North Sandbar or Bongan Sandbar in Talibon, Bohol

If you are looking for a sandbar with crystal clear water, white sand, then you gotta visit North Sandbar or Bongan Sandbar in Talibon, Bohol. It is a good and ideal place to swim, snorkel or scuba dive. Although officially part of Bohol, these sandbars are also accessible from Mactan Island.

HOW TO GET THERE
It takes almost 3 hours from City of Tagbilaran to get in touch the town of Talibon, Bohol. If you wish to travel own your own, from Tagbilaran City you may head to integrated bus station (Dao) and catch a bus going to Talibon. You can rent any boat in Talibon Port or any other places where you can get a boat.

If from Cebu, the usual jump-off point going to the sand bar is from Mactan. You can rent any island hopping banca in Mactan from the usual places like Hilton Port (Punta Engaño), Angasil Port, Marigondon Port, Cordova Parola or any other places where you can get a boat.

Images credit to Rochel Sayson

Here are a few tips that I would like to share to all who are interested to go there:
Make sure to pack enough water to stay properly hydrated throughout your journey.  You also bring foods and snacks because there’s no nearby store (but you can eat only inside the boat). There is no shade in the place aside from your own boat so if you plan on staying at the sand bar longer then bring big umbrellas. Don’t forget lots of sunblock for your skin. Be sure to take good pair of shades with you to protect your eyes and of course don’t forget your camera.

The local government unit of Talibon, Bohol will be implementing Municipal Ordinance No. 2018-2 and to put up regulations around the Bongan Sandbar and an Entrance fee of P50.00 per person and environmental fee of P50.00 per person will collected effective on June 1, 2018. Docking fees on designated areas ( charged to boat operator) P50.00 for each boat below 10 persons capacity and P100.00 for each boat above 10 persons capacity.

CONSERVATION POLICIES:

• What you bring in, you take out.
• No eating, drinking or smoking on the sandbar 
• No cooking/preparing of foods on the sandbar
• No collection of sands, pebbles, shells or any dead or alive organisms
• No gambling on the sandbar
• No jetskiing except in designated areas

PENALTY

A fine of P1,000.00 for each of the aforesaid violations.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are looking for cheap accommodations, you can try at hotels, pension houses and resorts in nearby areas. There also listings available on TravelBook.