The Province of Masbate, pronounced as Mas-ba-te not Mas-beyt, is located in Southern Luzon and part of Region 5 or the Bicol region. Not that famous to tourists but offers adventures to everyone who wants to discover some off-the-beaten-path trips.
The Masbate Capitol
I really dont know anything about this part of the country apart from my general knowledge that this province is the poorest in the Philippines. So I really took the time to visit this province as part of my 100-day journey around the Philippines. Let me share you some of the experiences I had while exploring Masbate for 3 days. Hope this would serve as a guide for everyone who wants to pay a visit here. I also included some history to make this guide more interesting.
Where is Masbate in the Philippine map?
Masbate province has three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias and has 20 municipalities, the capital is Masbate City. I was able to set foot on Masbate and Ticao islands only so don’t ask me about Burias. 
How to Get there?
From Pilar, Sorsogon (via ferry). I took the 3-hour ferry boat from Pilar, Sorsogon to Masbate City (Fare: Php250, terminal fee: Php15) at 1:00pm. It was a scenic voyage, seeing islands with rolling hills left and right, a lighthouse and the sea breeze was energizing. I got excited to finally ticking off this from my list. I am happy that the sea was not bumpy during the odyssey and I was able to take a nap, I guess I was dreaming that I am at Cumbria Cruise Holidays. Methinks that cruise is way better. 
Boat ride to Masbate City from Pilar, Sorsogon
San Miguel Island Lighthouse, Monreal
One of the islands you can see during the 3-hour trip.
From Bulan, Sorsogon (via big banca). I took this route when I left Ticao island going back to Bulan, Sorsogon (Fare: Php90). From Monreal, I hired a habal-habal/motorbike to bring me to San Jacinto port. This time the trip was tumultuous. More than an hour of roller coaster ride on the sea plus it was raining hard that time. It was crazy! But I was surprise that kids can still sleep with all this. I guess they are used to this route. Thank God the boatmen are skillful enough and we arrive at Bulan safe and sound.
These boatmen must have learn the skill from the early Chinese traders in the islands, able to navigate the turbulent seas of Masbate. Yes, long before the Spanish anchored here, the people of Masbate has a flourishing trade with Chinese and Indians.
Please note that there are boats that ply the route Masbate City to Lagundi, Batuan, Ticao Island and vice-versa. I took the 8:00am boat to Batuan and paid Php80.
I believe AirPhilippines and ZestAir has daily flights to Masbate City from Manila. So if sea trip is not your thing, you should take this option.
Activities You Can Do
Masbate City
I walked around the city. They have this stretch BBQ stalls in downtown Masbate City. I ordered as much as I can eat. Spend like Php75 for 2 cups of rice, porks bbqs and lumpia.
I visited Brgy. Lasala, on the east coast where I watched kids flying kites. I brought back childhood memories when we make kites from plastic bags and use my mom’s thread for it. hahaha Good times!
Kids flying kites in Bgry. Lasala, Masbate City
I wish I can visit back to see what they are proud of- Rodeo Masbateno Festival that happens every 2nd week of April.
Batuan (Ticao Island)
I checked out the biggest mangove tree in the Philippines. This can be found in Bongsalay Mangrove Forest Reserve, Bgry. Royroy in Batuan, Masbate. This mangrove tree is said to be 125-year old, stands 50ft and need 3 adults to hug it. Its a Piapi, scientifically called Avicennia lanata. It was really big, bigger than the mango trees we usually see and even taller to common coconut trees.
You can hire a motorbike and then a banca to take you here, please coordinate with the local tourism officer. The boat rental was shouldered by Batuan tourism office. Then I went to Monreal on a motorbike.
Monreal (Ticao Island).
I visited Halea Nature Park. This is the place where I said “I’m in an island where I don’t want to blog about. I want to keep it a secret.Fishes as many as the stars,as colorful as the rainbow.” I also met some divers that are planning to see the Giant Manta Rays. How I wish I have the money to dive with them that time. Oh well, maybe next time.
Boat rental is Php500 good for 4-6 pax. Rent a bigger boat as waves become bigger when going back to Monreal town proper. Please prepare to get wet. Bring an underwater camera to document the baby sharks in Halea Nature Park.
I also checked out Matangtubig Spring. A place where locals go to take a bath and wash clothes.
Matangtubig Spring, Monreal, Masbate
Accommodations and Rates:
Masbate City
Rancher’s Hotel: I stayed here and paid Php300. I should have stayed in Sampaguita Inn but because of the earthquake the inn is under recontruction. So I ended up here as most of the guesthouses are full. This hotel is for short-timers, not that clean.
Sampaguita Inn: Cheapest they got is Php225.
GV Hotel:
GV Hotel Rates
St. Anthony Hotel and Restaurant:
St. Anthony Hotel Rates
Stairway Inn:
Stairway Inn Rates
Victoria DU Hotel:
Victoria DU Hotel rates
You can also check this site for more options: http://www.masbatehotels.com/
Ticao Island- Monreal, Masbate: I stayed in Monreal Lodging House owned by Vice Mayor Romeo Grona. Thanks for the free accommodation. If you want to stay here, contact the tourism officer of Monreal. Php500/night good for 2 pax.
Monreal Lodging House
Contact Persons:
Sir Edwin De Lara (Masbate Tourism Officer): 0908-949-9598
Sir Abner Bocboc (Batuan Tourism): 0947-325-9981
Sir Renante Letada (Monreal Tourism): 0908-406-7877
___ ___ ___
This trip happened during Days 37 to 39 of ISANG DAAN Journey in Masbate Province. Thanks to Sir Edwin De Lara (Masbate Tourism Officer) for referring me to Sir Abner Bocboc (Batuan Tourism) and Sir Renante Letada (Monreal Tourism). Thanks Sir Abner for bringing me to the biggest mangrove in the Philippines. Grateful for your help Sir Renante for accompanying me in Halea Nature Park.
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days.
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.
The photo of kids flying kites in Bgry. Lasala also reminds me of childhood in Ilocos Sur. Ang ganda naman sa Monreal. Mapupuntahan ko din to!:p
its always good to be reminded of our childhood days noh?
hope you can visit monreal real soon
I was just checking the airfare to Masbate earlier. Mahal pa ren kasi walang promo, but you put a better idea in my head, I’ll just take the ferry from Sorsogon. Next time na ren yung Cumbria Cruise Holidays.
yep, okay naman ang ferry boat from sorsogon, you also get to know the locals. then after let’s do a cumbria holiday cruise.
I have never flown a kite in my entire life.. and i know im missing something! its on my bucket list tho. The places at the tip of our country is really beautiful. I love the laidback feel…
why shugah? very peaceful and fulfilling plus the feel of the blowing wind- awesome!
erratum: I meant sides facing the pacific sea! lol
like, like .like …thanks for sharing James. hope i can visit the place too
hope this helps when you finally have a date to visit. enjoy and cheers rachel!
going here next week! thanks for blogging na this parekoy!
told myself to write this asap for you and for a CS friend because you guys told me that you are visiting soon.
hope it helped. see yah around gael.
Thank you james for featuring our Island…I’m from Sanfernando a town next to batuan. when did you visit my place?
hi tristan, i ejoyed my time in masbate.
i was there last march 7-9.
Halea Nature Park is heaven! I wanna go there, asap.:)
go na Julai! ganda mag-snorkle!
Ticao Island, Monreal, Real, Matang Tubig my home. How i wish i could come home….
so you are very familiar with the sights. come back home sir
Have you not been to Burubangcaso island and that famous ocean waterfalls? I want to see it someday….
heard this for the first time. the ocean waterfalls, i just heard my guide telling me.