RandomAntz: 2015

Destination: Mantalip Reef Reserve Systems

Location: Municipality of Bindoy, Negros Oriental
Mode of transportation: Bus or Van (1.5-2 hours); Pumpboat (less than 30 mins.) going to the resort.

The resort from a distance. It's a 30-minute pump boat ride away from the main land on a sunny day.

Welcome to Mantalip Reef Resort! Entrance fee: Php25.00/person. You may now grin from ear to ear.

Home for the day. After paying our entrance fee, we were brought to our room. We didn't pay extra for this. Our room came with two beds, a toilet and bath, a kitchenette minus the equipment (it has a sink and area for grilling) and an awesome view.

Despite the one-day notice, we came prepared.

Who needs gears when I got swimming skills? Having skills in swimming is definitely an advantage but one must have utmost confidence and awareness when swimming without gears in open water. Can't swim? There's no need to worry since the resort is equipped with life vests.

Corals everywhere! It is a coral reef after all. Different species of corals give home to a wide variety of fish. You'll definitely enjoy seeing different colors of fish swimming around. There's hardly a patch of sand to stand on. When you get tired from swimming just float. It's nice to just float on your back and relax. DO NOT STAND ON THE CORALS.

The tide goes down in the afternoon which makes it difficult and tiresome to avoid hitting corals. Therefore, wear a life vest if you're not much of a swimmer. ;)

I'm standing on a small patch of sand in this photo.

Not all stars are in space. Not all stars twinkle. Some stars keep it chill and cool underwater.

Checking out the giant clams while photo-bombing Monique's solo shot.

Old friends and strangers with common love for the ocean come together to play.

The skies look a little gloomy. It would rain right after getting back to the main land.

The cast. We see another trip happening in the future when the sun is up and the skies are blue. Til the next one, mates!

Important reminders:

Plan your trip ahead
Contact the tourism office of the Municipality of Bindoy to check on the availability (contact info at the bottom)
Book your preferred date!
If you plan to go in the summer, make sure to book at least a month in advance. We were not able to go until the 2nd week of May since the resort was fully booked prior to our visit.

Expect to spend on: