately went to the front desk with a cheerful woman attending it. We filled out the necessary information and were then instructed about the lagoon’s risks and dangers. We were then given a verifying bracelet which serves as an indicator that we paid the entrance fee and are not intruders in Baigad.

Finally, we started to walk around and were quite overwhelmed by the number of tourists around. But still, we enjoyed walking around, finding the right table where we could put our clothes and wallets since we didn’t bring anything aside from ourselves and money.

The inside of Baigad is filled with many coconut trees, and it amazed me to think that they preserved the natural trees in this area, which made the lagoon refreshing. Many tables with umbrellas are installed and are free for use. We picked the right one that overlooks the lagoon, which I will be sharing with you in the next blog for this destination since there is still so much to talk about this lagoon.

Sometimes, we would approach the lifeguard for a life vest since we were already warned about the lagoon’s current that can push us farther to the other end of the water. We borrowed life vests for safety and swam around the said area where it is safe to swim, and when the current diminishes, we can pass through the water and walk around the other side of Baigad.

We took photos at this arc-like signage since it really gives me memorable vibes. Things like this that mark a destination are really of interest to me. I took a photo of my boyfriend making fun of himself, and we were laughing while enjoying the view. There were corners in Baigad that are full of hammocks for tourists to rest after swimming. We rested here for some time and even slept before leaving the lagoon. It was breezy, refreshing, and the sea is a perfect view and escape from life’s responsibilities.

The sea in Baigad Lagoon faces another island known as Virgin Island, which is home to a fine stretch of beaches and is really small in geography. This one is at least 30 minutes in travel from Bantayan and has gained popularity ever since 2015 when Virgin Beach was opened. The sea is clean, clear, and home to diverse aquamarine mammals and species.

As I sat there, feeling the breeze and watching the calm waves touch the shore, I realized that Baigad Lagoon is more than just a destination—it is an experience that lingers even after you leave. The quiet moments, the laughter, and the beauty of the place all come together, making it one of those hidden gems that truly define what Bantayan Island is all about.