#Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar

[touristspotsfinder]

Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar in Masbate, Philippines

Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar in Masbate, Philippines

Off the coasts of Masbate City lies one of its amazing destinations, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar. It is a unique beach destination in the province that tourists and locals love to visit.

[shielaganadaaaa]

Province of Masbate

Masbate is a Philippine province in the Bicol area, and it is where I was born. Masbate Island, Ticao Island, and Burias Island are the province's three principal islands. The province is situated between two Philippine islands, to the south of the island of Luzon and to the north of Visayas Island. Although the province is technically part of Bicol, the island is more closely tied to the Visayas due to its biogeographical and linguistic proximity. Masbate's city is split into 30 barangays.

As of the 2020 census, the barangay is split into 14 municipalities and one city, with a total population of 731, 269 people. Masbate City is the largest community on the island, with a population of 104,522 as of 2022. The province is also known as the Philippines' rodeo Masbateno capital. It combines Bicolano and Visayan cultures. The majority of Masbateans speak Masbateno, which includes Bisakol, waray-waray, romblomanon, and tagalong. Bicol, Tagalong, Cebuano, and English are also spoken in the island.

Masbateneos are already regular parishioners and participate in holy activities such as the rosary novenas to the saints and other religious events such as the procession, Misa de Gallo, and Semana Santa. Pamalaye central Bicol presentar; Filipino; Pamamanhikan is a gathering of two families of a couple who are preparing to marry. There are yearly rites like as the Lapay Bantigue dance festival, which brings saint Filomena followers from the Visayan Provinces, Pabasa, and Flores De Mayo.

Masbate, like other provinces in the Philippines, combines animism ideas with Roman Catholicism. Furthermore, Masbate has extensive grazing plains that are ideal for producing small and big ruminants such as goats and cattle. It is distinguished by undulating hills, discontinuous highland ranges, and relatively extensive stretches of lowland. With a height of 697 meters, Mt. Bagasimbahan is the highest point on the island of Masbate Baleno, Aroroy. Buntod Sandbar and Reef Marine Sanctuary is the best tourist destination in Masbate.

Is one of Masbate's biggest tourist attractions, a 250-hectare reef and marine sanctuary off the capital city's coastlines. Because of its symbol, it is also the sanctuary's major attraction. Sandbars and mangroves planted. Catandayan Falls- This is a spectacular waterfall in Masbate, which is one of the island's most popular tourist spots in Tico Island. Pinakro is one of the Masbate gitaan dishes you should try. Many Masbate people grew up eating pinakro or ginataan na saba with coffee as their merienda.

Pinakro can use cassava or saba and can be served hot or cold.  Carmelado- This is the best pasalubong from Masbate This native delicacy is made of pure carabaos milk and a little white sugar. Cut into thin rectangular shapes and wrapped in a white paper, it can be found in the port of Masbate and Flea market. Rodeo Masbateno- is the only show in Asia. It is celebrated annually in April and showcases 10 competitive rodeo events. The competition of cowboy’s crisscrosses around a group of barrels.

[lakwatsabicol]

BUNTOD REEF MARINE SANCTUARY

Buntod reef marine sanctuary is a natural sandbar in Masbate City, this is one of the most visited tourist spots here in Masbate City especially during summer season. Most of the tourists who had a chance to visit Masbate consider Buntod as a little Maldives of the Philippines because of its crystal clear water, fine white sand, and long sandbar. You can also pose and take Instagram worthy pictures in the middle of these dwarf mangrove trees locally known as “bakawan”. This natural sandbar has been ranked as the Philippines most resilient coral reef since 2011 up to present through the effort of the local government unit of Masbate. This 250 hectare sandbar is just a few minutes away from the City of Masbate, 15 minutes boat ride from the departure port and you’ll reach Buntod. This marine sanctuary was established way back 2001 and had been a home for different marine life, and this is the main reason why illegal activities such as fishing around the protected marine area is prohibited to allow these marine life to flourish. Samahan ng mangingisda ng purong sinalikway (Samapusi) is the one who is responsible for taking care of the sandbar, this group of blast fishermen before was now the protector of Buntod.

This protected marine sandbar sits between barangay Tugbo and barangay Nursery; if you want to visit Buntod private sea vehicles are not allowed. Everyone who wishes to enjoy this beautiful heaven is hereby directed to set an appointment at the Tugbungan port, one the interesting fact about buntod is that the other half of the sea is cold while the other one is warm. This place is also perfect for snorkeling because of its rich marine diversity; in fact buntod reef marine sanctuary offers snorkeling, and scuba diving as well as other fun recreational activities which their visitors can enjoy. The last time I was able to visit Buntod was last December 2021 and during that time the main cottage was under renovation, because there was this part of the kitchen area that caught fire last November of last year. Instead of replacing the cottage with the same light materials such as nipa and coco lumber they used concrete instead, to prevent another incident that happened before and to make sure that the cottage is safe for the tourist. Because of its beauty, Buntod is always included in the 6 islands which is part of the island hopping trip so if you wish to avail this offer, you will be able to experience 6 of the beautiful islands of Masbate City.

