Charting the islands in luxury

CEBU, Philippines - The summer heat is pumping up and what better way to enjoy the sun than to go island cruising with friends and family. Just make sure you have the proper protection with you.

Cebu is an island blessed with hundreds of smaller islands each with a character of their own. Almost often, island adventurers end up renting outrigger boats with nothing more than two long benches fixed at the sides of the boat and decades-old life vests and questionable floating devices, in case of trouble. Who would have thought that these somewhat ancient boats can be transformed into luxurious vessels that can be comfortable enough for a VIP?

Last year, the Islands Group launched the Islands Banca Cruises (Phone: 0917-630-0736 or 346-0418, Email: [email protected]) which caters to virtually all inter-island leisure travel, including romantic dinners at a secluded island, sunset cruises along Mactan Channel, snorkeling, diving and fish feeding in one of Cebu’s many marine sanctuaries, dolphin and bird watching from Olango Island to Camotes Island, or a two to three-day dive safari to as far as Negros and Bohol islands.

To give a teaser of the endless luxurious adventure that can be had on board the Islands Banca, members of Cebu’s media were treated to a whole day of fun and adventure last March 27.

The pampering starts the moment you get in touch with one of the staff members of Islands Banca, so this would either mean the pick-up point or the private wharf where the boats are docked, and up to the islands where you will be going, and back to the drop-off point or the wharf.

Our first stop on board the banca was the marine reserves of Hilutungan Island where the more adventurous among us experienced the underwater beauty of the reserve. I was told that stewardship of the reserve is given to a Korean businessman who has the knack of turning environmental conservation into a business venture. The municipality of Cordova for merely took charge of its care but, as with all that passes through government hands in the country, this arrangement turned out to be unsuccessful.

 From Hilutungan, we proceeded to the mystical Pandanon Island which is part of Getafe, Bohol.

The columns of a ruined structure in the middle of the pristine white sands of Pandanon, dressed with windswept white clothes that trail to the sand transformed the island into an Olympian garden. Not far was a tent where the pampered visitors could have a relaxing and enlivening massage, whole-body or just the foot.

Lunch was served buffet-style and with the upcoming opening of a restaurant in the island, it wouldn’t be long before guests onboard an Island Banca would enjoy high class cooking in a very relaxing island atmosphere.

The trip back was just as enchanting, with the golden sun turning red as it disappears in the horizon. Enjoying a glass of Formo’s signature Mojito and Bloody Mary made the trip much more enjoyable. Should you wish, you can lounge on the many bean bags, foams and lounge chairs as you watch the nose of the boat gracefully breaking the waves while slowly sipping on your drink. And since you can carry these versatile seats anywhere on the boat, you have endless choices of which to enjoy the scenery in front of you.

The best part of the trip is the price. A fish feeding trip for ten persons would cost for as low as P2000. The prices, however, would vary depending on the activities that you want to experience and the size of the boat (which roughly means the number of people who’ll be going onboard) you’ll need. Other services offered include wireless internet access, baby sitter service, airport and hotel transfers, and massage.

You may also want to rent diving and snorkeling equipment, kayaks, mountain bikes (should you wish to go around the island on a bike), videos, binoculars (great for bird watching), boom box, and water resistant mobiles. Beverages and light snacks (i.e. nachos), as well as toiletries are available onboard so you need not worry about getting hungry.