Ticao Island Resort
The dive resort that put Ticao on the map, and the reason most foreign visitors come to Masbate at all. Eleven beachfront bungalows facing the Ticao Pass, a PADI dive centre on site, and the Manta Bowl a boat ride away. Remote on purpose. There is nothing else within walking distance, which is the point.
Good for
What to know
- •11 rooms, all sea-facing, with private balconies and air conditioning.
- •PADI dive centre on site: two instructors, house reef, own dive boat, nitrox and equipment rental.
- •Manta sightings vary with the season. Some guests report mantas on nearly every dive, others none. Ask before booking a trip around them.
- •Around ₱1,900 to 2,300 a night for a standard room on the booking sites; dive packages are quoted separately.
- •Free kayaks. Pony rides ₱300, motorbike island tour ₱1,000 per person, fishing ₱600 for three hours, firefly river trip and north/south island tours.
- •Wifi reaches the restaurant only, and mostly in the evening.
- •The sand in front of the resort is dark, not white: the white beaches are a boat ride away.
- •Arrange the transfer with the resort directly: the DIY route is Masbate port → Lagundi → San Jacinto → boat, or Bulan (Sorsogon) → 1 hour by boat.
- •Rated 4.3/5 on Tripadvisor (123 reviews) and 4.5/5 on Google (116 reviews): the best-reviewed property in the province.
Where it is
Approximate location. Open in Google Maps
Other places in Ticao
The comfortable option on Ticao: a small boutique resort with a pool, a clubhouse and beachside dining, rather than a dive camp. Good if you want the island without giving up a proper bed and a cold drink by the water.
A local beach resort with a function hall attached: the place San Jacinto uses for weddings, reunions and barangay events rather than a dive holiday. Handy if you want to be near the town rather than out at Tacdugan.
Ticao Island's first waterpark, opened right on the shore at Brgy. Burgos: pools and a jacuzzi on one side, the sea and kayaks on the other. This is the one to know if you are travelling with children, who will get more out of it than out of a dive resort.