This buntod reef marine sanctuary is a strong evidence of resilience of life in Masbate City. This is also a quick week-end escape of the locals in Masbate, especially the province of Masbate always experiencing an unscheduled power interruption and this place is one of their quick escapes. It has been already featured on national TV, has been a location for TV shoots and series, its natural beauty really captures the heart of many. With this thing, you can understand why caretakers of this sanctuary are sometimes really strict in terms of implementing the rules and regulation because this is also where they get their everyday needs, in other words Buntod reef marine sanctuary is their life.

ESSAY BY: SESE, JOSHUA

[princeramirez]

Sand bar x Blue sky Last hoorah for today's vidyoooow... #Masbaterrific #ThePrincepledTravels #ThePrincepledJournal #ThePrincepledPhotography (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd9Wylpvc5Ek-Y17ZlTc4NTzHw6X9pWXoRWKZI0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[amishtascarlet31]

Bbye, Masbate. 😭 (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpPGawxlVsL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k28facq2pynb

[hadestajo]

Masbate. January, 2018. #masbate #summer #summertime #hadestajo (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar)

[sevastiandimaz]

Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar, Masbate City

https://www.instagram.com/wanderoger/

[mytravellingappetite]

Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar, Masbate City 2016

Masbate was indeed a small town but not a small island. I never thought there will be a tourist spot nearby. It was just 5 minutes from the shore, my first time to ride a boat (scary because I had fear of depth of water and I don't know how to swim) and also my first time to see crystal clear water and experience sand. At the end of the sand bar there were many mangroves which the locals plant for the marine sanctuary. We stayed until sunset and gone back home.

[bodexnamadamingalam]

Mahilig mag-beach. Pero hindi marunong lumangoy! 😂 #lakwatserongbodex #lilibutinkoangpinas #Masbate #travelsyndrome (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxyUfnQgUiu/?igshid=1hyn5homcxayz

[joyjoycubero]

Take me to where the sand meets the sea💙 (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtOLssALv2/?igshid=hm9dbhu6omb9

[hurrykane]

Annyeong ❤️ (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEaWyuJ7SVoS7wTeHcPBbp2BO0nKot-5tXkt80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lvrh58ul004i

[camouflagefeelings]

The storm will pass anyway. The sun will rise and set like it used to be. #masbate2018 (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfkSGqlk-D9_T6BHVkBlfYzOHsGesojEPb8g00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tr1k7cb2fpwy

[hiselanne]

BUNTOD REEF MARINE SANCTUARY & SANDBAR

Last December 6, 2018, we competed at Magallanes Colliseum in Masbate City for the 7th Regional Choral Competition (Teacher's Category) and fortunately our team ( Division of Camarines Sur) bagged the first place. It was a great year-ender for me. Anyways, I've only mentioned this coz it's worth sharing and I just can't contain my happiness and gratitude for having this achievement.

So after the competition we had a side-trip in the humble and developing city of Masbate.

This island is 2 hour- away from the port of Pilar ,Sorsogon, if you're gonna ride on a fastcraft as your mean of transportation and 4 hours if you're gonna ride on a RORO.

We went to Buntod Reef that is found nearby the city of Masbate. It's very much accessible coz you can be there with a span of 30 minutes. You will only have a 15- minute ride on a tricycle and a 15-minute boat-ride to get there. Once you came to the station there are available boats and it is much preferrable to be with a large group of people so that, you can share and divide the expenses for the boat fee. Before riding on the boat, you need to register first.

From out trip, I only spent about 160 pesos.

Here's a sample itinerary and breakdown of expenses:

Masbate Port - Resort going to Buntod =15 php x 2 (back and forth)

Resort- Buntod Marine & Sanctuary Sand Bar =15 php x 2 (back and forth)

Registration Fee = 100 php

Total : 160 pesos

The island also offers some activities like, kayaking, snorkeling, scooba diving and so on with additional charges.

Voila! You can have your photoshoot here coz it's very instagrammable! ❤

[princeramirez]

Buntod Bitch este Beach #Masbaterrific #ThePrincepledTravels #ThePrincepledJournal #ThePrincepledPhotography (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd8uOjfPSGCGZy_pz2rY5UjJC4_sEOsjHlxPaI0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[roxanne-tamayo]

Find #itravelrox on the photo. Feels like a #drone photo but it's not. 😂 a #throwback from last year of #May2016 in #Masbate #sandbar #buntodreef #marine #sanctuary (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar)

[hadestajo]

Missing my golden hair. Masbate. January, 2018. #masbate #summer #summertime #hadestajo (at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary & Sandbar)