I and my friends were looking for a great beach vacation to end the summer this year. We were originally heading to Kalanggaman Island but we found it a bit expensive. Upon further research, we found a more budget-friendly alternative, Cuatro Islas. Cuatro Islas consists of four islets belonging to the municipalities of Inopacan and Hindang.
How to Go to Cuatro Islas from Cebu
From Cebu, you need to ride a ship going to Hilongos. You can buy a ticket from Roble Shipping lines as they have daily trips to Hilongos. You can only buy from their main office which is in Pier 4. Once in Hilongos port, you’ll see trike’s for hire but we didn’t get one there because their asking price is 300 Pesos. We decided to go their jeepney terminal which is only a few meters away from the port. In the terminal, you can either ride a jeepney or hire a tricycle. There were no jeepneys yet when we arrived so we hired a trike and agreed with the price of 200 Pesos. We asked the driver to drop us at Inopacan baywalk.
In the baywalk is where you can hire boats for island hopping. It’s first come first served so better to arrive early. The price for the island hopping is 2500 Pesos. Aside from that, there’s an additional of payment of 50 Pesos per head for the environmental fee.
Mahaba Island
Our first stop was at Mahaba Island. Among the four islets, this is the most stunning. It’s uninhabited which makes it peaceful and clean. The water is clear and the white sand is really nice.
I’ve read online that Mahaba Island offers a great snorkeling experience but was disappointed because we were only allowed to stay there for 15 minutes since our guide still needed to go back to the beachwalk to pick up other tourists. I hope they would allow guests to enjoy and stay longer at the islet next time.
Himokilan Island
Himokilan Island is the only islet among the four that belongs to the municipality of Hindang instead of Inopacan. So we didn’t dock there because there will a payment of 500 Pesos if you wish to swim there. However, I managed to take the below photo.
Apid Island
Some people reside in this islet so you can buy fish here that you can bring to Digyo Island.
Digyo Island
Dubbed as mini-Kalanggaman, Digyo Island is where we stayed for the whole day. There are tables and cottages for rent in the island. Prices are 150 Pesos and 300 Pesos respectively. There are food for sale here but there’s not enough choices so it’s better if you can buy food from Apid Island or if you can bring your own food.
Digyo Island has a nice sandbar which reminds me of the White Island Sandbar of Camiguin.
Even the other side of the island also has a sand bar.
The island is just small so we managed to round it in just a few minutes.
Snorkeling in Digyo is also interesting and there are lots of fish to see.
There are also corals to see but this fluffy one is my favorite.
Overall, island hopping at Cuatro Islas is a nice experience and we still have money left for our next destination which is Canigao Island. We stayed in Bato Leyte since it’s nearer to our next destination.
Hi,
I would like to ask for a contact number, whom to contact for a boat reservation.
Hoping for your prompt response.
Regards,
Meliz
They don’t have a contact number and no reservation is needed. Just go to Inopacan bay walk and it’s better to arrive early because it’s first come first serve.
Hi. Just wanna ask if the 2500 fee is per head or exclusive rent for the whole boat? If latter, do they have per head or joiners tour? And would it be possible to reverse the itinerary wherein we could go to mahaba island on day 2 instead? Thanks. Your blog is so helpful 🙂
Hi Marie. The 2500 is already for the whole boat. Also, it’s just a one day tour 🙂
Hi , i just read post, possible din po ba na mag join ang different groups? for example 3 lang kami, tapos may maliit na grupo lang din , pwedi bang mag join?
salamat po!:)
Yes, as long as you can find a group willing to share the boat with you.
Hello gea jake here ask ko sana kung kelan plan ng grupo niyo na pupunta ng cuatro islas plan din namin pupunta dun kaso sa May 13 pa kami. 3 lng din kami.
Hi did u go straight to cuatros islas on the same date u arrived in hilongos port? Or u took the island hopping the next day?
We went island hopping the same day we arrived in Hilongos port.
Hi! Thanks for your Blog, helpful talaga.
Meron bang Public C.R dun sa digyo island in case mag overnight? And do you know how much additional payment sa bangka if overnight?
Hi Noelynn. I didn’t see any public CR in Digyo Island.
peak season na po ba nagyon? from manila pa po ako and I want to go there 🙂 , mag oovernight po ako no tent, so kukuha po ako ng cottage, any suggestion po para ma assure na pupuntahan ko yung island 🙂
I guess peak season na ngayon kasi summer na. Actually, walang rooms for rent sa mga islands. So you need to bring a tent if you want to stay overnight.
hi i just wanna ask po, my friends and i we’re planning to be there this coming april 30 and May 1., Do we need to have reservation or no need po, because according to my friend reservation is needed to control the number of people in the island? If there’s, can i ask your contact number? thank you po.
We didn’t book for a reservation when we went there. We just arrived early in the place.
Hi… the 3500 for overnight boat fee, does it already include the 4 island? Do we need to pay any entrance fees upon entering the islets??
Hi Kate. The 3,500 is only for day trip, not overnight. There’s no entrance free upon entering the islands.
Hi po. Meron po ba sila for rent a mga swimming gears? Like salbabida, googles and etc. Thank you ☺
Yes, there are floating devices for rent but I haven’t seen goggles for rent.
Hi mam.
Ask ko lang kung may time lang sila ng alis ng boat. Or as long as may gusto mag island hopping maaaccomodate nila? What if mga 11am na nakarating ng port? Thanks in advance.
They accommodate tourists anytime.
Hi,
Yung P2,500 ba na boat for 10 persons eh for good the 4 island tour na ba? o baka isang island lng pwedeng puntahan?
The 2,500 is for the whole boat and the 4 islands.
Is there a cooking station to boil water and cook food?
I didn’t see any but maybe you can bring your own equipment.
hi author.. how many hours from cebu to hilongos and how much is the fare..? thanks for reply
It’s usually around seven hours (overnight) and fare is around 300 pesos.