Sombrero Island - Batangas

Found off the coast of Anilao in Mabini, in the province of Batangas, Sombrero Island is a small island that is slowly making a name for itself.

Sombrero Island

Sombrero Island details

Sombrero Island got its name from the Filipino word sombrero which means hat. It is quite obvious that the island was named due to its unique shape, which according to locals, looks like a giant hat that sticks out from the sea.

Sombrero Island - Mabini, Batangas

Sombrero Island as seen from a distance

To reach Sombrero Island, it will take you 15 to 20 minutes by boat from the resorts in Anilao. (travel time varies depending on how rough the waves are)

We rented a boat to bring us to Sombrero Island. 

A gentlewoman is always needed in a group.

The boat rental usually costs around P2,500. I highly recommend that you bring in your friends when visiting Sombrero Island. A bigger group means a lesser amount of money that you would have to shell out. Aside from the boat rental fee, you also need to pay an entrance fee of P150 upon arrival to the island. In our case, we were 16 in the group so I only had to shell out P300 all in all.

The Backpack Adventures visits Sombrero Island

We originally planned to go to Sombrero Island early in the morning to avoid the intense heat of the sun. However, due to several setbacks, we arrived at the island at around 12 noon.

Sombrero Island as seen from Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Surprisingly, despite the close proximity of the island to the municipality of Mabini, the water remains pristine and free from oil spills. However, I found out later that Sombrero Island wasn't free from the trash. Several non-biodegradable trash washed up on the rocky part of the island.  (Carefully walking around this part of the island, there is plenty of broken glass that might injure you.)

The rocky part of the Sombrero Island

White sand beach anyone?

Join me explore Sombrero Island

Group shot

Some well-balanced rocks

Those yellow things are actually barnacles. Careful they're sharp

Despite these issues, Sombrero Island remains to be one of the best snorkeling sites that I've visited so far. You would surely enjoy your trip to the island because the waters surrounding it is literally crawling with life. Just be careful though, some areas have quite powerful undertows.

These huts are the only shelter on the island

What a view!

It's best if you bring along with you an underwater camera. In that way, you could bring your photo shoot to a whole new level. 

Check out some of our underwater shots:

Yeah!

Underwater photoshoot with the gang

Shhh! I saw a mermaid over there!

Sombrero Island Fees

The boat rental usually costs around P2,500. I highly recommend that you bring in your friends when visiting Sombrero Island. A bigger group means a lesser amount of money that you would have to shell out. Aside from the boat rental fee, you also need to pay an entrance fee of P150 upon arrival to the island. In our case, we were 16 in the group so I only had to shell out P300 all in all.

Why visit Sombrero Island?

Looking for an island in Batangas with clean pristine waters? Then Sombrero Island is for you! Enjoy the crystal clear water of the island that is teeming with marine life. Heads up, you need to rent a boat to get here and you also need to pay an entrance fee / environmental fee once you arrive. Regardless, Sombrero Island is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Getting to Sombrero Island: 


From Manila board a bus heading to Batangas bus terminal. Several jeepney drivers would offer to bring you to Anilao. From there, talk to the resort owners or caretakers and they would recommend a boatman for your trip. I suggest that if you really want to visit Sombrero Island, visit it as a group. In that way, you could easily budget your trip.

Ratings:
Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall Ratings
Location: Mabini, Philippines

Comments

  1. Eduardo RodriguezOctober 1, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    Any Island with a name like that has to be very interesting. That small beach can be seen from the distance. Incredibly clear water. That group shot is set as a fashion shoot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 1, 2013 at 6:25 PM

      Thanks so much Eduardo. Hearing from a Pro like you makes me feel great. Thanks a lot bro!

      Delete
  2. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    I thought Sombrero Island is located in Bicol. Good to know that they actually have one in batangas. Thanks! nice info. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 3, 2013 at 7:11 PM

      Hi Razel! Good point there's an island in Masbate with the same name. Same goes with Crocodile island in Boracay, Aklan and Cagayan. =)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousOctober 20, 2016 at 9:48 PM

      Atulayan island in bicol is a great beach also :)

      Delete
    3. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 21, 2016 at 9:06 AM

      I will check that out someday. Thank you for sharing =)

      Delete
    4. ShirnilMarch 8, 2018 at 12:48 PM

      Kukuha muna ba ng reservation bago pumunta sa Island or anytime pwede ng pumunta?

      Delete
    5. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 9, 2018 at 6:49 AM

      Hi Shirnil. Wala walk in lang kami noong pumunta kami. =) Summer pa yun ha.

      Delete
  3. Rey DanhDecember 9, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    This makes me eager to visit this island anytime soon... still organizing the trip with my friends! Can't wait to explore Sombrero Island.

