When traveling to Ilocos, we quickly think of Laoag, Paoay, or Vigan. Recently, Badoc Island – 25 minutes away from La Virgen Milagrosa Cove – has become one of the destinations that tourists aim to visit because of the white sand, crystal-clear water, and ideal snorkeling spot. However, because it’s bare, there’s much to discover about the island itself.
On that note, here are seven things to know before going to Badoc Island to make your trip easier and enjoyable.
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While some people prefer bringing a private vehicle for convenience when traveling, some also prefer to commute locally and stop by other places to make the most out of the trip.
Image for illustration only.
Image credit: Ekaterina P
It’s understandable why you’d want to choose traveling by vehicle. It’s convenient and there’s no need to transfer from one public transportation to another.
If you plan on using this method, it’s pretty much a straightforward drive from Manila going to La Virgen Milagrosa Cove at Barangay La Milagrosa, where you’d have to park your vehicle in a safe space before reaching the island by boat.
Image for illustration only.
Image credit: Lissa May Raquedan
Along the way, you may ask locals for nearby hostels or inns, where you can book a room and park your vehicle as you spend the day on the island.
Once your vehicle is safely parked, you can proceed to getting a boat ride going to the island and prepare for a fun day out on the beach.
Image credit: Angelo Aranas
Alternatively, it’s also convenient to commute as you can take your belongings with you at all times without worrying about leaving things behind. Plus, there are more chances of stopovers from riding a bus to getting on the island itself. It’ll make for a fun and spontaneous adventure.
With Manila as your starting point, ride a bus going to Laoag City. Keep in mind that it’ll take at least eight hours, so make sure that you’re comfortable and simply enjoy the ride along the way.
Image adapted from: Jopet Arias and Jopet Arias
As the conductor starts collecting the fares, your drop-off point should be at Badoc Detachment or Badoc New Market. From there, it’ll take a tricycle ride going to La Virgen Milagrosa Cove, where you can then get a boat ride to the island.
Bus fare: starts at P700 (~USD13.30)
Boat rental: P1,200 (~USD22.88) per group of six, including boatmen
Once you’re at the island, you and your companions are pretty much free to do anything as you please until it’s time to head back. Here are some things you should expect while on the island.
Nowadays, most islands are full with establishments and services that are easily accessible to tourists. So it’s refreshing that the uninhabited Badoc Island is still uncommercialized, maintaining its purity and showcasing nature at its finest.
Because of this, expect that the island will be quite bare. In any case, this is a great way to practice your resourcefulness and make do with what you have.
Image credit: Dhen Cabacungan
While it would be great to sleep under the stars on the island, overnight stays are not allowed yet due to the lack of necessary amenities such as showers or rest rooms. Even more so, there are no lifeguards or crew members assigned to look after you during your stay and there’s no signal in case of emergencies.
This is to maintain your safety as well as follow the schedule on when you should be back depending on the tides. The island has an area that, according to the boatmen, is a “lulubog, lilitaw” (will sink and will emerge depending on the tides) situation.
Though there are many activities you can do in the island such as boating, snorkeling, free diving, or even hiking on the rock formations, resources on the island are quite limited.
Apart from the rocks and white sand, the only other things you’ll see are the boats and nipa hut-like stations, where you can place your belongings. While some may find this disheartening, this is actually a great way for you to relax and forget reality for a while. If you’re a nature lover, this place will definitely be worth a visit.
If you’re going to a bare island, where there are no amenities, you simply must be ready and bring necessary things with you such as food and shade. Moreover, here’s what you can do after a day on the island.
Image for illustration only.
Image adapted from: Mariah Hewines/Unsplash and Nofi Sofyan Hadi/Unsplash
Since you’re going to spend most of the day on the island, feel free to bring food and refreshments and have a picnic with your friends and family. While you’re not allowed to stay the night, you can still bring some camping gear and pitch a tent for shade from the sun.
Image adapted from: @bil.crawford and @kentramil09
If you like surfing on some gnarly waves, you can even bring a surfboard or diving fins for other fun water sport activities such as snorkeling.
Image adapted from: Eunice Que and mabel.
After your trip to the island, feel free to stay longer and explore more of what Ilocos Norte has to offer. For somewhere historical, visit Museo nina Juan at Antonio Luna (Museum of Juan and Antonio Luna) to see where the Luna brothers lived growing up. Now, it’s reformed into a gallery that showcases their achievements in life.
What’s more, the gallery has an e-learning room for lessons and facts about Philippine history.
Paoay Sand Dunes
Image adapted from: Karla Dungog and Karla Dungog
On the other hand, Paoay Sand Dunes is the next place you want to visit for an adrenaline rush from a surf on the sand dunes. You can even get a 4×4 jeepney ride on the dunes that lets you feel as if you’re riding a roller coaster with the sudden drops and drifting turns.
Image credit: Alfie Montalban
For something less thrilling but still fun, you can get an ATV ride that allows you to just drive around along the sandy grounds in a relaxed pace.
Address: Jose Rizal Street corner Juan Luna Street, Barangay 2, Badoc, Ilocos Norte
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 8am–4pm | Closed Mondays
Telephone: 0917 553 6084/(077) 677 2295
Email: museoninaluna@gmail.com
Museo nina Juan at Antonio Luna website | Facebook
Admission fee: P2,500 (~USD47.62) per package, max. five persons, P800 (~USD15.24) per 30 mins. ATV ride
Address: Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Opening hours: 6am–6.30pm, Daily
Telephone: 0917 645 3087/0929 771 9036
Email: sand_dunespaoay@yahoo.com
So if you plan on going to Badoc Island, here are things to know to help you travel safely and easily. Moreover, stay a while and explore more of Ilocos Norte to make the most out of your trip.
Happy travels!
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Cover image adapted from: @wynwonders, Mariah Hewines/Unsplash, and Ekaterina P
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