Alibijaban Island is a quiet paradise off the coast of San Andres, Quezon. With its long stretch of white sand, crystal-clear waters, and peaceful vibe, it’s the kind of place where you can really slow down and enjoy nature.
The island is also home to a beautiful mangrove forest and colorful marine life, making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing by the beach.
The moment I stepped on its soft white sand and saw the clear blue sea, I knew this hidden paradise was worth the trip.
If you’re planning to visit soon, I’ll be sharing my experience along with some tips and recommendations for the Alibijaban Island trip to help you make the most of it.
Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon
Compared to places like Boracay or even Baler, Alibijaban is much quieter and more rustic. It’s a “hidden paradise” kind of destination—ideal if you love nature, peace, and a little adventure.
One of my favorite highlights was spending time on a floating cottage, where you can slide straight into the water or just relax while drifting with the view of the island.
It’s quiet, laid-back, and full of natural beauty—from the mangroves to the colorful fish underwater.
Why Visit the Alibijaban Island
- Pristine beaches – White sand and clear blue waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
- Mangrove forest – The island is known for its large mangrove reserve, where you can go on boat tours.
- Camping & stargazing – Since it’s not overly developed, many visitors stay in tents by the shore. The night sky is stunning.
- Sandbars & cottages – Floating cottages and sandbars are popular spots for relaxing and taking photos.
How to go to Alibijaban Island from Manila
From Manila, you’ll travel by bus to San Andres, Quezon (about 8–10 hours, depending on the traffic). From San Andres port, a short boat ride (20–30 minutes) takes you to the island.
On our trip, we actually chose to joiner tours for a less hassle travel experience.
It saved us from the stress of figuring out the bus schedules and boat transfers on our own since everything was already arranged.
Plus, it gave us more time to just enjoy the journey and look forward to the island itself.
If you decide to bring your car, a parking area is available at the port. You can leave your vehicle there overnight.
Where to stay on Alibijaban Island?
On the Island, you can stay in transient houses, tents, or cottages (kubo).
Tent
Tent pitching is the most popular option for overnight stays on the Island.
It’s an affordable option, with tent rentals available for just 300 pesos per night.
This way, you can enjoy the island’s natural beauty, sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sound of the waves.
Cottage or Kubo
No big hotels here, but you can rent a cozy cottage or kubo.
It’s a step up from camping, with a bit more privacy and comfort but still keeping things simple.
Cottages and kubos are usually simple but charming. They are often near the beach, so you can enjoy both a comfy stay and ocean views.
Transient House
For larger groups, a transient house could be a great choice.
You can arrange these by contacting local island contacts. Or, ask the tourism office or local tour operators for recommendations.
They can help you find a suitable place that fits your group’s needs and ensure you have a comfortable stay while enjoying the island.
During our visit, we stayed in a transient house with a fan room, which was included in the tour package we booked.
They provided us with blankets, pillows, and a sleeping mat to ensure we were comfortable.
We shared the room with other tourists, and there were six of us in total.
If sharing a room isn’t your style, you can always rent a room just for yourself, though it will cost a bit more.
It’s a good idea to book your stay ahead of time because places to stay can fill up fast.
5 Things to Do on Alibijaban Island
During our short but sweet two-day, one-night trip to Alibijaban Island, we packed in a lot of fun activities:
1. Beach exploration and swimming
The first day started with everyone feeling excited and full of energy.
Before we went to explore the sandbar and mangrove forest, we had some free time. We decided to take a walk down to the shore.
It was such a beautiful place that we ended up taking lots of photos. We also went for a swim in the clear water and even rented a kayak to paddle around.
My favorite part? The beach wasn’t crowded at all, which meant we could really enjoy our swim without too many people around.
2. Sandbar and mangrove Forest
After we finished our lunch, we headed out to see the sandbar and mangrove forest. We took a short boat ride, around 10-15 minutes, to get there.
We went there in the afternoon, and it was almost high tide when we arrived. Luckily, we still had a chance to see the sandbar.
It would have been nice to see a bit more of it, but it was still pretty cool. The water was clear, making the place look untouched, like a true hidden paradise.
3. Beach bumming and Sunset viewing
In the afternoon, we spent our time chilling on the beach, just taking it easy and watching the sunset.
We posed for pictures and had fun capturing the moment on camera.
After that, we simply sat on the warm sand, watching the sky change colors as the sun set. It was incredibly relaxing and felt absolutely amazing.
Everything is so peaceful there, making it the perfect escape from the noise of the city.
4. Alibijaban Island floating cottage
On our second day on the island, we excitedly made our way to the floating cottage that I had been looking forward to the most.
It’s located just a short distance from the shore, so we took a quick and easy boat ride to get there.
I was super excited about the floating cottage—it was actually one of the reasons I wanted to visit Alibijaban.
After seeing it on TikTok, I just had to experience it for myself.
Sliding from the top of the cottage into the water was a blast. And even though the idea of jumping into the water made us a bit nervous since we were not used to it, it was completely worth it.
You can also go snorkelling around the floating cottage. Just make sure to wear a life vest for safety and remember to keep the place clean by not littering or throwing any trash into the ocean.
Let’s all do our part to protect this amazing spot.
5. Camping
You can go camping overnight on the Island. At night, the beach fills up with tents as many travelers and backpackers stop by for a side trip.
It’s a great way to experience the island’s natural beauty and enjoy a simple, fun stay by the sea.
What to expect on Alibijaban Island?
Here’s what you should expect about visiting Alibijaban Island:
- You’ll find phone signals on the island, but they can be a bit slow. If you need better reception, head towards the shore. There you can make calls and use the Internet more easily.
- Water for rinsing off is scarce and costs 500 pesos for a drum. However, some group tours might include this cost in their package. It’s a good idea to check with the tour operator to see if water for rinsing is included, so you’re not caught off guard.
- The island does have electricity, but it can be a bit unreliable. Sometimes, the main power is turned off, and they switch to a generator to keep the lights on and let you charge your phones and other gadgets. So, it’s a good idea to be prepared for occasional power outages.
- If you need to charge any of your gadgets, there’s a small fee of 30 pesos for each device.
If you’re asking whether I’ll come back to this beautiful island, the answer is yes—I definitely will.
The long trip to get there? Absolutely worth it. Yes, we came back home feeling tired, but we brought back unforgettable memories from the island that made it all worthwhile.
