Romblon: Definitely Worth A Visit

[alitaptap]

Just ashore after ten days cruising parts of Romblon Province, Philippines, aboard 47-foot Jeanneau Sun Kiss out of Puerto Galera. Highlights: Banton Island, Mainit Bay; Bon-Bon Beach; Romblon Yacht Club; Sibale Island


Banton Island - safe anchorage in NE monsoon in Mainit Bay (10 meters on sand, good holding), turtles, beautiful corals, friendly residents ashore, many native species surviving including sailfin dragon. Note: no mobile phone signal in Mainit Bay unless line-of-site (SW) to Corcuera Island



Bon-Bon beach (Romblon Island) - safe anchorage in NE monsoon (6-8 meters on sand, good holding), SW of Romblon town, causeway to adjacent island disappears at high tide, walk to N end of beach and take tricycle to town


Romblon Yacht Club (Romblon Island) - two safe deep-water swing-moorings, three stern-to moorings for smaller yachts (not quite perfect in strong winds), only US$3 per day, clubhouse restaurant opens from 2pm to 10am, good food, cold drinks, sensible price, will arrange for fuel and water deliveries, take tricycle to town for other items. Contact Romblon Deli for motorcycle tour of island (allow a day for the tour) visit marble quarries, marble carvers, lighthouse, beaches, resorts, Spanish fort, Spanish church; very friendly people and good food all the way. Contact Yacht Club restaurant: Ms. Judith +639553403771. Contact Yacht Club Vice-Commodore David Kershaw +639296687875.



Sibale Island: anchorage SW of the town pier (8-10 meters on sand, a few coral bombies to rub chain, good holding) ashore, small quiet friendly town, marine sanctuary, nearby turtle nesting beach, unique sand nesting birds, native birds & wildlife, native flora, puzzle-nut mangroves, superb snorkeling around headlands, seashore adventure walk (low tide only). Contact tour guide for motorcycle tour of island and full information. Tour Guide Ms. Annabel +639471444523


Observation: we encountered not a single other yacht during the ten days. Why is everyone avoiding the (beautiful) heart of the Philippines?

[pbmaise]

I enjoyed my brief visit there about 4 years ago.

Major issue was a arrived at night and light signals were different than map. I almost ended up going to the right of island instead of the left.

[chris in SG]

By chance, we are planning to explore Romblon from Leyte during this NE season, so your notes are really useful - many thanks!

[alitaptap]

Lights in the Philippines are not always as they are on the charts. If arriving Romblon at night without prior knowledge then use Bon-Bon Beach until daylight.


Additional information:



Anchorage at Bon-bon Beach 12 34.249N 122 14.552E 6m depth; approach from the South, heading 17.5deg, deep channel all the way in, sandy bottom with a couple of coal lumps, very close to sand bar, could anchor in deeper water South of this mark (check out Google Earth for accurate visual).


Anchorage at Mainit Bay, Banton Island, 12 55.492N 122 03.333E 9m depth; sandy bottom. We arrived at night, approached from the WNW and dropped the anchor exactly at this GPS mark, 50 meters either side is coral, best to arrive in daylight.


Moorings at Romblon Yacht Club 1-meter square polystyrene floats near 12 35.424N 122 16.397E; use your own mooring lines.



One correction to previous: Romblon Yacht Club restaurant open from 2pm to 10pm daily (not 10am)