Sun and Fun in Carbin Reef

Carbin Reef was booked for an exclusive event last March 30th – the same day that we were planning to have our out-of-town trip.  Amam was home for the holy week vacation and both Val’s sisters were free.  We chose Sipaway Island Resort in San Carlos City instead. 

When we had everything ready for the trip the night before, we learned that the car wasn’t ready for uphill travel via Don Salvador Benedicto.  Don Salvador Benedicto is the shorter route from Bacolod to San Carlos and taking the longer route via Escalante meant more than twice the travel time.  And, we couldn’t come back before it gets dark if we chose the long way.

Before we slept at past 1 a.m., we all decided to take the chance in Carbin Reef again, even without the booking.  At past 6 a.m., there were only six of us – Val’s sisters and my brothers – who packed for Sagay City.  The travel was smooth until we were apprehended by an LTO officer in Cadiz City.  Our only violation was failure to wear seat belt.  And I was the culprit!

Carbin Reef

Though Val’s license was confiscated, it didn’t hinder us to pursue Carbin Reef.  Off we went to Sagay, the northernmost tip of Negros Island.  There were several locals offering boat ride to Carbin Reef for a fee of Php 1500.  Life vests are being rented for Php 20 each.  It was a 25-minute boat ride from Sagay port to Carbin Reef.  

 

boats for hire

Carbin Reef is a white sand bar islet with a couple of shaded cottages and nothing else.  Remember to bring your food and drinks plus sunscreen!  They have no snorkling gears for rent, so be sure to bring your own gears.  We settled for three kiddie snorkel sets we bought the day before because one adult snorkel costs a lot.

At the islet, there is an entrance fee of Php 20 and each cottage is rented for Php 300.  The island is actually a marine sanctuary, so be sure you bring your trash with you as you leave; anything found in the island will remain in the island.

Lucky for us we were able to experience Carbin Reef all to ourselves!  It was more than 2 hours of snorkling, relaxing and photoshoot.  The beautiful white sand bar island surrounded with clear blue waters is a very nice place for picnic and vacation.

  

the blue one serves as their dressing room

  

staff house. during high tide, water level reaches the floor of the structure.

  

the other end of the island

snorkling time

 shaded cottages  

 

 enjoying the water

  

the last two photos above were taken by val

By 11 a.m. we changed into our dry clothes.  There’s nowhere in the island to take a shower.  We’ll just wait until we get home and take a bath.  The guests arrived in time for us to leave for Sagay port.  Looked like they can fill up the whole island, huh.  No wonder the island is exclusively booked for them.

Museo sang Bata sa Negros 

Our first stop over between Sagay and Bacolod is the Museo sang Bata sa Negros.  It showcases the different shells, sands and other underwater creatures of Sagay and the Philippines.  The guide explained that fine sands in Boracay denotes corals are situated far from the island while coarser sands of Carbin Reef means corals are nearby the island.  Besides Carbin Reef, there are other islands off Sagay.  Some are 45 minutes from the port.   

 

 

 different types of sands and their origin

 

As we entered the airconditioned aquarium, we were greeted by different marine lives, most of them found in Carbin Reef.

 

 

 

 

At the far side of the museum is a small aquarium of live starfishes, pawikan and other marine lives.  We were allowed to touch them as long as we wash our hands first.  The museum is truly educational not just for kids but also for adults.

  

  

In case you planned to experience Carbin Reef yourself, here are a couple of numbers you can call for boat rentals:

Dodoy – 0930 204 7995

Vhanny – 0920 421 4632

See you in my next post for our road trip between Sagay and Bacolod.