Camping at Banana Island

After the Coron Island tour in Bulog, Malcapuya and Banana Island, we then spent our night in Banana Island.

There are nipa huts available for rent at Banana Island which are available for overnight stay. It cost PHP 700.00 per person including the entrance fee. Camping is also allowed in the island which costs PHP 500.00 per person including the entrance fee. Since we’re on a budget we haggled the amount to PHP 400.00 per person for the camping fee. I’ve read some write-ups online that the lady owner in the Banana Island is kind of strict. Even our boatman, told us so. Good thing the lady owner agreed easily for the price we asked. She even gave us the young coconuts (buko) which were on her table for free when we asked for it.

There are no electricity in the island except for the generator. The three of us started to pitch our tent and fixed our things while two of my companions went to their cottage. Too bad I wasn’t able to take a peek on how the nipa hut looks like inside. Anyways, there were only few guests in the island that time. Looks like it’s going to be a peaceful night.

At around 7:00 PM, our boatmen Kuya Jason and Kuya Reggie prepared our dinner (kami na ang alaga-in at inaasikaso).

After dinner, we went to the shore and have few drinks and have some talks.

We then decided to sleep afterwards.

Spending Overnight at Banana Island

While two of our companions went to their cottage, the three of us decided to go inside our tent and try to make sleep despite of the very hot humidity that night. I can still even remember my laugh trip conversation with one of my friends, Lyndi while inside the tent.

Me: Ang init (habang pinapaypayan ang sarili)
Lyndi: Marx kung di mo na kaya ang init maghubad ka na lang
Me: And I was like, okay…

Then we both laugh afterwards!

Since we’re on the beach, I thought it’ll be windy or the weather will be cool but I was wrong. But the weather that night explained something, because it was going to rain.

Yes, it rained heavily. It was around 3:00 AM and we we’re already on our sleep when a strong wind blew that the three of us got up easily from our sleep and looked curiously outside the tent. Two seconds after the rain fell so hard that we went outside to get our things. The water was leaking on the side parts of the tent that we needed to secure our things from being wet.

I can see darkness outside, there’s only one bulb lit at the table’s area. It was so scary as I could hear the wind blowing and the rain falling so hard.

The son of the owners went to our camp site and asked us if we were just okay. It was so kind of them that they our concerned about us. The tent was still standing still and so we said we’re still okay. After that, I can’t fall into sleep anymore.

It’s just my second time to do camping and I must say it was one-of-a-hell experiences. It’s a truly memorable camping experience for the three of us.

The sun is about to rise so I’ve just decided to stay awake. Me and my friend, Ian went outside and roamed the island while waiting for our other friends to wake up.

The sun after the downpour.

By the way, the dogs in the island accompanied us to get on this part of this island. Tour guide dogs! 😉

We then went back to our camping site.

When everybody were already awake we had our breakfast and prepared for our departure to our next island hopping.

I was glad that the weather cooperated that day despite of the downpour happened last night.

We then bid goodbye to the owners of the island. You may contact Ate Violeta, 09214741602 if you wish to stay overnight on this island.

What happened last night was a truly memorable experience. It wasn’t a smooth camping experience as what we wanted but it added up thrill to our Coron experience.

Trip Tips:

• If you wish to spend a night in one of the island, overnight stay is available in Malcapuya and Banana Island. Corresponding fee is applicable during stay, PHP 700 per person for nipa hut/cottage and PHP 500 per person for camping (bring your own tent).
• There were no electricity in the island except for the generator.
• Bring food and drinks when you want to stay overnight; though a small sari-sari store is available in Banana Island
• A decent washroom is also available in the island