    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 9, 2013 at 8:05 PM

      Thanks Reydan! Hope to see some pictures when you visit Sombrero Island!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousApril 16, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    Hi po, ask ko lang po magkano po naging entrance niyo sa island? 150 po ba talaga kahit na halfday lang ang stay?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioApril 16, 2014 at 5:23 PM

      Hi there! Nung nagpunta kami kasama na yung entrance fee sa boat ride plus yung kubo na pwede pagstayan. Yup full price po kahit 10 minutes lang kayo sa island. =)

      Delete
  5. UnknownApril 24, 2014 at 11:46 PM

    pwede ba magovernight dito? like if we bring tents and stuff?

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownApril 24, 2014 at 11:47 PM

    pwede ba magovernight sa island? like if we bring tents and stuff? thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioApril 25, 2014 at 9:30 AM

      Ahoy! Kaibigang Mick di pwedeng magovernight sa Sombrero Island since maliit ang shore line nito. I suggest sa Anilao nalang kayo magovernight. Pero kung gusto niyo magtent sa Gulugod-Baboy nalang.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2014 at 12:05 AM

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    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownApril 21, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    Hello! pwede po bang mag overnight or 2-3days stay jan?

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownApril 21, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    pwede po ba 2days stay jan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioApril 22, 2015 at 1:37 PM

      Hi there Rusmian. Sad to say di po pwede magovernight sa isla. Pero maraming resorts sa jump off point papuntang Sombrero Island. :)

      Delete
  11. AnonymousMay 4, 2015 at 6:41 PM

    Tanong lang po hanggang anong oras ang limit sa island? Best budget sa gulugod baboy side trip sombrero island? Tnx in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 4, 2015 at 8:49 PM

      Hey there. The boatman that we rented allowed us until 4:00 (baka may inaabangang laban sa PBA) pero I'm really not sure kung until anong oras. The budget depends on how many you are. The more the cheaper pero maintain a group of 5-10 para managable.

      Delete
  12. ianMay 12, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    sir, thanks sa blog nyo. excellent read!. ask ko lang kung pwede po ba makapunta sa sombrero island sakay ng public boat transpo? balak kasi namin na 2 lang kami. may nabasa kasi ako na 2k ung rent sa boat. thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 14, 2015 at 9:54 PM

      Hi there ian. Yes pwede makapunta sa sombrero island sakay ng bangka. Kaso kung dalawa lang kayo mapapamahal kayo ng renta. Pwede naman na sumabay kayo sa ibang magpupunta in that way makakatapid kayo plus magkakaroon kayo ng bagong kaibigan.

      Delete
  13. UnknownMay 14, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownMay 14, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMay 14, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Question bro. If we pay 2500 for the boat rental.. magbabayad pba kami ng 150 for the eentrance ? Or ksma na un sa 2500 ? Thanks in advance..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 14, 2015 at 10:00 PM

      Hey there! When we went there hiwalay ang bayad pero we contested. I hope ngayon kasama na sa rental. Lumalabas kasi environmental fee ung extra fee. While bayad sa bangka ung 2500.

      Delete
  16. UnknownMay 19, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    meron po ba kyong pwedeng boatman na irefer sa mga taong pupunta dyan sa sombrero at kung meron contact number para sa pag inquire sa lugar?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 9, 2018 at 6:47 AM

      Hi wala eh walk in lang kami. Marami namang mga bangkero na willing maghatid sa inyo sa isla.

      Delete
  17. UnknownMay 19, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    Question:Meron po bang pwedeng tawagan o itext man lang sa nasabing lugar para makapag inquire?

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownMay 19, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    Question:Meron po bang pwedeng tawagan o itext man lang sa nasabing lugar para makapag inquire?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 20, 2015 at 4:56 PM

      Good day Ed. Sorry wala akong contacts sa Mabini, Batangas. Pero i-Try mong tawagan ang Mabini Tourism Office and inquire about the availability of the boatmen. Eto ang number nila 410-0607

      Delete
  19. AnonymousAugust 13, 2015 at 10:39 PM

    Hi Sir! Can I grab one of your pictures? Will use it for an article and magbibigay din po ng credits. Thanks! Hintayin ko po reply niyo :) - Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioAugust 16, 2015 at 3:23 PM

      Hi Jessica. Sure you can use one of my pictures in this blog. You're welcome. =)

      Delete
  20. Coleen FranciscoOctober 6, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    Hi Neil, Can I repost your photos of Sombrero? WIll make sure to credit your full name also. Great article! Very detailed and helpful :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 7, 2015 at 11:14 PM

      Sure Coleen you may repost a picture from my blog.
      Thanks for the positive feedback!

