Romblon lately?

[makar0n]

I need to contact 3P to find out if they will accept walk in diver. If they do then it will make the planning a lot easier.
Thinking to mix this trip with DIY sight seeing of the island. 10 days with 5 - 6 days of diving.
Sunset Cove is a bit isolated.

The old fort is interesting on the main island but its tiny and can be done in 30 mins including walk up/down. Bon Bon beach can be easily accessed via dive boat - in fact one often dives in the general vicinity there.
Town wise I much more preferred a visit to a village in Corbador island for example (great diving around there btw).
There is often a dedicated boat going to town from Sunset Cove so one can always get a lift, otherwise lots of local boats going to and fro.
But depends indeed on you - if you are an avid hiker the main island is bigger indeed, diving wise I found the Alad Island to be perfectly central.

 

[Searcaigh]

Thanks for reviving this thread @Centrals

My plans for 2025 are to visit Romblon with my buddy @outofofficebrb and we're considering using the ferry but also have some safety concerns.

Also, neither of us travel light either due to the amount of camera gear that we use, which also adds to logistics of boarding and off boarding.

 

[makar0n]

Also, neither of us travel light either due to the amount of camera gear that we use, which also adds to logistics of boarding and off boarding.

You definitely want a ferry then, there is a single airline going to Tablas but that's going to cost you baggage wise and their cabin allowance was also tiny. And you then still need to factor in a long-ish boat ride Tablas-Romblon.
Ferry is easy - grab an official baggage porter at the terminal (Manila-Batangas transfer van driver usually will do that for you), they will come with their own trolley and wheel your bags around as well as arrange the ferry baggage fee and stickers (don't remember the amount but it was peanuts). they will then stay with the baggage at all times inside the terminal (i.e. you can have an eye on them if you want to) and finally load this on the ferry for you. At this point few hundred PHP tip/"fee" is in order - dive center can advise you about the approximate amount you should be leaving there ;]
When disembarking, baggage porters at a given terminal race inside the ferry first (i.e. before passengers start exiting) to offer their services - you can go with that or DIY - while Batangas terminal is huge so dragging bags around might not be the best idea, Romblon pier is tiny.
Last time traveled with 80kg or so in suitcases alone so porter service in Batangas was a godsend - that way only carried the camera backpack with me while the rest was taken care of.

 

[Centrals]

@Searcaigh
Best time to travel in Philippines is Apr to avoid any potential weather interference (nothing is guarantee though).
March is a bit too early because of the north east wind (Amihan) which can bring strong wind.
Typhoon usually does not arrive until July. One of the reason why Tubattaha does not close until late June. But I had experienced it once in early May(not a strong one) at Ormoc(Leyte).
"Good Friday" is on 18th Apr. So the demand for travelling to Romblon will be very high several days before. Airfare to the country is also a lot higher.
I am also planning a trip to the island around April based entirely on my own reasoning.
Give yourself at least one day to prepare for any Devine intervention on leaving the island.
Chance to meet both of you.
Cheers.

 

[Centrals]

Received an answer from Three P on walk-in diver: it is possible.
They also mentioned that there is a resort not too far from them.
The ball is in Cebu Pacific's court now!!! LOL.

 

[Centrals]

This is the schedule of Starlite.
Batangas to Romblon: M, W, F and Sa. at 16:00, arrives at 01:00 following day.
Romblon to Sibuyan: T, Th, Sa and S at 02:00. This is the same boat arrives from Batangas.
Sibuyan to Romblon: T, W, Th , F, Sa and S at 19:00
Romblon to Batangas: T, W, Th, F, Sa and S at 22:00 and arrives at 10:00 following day. Two extra day of sailing!
Batangas to Sibuyan: Daily
Sibuyan to Batangas: Daily.

This is my interpretation.
Not all the boat bound for Batangas/Sibuyan calls on Romblon.

The two "extra" sailing is most welcome for me as I can easily extend/shorten the trip.

 

[Centrals]

I am going to visit Lanyu Island(Orchid) in Republic of China(Taiwan) in Apr.
I had bought HKG/MNL return ticket for May. And the plan is either in the beginning or at the end of the trip to PG. Sibuyan Island is another consideration.
There are so many places in the country that I would love to visit(not just for diving).