      Delete
  21. UnknownJanuary 5, 2016 at 9:29 AM

    Hi sir, do you know if they allow overnight stay? thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 7, 2016 at 8:44 PM

      Good evening Emrizel. Sorry overnights are not allowed in Sombrero Island

      Delete
  22. UnknownJanuary 15, 2016 at 2:07 AM

    Hi guys! We are planning to be here on Sunday after the half-day hike of Mt. Gulugod-Baboy

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownFebruary 1, 2016 at 7:52 PM

    Okay lang ba 14 persons kada bangka? Hindi ba overcapacity? 28 kasi participants namin. May contact ako nakuha sabi hanggang 8-10 lang daw kasi yun daw sabi sa barangay so bali magtatatlong bangka kami. Pero nung tinanong ko kung pwede 14 kada bangka sabi may additional daw na 150 kada tao na sobra bali magiging 3100 isang boat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioFebruary 4, 2016 at 9:11 PM

      Hi John!
      May mga bangkero na pumapayag na may 14 per boat lalo na kung lagpas sa sampu ang bangka pero less than 15. Manghihinayang kasi ang mga yun. Pero tingnan niyo ang bangka nila. Mayroon kasing malalaki gaya ng sa amin. Kaya nun ang 14. Expect extra fees per pax na lalagpas sa 10.

      Delete
  24. UnknownFebruary 1, 2016 at 7:52 PM

    Sir?

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownFebruary 9, 2016 at 2:19 PM

    good afternoon may parking lot ba para sa private car bago umakyat ng bundok thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  26. Marife Roces February 17, 2016 at 11:19 PM

    Hi. Magkano cottage? Pwede din bang wag na lang mag cottage?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Marife Roces February 17, 2016 at 11:22 PM

    Magkano cottage? Pwede bang hindi na mag cottage?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioFebruary 20, 2016 at 10:57 PM

      Hi! Last time we visited parang nasa 300 ata ang binayad namin. May ibang grupo na di nagcottage, pero sa init ng lugar mapapacottage ka talaga.

      Delete
  28. AnonymousMarch 22, 2016 at 6:21 PM

    Ask ko lang po. May shower room po ba dito?

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousMarch 22, 2016 at 6:23 PM

    Hello.. ask ko lang po.. may shower room po ba sa island ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 22, 2016 at 9:04 PM

      Hi there! Sorry po, walang shower room sa isla. Meron sa bayan. =) P10 per ligo ata un. =)

      Delete
  30. hahaMay 13, 2016 at 7:40 PM

    HELLO PO =) Madami bang pumupunta sa island ? kasi tatlo lang kami . ang mahal kung rerenta kami ng isang bangka. .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 18, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      Hi there! Don't bank on luck. May mga times na halos walang pumupunta sa island kahit maraming umaakyat ng bundok. F you're lucky enough you can join other groups.

      Delete
  31. AnonymousMay 24, 2016 at 9:17 PM

    hi! sino po kinontak nyo before pumunta dyan? kelangan po ba isched muna?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 25, 2016 at 8:17 PM

      Walk in lang kami. =) Nagkataon medyo marami kami so hindi problem ang pagrent ng bangka.
      Nope di po kami nagpaschedule.

      Delete
  32. UnknownMay 28, 2016 at 9:52 AM

    Hi tanong ko lang po if pano pumunta jan simula sa bauan ? Thankyou

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownMay 28, 2016 at 9:53 AM

    Tanong ko lang po kung pano pumunta jan galing sa bauan? Ano po mga sasakyan ?

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownMay 28, 2016 at 9:54 AM

    Tanong ko lang po kung pano pumunta jan galing sa bauan? Ano po mga sasakyan ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 28, 2016 at 12:06 PM

      Mula sa Bauan (Mabini Jeep Terminal) sakay ka ng Jeep to Anilao. You could ask the drivers to be sure. =)

      Delete
  35. AnonymousJune 15, 2016 at 11:02 AM

    hello po, just wanted to ask if may contact pa po ba kayo sa boat na sinakyan nyo? hoping for your reply po. thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJune 15, 2016 at 9:03 PM

      Hi there Rizza, sorry, walk in lang kami and nagkataon na marami kami so di na kami nagpareserve ng boat. If aabot naman kayo ng 10 maraming bangka na pwedeng marenta dun. =)

      Delete
  36. AnonymousJuly 8, 2016 at 1:53 AM

    Hi, tanung lang po, all in all magkano po expense nyu ? please give some breakdown of your expenses. thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 8, 2016 at 3:56 PM

      Hi there, since it was a group trip (10 kami) going to Gulugod Baboy I only had to shell out 1K kasama na yung Sombrero Island trip.

      Delete
  37. jaeleneAugust 25, 2016 at 12:01 PM

    Hi, may I ask how much is the entrance fee or registration at the Sombrero Island? Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioAugust 29, 2016 at 4:13 PM

      Last visit we had to pay a sum of 100 pesos. lahat lahat na yun

      Delete
  38. AnonymousNovember 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM

    paano po mag commute papunta dyan from manila?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioNovember 14, 2016 at 6:50 AM

      Hi there! Please do check out the Getting there portion of my blog article. =) Thank you!

      Delete

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